Maggie, Virginia.
Hi, born and raised in Virginia - close to Shenandoah National Park and Appalachian Trail access - I am currently a student at the University of Virginia.
The Long Trail is the first thru-hike for me! My boyfriend (and hiking partner) and I have done the Virginia Triple Crown on the AT and some other overnights on the AT like Three Ridges.
The John Muir Trail and Colorado Trail are on our radar for a potential next thru hike!
My Long Trail.
When?
17th July - 10th August 2020
How long did it take?
25 days
Start and finish location?
NOBO hike
Start: North Adams
Finish: Journey’s End
Group or solo?
Hiked with my boyfriend
How many zeros and where?
1 zero day
Rochester (hitched from Middlebury Gap)
Describe your experience in one word or phrase.
I've learned to find comfort in discomfort and peace in uncertainty.
Favourite item of gear and why?
Patagonia strider shorts (with the liner ripped out), paired with ExOfficio underwear.
Best shorts and underwear set up for hiking!
Luxury item?
We both took Kindles - long battery life and really nice for evenings in the tent when we finished hiking on the earlier side.
“Best part.”
We hiked from Mont Clair Glen shelter to Camel’s Hump and got up really early, so we didn’t have many day hikers at the top even though it was a Saturday.
After Camel’s Hump, we went into Waterbury for the day/night - I would highly recommend this. It’s a great stopping point to break up a super difficult section and was the most walkable town we stopped in.
If you stay at the Old Stagecoach Inn, you can walk to grocery stores, breweries and restaurants.
“Unexpected part.”
Even as experienced hikers, we still got blisters and other issues. My boyfriend never suffered from blisters before, but after a tough day he got about eight all over his feet (don’t think you are immune from blisters - make sure to bring moleskin and leukotape).
I developed some serious achilles tendon pain in the middle of the hike (first time for me). The trail can bring out some pains in your body that you have never experienced before, so just take it at your own speed and listen to your body.
“If I could do it again, I would _____”
If I could do it again, I would have not done a 20 mile day in the first couple of days - with the Stratton climb at the end of the day. It was one of the hardest climbs, if not the hardest in the first 100 miles, and it was just super tough to tack onto the end of an already long day.
I think we pushed ourselves a little too hard that day and it resulted in A LOT of blisters for my boyfriend. Don't underestimate that climb!
What advice would you give to people thinking about hiking the Long Trail?
Use Guthooks, make a loose plan, don't push yourself too hard in the beginning and risk hurting yourself. But at the same time, if you have any sort of time constraint, be willing to do more mileage per day in the beginning (if you are going NOBO).
The northern part of the trail is much more technical and the elevation gain and loss you will experience is tremendous! Be prepared to slow down when you reach the northern parts of the trail!
Stay at The Swanson Inn if you get the chance! Owned for the last two years by an extremely sweet couple who hiked the Long Trail in 2017, it was by far our favorite bed and breakfast of the entire trail. They do a hiker deal where they pick you up at the trail, drop you off in the morning, drive you to town to resupply and feed you dinner and breakfast. Tim and Rick, the owners, go above and beyond to make you feel at home!
Learn more about the Long Trail.
Why hike the Long Trail?
Introduction to the highlights of hiking the trail.
Trail & elevation maps.
Who doesn’t love a trail map?!
Location of North & South Terminus.
How to get to the trailheads.
FAQ’s.
When, what and how of the Long Trail.
Closest airports.
Guide to the closest airports to fly/out of.
