Off the Trail!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am off the trail and safe now! Many thanks to all that supported AT for CZC! This has been the most defining experience in my life, and I have learned and grown so much throughout this journey. I am currently working on a slideshow to reveal the "full story". I will send the link to the slideshow directly to your email once completed and will post on the blog as well. AT for CZC began long before my feet started walking the trail (November 2011) and will end once I have had the proper time to reflect and hopefully share all that I can about this incredible journey. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your love and support! AT for CZC continues off the trail, always in my heart right there from the start! Last of all, I know that I don't have to mention this but I would like to thank Houdini for sticking it out with me on the trail. We got by together, couldn't have stayed on the trail or survived getting off the trail one without the other. If there ever was a hiker that lived true to his name to the last day on the trail, I don't even have to mention it. But my sincerest thanks goes out to Houdini. For all that we have been through, for all that we have endured, for all that we have learned, and for all that we now have to live for I wouldn't change a thing. In our final moments on the trail, I was able to come to a true understanding of many things. Most importantly, the truest and realist appreciation for being alive and for the living, the power of choice, and the hope for change. Never forget that life is the most precious gift we were given. Never take it for granted. AT for CZC continues off the trail. Stay tuned for the slideshow! -Ewok

Happy Thanksgiving from Boiling Springs!

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody that has helped get me here! I have struggled with words and putting this journey into words. This is the best I can do for now. Houdini and I hiked into Boiling Springs yesterday afternoon and stayed the night at the Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse. I have absolutely loved the entire state of Pennsylvania! It has been incredible how much support we have been given by everyone that we have met on and off the trail. While the past month has been the most challenging and has pushed us mentally to our limits to stay on the trail, we have also come across some very important realizations. Putting all that has changed within myself and within this hike into words is finally becoming a little easier. If there is one message the trail teaches, it is to share all that you have. Never stop giving, and even when it seems you have nothing to give, you can still give your time and your love. Yesterday marked 7 months to the day since I left from Springer Mtn, GA. What a long journey it has been! I have been given more than I ever dreamed of in the past 7 months, a new life, a new lifestyle, and most importantly of all, a new vision of how I see the world around me and my place and purpose here. All that remains is 100 miles to Harpers Ferry, and Houdini and I plan to be done before December. We will be spending Thanksgiving with the Clancy family and we are so grateful for their hospitality in inviting two complete strangers who just came out of the woods into their home for the holiday. We certainly have developed a rocky relationship with the rocks in PA! But we can thankfully say that the worst of the rocks is over. And even so, we are grateful for rocks because that is the only way to keep warm at night. By heating rocks in the fire and using them to heat our sleeping bags we are able to at least get some sleep at nights. While the majority of our gear is all but breaking down and insufficient for cold weather camping, our 20* bags failing to insulate, down jackets losing feathers, etc., we must push on to keep warm and we are so close to being done with this journey at this point. The cold has been something. Dealing with the constant cold is harder than any climb and anything that I have experienced on the trail. While the trail has not been terribly challenging in PA (PA is pretty flat with relatively short climbs and decents), going cold gives a whole new meaning to what it means to have shelter and a home. Not just that, but the importance of opening up your home to others who are without. Just as the constant hunger in New Hampshire and Maine forced me to realize how much we waste and how important it is to be more conscious of our own waste. We all can certainly live with a little less because there will always be someone with greater needs than our own. To give when we are able is a must for a hopeful future. I don't think the gratitude that I feel can possibly be put into words for all those who have helped to get us to this point and for all that we have been given. I now know all that I need in my life which is my family, the few possessions I have carried in order to survive, and my own ability to give and make a difference. If we can broaden our visions and see the entire human race as our family or even a step further and embrace all that is alive as our family, and this world our home and not merely the shelter over our heads, we can see that there is hope and that this is a sharing and caring world. There is so much more to be said, and still so much more to be learned from the Trail. Today I find myself thankful for many things; I am thankful for my family who loves and supports me endlessly, I am thankful for Comfort Zone Camp and for all that camp provides for its campers, and I am thankful for the Appalachian Trail. I am thankful for all that I have learned in living in the woods. I am thankful that Houdini and I dare to stay on the trail even when nature is telling us it is time to get off. I am thankful for having met and traveled with Jay-Bird, Crazy Beard, Low Profile, Too Tall, Lightning Jack, Soleman, Far East Coast, and Traveler who have all changed my life so dramatically. The dependence we have found and the lifestyle we have lived has meant so much to me. There is so much more to say, and in time, I hope that I can find the words to do justice to the goodness that I have found on the AT. Happy Thanksgiving to all! AT for CZC reaches the last 100 Miles and SOBO we shall go! -Ewok

Coyote Sighting in Palmerton

AT for CZC is back on the move this week after a few days off the Trail last weekend. I spoke with Matt yesterday afternoon while he was resting at the Jailhouse Hostel in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Click here to see his location as of 7am this morning.

Matt reports that all is well on the Trail. Despite the cold weather, shorter daylight and rockier than expected conditions, he and Houdini are making good time and hope to finish the rest of the hike near Harper's Ferry before Thanksgiving next week. The Trail is fairly flat at this point, definitely a blessing after the rocks and streams of Maine.

Matt reports that they saw a coyote near the Trail on Wednesday afternoon, which was "pretty cool." They also saw a house/barn burning in the distance, giving them something to talk about as they made their way south that day. Finally, Matt also has been struck by how much trash and food waste he has seen in this region.

Check back in soon for more updates from the Trail. Be sure as well to check in over Thanksgiving as Matt will no doubt spend some time reflecting on his experiences over the past six months. Happy Friday!

Pictures from the Trail

Lots to report over the past couple of weeks. AT for CZC has soldiered on over the past couple of weeks despite cold temperatures and the challenges presented by Hurricane Sandy. Upon completion of Mt. Katahdin, Matt took a bus south to Providence, RI, and stayed here in coastal Rhode Island with Steph and I for a couple of days before heading south. Before heading out, we dumped a ton of pictures from the Trail on my computer. Click here for a link to the full gallery of pictures taken on the Trail during September and October.

On Friday, October 26th, I drove him south to Fort Montgomery, New York, a few minutes outside of West Point. There, he met with fellow thru-hiker Houdini and the two hit the Trail bound for the Delaware Water Gap.

With Hurricane Sandy looming in a couple of days, the two hatched a plan to camp out in the William Brien Memorial Shelter, approximately a ten mile hike from Fort Montgomery. After resupplying in a nearby town and obtaining a weather update, they purchased some tarps and prepared for the storm. Over the next couple of days, they hunkered down and waited for the hurricane to pass. Matt reported during this time that storm did not hit their location very hard despite being fairly close to New York City.

After the storm had swept through, they got back on the Trail and have been braving the elements since, hiking as much as possible each day despite the cold weather. See below for their locations over the past week and a half:

October 31st, 9:39am
November 2nd, 9:42am
November 4th, 4:52pm

They reported yesterday morning that they had successfully arrived at the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey/Pennsylvania. They have hiked a little over 100 miles since Hurricane Sandy.

Looking ahead, with temperatures continuing to drop and Winter Storm Athena hitting the East Coast today and tomorrow, they have elected to leave the Trail for a few days and rent a car southbound for Harper's Ferry and Washington DC. After speaking with Matt this morning, he reports that they have been staying at the Church of the Mountain Hostel near the Delaware Water Gap.

He reports that the weather is affecting their plan dramatically and that they have been rethinking how best to complete the final 250 miles south. Matt suggested that they might start building their hikes around the hostels/places to stay. Under this plan, they would leave their packs at the hostels, hitch north or south out of town, and then hike back into town each day, ensuring that they have a warm place to stay each night that is off the Trail.

Matt reports that he is continuing to learn more about himself and about the Trail each day. To keep warm, they have been building beds of leaves each night and warming stones in large campfires before wrapping them in their clothing and using the stones as foot warmers / pillows.

They plan to stay with a friend in Washington DC this evening and will plan the remainder of the hike over the next couple of days. Houdini plans to attend a concert in the Baltimore area before they get back on the Trail no later than Sunday or Monday.

Check back in soon for more updates from the Trail. AT for CZC continues!

Southbound!

Many thanks for your constant support of AT for CZC! This has been the most amazing journey, and I am so thankful for having met so many good people along the way! The past few months on the trail have been a wild ride to say the least. The White Mountains in New Hampshire and the entire state of Maine have certainly put us all to the test. While they have been the most challenging states as the trail goes, they have also been the most fun and the best for hiking! With the days constantly becoming shorter and colder, new challenges have definitely come to pass on the trail. Frostbite and hypothermia were heavy on the mind in the 100 mile wilderness as we had to ford some bone chilling rivers. Slipping and falling were also an everyday thing in Maine as we passed through during the mud season. All in all, Love Maine, Love Mud, Love Whoopie Pies! There is a long list of people I would like to thank. Most importantly, I would like to thank Lightning Jack, Soleman, Traveler, and Far East Coast! I am so grateful to have met and traveled with you guys. You guys truly showed me how everything is better when shared. From sharing every material possession that we carried to all the experiences along the way, I am glad that I shared them with you guys. To think of all the feasts that came from the hat! Lightning Jack and I started hiking together after meeting at Tom Levardi's in Dalton, MA. Having met Soleman and Traveler through the Smoky Mountains, it was great to reunite with them in Hanover, NH. Far East Coast then joined our tribe in Gorham, NH, and together the 5 of us hiked north to Katahdin. I would like to give a HUGE shout out to Angela Tilley! Thank you so much for being so awesome! Over the course of our 281 mile trek through Maine, Angela was always there, meeting us at unknown roads with food, clothes, smiles, and anything we needed. Thank you Angela! Where to go from here... Tomorrow, Mike will be driving me to Fort Montgomery, NY where I plan to get back on the trail with long lost friend Houdini. Intentions are to begin hiking southbound to Harpers Ferry to complete the thru-hike around Thanksgiving time. AT for CZC continues. Put it in the hat! -Ewok

At Long Last

He did it! At long last, AT for CZC has arrived at Mt. Katahdin, Maine. After almost 180 days on the Trail, Matt and his hiking partners have successfully journeyed from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mt. Katahdin, Maine. And though he plans to circle back and hike the portion he skipped in Pennsylvania, what a tremendous accomplishment to have come so far.

Much like a good deal of this hike, besting Katahdin was done without much fanfare. Matt reports that the five mile trip was "quite a challenge," nearly straight up hill. Additionally, he reports that it was beautiful, "without a cloud in the sky." He took a ton of pictures, so be sure to check back in to see them in the near future.

Looking ahead, he is currently back in Monson, Maine, celebrating with his co-hikers before he begins to make his way south. I'll be in touch with him over the weekend to plan a visit to see me here in Rhode Island. I look forward to hearing more of his stories and am sure that he will use this blog as a place to reflect on some of his experiences on the Trail.

Made it to Millinocket

I'm happy to report on this cool and crisp Wednesday morning that Matt and his hiking partners have made it safely through the 100 Mile Wilderness and rested comfortably in a motel room last night in the town of Millinocket, Maine. While there was some debate last night as to whether or not they would attempt to hike Katahdin today, he wanted to report that all was well and that they were staying warm. He told me on the phone last night that he would call this morning if they chose to attempt Mt. Katahdin today; they were debating whether or not to hike the nine mile approach trail or obtain a ride before attempting the five mile hike from base to summit. Haven't heard from him yet this morning, though I'm sure we'll hear soon!

As I spoke to him last night, he was in the midst of cooking what he called a "big sausage feast" for himself and his hiking partners. Using a notorious cooking pot that has doubled as his hat over the past couple of months, he was in high spirits and excited to "be done with Maine." While Maine has offered some of the "most beautiful hiking on the Trail," the 100 Mile Wilderness was flat, very boggy, and cold. Due to the cold and rainy conditions over the past couple of weeks, the hike through the wilderness took eight days for the group. Unfortunately, the hikers had anticipated and packed food for only five days worth of hiking, and so had been pretty miserable and hungry while eating smaller rations.

Matt reports that the foliage is all down now. Peak foliage was seen in the beginning of Maine. The views have been spectacular, but it's nearing the end of the hiking season up north, and he has already experienced some snowy conditions on the Trail. Brrrrhhh! Additionally, he did not feel the earthquake that rocked Southern Maine yesterday evening; in fact, he hadn't even heard about it as of 9:15pm last night.

He continues to hike with a large group that have been together throughout the Northeast, and wanted to mention new friend Far East Coast, a fellow thru-hiker whom will become - according to Matt - only the second person from Singapore to hike the AT once he completes Katahdin.

Looking ahead, he plans to "take a few days off" after completing Katahdin before making his way south via bus. I hope to meet with him here in Rhode Island before he meets with longtime hiking partner, Houdini, whom has gotten back on the Trail and is hiking south through Connecticut/New York. Check back in soon for a final update regarding Katahdin. AT for CZC continues!

Sick in Maine

This post comes a few days late - my apologies for the inconvenience. On Sunday and Monday, Matt took a quick day off with several of his fellow thru-hikers in the town of Stratton approximately 200 miles from Katahdin. Having developed a cold over the past week, and with rainy weather and cold temperatures setting in, a hot shower and night at the Stratton Motel offered a welcome reprieve from the Trail.

He informed me that he was "loving Maine" and referred to it as "Solemanland for sure." While temperatures have been dipping into the 20's in the evenings, the hikes during the day have been comfortable, albeit challenging. The picture below was taken from the Trail on September 23rd. I can only imagine what the views will look like as the leaves continue to change...

Matt did request that any packages/letters that you wish to send be mailed to the town of Monson before the start of the 100-Mile Wilderness. More details to come as he provides them.

I hope to hear from him in the very near future. Unfortunately, our conversation over this past weekend was brief, as he was planning to get some sleep and try to get healthy before returning to the Trail. Check back in soon!

From Gorham, NH

Happy Sunday. I'm pleased to let everyone know that AT for CZC has made it to Gorham, New Hampshire. I received a call late last night from Matt. He reports that he has made it safely over Mt. Washington after a "very intense" hike in which he saw rain, sun and 60-mph winds in a single day.

He spent last night in a motel in Gorham - along with eight fellow thru-hikers - and was excited to get some rest, a good meal, and sleep in a warm room. He assured me that all was going well and that the hikers rallied together to accomplish their goal during a rigorous stretch of the Trail. While excited to get back on the Trail this morning, he sounded grateful for the chance to take an early rest yesterday evening.

The hike over Mt. Washington demanded the utmost caution and focus, as the path was often denoted by little more than a man-made pile of rocks. He described in detail how he and the others have been "rock scrambling," often above the tree line and amongst the clouds with howling winds drowning out any conversation. Quite the adventure.

He wishes to thank the staff and guests at the various "hiker huts" along this portion of the Trail. He is incredibly thankful for the free food and shelter; the past couple of nights would have been miserable without this much-appreciated hospitality!

The next contact will more than likely be from Maine. AT for CZC continues!

A View from the Top

A quick post this morning to report that Matt and his fellow thru-hikers are nearing Mt. Washington on this beautiful Friday morning. He sent me the picture below at 10:40am this morning with the simple caption, "Mt. Washington." Imagine this view once the leaves change in a couple of weeks...

As I said in yesterday's post, I hope to hear from him in the next couple of days once he has cleared the White Mountains and made it safely to Gorham, the final town in New Hampshire before continuing on to Maine. As of this post, he is approximately 330 miles from Katahdin.

6 Miles From Mt. Washington

I've just gotten off the phone with Matt on this beautiful Thursday evening. He reports that all is well in the White Mountains and that he is a mere six miles from Mt. Washington. For many of the hikers, tomorrow represents one of the most anticipated moments of their adventure on the AT. From the sound of it, Ewok sounds ready for the challenge ahead!

He reports that he has safely made it to the Mizpah Spring Hut approximately six miles from Mt. Washington and is spending the evening doing a "work-for-stay," cleaning up after dinner at the lodge in order to receive a free meal and room for the night. Matt noted several times that he was "really looking forward to a warm bed" tonight.

A few notes from the Trail:

• The weather, though cold in the evenings (40's), has been fantastic during the day.

• He continues to travel with Lightning Jack, Traveler and Soul Man. Crazy Beard has fallen behind, though Matt hopes to reunite with some of the others, including Houdini, in the not too distant future.

• The White Mountains have been spectacular. The views above the tree lines have been "unreal," with sheer drops on either side of the Trail and panoramic views throughout. The hikes have been extremely challenging, often involving a hike straight up and straight down with little break between.

• Rocks and roots have been a constant challenge. While the Trail in the south was often fairly smooth on dirt trails, he has found himself following the white blazes on rocks and trees with hardly any sign of a traditional trail.

Matt claims that he will call from Gorham, NH, after successfully completing Mt. Washington, and suggests that this will happen in the next three or four days. Check back in soon for more details.

The White Mountains

Lots to report on this gorgeous afternoon. The weather has officially changed in the Northeast and fall seems to be upon us. While there are no doubt some more warm days yet before us, the nights have been cool and the weather perfect for Matt as AT for CZC continues north.

I am happy to report that he has safely made it to the White Mountains. While he was located here on September 9th, he checked in early with me yesterday morning, leaving the following message:

"Hey Mike, just wanted to talk to you. I'm in Lincoln, in the White Mountains. Things are going really great. I'm still traveling with a huge group. Houdini had to get off the Trail; he's taking a few weeks off as his knee is still really messed up... I'm just trying to figure out who I'm going to press ahead with... I will talk to you soon."

Matt did acknowledge that it was getting cold in the evenings. He is above the tree line so his views are spectacular. That being said, it has been windy and cold in the evenings and early mornings.

Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers over the next couple of days. This portion of the hike offers some of the most demanding and rigorous challenges that he has yet encountered and, with the weather changing on a moment's notice, the Trail will continue to push him in the weeks ahead.

Finally, please see below for a few pictures Matt passed along from his adventures in the White Mountains.

September 7th Check-In

Happy Friday! Good news from Matt on this beautiful Friday afternoon. As of 11:45am, AT for CZC was located here on the AT and continues north towards the White Mountains.

Perhaps even more uplifting than Matt making contact is the fact that he checked in via his SPOT GPS device. This contact confirms that he has made it through Lyme, New Hampshire, and has picked up a care package and mail containing new batteries, supplies and, most importantly, a warm jacket for the challenges ahead.

I hope to hear from him one more time before he and the other thru-hikers attack a rigorous 70-mile stretch through the White Mountains. Check back in soon for more details. Have a great weekend.

A Long Overdue Update

Happy post-Labor Day to all. Much to report regarding AT for CZC as we begin the month of September. My sincerest apologies for not providing updates over the past several weeks. The combination of limited access to Matt, as well as relocating myself to the Northeast, has disrupted my routines.

Anyhow, I'm happy to report that all is well for Ewok on the AT. I spoke to him over the weekend and he informed me that he has safely made it to Hanover, New Hampshire. Over the past four days, he has enjoyed some R&R at Dartmouth College, no doubt enjoying the food and festivities associated with the start of the new school year. Hopefully, he's staying dry as well, as the past couple of days have been filled with rain her in the Northeast. He even seems to have found Internet access last night, having posted on Facebook: "Hanover, NH will suck you in... Love this town!"

A few items worth noting from my conversation with him this weekend:

• At the time of our last conversation, he was waiting for hiking mates Crazy Beard, Low Profile and Houdini before continuing north towards Katahdin. He elected to split from them about a week ago after Houdini injured his knee and needed some down time. Matt chose to remain on the Trail with new hiking partner, Lightning Jack.

• His hike from Connecticut to New Hampshire has gone very well. Cooler temperatures, an increased number of thru-hikers, and dense forests have been the norm, all of which have been a welcome change from his time in the south.

• His SPOT device needs new batteries. For this reason, he has not checked in for the past couple of weeks with his current location. I suggested that he take the time in Hanover to find replacement batteries - hopefully, he'll take my advice!

Matt reports that he is hiking roughly 20 miles a day and in excellent condition. He has hiked approximately 1,150 miles, aquablazed about 150 more, and is 442 miles from Katahdin. The plan remains to hike the Pennsylvania portion after finishing in Maine, weather permitting.

At the time of publication, I suspect that he is still in Hanover. I hope to speak with him one more time before he sets out again on the Trail to undertake the rigorous hiking in the White Mountains. A most sincere thank you to everyone for reaching out and supporting Matt over the past several months. He assures me that his thoughts remain with Comfort Zone with each mile.

AT for CZC continues!

An addendum to the post:

I just got off the phone with Matt and he reports that he is still in Hanover, though planning to leave later today. He has enjoyed the past four days in town and calls it "the best time I've had on the Trail." He calls Hanover the most "hiker-friendly town" he has visited thus far, and has enjoyed free food courtesy of many of the local restaurants in town.

He wishes to thank the staff and students at Dartmouth College for their hospitality as well as the people of Hanover for their support. Thru-hikers have congregated over the weekend in town and are "pumped" for the White Mountains in a couple of days.

Matt plans to call from Lyme, NH in a couple of days before beginning a rigorous seventy mile portion of the Trail. 

From Naugatuck, CT

As our time winds down in Naugatuck and New Haven, Connecticut, we find ourselves ready to get back to life on the trail. We have had an eventful week resupplying, acquiring new gear, and most importantly, meeting all the amazing people along the way. I would like to extend my most sincere thanks to Bridget McNamara who supplied me with a new backpack and warm clothes suitable for the White Mountains soon to come in New Hampshire and Maine. Thank you Bridget! A very special thank you to Dan Crogan for picking us up in Harpers Ferry and for driving us up to Connecticut. Also, thank you Kelsey and Kayla for showing us an awesome time at Indian Neck beach yesterday. Lastly, I would like to thank the Krueger, Kosma, and DeGeorge families for hosting us this past week in Naugatuck, CT and for making us feel completely at home! This coming Monday, Crazy Beard, Low Profile, Dylan (trail name BLT), Houdini, and I will continue our journey hiking north from Kent, CT. ~Ewok

Harpers Ferry, WV here we are!

After a scorching eight days on the Shenandoah River, Houdini, Low Profile, and I made it to Harpers Ferry, WV. The river presented many challenges from low water levels, constant exposure to the sun, to having the majority of our gear stolen. It was also very difficult to find public campgrounds as the majority of the land along the Shenandoah is privately owned. However, we all agreed that the aqua-blaze was a success, and overall, we enjoyed our time on the river thoroughly.

Special thank you to Chesty Frank and Running River Outfitters for giving us shelter on the night of the storm. Without your hospitality, our experience on the Shenandoah wouldn't have been nearly as pleasant. If anyone is interested in tubing down the Shenandoah, find Chesty's page on FB by searching Running River Outfitters!

Also a very special thank you to Cody Bateman, "Spanky", who was so kind and inspirational to us last night. After hearing your experiences from your two hikes on the AT, we couldn't be more excited for what is to come on the trail. Thank you for your inspiration, for your words of advice, and for giving us the best welcoming one could ask for into Harpers Ferry!

Our plan from here is to enjoy the weekend in Harpers Ferry with old friends, Don O'Gorman and Brett and Tom Rasinski. A possible tubing excursion down the Shenandoah staircase sounds very intriguing. On Sunday, Crazy Beard will be coming down from Connecticut to bring Houdini, Low Profile, and myself up to Naugatuck, CT. The four of us will then be getting back on the trail in Kent, CT with the intention of hiking to Katahdin.

Thank you again to Jon Waldron for letting us borrow his canoe. The aqua-blaze would not have been possible without your help.

Thank you Comfort Zone Camp family for all of the support along the way! Your words of encouragement are what keep me going! AT for CZC continues north!

-Ewok

Aqua-blazing the Shenandoah

It has been an amazing week off the trail back home in VA. We have all enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and new friends too! But it is time for our northward bound traveling adventures to continue.

While Dylan has returned to the northeast to hike Katahdin with his family, and James has returned to Nashville, Low Profile, Houdini, and I will continue our journey north. 

There are so many people to thank at this point in time. I would like to thank my parents for hosting us this past week and for feeding us endlessly! I would also like to thank Meghan Norred, Miles Kimbrough, and Stephanie Marino for their hospitality and for showing us such fun times in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA!

It was also so great to see some CZC family, Myk, Kevin, and Clay, at the Avett Brothers show last week! 

To the Jay-bird- you know how hard this is for me to put into words. And I know that my words cannot do justice to all that we have seen and experienced in the past three months. I am going to miss traveling with you very much. But I am so happy that we shared these incredible adventures on and off the AT.

To Dylan and Crazy Beard- I can’t wait to regroup and continue hiking with you guys when we make it to Connecticut!

Tomorrow, Houdini, Low Profile, and I will set out on an aqua-blaze on the Shenandoah River from Port Republic to Harpers Ferry. We expect the 150 mile canoe trip to take anywhere from 7-10 days depending on the water levels. Special thank you to Jon Waldron for letting us borrow his canoe and for providing us with the opportunity for new experiences on the river.

AT for CZC continues!

-Ewok

Pictures from the Trail

As Matt's time off the Trail winds down over the next couple of days, I wanted to quickly pass along the second series of pictures that he mailed my way.

Some breathtaking pictures in this album. Varied landscapes, great views, and diverse hiking conditions.

Click here for a link to pictures taken on the Trail from May 12th through July 10th.

The reprieve from the Trail has done the hikers a great deal of good over the past week, as Matt reports that he is feeling rested, stronger and more motivated to continue his journey than ever before.

The current plan is to Aqua-Blaze through the Shenandoah Valley and up to Harper's Ferry, W.V. This promises to be a great adventure for the hikers as well as a chance to continue resting their legs. Here's hoping that the river isn't too low. Nothing like carrying a canoe a couple of hundred miles through ankle-deep water to ruin morale...

Looking ahead, I hope to catch up with Matt once or twice more before he sets out for the Shenandoah Valley. Will definitely be in touch with more posts as they begin Part 2 of this great journey.

AT for CZC continues!

Home Sweet Home

     After a strenuous 10 days on the trail, Houdini, Jay-bird, and I arrived at Reeds Gap mp 837, and are taking some time off at my parents’ house to plan our next move.

    Thank you so much to my brother Mike who has been updating the blog since we left from Springer Mtn. nearly 3 months ago. Words cannot express my gratitude for keeping everyone informed of our whereabouts and for putting my thoughts into words. I would also like to thank my parents for their constant support of the hike and for all the food and supplies that have been sent in mail drops. Thank you Danny for your sense of humor, and I hope you can find the time to join me for a day or two on the trail.

     I would also like to thank my Comfort Zone family for all of the support, motivation, and inspiration to keep hiking north! Whenever the going gets tough on the trail, I am able to remind myself of why I came out in the first place. Spreading word about Comfort Zone Camp always gives me the strength and will to keep going and I couldn’t ask for anything more than that.

     Thank you James and Manuel (Jay-bird and Houdini) for being the best two hiking buddies and friends one could ask for. I can’t imagine going through this journey without either one of you. I can’t remember ever being as happy or content with my life and where it is going, even when that is completely unknown. Thank you Crazy Beard, Low Profile, Too Tall, and Dylan for all of the good times and tough times- I hope the trail finds us all together again soon.

     I would also like to thank everyone who has given us rides to and from the trail, to everyone who supplies Trail Magic, and to all the volunteers who maintain the trails. The further this journey continues, I have come to realize just how many people are there to help a thru-hiker on his or her journey and quite simply, a thru-hike would not be possible without all of the support and help provided by everyone along the way.

     I have gained so much from this journey. Following a passion for Comfort Zone and wanting to make a difference is what brought me to the mountains. I didn’t expect to change physically or mentally as much as I have already but it’s great! And I can’t wait for what is to come around the bend and for the unknown ends for which the trail will take us. There is nothing more fulfilling in life than following your passions. The personal growth and reconnection with the natural world that I have experienced on the AT is unparalleled by any other experience, and the relationships created along the way have been some of the purest and truest that I have ever felt.

     Our plan from here: While Dylan and Low Profile will be testing the water levels on a float down the Shenandoah River this week, Houdini, Jay-bird, and I will be busy looking into purchasing or renting canoes for a potential Aqua-blaze through the Shenandoah to Harpers Ferry, WV. We are anticipating the arrival of Crazy Beard in Richmond on Friday and look forward to reuniting with him since our last departure nearly 400 miles ago in Damascus, VA.

Until then, Peace and Love to all hikers in the Land of Plenty! We’ll be back soon!

-Ewok

July 10th Check-In

Hope all is well for everyone on this rainy, humid Tuesday evening. The blessed break from the heat has unfortunately brought with it some rainy conditions that will more than likely continue over the next week. Ewok and J-Bird continue north through Southeastern Virginia and are here as of 9:25pm this evening.

Hoping to hear from Matt later this week or sometime this weekend. The hikers are currently debating whether or not they will continue north once they reach our family's home in Central Virginia. An alternative plan has been proposed to take a bus to Maine and hike south. In doing so, they will simultaneously get a reprieve from the heat wave that has been hammering the Southeast while also giving them more time to complete their hike once the temperatures begin to cool later this fall.

Check back in soon for important developments regarding their hike.

A Week of R&R at Monteagle

AT For CZC celebrated the 4th of July in style at the Fuqua family home in Monteagle, Tennessee. Upon arriving in Roanoke last weekend, J-Bird, Ewok and Houdini promptly rented a car and drove back south to James' mountain home for a week of rest and relaxation. Lots to report on this Saturday morning.

The hikers spent a few days enjoying the air-conditioning after the blistering heat of the past couple of weeks. While they continue to love their time on the Trail, it sounds as if they took full advantage of their "zero days." James' mother, Karen, writes:

They were fine. Ate everything in sight, slept a lot, fell in with the young folks at Monteagle, went rock climbing, played croquet, went swimming at the Monteagle pool (the oldest swimming pool in TN), rode in the 4^th of July parade in Gil’s old car. In all, a good break I think, complete with AIR CONDITIONING and REAL MATRESSES.

Additionally, James' father Gil, whom hiked with the guys several weeks back, added:

Gil's Rolls Royce is ready for the 4th of July parade.

Matt, James and Houdini, rode with me in the parade. They pitched candy out to the crowd and had a grand time... I know they enjoyed the rest, food, showers and clean beds. We have a big house in Monteagle and they were no trouble to add to the party... James drove them back in the rental car and dropped them off at the trail near Catawba. He then returned the car to the airport in Roanoke and then headed out to meet them. They are headed your way.

We finally had an opportunity to catch up with Matt for more than a few minutes over the holiday. He informed us that all is well and that he was thrilled to have the time off the Trail. He really enjoyed the rock climbing and was amazed at how difficult it was. While he typically does not like heights, he acknowledged that "you are so busy watching where to put your feet and holding on, that you don't even think about looking down."

Yesterday evening, the three hikers drove back to the Roanoke area and began their hike again at Catawba, mile marker #702 from Springer Mountain. They hiked a few miles last night and ended up "cowboy camping" here at McAfee Knob, a famous rock formation with phenomenal views. Matt informed me this morning that the sunset and sunrise from McAfee might very well be the most beautiful views he has ever seen.

Additionally, Matt had this to say during our call this morning:

We've been through a lot of new experiences over the past few weeks... It's hard to put into words; there isn't much time to reflect... we're always in the moment of things... First, thanks to Gil and Karen for putting us up for the week in Monteagle... We had a great time relaxing, getting out of the heat, and had a blast in the parade... Thanks as well to Tyler for taking us rock climbing at Foster Falls...

We just got back on last night and camped out at McAfee Knob, probably one of the most popular rocks on the AT. It was great to get off the Trail and relax, but it's good to be back... We're about 150 miles from Shenandoah National Park where Mom and Dad will pick us up... From there, we plan to figure out how to get to Maine and hike south... We're thinking it will be wise to avoid the Virginia to New York section right now, which is flat and hot...

Dehydration and heat are our most common concerns. It's common to carry over a gallon of water each right now. We don't really know when water source will be dry due to the drought... We're all feeling really good though... That should do it for right now. I'll call you in a few days... Thank you so much for doing all this... Talk to you in a few days.

Looking ahead, they plan to arrive in Troutville within the next couple of days and finish restocking before continuing on to Buchanan, where Matt's tent will be waiting for him. He plans to be in touch again soon and suggested that he'll be sending me the second round of pictures from his camera within the next week. Check back in soon for more updates on AT For CZC!

June 30th Check-In

All is well on this incredibly hot Saturday afternoon. Click here to see Matt and James' location as of 12:30pm this afternoon. Luckily, it sounds as if they aren't being as directly affected in the mountains by the heat wave hammering the East Coast.

As of this afternoon, they have passed the Blacksburg area and are passing to the west of Roanoke, VA. I hope to hear from Matt before the weekend ends and ask him if the storms that have hit central Virginia are affecting them a few hours south.

Hard to believe that we're mere hours away from the beginning of July. The hikers have now been on the Trail for 71 days and will soon be entering the meat of their hike in Virginia. Looking at the map to the right, though they still have a ways to go, they have now covered an impressive portion of the Trail.

AT for CZC continues...

June 26th Check-In

"I'm OK," says Ewok on this beautiful Tuesday morning. Click here to see Matt's location at 10:45am this morning. AT for CZC continues to make its way towards Central Virginia and appears to be near the small hiker town of Pearisburg.

During my last conversation with Matt, he discussed the difficulty of finding water in Southwest Virginia. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that their luck has changed since we spoke over the weekend...

It appears that they have already hiked up the 1,500 foot elevation change that greets hikers upon leaving the small town. With this behind them, they should have a fairly smooth ten mile hike in front of them. Chances are they have already hiked this stretch as I type the log entry this evening.

Will post again as soon as I hear from Matt and James.

Resting at the Dojo

Ewok and J-Bird celebrated the conclusion of their second month on the Trail by taking a day of rest at a martial arts training center turned hiker hostel near Bastian, Virginia. After not hearing from Matt in over a week, I was pleasantly surprised when my phone rang late yesterday evening.

Matt reports that AT for CZC continues successfully as they make their way through the final days of June. As they approach 600 miles hiked on the AT, he reports that his spirits are not as high as they were a few weeks ago. They have evidently struggled to find water over the past week and are resorting to carrying a gallon of water each to supplement their Nalgene bottles. Furthermore, the southern Virginia trails are quite a bit rockier than expected and Matt reports that he was feeling "beaten down" and "very sore." No doubt a day of rest, a full belly and an air-conditioned room to sleep in worked their magic last night!

James, Matt and Houdini continue to hike together and have parted ways - for the time being - with Low Profile and Crazy Beard. The latter two hikers have been hitchhiking more while Matt and James have preferred to hike every mile, only hitchhiking when needing to get into town or a convenience store.

When I asked if he had seen much wildlife, he reported that he has seen quite a few more deer since entering Virginia. They spotted a black bear trudging through the woods and it took off down the mountain upon sighting the hikers.

Matt wishes to thank all his supporters and continues to think of Comfort Zone with each mile that passes. He asked that I thank Julie Rosson for her letter received in Bland and offers his most heartfelt thanks to Trubrit for letting them stay at the Dojo! In Matt's words, "thank you so much for your hospitality. We'll be coming back to Fort Bastian when it opens next year!"

Sending Word to Bland, VA

A brief post on this Wednesday evening. Looking ahead over the next week, Matt and James intend to arrive in Bland, Virginia, on or around June 20th.

The group was delayed out of Damascus as James and a couple of the other hikers contracted some sort of nasty stomach bug for a couple of days. Hoping that James feels better and that they managed to kick the sickness before heading back out onto the Trail.

If all goes well, AT for CZC will have hiked 586.9 miles as they wrap up their second month of hiking next week.

Thanks to everyone for your outpouring of support. In my conversation with Matt last weekend, he asked that I thank everyone for the well wishes and encouragement.

I've heard from a number of people whom were hoping to contact the hikers. If you would like to send a care package or letter, please feel free to send to the following address:

Matt Primiani

c/o General Delivery

Bland, VA 24315

*Please be sure to also write on the letter/package, "Hold for Thru-Hiker est. 6/20"

Additionally, please feel free to contact me via Facebook and I will pass word along to the hikers. Be sure to check back in soon. I hope to hear from J-Bird and Ewok, or at least receive a check-in with their current location, within the next day or so.

Notes from the Trail - June 3rd

Lots to report on this Sunday afternoon. AT for CZC has officially made it to Virginia. I spoke with Matt yesterday afternoon after he and James had successfully arrived in Damascus. They have now hiked an impressive 467 miles. Matt reports that they are both in high spirits, having successfully completed a grueling week that culminated in what he called the "best four days of hiking we've had on the Trail."

Having just scarfed down a satisfying lunch, they planned on cleaning up at The Place, a hiker hostel located in First United Methodist Church, before heading out to catch an afternoon movie. Sounded like they had a restful twenty four hours planned!

I also received the following note from Matt on Friday afternoon. The tone of this letter stands in direct contrast with our phone conversation, illustrating the dramatic ups and downs of life on the Trail:

Trail Journal, 6/3/2012

I don't know where to begin. This past week on the Trail has been the wildest and has pushed us all to our limits, both physically and mentally. A few days ago, Crazy Beard (Ray) and I hiked 26 miles. Our hike ended at 3 in the morning in a thunderstorm but was probably my best day on the Trail.

The following night, James, Low Profile and I decided to wait out the storm and hike to Roan Mtn. shelter (the highest shelter on the AT at an elevation of over 6,000 feet). We left around 6 and hiked up the mountain only to all get lost and separated in the fog and the night.

Low Profile and I made it to the shelter and ended up staying awake shivering all night due to the cold. It must have been 30 degrees or below with the windchill, rain and elevation. We boiled water in Nalgene bottles for warmth and kept the stove burning all night. Was seriously worried about James who ended up camping with Too Tall on top of the mountain. It was the coldest night in June that any of us had ever experienced.

We all regrouped at the shelter the following morning in the lowest of spirits and then Trail Magic happened. Pat, a former thru-hiker of the AT and P.C.T. (Pacific Coast Trail) arrived in the morning with a feast for us. He cooked kabobs with fresh meat and vegetables, corn on the cob, country ham and egg burritos, dump cake (the best thing I've ever eaten in my life) which consisted of cherries, blueberries, cake, marshmallows and hershey bars, bread on a stick, pancakes and asparagus.

In less than 24 hours, I had experienced the worst time on the Trail only to be redeemed by Pat's feast. Thanks so much to Pat and Friends: that was the best day on the Trail for all of us. To it now, we all know the power of nature and the elements and also recognize how much we value Trail Magic and all the good people whom are helping us on the way.

James ended up sleeping that night inside his backpack! That's how cold it was.

But spirits are high now as we have regrouped with our Connecticut friends, Too Tall, Crazy Beard and Low Profile, as well as Houdini and Possum. We're in pursuit of Wooly and Gunny and approaching Damascus. Still playing bonfires and playing music every night. Thanks so much to Gil who joined us for a stretch of challenging Trail. Pretty sure he brought us beautiful luck and weather.

The bond between thru-hikers is amazing and I hope everyone can witness the beauty and goodness that can be found in the mountains. The warmth from a fire never burned hotter, truer friends have never been found. We depend on each other and we will get to Maine together. Will call with news from Damascus.

PS. Drum was bought in Asheville. Low Profile and I went in to town and ended up staying with Ben and Adam from Asheville. Thanks so much for your hospitality.

James added on the letter: "On the night hike to Roan Mountain, there was fog the whole way and the visibility was about 3 feet even with my brand new headlight. The reason I didn't make it to the shelter was because I missed the turn off twice in the fog. I hiked 2 miles past the shelter, hiked back only to miss it again. The wind where I camped threatened to blow my tent down the mountain as I was setting it up as well."

Finally, Matt jotted an additional note on the letter, dated June 5th: "We are just now leaving Mountain Harbour B&B and Hiker Hostel after two days of rest. Had the best home-cooked breakfast here! Special thanks to Terry and Mary Hill for their hospitality!"

June 6th Check-In

"I'm OK," says Ewok, as he checked in via his Spot GPS device yesterday afternoon. Click here to see Matt and James' location as of 9:17am Wednesday morning.

Have a look at Gil Fuqua's comments from the past couple of days to get an idea of how things are going on the Trail.

Hoping to speak with Matt over the weekend. It's been some time since he's checked in but it appears AT for CZC continues without issue.

There's an Ewok in Erwin

J-Bird and Ewok have successfully made it to Erwin, Tennessee. A late night phone call last night offered my first opportunity to catch up with Matt in person over the past couple of weeks. Our conversation was quick and scattered, but I hung up feeling confident in their ability to continue in the weeks ahead.

After hiking with James and Matt for about a week, Gil Fuqua left the boys a few days ago. They wished to thank him for his company on the Trail and hope he isn't too sore. Click here to check out Gil's photos from the Trail. Thank you so much for passing these along!

Matt and James were sitting down at a Huddle House for a late dinner when we spoke last night. Food was definitely a topic of conversation. Matt explained that they've been eating everything as a burrito or covered in nutella. The goal is to create a high caloric meal with limited supplies each time they eat. They have also planned to create a "Hiker Cookbook" after they finish their journey, compiling a list of their favorite burrito-based concoctions. We'll see how they feel about this idea once they've returned to civilization...

Matt also explained how they've been creating potluck meals over the past couple of weeks. Because they are traveling with a number of other hikers, they've adopted a system where each hiker contributes one item of food into a pot. The complete contents are then wrapped into burritos for what Matt called a "feast." When I asked for an example, he said, "usually it's mashed potatoes and ramen as your staples, mixed with mac & cheese, taco seasoning and hot sauce... delicious!"

Finally, he talked about creating iced honey bun sandwiches with nutella and cookie crumbs in the middle. That's more my style. A few additional notes from our conversation:

• Morale remains very high on the Trail despite seeing a number of hikers drop out through the Smokies. Ewok and J-Bird are traveling with Houdini, Crazy Beard, Too Tall and Low Profile. Despite lightning and hail storms, muggier weather and increased temperatures, Matt attributes music, his passion for CZC and the camaraderie of the group as the cause of his buoyant spirits.
• Aside from hiking, eating and sleeping, the group plays music and cards to pass the time. They build fires when possible and take solace in each other's company.
• Life gets simpler and simpler the longer he hikes. His pack is down to 30-35 pounds now as he continues to consolidate and learn about long distance hiking. They are hiking roughly 15 miles per day.
• When asked what the most exciting moment has been, he said that he got close to a 3-4 foot rattlesnake a week or so ago. In his words, "it was pretty neat, the snake let's you know you're getting too close."

Their next stop will be Roan Mountain, approximately 33 miles from their current location. Roan Mountain will be the last time the Trail climbs above 6,000 feet until they make it to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. This site also offers some gorgeous rhododendron gardens which should be approaching peak blooming time in the next couple of weeks. More to come later this week...

Trail Magic

After a brief stop in Hot Springs and Asheville, North Carolina, AT for CZC headed north towards Erwin, Tennessee. Click here for a full map of the North Carolina/Tennessee portion of the Trail. While I have been unable to speak with Matt in the past couple of weeks, he asked that I pass along the following over the weekend.

As of yesterday afternoon, James and Matt have hiked over 300 miles. They continue to enjoy their time on the Trail and are, in their words, "loving it!" They continue to eat lots of mashed potato burritos, courtesy of hikers that have dropped out over the past couple of weeks.

Matt wished to recognize several individuals for their hospitality and generosity and asked that I briefly touch on the notion of Trail Magic. Trail magic can take several forms but revolves around the notion of individuals going out of their way to support thru-hikers during their hikes. Whether this be food and drink left in shelters, car rides from the Trail into town, or even opening ones home for hikers to recuperate in for the night, the idea of trail magic and trail angels is an uplifting notion over the course of 2,000 miles.

Matt and James had been missing out on the Trail Angels over the past several weeks, arriving at the shelters after the fact and finding nothing more than empty soda bottles and candy wrappers. However, over the past week, their luck has changed. They wish to thank Ben and Adam for putting them up in Asheville last week and helping Matt find a drum. Matt now carries a small aluminum hand drum (weighs about a pound). They also wish to thank Yonder and Janet for hot dogs and cokes.

Matt said he received a number of items in the mail during his stay in Hot Springs. He devoured the cookies and brownies sent to him by Mom and Danny. And finally, he wishes to thank Barbara and Pat Loffredo for the nice new hiking items that they provided, including a light weight shirt to keep him cooler in the coming months.

Looking ahead, Matt and James hope to reach Erwin in the next couple of days. I look forward to speaking with them soon and hearing more about their adventures over the past couple of weeks!

Early News from Hot Springs

AT for CZC has officially made it to Hot Springs, North Carolina! Earlier this evening, I received a brief email from Matt. His message read as follows:

"Mike, we made it through the Smokies! After seeing some pretty extreme weather, hail, lightning and lots of rain, we made it out and are actually in Hot Springs right now. We are still traveling with Gunny, Wooly, Low Profile, Crazy Beard and Too Tall. Other friends we have met on the Trail include Traveler and Soleman.

I'm planning to hitch a ride in to Asheville tonight and try to pick up a drum. James' father will be joining us on the Trail for the next 50 miles starting in the AM. Life has been great. The hiking has been amazing... I've come up with my Trail name for the time being. Put me down as Ewok and James as Jay-Bird or Jamison.

We are picking up the pace these days and doing 15 miles a day. We have found the land of plenty/cornocopia as hikers have been dropping out, picking up food and feasting well on burritos every meal... I've been living off mashed potato burritos for some time now.

Special thanks to Standing Bear Farm Hostel for putting us up for a few nights, getting some horseshoes in and resting the bones. Thank you Curtis and Maria!"

I'm hoping that I'll be able to speak with him before they hit the Trail. Best of luck to Gil Fuqua as he embarks on this leg of the journey and I look forward to reporting more soon.

One Month In

AT for CZC has officially made it to the one month mark! Hard to believe that Matt and James departed from Springer Mountain over a month ago. So much has happened over the past thirty one days and I look forward to hearing more about their adventures on the Trail in the weeks ahead.

Click here to see their location as of 1pm this afternoon. They've hiked roughly 250-255 miles so far, having just passed Max Patch Summit, and have roughly 1,930 miles left to go. While they've definitely picked up their pace over the past couple of weeks, they'll need to continue to gain stamina and cover more ground each day as they move into the summer months.

Looking forward to catching up with Matt as I haven't spoken to him in a week and a half. The next post will hopefully be from Hot Springs, North Carolina.

Want to Send a Care Package?

Lots to report on AT for CZC this week despite minimal contact from Matt and James. A Tuesday afternoon check-in via their SPOT locator found them here near Thunderhead Mountain. On Thursday afternoon, Matt sent me a quick text message as they left Gatlinburg, Tennessee:

"Saw the blog. Looks great! A lot of people have been dropping out recently... Hitching out of Gatlinburg is awful. Never go there."

Hopefully, their spirits have improved over the past couple of days and this weekend will find them continuing to make progress as they hike through the Smokies towards Hot Springs and Asheville, North Carolina. Looking ahead to next week, Matt and James are planning to take a few days break in this area to recuperate and regroup for the next leg of their journey.

Additionally, this will also allow time for a mail drop and/or care packages to be sent and arrive to them on the Trail. They should arrive in Hot Springs the middle of this coming week, take a few days off in Asheville, and return to Hot Springs before getting back on the Trail. Mail can be sent to and held for them at the Sunnybank Inn in Hot Springs.

Please feel free to mail packages to the following:

AT Hiker Matt Primiani

The Sunnybank Inn

P.O. Box 233

Hot Springs, NC 28743

Want to send a package? Do so soon! Priority Mail typically takes 3-5 days, so packages should reach them by the middle or end of next week if mailed on Monday or Tuesday, May 21st or 22nd.

Based upon past conversations with Matt, I know that receiving a letter or well wishes will be greatly appreciated by him and will provide the motivation to keep climbing as he seeks to complete the challenges in the months ahead.

Check back in again soon for more updates regarding their progress. I'm optimistic that I'll receive news from them this weekend!