Stretch—Days 60 to 70

Starting June 13

Day 60: 7.6 mi (869.3)

I had a great time at Hiker Fest in Waynesboro. Somehow I’ve been hitting a lot of good events lately. I was able to do some town chores and still make it for a free lunch and movie. Thanks to DuBose, I had a ride to town, from town and a wonderful time. He’s certainly the hardest working trail angel I’ve met so far. THANK YOU! I was able to get out of town with Weeble Wobble, Katman, Tunes and The Fonz and night hike to the first shelter.
$3 laundry, $7 food, $4 resupply

Day 61: 26.2 mi + 1.6 blue blazes to shelters and food at the Wayside (895.5)

I had planned a 50k today but, since we didn’t reach the shelter until 11PM the night before, I settled on a marathon. Scott Jurek was passing through today and I missed him because I was getting a sandwich from the wayside. Regular runner me is a bit disappointed but thru-hiker me just wants another sandwich. The Fonz and I saw a mama bear and a cub on the way to the shelter. Later that night I was awoken by a bear outside my tent which kept me awake for a while when it decided to hang out. These bears have been real jerks lately.
$3 resupply, $11 dinner

Day 62: 20.6 mi (916.1)

These camp stores and waysides next to the trail will be the death of my budget. I hiked a pretty chill day and met back up with The Fonz.
$5 food, $1 beer

Day 63: 26.8 mi + 1.4 wayside and blue blazes to shelters (942.9)

There have been a ton of wildlife sightings for me lately and today was no exception. I saw a mama deer with two fawns that let me get rather close as well as a mama bear and two cubs whom I made sure to get nowhere near. Pushing big miles now feels great. I have newer shoes and tougher trail legs. I had been going easy on miles recently and now I’m in a race to get as close as possible to Harper’s Ferry in order to see my parents on Friday.
$14 wayside

Day 64: 23.6 mi (966.5)

I’m less than 3 miles short from averaging 100 miles in the past 4 days. A friend from home left me some candy at a Wayside. It’s the little things that make rainy days better.
$6 resupply, $12 food

Day 65: 18.1 (984.6)

Took it easier today. Stopped in Front Royal with Artichoke and Flamethrower to charge my phone. On a whim and a previous suggestion I got a drastic haircut… a mohawk. I have at least 2 months for it to grow in for any job interviews. For now, it’s pretty cool.
$30 haircut

Day 66: 18.9 mi (1003.5)

I met my parents in the morning at 5 miles in, finished the day slackpacking to push miles to reach 1000 and have more time with them.
$5.50 fuel, $15 permethrin

Day 67: 0 mi (1003.5)

Spent the day going to Luray Caverns and relaxing with my parents.
$28 new shorts, $7 electrolyte tablets, $12 drinks

Day 68: 19.9 mi (1023.4)

After a nice Father’s Day breakfast I went super fast to Harpers Ferry worried that the ATC would be closed when I got there. I made it with plenty of time and stayed at Towns Inn which was super comfortable. I ran into J-Rock who I haven’t seen in a long time and hung out for the rest of the night.
$3 shoelaces, $40 drinks/food, $33 hostel

Day 69: 17.2 (1040.6)

I left Harpers Ferry in the laziest of fashions. I stopped to pick mulberries, blackberries and black raspberries. Went about 7 miles less because I was beckoned to trail magic, usually a good excuse to go less miles.
$10 drinks

Day 70: 18.8 (1059.4)

Hiked with Smiles, The Fonz, Artichoke and Flamethrower today. It was another day we did less miles than planned. This time the hold up was for a rainstorm, 100 degree temps and hail was predicted. Luckily we just hit rain.