In 2014 I spent 4 weeks hiking along the Appalachian Trail with my friend Mike, starting near boarder of Vermont, all the way up to Gorham, NH. I packed up everything I thought I might need, and we were off. To record the trip I brought just my phone and my Olympus XA with 3 rolls of Ektar.
We took a bus from New York to Williamstown, Mass. Where we would catch up with the trail.
For us, this was were our path began, Williamstown, Mass. The white marks, seen by us for the first time on the trip on the right, would guide us to New Hampshire and the White Mountains.
The first day and a half of our trip it rained non-stop. We had to hike through mud puddles over a foot deep. Seeing these planks was a welcomed relief...
On the 3rd day the rain finally stopped. That night we arrived at the oddly named Kid Gore Shelter. The night skies were finally clear and we got our first chance to enjoy the mountains.
Making dinner and tea.
Taking a chance to relax before we climb our first big mountain.
Taking a much needed break.
On our way to the Minerva Hinchey Shelter, Mike decided to relax in the sun for a bit. I decided to keep hiking towards the shelter.
Sometimes locales who live near the Appalachian Trail leave treats out for the passing hikers. Soda, candy, and cookies are common. And they go a long way in lifting ones spirits on a long days hike.
Hikers prepare dinner in the shelter on Killington. Hiking the trail is exhausting so most hikers are fast asleep by 9pm.
I got up before dawn to climb the steep ascent to the very top of Killington. Once I reached the top the winds were so strong I could barely stand up. I sat alone and watched the sunrise over the mountains of Vermont.
A few days after Killington we stayed in the "Lookout Cabin". Its a privately own cabin along the trail that hikers are welcomed to sleep in. We arrived early and decided to relax there the rest of the day. No other hikers showed up...
The cabin proved one of the more interesting places we visited. Strong storms hit late in the afternoon, and after they passed we were witness to this perfect sunset.
A rainbow showed up just as the sun was finishing going below the horizon.
The cabin had a look out on its roof that could be reached by some steep steps. Perfect for watching everything from sunsets to stars. We stayed up later than usual to enjoy this unique experience.
After about 2 weeks, countless ascents and descents, and only two injuries, we arrived in New Hampshire. Business in Hanover are very welcoming to hikers. We were given free donuts in the morning, and free pizza later that day.
We got up and hit the trail early for the first time in a while. It was worth it to get to climb Mt Cube through some morning mist...
Taking in the view.
Luna moths only live about 2 weeks. This little guy was near the end when I found him on the trail.
On day we left Hanover Mike and I decided to split up for the first time. It was a 10 mile hike for me to Moose Mountain, but Mike said he might want to go further and that he would meet me the next day. I hiked alone the whole day then had several hours to myself at the shelter. Mike eventually did end up joining me there in the evening.
Bill Ackerly lives right off the trail and invites all of the hikers over to his house for an ice cream and a chat, or a game of croquet. We sat and talked with him a while, before heading off to our next shelter.
Our first bear sighting...and it was a mother with two cubs. Another hiker we meet at Bill's tried to scare them off with no luck. So we had no choice but to all walk past them together...we all walked by less than 15 feet from the protective mother.
Next to the Fire Wardens cabin was an old fire watch tower. That night there were many other hikers were setting up camp. Once the sun went down we all gathered around a fire and talked; a rare occurrence so far on our trip.
We decided to stay in a hostile before tackling our first NH peak, Mt Moosilauke. Thankfully a kind woman was driving by in her pickup truck and stopped to give us a ride to town. Mike sat up front as I got comfortable in the back of the truck.
The climb up the mountain was steep and difficult, and the whole way we were surrounded by thick fog. The mist was waiting for us at the top as well, but for a brief moment the sky opened up and the mountain revealed itself. It wasn't to last, the clouds quickly rolled back over the summit.
Back into the clouds we went as we made our way down Mt Moosilauke. The way down was even steeper and the constant morning drizzle made the rocks wet and treacherous. Wooden steps were placed in the rock to aid hikers, but they did little to calm my nerves.
As you hike up above tree level, all of the trees start to become smaller and smaller. It may look like those trees are far off in the distance, but they are actually only about 3-4 feet tall.
Large piles of stones mark the path when there aren't large trees to paint the trail's famous white blazes.
Sitting on top of Kinsman Mountain looking towards famous Franconia Ridge. Some say its one of the best parts of the entire Appalachian Trail, and every hiker we met heading south told us it would not disappoint. We would be there in a day.
While enjoying being on Franconia Ridge, a glider pilot buzz right over the top of the ridge. Probably coming as close at 100-200 feet from the top of our heads.
While coming down from Franconia Ridge we passed the foundation of an old fire tower, inside were a group of three hikers who offered make some space to let us spend the night inside the foundation.
As the sun came up over the White Mountains I had a cup of tea and took in the clean air and quiet of this incredible place. The air was still and still and the tea was nice and hot.
This was taken by a hiker we met named Namy...thanks Namy
The hike to Ethan Pond was the first flat landscape we walked in days and days. We made record time that day.
We were nearing the end of our hike, but New Hampshire had a few more surprises for us. Relaxing by Ethan Pond as the sun set was certainly one of the most vivid memories of the adventure.
The trail to Mt Washington was almost entirely above tree level. So we had increadble views the whole way there.
One of the most amazing nights on the trail was our last. We got permission to sleep on the floor of the dinning hall of the Lakes of the Clouds Hut. We were 5000 feet up in the sky and had perfect weather. It was an amazing night.
Once the sun went down and the sky was finally dark, I went out by the lakes all alone and watched the stars come out. I never saw a more complete night sky. I watched for an hour before I used nothing but the starlight to light my way back.
So close to the finish line...Mt Washington's summit.
We did it. 280 miles and 28 days. We arrived at the top of Mt Washington.
We spent a few hours at the top. Eventually the clouds cleared and we had a perfect day at the summit.
After a long bus ride I arrived in New York. Mike and I were separated because there weren't enough seats for us to be on the same bus. I was walking down 8th ave with my whole pack and my torn up clothes. I walked to Penn Station and got on a NJ Transit train to finally go home...