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How to Read the Blog
To begin the blog at the first post of my 2023 Appalachian Trail journey (the original purpose of the blog), click this link. Additional navigation shortcuts are available in the sidebar. Spoilers ahead, highlight the next block to read:
Around about day 140, a 1000-year rainstorm caught me in Harriman State Park in New York. The Appalachian Trail in Vermont and Maine was a mess, and I had been slowed to a crawl by the lingering effects of the meds I had to take to treat giardiasis and so was running out of time anyway. I decided to switch to the Colorado trail for another 100 miles or so and dry out and make the finish less sad than a “failed” thru-hike, so that’s why the last posts are in Colorado, if you were wondering. There is no such thing as a “failed” thru-hike, by the way!
Anyway, enjoy the blog! I’ll add future journeys as I go. I hiked 100 miles on the AT in Georgia and North Carolina in February/March of 2024 to help work on my book. I may add those entries if the time is right–it was a very personal journey. I plan to hike and write and research throughout 2024, and will add posts and pictures as I see fit. Subscribe so you don’t miss out!
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The Harpers Image (Day 104)
5/29/2023 Monday
The town was ghostly quiet after the tumult of the weekend. It was downright relaxed in the morning when I went down for my breakfast sandwich across the street.
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Harpers Fairy (Day 103)
5/28/2023 Sunday
Bit of a rough morning. I’m definitely “hung over” from hiking a long day yesterday. But oh the town of Harpers Ferry in the light.
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A Secret A.T. Fellowship (Day 102)
5/27/2023 Saturday
When Ben and I talked by phone just before seven PM, I told him that so much had already happened today that I didn’t want anything else interesting to happen.
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Doug Versus the Appalachian Trail Conservancy—But Not Really (Day 101)
5/26/2023 Friday
Wasn’t feeling it last night; not feeling it this morning. I walked three miles of rocky, rugged nonsense and had a series of epiphanies. Some ideas that’ve been stewing came together. The relationship between the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and thru hikers isn’t good. The pandemic brought it to new lows. I think I know why and how we might go about fixing it.
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1000 Miles (Day 100)
5/25/2023 Thursday
Perhaps that tent spot last night wasn’t as level as it looked. My phone lost 30% charge while off overnight. It wasn’t that cold, what gives?
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Pocket Forests (Day 99)
5/24/2023 Wednesday
Last night and this morning I tried some PT exercises from last summer on my foot. A nerve glide and one other stretch seemed to bring me significant relief from the pain and stiffness I’d felt yesterday. Huzzah!
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What We Sorely Miss (Day 98)
5/23/2023 Tuesday
In the morning, my parents drove me from our hotel to Gravel Springs Gap. It cost me $30 to get us into the park, even though they’re just dropping me off and coming right back out again. Today was another “slack pack” day because I’d left much of my gear and a resupply at a hostel in Front Royal where I’m staying tonight.
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The Thru-Hiker is Out (Days 94-97)
Hi everyone! I’m traveling for a few days! I’ll be back early next week when I return to the trail. Let’s have a secret code word: if I don’t use the word seance in my first entry back, you’ll know I’ve been replaced by centipedes in a trench coat. -Doug/Rhetoric
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Memento Mori (Day 93)
5/18/2023 Thursday
My tent site last night was extremely rocky. I bent another two tent stakes. It didn’t look rocky; it looked grassy. There was some light snoring. That privy though!
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Send the Centipedes Back to Hell (Day 92)
5/17/2023 Wednesday
Last night I was kicking myself for blowing so much money on such a mediocre hotel room. Then the sunset views—and the pleasure of coming back to a softly lit, clean room after dinner—won me over. It was cold and wet this morning when I stepped out onto the balcony.
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About The Blog
I’m Doug Cloud, an inveterate thru-hiker, believer in The One Trail, writer, rhetorician, researcher. This blog catalogs my journeys, particularly my 2023 1500-mile hike on the Appalachian and Colorado Trails. Other journeys may be added. Or not. I go by several mottoes as a thru-hiker:
1. Work the problem.
2. Throw money at the problem.
3. Go for an FKT (funnest known time).
4. ABC (always be thru-hiking).
Recent Posts
Subscribe so you don’t miss future journeys! I’m gonna be writing on this thing for, like, 50 years.
Some quick navigation links:
Day 1 of my 2023 AT journey
Last day on the AT
Explanation of switch to Colorado Trail
Day 1 of 2023 Colorado Trail journey
Project Eveningland 