The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the AT, is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is approximately 2,181 miles long. The path is maintained by 30 trail clubs and multiple partnerships,and managed by the National Park Service and the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The majority of the trail is in wilderness, although some portions do traverse towns and roads, and cross rivers. The Appalachian Trail is famous for its many hikers, some of whom, called thru-hikers, attempt to hike it in its entirety in a single season. Along the way, the trail passes through the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Woodstock, New Hampshire 8/27

Ryan checked in from a motel in West Woodstock, New Hampshire.  They made it in around 3:00 this afternoon after two 13 mile days through the Whites.  As of 6:00 PM this afternoon the White Mountain National Forest has been closed until Monday at midnight due to the anticipated storm.  Ryan and Bluefoot’s decision to call ahead and get a motel was a good one.  He said the entire town is sold out. The national forest can be closed for weather but it is extremely rare for this time of year.  They are expecting considerable blow downs in the mid elevations.   Due to the mountain elevation in the Whites wind speeds can be as much as twice as strong as they are at lower elevation. 
Ryan was really pumped up about the first two days in the White Mountains.  He describes them as freakin awesome.  Friday they scaled Mt Moosilauke at over 4,000 feet and above tree line at the summit.  He said the last two days have been perfect weather and they got a rare glimpse of Mt. Washington from the peak.  There are only about 30 days per year that Mt Moosilauke is clear enough to see Mt Washington.  He described the climb as brutal.  Most of the climb up and back down was on shear rock faces and was hand over hand climbing.  He said there were many places where the trail club has drilled pitons into the faces for hand and foot holds.

They are hoping the storm fizzles out or moves through quickly because they are very anxious to get back on the trail.  

While I was on the phone with Ryan Bluefoot broke into the room to announce that the deli next door to the hotel was incredible.  The phone call was over at that point.  I’m sure we’ll hear more from him this weekend.  They are pretty well motel bound. 

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