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My reasons for hiking the ANST 1. Turned fifty, on fiftieth anniversary of the ANST. 2. Health, to trim down and condition my body. 3. To see, learn, and experience, the different terrains, flora and wildlife of the trail, as it passes thru each state. 4. To meet other hikers, sharing in the experience of this trail. Chronolog of Dates and States State Entered/Completed GA 5 Jul 87-14 Jul 87 NC-14 Jul 87-20 Aug 87 TN-2 Aug 8-27 AUG 87 VA-28 Aug 87- 20 Sep 87 (1st hike) VA-7 Sep 88-3 Oct 88 (2nd hike) WV-6 Sep 88-7 Sep 88 MD-3 Sep 88-6 Sep 88 PA-17 Aug 88-3 Sep 88 NJ-15 Aug 88-17 Aug 88 NY-6 Aug 88-15 Aug 88 CT-2 Aug 88-6 Aug 88 MA-24 Jul 88-2 Aug 88 VT-10 Jul 88-24 Jul 88 NH-22 Jun 88-10 Jul 88 ME-16 May 88-22 Jun 88 Synopsis of events: Drove to forest road 42, at the base of Springer Mtn, then hiked up mountain, signing the register on the 5 July 1987. Started hiking the next day. Reached Fontana Dam on 23 July 87. Entered Smoky Mtn National Park on the 25th. Left the park on the 1st of Aug, reaching Hot Springs NC, on the 6th of Aug. Left the hostel there and hiked into Damascus, VA on 28 Aug. Stopped at Mr. Levi Long's hostel, in Bastian, VA, for two days.

Hiked into Pearisburg, VA on 18 Sep, stayed to the 20th. Had to get off the trail there, for medical reasons. My right knee had started swelling and aching before Damascus, and just wouldn't heal enough for me to continue hiking without injuring it more. By the spring of '88, my knee had healed, and I decided to complete the AT by hiking from Maine to Virginia. Arrived at Baxter State Park on the 16th of May 88. I was the third hiker to sign the ranger's log. Hiked up and down Mt Katahdin, on the Hunt trail. The next day I left Katahdin Stream campground. On 19 May 88, reached Monson, and stayed at Shaws boarding house. Got delayed on both sides of the White Mtns (Mt Imp, Mt Garfield) by thunderstorms, but crossed the Presidentials in good weather. During the whole hike, weather stopped me from hiking on the trail about nine days. I also took about seven rest days. My trail name is "Merc". I met many hikers, with names like The Brits, Marylander II, The Honeymooners, Toot, Sniper, Tina, Honey B, Rosta, Papa Smurf, Hawk and Dove, Flash and Hot Flash. I really enjoyed all 2100 plus miles! In summary, to me the AT was a self-rewarding experience and challenge. I prefer to hike solo, but enjoyed meeting other hikers and persons, on the trail, at lean-tos, hostels and towns. I completed hiking the AT on the 3rd of Oct 88, at Pearisburg, VA, and went to the ALDHA Gathering at Pipestem, WV. Check out the ATC and ANST web sites under National Clubs and Trails Section!

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