Saturday 7.32pm
Now at Buena Vistas (Mile 797!) for a night! Meeting melissa tomorrow am.
Sunday 11.27am
Melissa is about to be here!! And heading out today! Can't wait to hike because its sooooo beautiful outside right now!!! No clouds!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
1.04pm
Dan Gabel and Kevin Berrigan went to home today! AT is too challenge for them! Ha ha
7.37pm
We hiked 5 miles on first day, 13 on second day, 9 on last day! Their legs are all sore and Kevin really want to see his sister one more time before she head out of country for a while.
And guess what? I'm about to complete 26 miles TODAY! :)
7.47pm
James River. I'm almost at the shelter. (Matt's Creek Shelter Mile 773)
Dan Gabel and Kevin Berrigan went to home today! AT is too challenge for them! Ha ha
7.37pm
We hiked 5 miles on first day, 13 on second day, 9 on last day! Their legs are all sore and Kevin really want to see his sister one more time before she head out of country for a while.
And guess what? I'm about to complete 26 miles TODAY! :)
7.47pm
James River. I'm almost at the shelter. (Matt's Creek Shelter Mile 773)
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Latest Plog from Jonathan!!! Over 700 Miles completed!!!!
"Today I walked all day,
Now I am camping.
Yesterday I hiked all day,
Then I camped.
Tomorrow I will hike all day
Then I will camp.
While all this hiking and
Camping is going on
The world is full of magic,
And I am full of wonder." - Swift, AT NoBo '10
Ahh, this time, a big trout nearly ate us alive. :P haha, sorry for another major delay with my plog. You know, you can check out jonathanat2010.blogspot.com for quickier updates and pictures. Now back to my Plog!!!
I met two new fun friends from upstate NY, they are Nesta and Beaver Chief. Nesta just graduated college just like me, Beaver Chief is currently enjoying his horizon life. I decided to join them for hiking at Hot Springs, NC. Good enough we ve been hiking a lot together ever since. We hiked numerous of miles together.
Third week of April, we actually havin so much fun that we only hiked 22 miles in three day at Roan Mountain (the last 6,000 footer till Mt. Washington, NH). We hiked 6 miles up to top of Roan Mt and stayed there for a night. Very cold night. Then we hiked 6 miles down to overmountain shelter, orginally we planned to hike more on that day. But the shelter is so cool that its abandoned barn! Only if I was hobo, I wld live at place like this! The veiw was so amazing. We arrived there at noon for a lunch break but, it was so damn cool that we changed our mind and stayed in for a night instead. We usually hike at average of 15 miles a day. I guess you can't really control ur plan when you r on AT! :) After the stay at overmountain shelter, we left really early in the morning (6am) to resupply our food at town. During the early morning hike, we saw realllllllllyyy huggeeee cattle with bigass horns. I actually thought they were some kind strange creature that scientists haven't found and we were the first people to witness them. All of this was because of fog. The cattle were in between my visible and the fog. Only if you were with me, u d agree with me! Yep they were only a family of big cattle. That was really a relief, otherwise we d be eaten alive and scientists still won't know about this creature!
Indeed, after Roan Mt, the trail is now easy because they r no longer ups and downs and only flat. Easy, really!!! And it kinda made me miss big mountains- Northeastern, I can't wait to see you!!!!
AT has this known "plague" called The Trail Bug. Yeah many of hikers got this and they were really sickkkk. I.E. Vomiting constantly. I'm very relief that I didn't get them. I was just at right time by leaving this Uncle Johnny hostel before others got the plague! Good thing that the plague didn't stop their journey. Uncle Johnny hostel is like 60 feet away from AT. That's cool because you won't have to worry about finding ride, or have to hike more to get back on AT. Nice place to stay, tho.
Like 60 miles after Erwin, we stayed at Bob Peoples' hostel. This hostel is based on donation. Great place to stay. We took a day off there. I was waiting for my package to arrive but it never arrived on time (look at my mother). Hmm tsk tsk. So we left the place with what I have left. I managed to survive with food I have left to next town. Whew.
Somehow shelter log book are starting to talk about doing the 40 miles challenge (40 miles in one day). I heard abt this from my friend, Tumbleweed, who is like 10 days ahead of me. She texted me and said she and her group r going to do the 40 miles challenge. I was like whoa they r must be really crazy. Because realistic would be 20 miles a day. That's double deal. Anyway me and Nesta left the Bob Peoples' place to next shelter. We realized that tomorrow will be the full moon. We saw an opportunity to do the 40 miles challenge- by doing 22 miles during daytime and sleep for 2 hours then do 18 miles during full moon night! Ahem, we made it! :) I swear, for the last few miles, I was walking like zombie. Soo tired! Ha. My legs were numb! At least we got our butts at Damascus, VA! We are now VA bound. No more southern states! Well we r still lit bit at south.
I have to be honest, I'm not that very impressed with Damascus. Not what I expected. Firstly, no pager coverage! Secondly, they hate dogs! Thirdly, they don't really respect Deaf people! I hate it when they think its ok to talk with Nesta about my service dog n etc. Excuse me, Yolo is my dog not Nesta's. Jeez. Hope, I'm not offending you, my friends, but church people at Damascus are b.s.! Why? Easy, they ban dogs! How can religious people ban God's work? Not so pleasant fact. What the most nonsense information abt the town is that they host annually Trail Days (big event of AT where they involves a lot of alcohol) and many of their hotels/hostels ban alcohol beverages on the property. Pardon me, w.t.f! At least I know this town is not the place I want to visit again!
Know what is uncool about picking up the maildrops (full of food)? Because they often are at bottom of mountains which it means after the resupply, the hike will be going uphill!!!! 5 pounds loss on those up hills, easy.
By time we arrived shelter before the Highland State Park. There were many wild ponies around! They r very friendly, basically, you can pet them! Not to feed them, of course. Anyway, as usually, Yolo is very curious puppy, he thought he could acquiring a pony by sniffing each others' butt. Big mistake, Yolo. Yeah he got his ass kicked by pony! I wish I had capture that on film. So funny. Yeah, he learned his lesson. Wha? Oh, Yolo wants to input his comment, here he is- Arf everyone! FYI, I was really in pain! Back to Caribou- oh ok at least he's fine now. :)
If I ever want to hike with you, future AT hiker, I WILL GO with you on Highland State Park!!!! Be sure to let me knoww! Yeah they are very beautiful place to check out. Lots of balds. The views, wow. Hard to describe here, really.
When you r in town, its soooooo tempting to buy candies and sodas! Myself, don't really eat candies and drink sodas that much anymore. But on AT, its not really helping me! You just so want to reward yourself after those big miles. Yeah yeah, I actually bought 5 candies, two mountain dews (code red), and chips. By time I arrive next shelter, I killed them (junkies) all! That was morally foolishly of me. I got sick badly. I.E. Manure coming out of your butt smoothly like silk only without any warnings. U know when you start a fart, you will know its coming. But this one, nope. Not cool experience for me. Not cool. Yep its a lesson for me. I became better at control of my temptation now. Thank you!
You got to really appreciate our life's fate. Yes, wow, really. We hiked to one of shelters on sunday night, there was a sign on wall by group of church people (they r better than Damascus people!!) Saying that they are going to serve buffet style breakfast on Monday only!!!!! There's no information of that on any of guide books or whatsoever! So by the monday morning, we hiked only 5 miles to be picked up by church people and to enjoy our breakfast! I only had two plates, my stomach almost explode! Wow! Great homemade food! Ahh. They even serve Yolo dog food, yeah buffet style too! Love them people! Why can't people who aren't religious do the same? Maybe up the north and we will see more of that? Haha. After the breakfast, we hiked like 10 miles and bumped to one of our friends, Q-Tip, and he has all snacks/sodas for us! What a great Trail Magic Day!!!! Free free food! Yummy.
We hiked fast to Pearisburg, VA. So we can be picked up by my greatest parents for DC weekend! I want to surprise my buddies who are going to graduate. They have no idea I ve been planning doing this. Can't wait to see their faces!! Yeah how fast did we hike to Pearisburg? 41 miles in 2 days- the trail is so flat that it nearly drives me and Yolo crazy! This trail is not so physically challenging but it is mentality! At least we got to where we need to be at.
Ahh great breakfast of lox bagel provided by my mom once they picked us up at Pearisburg. You have no idea what great food is after those two months in woods is like without my mommy's cookings!!!! That weekend, my stomach was very happy! It was soooo good to see everyone! They lifts my spirit! Bars, staying up late, the city life. Good to be back for a short time. Miss you DC guys!!! Visit me again at Harper's Ferry soon!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh yeeeeesss AT is truly my home! All those green color all over the forest, trail, camping, hiker friends, etc. So great to be back!!! Now heading fast to Daleville (20 miles hike) to meet my friends who will be hiking with me for at least 100 miles! They are Dan Gabel and Kevin Berrigan. Can't wait to really use my own language! I'm starting to get sick of using paper and pen all the time! :) we will hike all way up to Wayensboro, before getting there, Melissa Kononenko will also join me for 8 days! By time I get to Harper's Ferry, more of other friends will join me too, so forth! Can't wait!! :)
Its so great to being a deaf hiker in AT! I ll tell you why! You won't have to worry about hearing cars within 3 miles. You won't have to worry about hearing a loud airplane crossing the mountains. You won't have to worry about listening people's nonsense/annoying/loud talk. You won't have to worry during your sleep, no snoring sounds. You can sleep in a morning while people are up and doing their morning errands (ie. Packing). Oh yeah, you can still be sleeping when someone else woke up at 5am and yelling/cussing loudly bec its so cold outside! You won't have to worry about hearing other people hiking nearby or pass you behind while watching the epic views. You won't have to worry to understand what other people say about you (good or bad). Your eyes will capture so many little things in wilderness because you use them so well. You can even go off trail for few yards and sit down, imaging you r all alone without any sounds' interruption. You get a completely silent journey that many hikers want. All you can do is to sit back and enjoy the observation, pretending you are not there. You can have a dog with you as hearing service which means it can go to any parks/hostels/restaurants where they ban the dogs! Want all of them? Go and be Deaf! :)
6pm
At daleville w friends and enjoying my beer!(Mile 719)
Now I am camping.
Yesterday I hiked all day,
Then I camped.
Tomorrow I will hike all day
Then I will camp.
While all this hiking and
Camping is going on
The world is full of magic,
And I am full of wonder." - Swift, AT NoBo '10
Ahh, this time, a big trout nearly ate us alive. :P haha, sorry for another major delay with my plog. You know, you can check out jonathanat2010.blogspot.com for quickier updates and pictures. Now back to my Plog!!!
I met two new fun friends from upstate NY, they are Nesta and Beaver Chief. Nesta just graduated college just like me, Beaver Chief is currently enjoying his horizon life. I decided to join them for hiking at Hot Springs, NC. Good enough we ve been hiking a lot together ever since. We hiked numerous of miles together.
Third week of April, we actually havin so much fun that we only hiked 22 miles in three day at Roan Mountain (the last 6,000 footer till Mt. Washington, NH). We hiked 6 miles up to top of Roan Mt and stayed there for a night. Very cold night. Then we hiked 6 miles down to overmountain shelter, orginally we planned to hike more on that day. But the shelter is so cool that its abandoned barn! Only if I was hobo, I wld live at place like this! The veiw was so amazing. We arrived there at noon for a lunch break but, it was so damn cool that we changed our mind and stayed in for a night instead. We usually hike at average of 15 miles a day. I guess you can't really control ur plan when you r on AT! :) After the stay at overmountain shelter, we left really early in the morning (6am) to resupply our food at town. During the early morning hike, we saw realllllllllyyy huggeeee cattle with bigass horns. I actually thought they were some kind strange creature that scientists haven't found and we were the first people to witness them. All of this was because of fog. The cattle were in between my visible and the fog. Only if you were with me, u d agree with me! Yep they were only a family of big cattle. That was really a relief, otherwise we d be eaten alive and scientists still won't know about this creature!
Indeed, after Roan Mt, the trail is now easy because they r no longer ups and downs and only flat. Easy, really!!! And it kinda made me miss big mountains- Northeastern, I can't wait to see you!!!!
AT has this known "plague" called The Trail Bug. Yeah many of hikers got this and they were really sickkkk. I.E. Vomiting constantly. I'm very relief that I didn't get them. I was just at right time by leaving this Uncle Johnny hostel before others got the plague! Good thing that the plague didn't stop their journey. Uncle Johnny hostel is like 60 feet away from AT. That's cool because you won't have to worry about finding ride, or have to hike more to get back on AT. Nice place to stay, tho.
Like 60 miles after Erwin, we stayed at Bob Peoples' hostel. This hostel is based on donation. Great place to stay. We took a day off there. I was waiting for my package to arrive but it never arrived on time (look at my mother). Hmm tsk tsk. So we left the place with what I have left. I managed to survive with food I have left to next town. Whew.
Somehow shelter log book are starting to talk about doing the 40 miles challenge (40 miles in one day). I heard abt this from my friend, Tumbleweed, who is like 10 days ahead of me. She texted me and said she and her group r going to do the 40 miles challenge. I was like whoa they r must be really crazy. Because realistic would be 20 miles a day. That's double deal. Anyway me and Nesta left the Bob Peoples' place to next shelter. We realized that tomorrow will be the full moon. We saw an opportunity to do the 40 miles challenge- by doing 22 miles during daytime and sleep for 2 hours then do 18 miles during full moon night! Ahem, we made it! :) I swear, for the last few miles, I was walking like zombie. Soo tired! Ha. My legs were numb! At least we got our butts at Damascus, VA! We are now VA bound. No more southern states! Well we r still lit bit at south.
I have to be honest, I'm not that very impressed with Damascus. Not what I expected. Firstly, no pager coverage! Secondly, they hate dogs! Thirdly, they don't really respect Deaf people! I hate it when they think its ok to talk with Nesta about my service dog n etc. Excuse me, Yolo is my dog not Nesta's. Jeez. Hope, I'm not offending you, my friends, but church people at Damascus are b.s.! Why? Easy, they ban dogs! How can religious people ban God's work? Not so pleasant fact. What the most nonsense information abt the town is that they host annually Trail Days (big event of AT where they involves a lot of alcohol) and many of their hotels/hostels ban alcohol beverages on the property. Pardon me, w.t.f! At least I know this town is not the place I want to visit again!
Know what is uncool about picking up the maildrops (full of food)? Because they often are at bottom of mountains which it means after the resupply, the hike will be going uphill!!!! 5 pounds loss on those up hills, easy.
By time we arrived shelter before the Highland State Park. There were many wild ponies around! They r very friendly, basically, you can pet them! Not to feed them, of course. Anyway, as usually, Yolo is very curious puppy, he thought he could acquiring a pony by sniffing each others' butt. Big mistake, Yolo. Yeah he got his ass kicked by pony! I wish I had capture that on film. So funny. Yeah, he learned his lesson. Wha? Oh, Yolo wants to input his comment, here he is- Arf everyone! FYI, I was really in pain! Back to Caribou- oh ok at least he's fine now. :)
If I ever want to hike with you, future AT hiker, I WILL GO with you on Highland State Park!!!! Be sure to let me knoww! Yeah they are very beautiful place to check out. Lots of balds. The views, wow. Hard to describe here, really.
When you r in town, its soooooo tempting to buy candies and sodas! Myself, don't really eat candies and drink sodas that much anymore. But on AT, its not really helping me! You just so want to reward yourself after those big miles. Yeah yeah, I actually bought 5 candies, two mountain dews (code red), and chips. By time I arrive next shelter, I killed them (junkies) all! That was morally foolishly of me. I got sick badly. I.E. Manure coming out of your butt smoothly like silk only without any warnings. U know when you start a fart, you will know its coming. But this one, nope. Not cool experience for me. Not cool. Yep its a lesson for me. I became better at control of my temptation now. Thank you!
You got to really appreciate our life's fate. Yes, wow, really. We hiked to one of shelters on sunday night, there was a sign on wall by group of church people (they r better than Damascus people!!) Saying that they are going to serve buffet style breakfast on Monday only!!!!! There's no information of that on any of guide books or whatsoever! So by the monday morning, we hiked only 5 miles to be picked up by church people and to enjoy our breakfast! I only had two plates, my stomach almost explode! Wow! Great homemade food! Ahh. They even serve Yolo dog food, yeah buffet style too! Love them people! Why can't people who aren't religious do the same? Maybe up the north and we will see more of that? Haha. After the breakfast, we hiked like 10 miles and bumped to one of our friends, Q-Tip, and he has all snacks/sodas for us! What a great Trail Magic Day!!!! Free free food! Yummy.
We hiked fast to Pearisburg, VA. So we can be picked up by my greatest parents for DC weekend! I want to surprise my buddies who are going to graduate. They have no idea I ve been planning doing this. Can't wait to see their faces!! Yeah how fast did we hike to Pearisburg? 41 miles in 2 days- the trail is so flat that it nearly drives me and Yolo crazy! This trail is not so physically challenging but it is mentality! At least we got to where we need to be at.
Ahh great breakfast of lox bagel provided by my mom once they picked us up at Pearisburg. You have no idea what great food is after those two months in woods is like without my mommy's cookings!!!! That weekend, my stomach was very happy! It was soooo good to see everyone! They lifts my spirit! Bars, staying up late, the city life. Good to be back for a short time. Miss you DC guys!!! Visit me again at Harper's Ferry soon!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh yeeeeesss AT is truly my home! All those green color all over the forest, trail, camping, hiker friends, etc. So great to be back!!! Now heading fast to Daleville (20 miles hike) to meet my friends who will be hiking with me for at least 100 miles! They are Dan Gabel and Kevin Berrigan. Can't wait to really use my own language! I'm starting to get sick of using paper and pen all the time! :) we will hike all way up to Wayensboro, before getting there, Melissa Kononenko will also join me for 8 days! By time I get to Harper's Ferry, more of other friends will join me too, so forth! Can't wait!! :)
Its so great to being a deaf hiker in AT! I ll tell you why! You won't have to worry about hearing cars within 3 miles. You won't have to worry about hearing a loud airplane crossing the mountains. You won't have to worry about listening people's nonsense/annoying/loud talk. You won't have to worry during your sleep, no snoring sounds. You can sleep in a morning while people are up and doing their morning errands (ie. Packing). Oh yeah, you can still be sleeping when someone else woke up at 5am and yelling/cussing loudly bec its so cold outside! You won't have to worry about hearing other people hiking nearby or pass you behind while watching the epic views. You won't have to worry to understand what other people say about you (good or bad). Your eyes will capture so many little things in wilderness because you use them so well. You can even go off trail for few yards and sit down, imaging you r all alone without any sounds' interruption. You get a completely silent journey that many hikers want. All you can do is to sit back and enjoy the observation, pretending you are not there. You can have a dog with you as hearing service which means it can go to any parks/hostels/restaurants where they ban the dogs! Want all of them? Go and be Deaf! :)
6pm
At daleville w friends and enjoying my beer!(Mile 719)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
After a great 3 day break in Washington DC, Caribou and Yolo, Nesta and Pyro are back at the AT.
Josh Wray who drove the hikers back to Pearisburg
Nesta, Pyro and Caribou (Jonathan)
11.57amWe are (still) at Pearisburg! the weather is baddd--- its pourinnngggg hard. so we are going to stay here for another night. its supposed to be less raining tomorrrow.
8.27pm
Its great day to relax after the wild weekend!!
It was great to see you and mom again! Miss you guys!
Friday, May 14, 2010
SURPRISE!! Jonathan is in Washington DC for Gallaudet Graduation!!!
Pickup in Pearisburg!
Jonathan and two AT Buddies, Nesta and Pyro were picked up in Pearisburg VA (ATMile 626) yesterday morning by Jon's parents who drove 600miles there and back!!!.
Jonathan wanted to surprise his best friend and Frat Brother, Jonathan McMillan, for his graduation today at Gallaudet!!!!
The hikers will return to the AT on Sunday to continue their long journey!
Nesta (front) and Pyro and of course Caribou (Jonathan) enjoying their first "home cooking" in two months!
In Pearisburg, VA, Caribou's parents, Martin and Gail meet thru hiker Dave "Ponytail" Smith from Bethlehem, NH where Jonathan's parents also have a home. Dave is being sponsored by the Cannon Mt. Adaptive Ski Program. Jonathan and his parents are dedicated Cannon skiers.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
2.50pm
Now at Helveys Mill Shelter (Mile 585) and enjoying the trail magic from one of our friends!
10.30am
Just ate great breakfast! I'm so full!!! Now heading back to mts. Talk you later
8.30am
Rush hike (5miles) to nearest road (Mile 576)to be picked up by church people at 930am. They are serving all you can eat breakfast buffet to noon! What is so amazing about it is that they only serve on Mondays! How lucky we are!
Now at Helveys Mill Shelter (Mile 585) and enjoying the trail magic from one of our friends!
10.30am
Just ate great breakfast! I'm so full!!! Now heading back to mts. Talk you later
8.30am
Rush hike (5miles) to nearest road (Mile 576)to be picked up by church people at 930am. They are serving all you can eat breakfast buffet to noon! What is so amazing about it is that they only serve on Mondays! How lucky we are!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Best Mom on the AT - thanks for all the great packages!!!
12.44pm
Yeah it was very windy here too and very cold this morning. Now its little windy and not so cold.
Will stay at jenkins shelter tonight (19 miles today) (at Mile 571)
Yesterday 14 miles!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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