Georgia to Maine - - Please join me from start (4/1) to finish (8/10) - 132 days!!!!!

Bethlehem, NH
I have completed my thru-hike of the AT from Georgia to Maine; I started 4/1 and completed 8/10/10. I decided to do this thru-hike in memory of my brother Michael and in turn decided to turn it into a fundraiser. All money raised went to the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country which gives year-round opportunities in sports and recreation to people with physical or developmental disabilities. My wife Pam and I got involved with this program because it allows us to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors like we do and my brother Michael did. Michael was born mentally challenged, and he loved to visit us in the North Country of NH and go hiking. He also loved the outdoors and did many other sports. So, to help others do this and other outdoor activities is a TRIBUTE to him, and an HONOR to us. Many of you have helped me along my journey and donated (follow donation link) directly to a secure website. All donations have gone and WILL CONTINUE to go to ASPNC – nonprofit org to help assist others to hike, ski, kayak, snow shoe..etc… Thank you all in advance for your kindness & generosity, Dave & Pam Smith

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Wednesday 6/9 -1/2 WAY - YIPPEE!!

PTD stared out his journey today to the ½ way point. It is cold about 50 with a steady drizzle, windy and his foot hurts. He is just plain miserable today. Although he is excited to be reaching his ½ point he wishes it was warmer and maybe not raining.

12PM – Ponytail reached the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Now it is pouring rain and he is soggy and cold, last thing he wants to do is eat ice cream.

Here is where they do the ½ gal ice cream challenge to mark the ½ way point of his adventure.  He says despite the weather there were several people doing the challenge. Soaking wet, sitting under an overhang. One guy has the record for 2010 so far. 10 minutes for the ½ gallon. Ponytail opted for a hot coco instead. Then he went and got some burgers. While his burgers were cooking he ate 3 packages of those little white donuts. He is always hungry now. 

After lunch he went to the new museum that just opened. Said it was nice. Lots of AT artifacts. Granny Gatewoods shoes and knapsack to name a few.

He stopped at a small store and the lady says”Are you Ponytail Dave” He says yes. A bit suprised.  She hands him a note. It was a note from our friends Linda, Gary and their daughter Kim saying what a wonderful visit they had w/him the day before. Sweet! They had left it after their lunch the day before and the lady said she would be sure to give it to him. Good thing PTD stopped in the store. Thank you again Linda, Gary & Kim.

1/2 way point is 1093.2 miles in 70 days. That is a lot of miles. Still on his 1st pair of boots. Only thing so far that he had to replace was his hiking poles. Other than that all his equipment is holding strong. Hope I don’t jinks him by saying that.

Tonight I talked to him about 6ish. He had already ate his freeze dried spaghetti & meatballs, a few slim jims and he is still hungry. Doesn't want to eat all his food he has in his pack. His next resupply point is on Sat in Duncannon. So hungry to bed for PTD

He is staying at the James Fry Shelter tonight. 17.1 miles today in the rain. He hopes tomorrow’s weather is better.
Posted by Dave Smith (Smitty) at 6/10/2010

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous11/6/10

    Way to go Ponytail!!! Wonderful job. Keep walking.

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  2. Jen Carbonneau11/6/10

    Some of my ninth graders had a nice chat with Dave this morning. The loved the break in the middle of their final exam. (Even had a post of Dave's on the test!) We had just finished turning our news broadcasts into movies this week. Students were assigned blogs to include in their news reports about PTD and the AT. So, the conversation this morning was envied by the classes that didn't have the chance to hear from Dave.
    Thank you PTD for taking the time to visit with my students. It was a great way to bring closure to the year. Many students will be following you this summer and hoping to hike with you when you enter NH.
    Happy Trails!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Withu Inspirit13/6/10

    Its really nice to hear everyone is being so warm and giving to PTD on his adventure. I think we all worry alittle less about him because of other people generousity! (only a little) whats really cool about him reaching the 1/2 point (great goin PTD) is I no longer have to bend over or kneel down to mark where he is on the AT map hangin on the wall by my computer ha ha, but it has its down side too, now we can no longer make ourselves feel better by saying that maybe the bad weather we're having at home is by-passing him...being in the same state, our crappy weather is his crappy weather.sorry PTD at least pa is kinda short! we love ya and thinking happy dry 70degree thoughts for ya...be safe

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  4. Withu Inspirit13/6/10

    PTD has inspired some of our running buddies to hike overnite on the trail by us...after listening to me and Jere's adventure with him in VA, they are really into heading out for a couple of days...unfortunately PTD will be past us by the time we get in together!!will keep him posted though..he'll be amused...
    lots of luv and happy thoughts to him...

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