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

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Saturday – 7/17 –dry day - 1,800 miles

Hit the trail about 5:30AM. Said it was a super hard day. Lots of ups and downs. Needs to get used to the “real” mountain terrain again.

Trails were still very wet from the rain the night before. This makes for slippery footing.

Dilly Trail – steep up to Mt Wolf(3,478) from rte 112(especially at 5:30 in the morning). Nice views of Harrington Pond, up and over South(4,358) and North Kinsmen((4,293) over the “Cannon Balls” on the Kinsmen Ridge to the Fishin Jimmy trail to Lonesome Lake(beautiful lake up on the mountain where you may swim) then down to Lafayette Campground in Franconia notch and under rte 93 S on the bike path to the north side to the parking area at Liberty Springs trail head where I had arranged our car to be so he could get home.

He hiked part of the day w/Wiggy (Stick’s brother). They are both thru-hiking this year. Sticks is just a bit behind. They are both from England.

Ponytail hit the 1800 mile mark today. Can you believe he has walked 1,800 miles!!!! Super job!

Home by 3:30, quick shower and then off to see friends at the campground in Twin. Everyone was happy to see Ponytail or as everyone there calls him Smitty. Lots of hugs and congrats. All were in awe of his beard(usually nicely groomed) and everyone agreed he did look healthy even though he is really skinny.

There was diner at Leah’s (yummy pasta and meatballs (sorry Wayne you weren’t there), drinks and other food at Phil’s). Nice to see Katherine and Allison too. Our friends Ted & Laura’s daughters came up just to see him.

Our friend was there doing a tattoo party. Ponytail loves tattoos. He ended up getting a small one on his wrist. Looks good! Thanks Von Smink!!!

16.3 Miles today
1805.6 Miles to date
372.7 Miles left

Sunrise















Wiggy & Ponytail
Allison, Katherine, Brian
Posted by Dave Smith (Smitty) at 7/20/2010

3 comments:

  1. John Gutowski20/7/10

    Very cool tat Dave! You earned that one!!
    John Gutowski

    ReplyDelete
  2. Allen Freeman21/7/10

    Whoa! A GA -> ME tat already?! You're committed now!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Allen Freeman21/7/10

    BTW The section over the Kinsmen is the one that killed my phone, and the one after which you picked me up to spend two wonderful nights in your home. Thanks!

    -- Monkeywrench

    ReplyDelete

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