4 State Challenge...been there done that!

Porter and Pace are hiking machines. They officially joined all the other crazies out there that hike through four states in one day with a total of approximately 45 miles that needs to be completed within 24 hours.

At 3:30 a.m. on May 28, Pace and Porter got up to start their day. Buffalo, another hiker, decided to take up the challenge and hike with them. As Porter got ready for his day, Pace already dressed with hat and boots on, decided it would be best to wait in bed while he waited...Porter's bed of course. He wouldn't want boots on in his own bed!

Pace catches a few ZZZ's while he waits for Porter. 3:30AM comes mighty early.

Porter, Pace and Buffalo start their day as Burps (Liz, Porter's sister) sends them off. Porter turned SPOT on, his GPS tracker, and you will see their route on the map. Burps set up an area about halfway through the guy's day to be a trail angel. It was the Burps, Pace & Porter trail angel stop where any hiker that passed through could grab a cold Gatorade and some fresh fruit to help give them energy.

Buffalo and Pace enjoy Burp's trail angel gifts. Burps enjoyed the day reading and meeting other hikers.

Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland were becoming history as the three dauntless hikers crossed the Mason-Dixon line and into Yankee territory and into Pennsylvania.

Buffalo and Pace at the Mason Dixon line 1,055 miles under their boots, elevation 1250 ft.

Three tired by exhilarated hikers made it to their final destination where Burps was waiting to pick them up at the trail head. After 16 hours, they were done. A meal and then early to bed for them all. Pace and Porter will be taking a 0 day today (Sunday, 5/29) and will most likely be heading back (by car) to Harper's Ferry, WV to do some sight seeing. At least they won't have to walk back to PA, Burps will drive.

Porter, Buffalo and Pace - 4 States, 45 miles, and 16 hours of hiking.

Since they have begun hiking, Pace has lost about 30 pounds and Porter has lost about 20 pounds. We will need to fatten Pace up pretty soon.

Other interesting points from the past week and the amazing gifts of so many trail angels.

5/23/11 - Porter, Pace, Diva and Toto hiked 28 miles. They stayed at a public campsite where they met up with fellow AT thru-hikers Caboose, Upstate and Loop Hole. Now if anyone remembers the old TV show, the Odd Couple, that is a little like Porter and Pace. While Pace is getting his "chores" out of the way, Porter is going in the opposite direction and meeting campers. He met a group of car campers that had a campfire. Porter said hello and introduced himself as a thru-hiker and asked if he could buy a cold beverage from them. Of course, the wonderful campers insisted he sit down, enjoy some cold drinks and share a dinner of BBQ with them.

After some time, Pace and Diva wondered what happen to Porter and went on a small search. There he was, sitting next to a campfire enjoying some new friend's company and enjoying the evening. They all ended up hanging out with the campers and sharing S'mores with them. Yoging at its best. Good people, that's for sure.

5/24/11 - Hiked into a town. When they were walking down the street, a man came running out of a local funeral parlor to ask Porter and Pace if they were thru-hikers and if they needed a ride back to the trail head. They explained that they would need a ride later around 3PM. The funeral director told them that he had some other obligations but to come back and he would get them to the trail head. Around 3PM, Pace went into the funeral home. They man was busy with a client, but he asked another worker to take them any where they needed. Trail angels come in all forms, even undertakers.

5/25/11 - 35 mile day. Hiked from Skyland resort in the Shenandoah Valley, VA. At the end of the day, they came across two other thru-hikers they knew. They were in a parking lot talking to a couple of day-hikers in their car. The person who they called to get a ride into town was not available, so they were hinting around to the driver of the car about going to town.  Practical Porter to the rescue. He just went up to the driver and asked if he could give them all a ride into town, he would pay. The unsuspecting man turned into a trail angel in a moments notice. All SIX hikers crammed into Craig's vehicle and they were driven to town. (Can you imagine what it must have smelled like in that car? PU!)

Porter and Pace SQUISHED in the car as they get a ride into town.

Their ride and friendly trail angel. Thanks Craig!

New friends and trail angels...Robert & Vicki. They had a great time with them both at Lewis Cabin and the next night at Skyland.

5/26/11 - A 30 mile roller coaster of a hike. They had to hike 13 ups and downs in 93 degree weather. They tented by the James river with Caboose, Upstate, Loop Hole, Toto and Divia.

5/27/11 - Arrived in Harper's Ferry, WV after a 10 mile hike. Diva caught a train to D.C. to visit family. Porter and Pace had their obligatory picture taken at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. They are hiker's 210 and 211. 1013.4 miles in 2 months. Way to go guys!

5/28/11 - Up at 3:30 a.m. to complete the 4 state challenge. Now in Pennsylvania.

5/29/11 - A well deserved zero day to rest.

Porter and Pace Appalachian Trail 5/29/19

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Until next time, happy trails,

Ground Control, a/k/a Dreamer