Ward completed Section 5 then hitch-hiked into Front Royal, VA on Thursday. He stayed in a hotel Thursday and Friday nights, taking a zero on Friday. We spoke briefly, and he indicated he liked the Shenandoahs despite continuing cold and rainy weather. The grades were more gradual and there were waysides along the trail where he could rest and re-supply. Very nice.
He and Matt had several long days, so a rest day was much needed. The two of them split up one day. Ward cut his day short due to rain, but Matt pushed on. Ward made up for the miles the next day and met up with Matt again the following day. Matt is spending time with family, so he and Ward are presumably apart now.
A few stats:
Cumulative, Springer Mountain GA to Front Royal, VA
Miles hiked: 961.2
Days on trail: 65 total - 8 zeros = 57 hiking days
Daily average miles hiked: 14.8 including zeros, 16.9 excluding zeros
Section 5 Only
Days on trail: 5 total, no zeros
Miles hiked: 107.2
Daily average miles hiked: 21.4
Ward began hiking the last section of Virginia on Saturday, and plans to be in Harpers Ferry, WV next Monday or early Tuesday (4/11 or 4/12). Harpers Ferry is the home of the AT Conservancy, and is considered the half-way point of the AT (bean-counters and nit-pickers will note that it is not exactly half-way in terms of mileage). He will then take a train from Harpers to DC where Beth and Poppy are meeting in for several days of much needed and much deserved rest. Matt is planning time off as well. The two of them will meet in the next couple of weeks.
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