Backpacking the Appalachian Trail (AT)

I’m looking forward to following you!  I’m in Lancaster, PA and the AT does an arc around me about 90 minutes away.  If you need anything as you get to PA please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll do whatever I can to help.  I’ll send you a PM with my contact info.  Happy Trail!

Wonderful! I’m looking forward to following your journey!

Thanks Kevin! I responded with my contact data. May be I see you in Duncannon when I cross the Susquehanna River in two months or so.

I was driving through Duncannon last week (on my way to hike up north of there). I hadn’t before realized how much of a river town it is. It’s just a few blocks wide as far as what I could see.

Very cool, Manfred!

The PCT and the length of NZ since retirement and now the AT!  I think I know what 2026 holds.

I want to be Manfred when I grow up.

Do you have a trail name?

David, I kept my trail name from the PCT: The Navigator

Already on the first day other hikers found it fitting, when I patiently explained how to orient the map and where to go to pick up their resupply off the trail. Once they couldn’t simply follow white blazes they were lost.

Once a Boy Scout Map & Compass Instructor, always a Boy Scout Map & Compass Instructor?

It’s actually fun to help people and explain how to use map and compass. It amazes me that people have a plate compass hanging on their backpack because it was on some list of things you need, but don’t know how to orient a map properly with it.

I learned in high school how to use a map and compass, but if I hadn’t, I think it would be hard to learn now. To re-orient myself – because i never use the skill – I watch YouTube videos and then go out and practice. I tried taking an REI class, but the gal teaching had probably learned from YouTube and really had no idea what she was doing; everyone who followed her directions went the reverse way from the target, and those of us who simply worked together to figure it out did fine. There aren’t many opportunities to learn this old skill any more, if you want to learn from an expert.  Most people can’t even read a map to navigate without Google maps. And while you don’t need it most places, it sure is nice to know that your upcoming terrain will be swampy, mountainous, or along a road or stream.

Looking forward to following the AT journey!

Glad you are following the journey. The AT is a very different experience for me than the PCT. Very different terrain and a wider variety of people. Very fun!

I have ‘known’ Kevin for 15 years via BPL exchanging tips and tricks about backpacking with children. Yesterday I met him finally in person when he provided wonderful trail magic on the Appalachian Trail.

Thank you!

It was truly my pleasure!  If there are any BPLers hiking the AT who need anything while in my “sphere of influence (northern VA through all of PA), please let me know and I’ll do whatever you need!

Manfred and I had a nice evening together…I picked him and his current hiking partner (Wingsuit) up in Port Clinton, took them to dinner, and then to Cabela’s and to Walmart for supplies.  We then chatted as they unloaded their haul and restocked their food.

Kevin…kudos to you (and those like you) on your generosity. This world needs more of that.

Manfred…keep posting.  I enjoy hearing from people who are out there doing it.

Today’s (mis)adventure was seeking dental care as a hiker who had been around 70 days on the trail in the same clothes.
Interesting experience where you don’t even get to explain that you can actually pay for any required treatment. The different front desks would immediately repel me with:  ‘We don’t treat walk-in patients. We have no appointments open in the next three weeks. Etc.

https://atnavigator.wordpress.com

Oh bummer about the teeth! Good strategy for getting in finally. Poor people in America, even if they are lucky enough to have a bit of health insurance, rarely have dental insurance. It’s like the teeth aren’t part of our body and our health or something. Think how much better their lives could be with healthy teeth.

Back on trail, are you eating only mashed potatoes now until they heal?

Teeth.
I lost part of a filling in Austria when I was walking the Via Alpina some years ago. Went to the Tourist Information Centre in the town and asked for help. They sent me to a local dentist, who fitted me in with a few hours notice. Repairs take priority over routine. Superb treatment, tooth all fixed up. Very nice staff.
No charge.

Cheers

I have noticed it takes forever to get dental appointment, even for regular patients that are clean

And a lot of other healthcare.

But some specialties you can quickly get into

Very weird