Hello from Unionville, New York. We are enjoying the hospitality of some friends of the trail just over the border from New Jersey. That's right - we're on our 7th state, and have completed 843 miles of the journey. Pennsylvania will be up soon, and it's on to the long states - PA, VA, and NC/TN. The progress meter is below, and some video and photos from the trail.






Priya looking out over a pretty spot in Connecticut. For such a relatively short stretch of trail, it was quite scenic.



The maintenance shed at a hydroelectric dam had a shower spigot on the outside of the building, which we took advantage of. It was our first shower in 6 days, and we wouldn't have a hot shower (this one certainly was not) for another 6 days. It felt good to scrub with a little soap, though.


Christian in front of an impressive falls near Lake Village, CT.


A short video of the falls and the river flowing south.


For a while, the trail followed the Housatonic River in Connecticut. We'd been crossing paths with the river since Dalton, MA, and it had grown quite a bit. Christian took a refreshing swim this afternoon.


Priya walking over a fence in New York. Some of the trail continues to pass through farmland, and often these stiles are used for hikers to cross over barbed wire or electrified fences.

Priya in a tunnel of birch in southern New York.

This sign was on the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River. Priya concurs.

The view off the bridge looking down the Hudson River.

Christian looking out at the border onto some farmland.

The Dover Oak in New York. One of the two oldest trees on the AT, it's been around for about 350 years. Priya's a real tree-hugger.

We'd kept hearing about all these deli stops in New York and New Jersey, and finally were able to experience one. It was everything Christian'd dreamed of - ham cappi, prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, provolone, roasted red pepper, and Italian dressing. Amazing.

Priya really liked these flowers as we were walking through a flat section of New Jersey. The stems have an amazing color.

Easy way? The AT doesn't take the easy way! That's all we've got for now. Until next time...

Bear Mountain, NY

Priya and Christian were in Bear Mountain yesterday after crossing the Hudson River. The Trail runs straight through the Bear Mountain Zoo, so they were getting ready for a short but very noticeable change of AT scenery. Their next stop will be in Unionville, NY in about three nights.

They have traveled 786.5 miles from Katahdin.

Brian's Visit

Brian met up with Christian and Priya on the Trail last Thursday, and kindly sent along some photographs from his visit.

At a shelter near Mt. Everett, MA. They enjoyed a gourmet dinner of pasta, wine, and hot chocolate around the campfire.

While impresing Brian with his fire-building skills, Christian was quick to give credit to the birch bark.

The fire was very welcome on one of the chilliest nights on the Trail.

Hanging the packs on the shelter's ceiling helps prevent mice from getting in.

Lefty and Home Fries referencing their trusty Thru-Hiker's Handbook.

Hikers on the move.

Dalton, MA

Christian and Priya took their first on-Trail zero day today in Dalton. After a great day visiting with friends Rose and Lauren they are enjoying the hospitality of a "Trail Magician" (plus three dogs) whose house they are staying at for the night, and will return to the Trail tomorrow both well-fed and well-equipped. Their next stop should be in Salisbury, CT on or around this coming Saturday.

Update from Vermont

We've arrived at Manchester Center, Vermont and were fortunate enough to be taken in by a hostel owner, even after his hostel had officially shut down for the season. We can't get any photo updates done, but here are a few videos hot off the presses, photos to follow as soon as possible.


Also new to the blog, a progress meter! Completed is in blue, still to come is in red.


After having spectacular weather all throughout the Whites, things got a little tough when we walked the 7-mile stretch of Franconia Ridge - 40 mph winds and cloudy. It would get worse on Mt. Moosilauke, when rain was added to the mix, but fortunately that was just a 0.8 mile stretch above treeline; very doable.



Here's Franconia Ridge in nice weather, as seen a couple of days later.


A few miles after crossing the border into Vermont, we transitioned into a mix of big pine forests interspersed with farmland...some of the farms offer ice cream and other treats along the way, which is pretty cool.


Also along the way was a lodge that had a pet pig named Alice. Here's Priya feeding the pig some crab apples from a tree along the trail. That's all for now - hopefully some photos to follow soon.

Rutland, VT

Christian and Priya are doing well and have made it to Rutland. Their big news today was that they finally secured a replacement water filter cartridge, ending what had been quite the debacle. They will be working their way through the Greens into Massachusetts over the next few days and should be stopping in Manchester Center next weekend to re-supply.

Out of the Whites and into the Greens

So unfortunately no pictures again, but we've now passed out of the White Mountains, and shortly out of New Hampshire. Our next few miles will take us into Vermont and the Green Mountains, just in time for the start of New England autumn. We enjoyed some good and bad weather, spectacular views, and great trail magic when a Trail friend hosted us at her beautiful house. As the miles go by more easily, we look forward to traversing several states in the coming month.