Friday, March 27, 2015

Mother Nature doesn't always approve of your plan.

The "PLAN" today was to slack-pack from Hog Camp Gap south to US 60, over Cold and Bald Mountains.  Well, Mother Nature apparently didn't like our plan.  It was raining this morning in Harrisonburg at our Trail Angel's house, but accuweather.com said that the rain near Buena Vista, where we were going to hike today was supposed to end around 10am.  Well, accuweather.com wasn't very accurate today.  As we made our way down to Buena Vista/Hog Camp Gap the rain changed to a rain sleet mix, and then once we got onto the side road heading up to Hog Camp Gap it became full-on snow.  By the time we made it up to the gap there was 2-3 inches of snow on the ground.


We decided to head out and hike the 6 miles from Hog Camp Gap to US 60.  We made it down the trail approximately 1/2 mile when we decided we needed to turn around and head back to the car.  The snow depth had increased to approximately 4 inches and it was still coming down heavy.  Up on top of Cold and Bald Mountains at 4000ft elevation the snow was probably 6 inches.  To continue up and over Cold and Bald Mountains safely we would need our micro-spikes, mine were in the car, Mom's were at the house and our friend/trail angel Deb didn't have any.  I made the call for us to turn around and do the hike tomorrow with proper gear.

We made it safely back to our car and Harrisonburg.  We were able to find one of the last pairs of YakTrax in the surrounding areas here in Harrisonburg tonight, so we are all good to go for tomorrow.

Look who we happened upon while we were out on the trail...FROSTY!!!






So goes life on the trail.  Some days it just isn't meant to be.  Tomorrow we will be back at it, with all the proper gear needed.  Better safe than sorry.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

BACK ON TRAIL!!!!!!!

Army training is complete!!!!

Mom and I will be back on trail Sunday 22 March!!

We are getting back on at US 60 in Buena Vista, VA, where we flipped up to Katahdin.  We are parking the car at a friend's house nearby and will be back to full packing it together...yeah, I missed hiking with mom each day while she was dropping me off and picking me up.

We will be heading north up to Glencliff, NH.  Yes, I have already hiked from Glencliff, NH to Wallingford, VT, but Mom has not, so I am going to gladly re-hike it with her so she too will earn the title of thru-hiker when we are done.  From Glencliff we will jump up to Bethel, ME and hike from Mahoosuc Notch north to Little Bigelow.  And then we will be done!!!

So put the word out....get ready, 'cause Hendo and Hendo's Mom are on their way.

Since it has been 4 weeks since we have been on trail we will be a little slow at first, but we know we will be flying up the trail soon.

As always we will appreciate any and all support along the way, so leave me a voicemail, FB message or email if you are willing to pick us up and give us a hot shower and laundry for a night!!!

Cell:  404-234-6513
email:  ilenemhenderson@gmail.com

We are still hiking to raise awareness and money for Stop Soldier Suicide:  www.stopsoldiersuicide.org

Here is our fundraising site to help support us on our trek:

www.gofundme.com/postwarhike

Benton MacKaye always said that he felt that the award should be given to those who take the longest to hike the trail and not the fastest time.  Therefore, Mom and I propose that the Benton MacKaye thru-hike award to created and we will be honored to be its first recipients.  What a thru-hike this has been and we are far better people because of it.

Hendo & Hendo's Mom

Friday, March 13, 2015

One week until we are back on trail!!!!

Going through our packs, mending gear, repacking...one more week until we are back on trail...whoohoo!!!

We are going to get back on trail at US 60/ Buena Vista, VA and head north to finish. Mom is going to get back on trail and we are going to full pack, now that the sub-zero nights are gone. Therefore, we are looking for somewhere to park Mom's car in Northwest Viriginia. We have from Buena Vista, VA to Wallingford, VT and Mahoosuc Notch to Mt Avery in Maine to finish, so Mom's car would be park for approximately 2-3 months. Anyone have room?

Thanks again for everyone's support on our thru-hike extravaganza..the end is near!!!

Hendo and Hendo's Mom