Day 27: Max Patch Sunrise and a Skunk; Maybe

Appalachian Trail: Day #27

Max Patch Summit –> Deer Park Mountain Shelter: 16.6 miles

Total AT miles: 270.5

The decision to camp on Max Patch was a good one and a moment I’ll remember for a long time. I may have been a bit tired the next day – Me and Goat stayed up staring at the stars long after the sun had set and I woke the group at 6am for sunrise – but it was worth the crankiness. We see far too few sunrises and even fewer as epic as this.

Tent city atop Max Patch.

Maria enjoying the sunrise from her front porch.

Dr. Kool-Aid and My Shadow soaking in the view as well.

Finch and Mountain Goat enjoying Hot Chockey at sunrise. Talk about happy campers!

Mountain Goat and finch enjoying the view.

They got a kick out of me running around and rolling on the ground trying to capture the moment.

My oatmeal breakfast with honey!

Sawyer water filter are AWESOME. Their bags, not so much. My Shadow had this one for only a couple weeks before it sprung enough leaks to sink the Titanic.

Always in the mood for trail magic!

Chalk on a shelter. Love it.

A mailbox for the trail register.

Mountain Goat walking a dead log leaning against a tree like a tight rope.

Nightly dinner in the jet boil.

A baby skunk?

I’m not entirely sure. It came running into camp with no fear of us. Luckily it posed no problems nor did it spray me (if it was, in fact, a skunk) as I took it’s picture.

May 6, 2016May 2, 2016 by Ryan "Kodak" Brown Categories: Appalachian Trail, photography, Travel, UncategorizedTags: Adventure, backpacking, Camping, hiking, Max Patch, photography, Sunrise, Thru-hiking, Travel blog 2 Comments

Day 26: Max Patch and a Special Sunset

Appalachian Trail: Day #26

Painter Branch Campsite –> Max Patch Summit: 11.2 miles

Total AT miles: 253.9

Sure, we could hike more miles. Many people do. But miles mean rushing and rushing means missing special opportunities like a sunset and sunrise camped atop Max Patch. I’m so thankful for my trail family who enjoys a slower pace soaking in these special moments.

Breakfast! Whole grain oatmeal with nuts, seeds, peanut butter, and nuttella. None of that instant crap for me!

Earl Gray rebuilding the fire to warm up before leaving camp. Love the decorations here.

Dr. Kool-Aid reaching the top of a bald.

Gotta love the privies!

Fire pits are NOT garbage cans. Pack out your trash folks.

Pack out what you find too.

Trail Magic!!!!

Chile, burgers, and dogs. I was late and missed the rest of the food but he made the chile for us slow pokes.

Mountain Goat trimming the toe nails. Reality creeping into to life on the trail…

A note for Susan.

Max Patch. We arrived here earlier in the day and decided to camp. The weather was perfect and the view to spectacular to pass up.

My silhouette taken by Mountain Goat.

Getting comfy for sunset.

After-glow of sunset atop Max Patch. I’ll definitely be returning to this very special place.

 

May 5, 2016May 2, 2016 by Ryan "Kodak" Brown Categories: Appalachian Trail, TravelTags: Adventure, backpacking, Camping, hiking, Max Patch, Thru-hiking, Travel blog 6 Comments