May 5. Weigh In

Weight is an interesting thing out here. For example, Ogre is a 6'6" 24 year old who started hiking the middle of March. When we met him a week ago, he had lost 65 pounds. Still a very big boy, I did not expect he could hike very far. Our first 20 mile day was also his first and I was so impressed by his determination. He will begin a new life after this trail.

Then there is Tree Piper. He weighs 125 pounds and has lost five pounds. His struggle is trying to figure a way to carry all the food his body needs because he cannot lose any more.

Today is the first official weigh in for Mark and I. Mark has lost 53 pounds sice Christmas. 28 of it out here. He weighs what he did in high school. I've lost 45 pounds since Christmas and 20 of it out here.


Mark doesn't have a lot of spare weight to lose. We are burning between 6000 and 7000 calories a day. When hiking we may get in 3000-4000 calories which is why we get so hungry. How can we carry enough? I still have some extra to lose but wonder how Mark will do.

Physically, we both find hiking to be easier. Not easy by any means just easier. Today we were able to hike 10 miles in 3 and a half hours. 10 miles was a big day in the beginning. We are not even 1/4 of the way.

We made it to Virginia. We will do about 550 miles in Virginia. We will spend more time in this state than any other. They say it can be mentally difficult on us because we are use to those milestones. We think every 100 miles is a great victory.

Gordon is joining us for some of the trail next week or so. I am looking forward to seeing him.

For now, we are in Damascus until Monday morning.