Month: July 2019

While indeed, this courageous pair have been blazing their way through their journey of the AT (Appalachian Trail), their speedy efforts are not the “blazing” I am alluding to.

Some of you may have noticed the painted white marks that keep popping up on the trees and rocks of Koreen and David’s photos. These painted marks are called “blazes” and they are strategically placed as the bread crumbs (if you will) that guide thru-hikers on their journey of the AT.

Single White Blazes

“White blazes mark the A.T. and may be located on trees, rocks, posts or guardrails, among other places.”

​Double White Blazes

“Two white blazes, one above the other, signal an obscure turn, route changes, an incoming side trail or other situation that requires you to be especially alert to changes in direction. Sometimes the two blazes will be offset in the direction of the turn.”

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While these comforting white guide posts have been a beacon along their path for many the mile, our intrepid hikers have reached a portion of the trail where blazing is not an option. Deep into New Hampshire, Greyhound and Rabbit have summited Cube Mt., Moose Mt., Mt. Smart, and Mt. Moosilauke. And I mean, Daaaaaaammmmn friends, they be moving their cute little behinds pretty fast.

But the reason blazing is not a thing in this part of NH is because the terrain is often covered in snow, rendering the white trail marks invisible. And even in these dog days of summer, when snow is not the culprit, the weather above the treeline in these mountains is often rough enough to wear away any painted blaze marks attempted to be placed on the rocks.

Instead, the AT thru hikers who travel the New Hampshire White Mountains are following a path of something called Rock Cairns. Cairns are mounds of rock piled high and likewise strategically placed along the path, used to guide hikers along their way just as the painted white blaze marks had done throughout the rest of the AT. They are easy to spot, they withstand all 4 seasons, and there are never any shortage of rocks in this part of the trail, so they are easy to build.

Distance between blazes and cairns vary, but they say if you have gone a few hundred yards without seeing a blaze, it’s best to stop. Retrace your steps until you locate a blaze. Then, check to make sure you hadn’t missed a turn.

There are 25 federally designated wilderness areas the AT passes through. Here blazing is intentionally much less frequent and signage is minimal to retain the wilderness character of the land. In these areas found in Georgia through Virginia, and Vermont and New Hampshire, blazes may be 1/4 mile apart, and side trails may not be marked at all. Carrying a map and compass are especially important. Thankfully, Greyhound and Rabbit are smart hikers, and are also continually adopting new Tramily into their fold. So between their smarts and their charm, they are in good hands.

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Now back to they blazing pace of our zealous hikers. Here high into the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Greyhound and Rabbit are well on their way to Mt. Washington, the 4th highest elevation of the AT trail. To be fair, mountains are not new to our native Alaskans. However, as we all know, there has been such a long journey including over 700 miles of sweat and tears (David’s), that have brought this pair to the point they are at today. And while these “mountains” may not be able to touch some of the amazing heights of those they have otherwise encountered in Alaska, the up and over, mile after mile, day after day, and peak after peak of New Hampshire’s long portion of the AT is a new testimony to the guts and glory Greyhound and Rabbit are displaying in the name of their fight against MS.

As always, take advantage of the opportunity to support Koreen and David in their fight against MS by donating here.