Two nights on the AT w/ new friends

**Living the Highlife** · 09-30-2012, 20:44

how was the hike south from pen mar? a few of us are planning that trip to gathland state park for the MAHHA in a couple weeks. how many miles south did you hike?

**Atlas918** · 10-01-2012, 08:02

Gotta love the Blackbird. I bet by the morning you were the envy of all of the hikers! Looks like a nice little area. I'll have to put it on the list of places for me to hike in the DMV area!

**NikkiC** · 10-01-2012, 17:04

The pack is an Osprey Ariel 65. It's not the lightest pack but it's comfy. I'll be upgrading to a ULA sooner or later.

The temps were in the 40's at night and I was really warm with the UQ and my 40 degree sleeping bag.

We parked across the street from the park and there were no issues at all with leaving the car. The trip from Pen Mar SOBO to Dahlgren (South Mountain Inn) is 24 miles. We did 9 miles a day and because of an foot injury we skipped the last 6 miles. The first day was really strenuous and we stated at Cowall, the second day was much easier and we stayed at Pine Knob.

**harrellt** · 10-01-2012, 21:27

great first trip! just keep fiddling with the setup and you'll have it tuned in in no time!

**jwright** · 10-01-2012, 22:20

Originally Posted by NikkiC

We parked across the street from the park and there were no issues at all with leaving the car.

That is really good to hear.

The AT guides (Miller, PATC) only seem to note the 2 spaces on the pull out, just across the Penn line. I have been checking possible parking locations on google earth/maps. You are talking about the large open parking area across the street (east) from the paved/marked parking spots,-it looks like there is a tree in the north half of it?

Thanks again for helping with the details.
Jason

**biggcarl** · 10-02-2012, 07:53

Originally Posted by NikkiC

I had a few issues with the UQ moving around (I still need to figure a way to stop that) while I tossed and turned trying to find that perfect spot to sleep in.

Look into Dutchware, or PM the man himself. Two little Dutch hooks in the right place and I have yet to have my UQ slip out of place and I move a lot at night.