Fitpacking

Fly or drive into Dulles Airport (IAD). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However if you can save a substantial amount by arriving a few hours earlier or later, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to Homewood Suites, by Hilton, Dulles Int'l Airport, 13460 Sunrise Valley Drive, Herndon, VA, 20171, 703-793-1700

Equipment shakedown. We go though your stuff to make sure you are appropriately outfitted.

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Trail Mix and food distribution

Go to EMS Dulles, Dulles 28 Center [Wegman's], 22000 Dulles Retail Plaza, Dulles, VA, 703.421.4330 or REI Fairfax, # 11950 Grand Commons Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030, (571) 522-6568 for last minute or forgotten equipment

Welcome dinner

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Free Breakfast in hotel

Shuttle to Snickers Gap, VA @ Route 7

Begin Hiking, elevation 1050'.

Hike 7.3 miles along the end of the Roller Coaster to Blackburn Trail Center

The AT along most of this section defines the VA/WV state line

Camp at Blackburn Trail Center Campground, elevation 1550'.

Mileage Today: 7.3 miles. Total to Date: 7.3 miles

Possible bailout: Route 7, Blackburn Trail Center

This will be a difficult day

Hike 8.7 miles past the powerline to an unmarked campsite

Dispersed Camp at unmarked campsite, elevation 1200'

Mileage Today: 8.7. Total mileage: 16.0

Possible bailout: Route 9 (Keys Gap)

Hike 2.7 miles back to the bridge over the Shenandoah River.

Hike 1.0 miles to Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters

Hike 0.7 miles over the Potomic River into Maryland (No campfires allowed in MD)

Hike 6.0 miles to the Ed Garvey Shelter. The first 3 miles are completely flat, the next 2 miles are a 1000' climb

Camp at Ed Garvey Shelter, elevation 1100'.

Mileage Today: 10.4. Total mileage: 26.4

Possible bailout: Harper's Ferry

Hike 9.2 miles to Rocky Run Shelter, elevation 1000'

Camp at Rocky Run Shelter, elevation 1000'

Mileage Today: 9.2. Total mileage: 35.6

Possible bailouts: Gapland Rd. (Crampton Gap)

Hike 9.2 miles to Annapolis Rocks Campsite, elevation 1650'.

Some say Annapolis Rocks is the best Campsite on the AT in Maryland

Camp at Annapolis Rocks Campsite, elevation 1650'.

Mileage Today: 9.2. Total mileage: 44.8

Possible bailout: US-40 (Turners Gap) or I-70 (!)

Hike 11.5 miles to Devil's Racecourse Shelter, elevation 1500'.

Camp at Devil's Racecourse Shelter, elevation 1500'.

Mileage Today: 11.5. Total mileage: 56.3

Possible bailout: Wolfsville Rd, MD-77 or MD-491

Hike 1.6 miles to High Rocks Trail

Hike 0.2 miles round trip to High Rocks

Hike 3.2 miles to the Pennsylvania State Line

Hike 0.1 miles to Pen-Mar Rd.

End of hike

Mileage Today: 5.1. Total mileage: 61.4

Possible bailout: High Rocks Rd, Pen-Mar Rd.

Shuttle to Homewood Suites, by Hilton, Dulles Int'l Airport, 13460 Sunrise Valley Drive, Herndon, VA, 20171, 703-793-1700

End measurements taken

Dinner and Awards Ceremony

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.

Check Out

Take Free Airport Shuttle