Re-introduction

Yeah, it's been a while. I practically fell off the face of the earth. In all honesty, I stopped hiking. A lot. I started driving and just found other things to do besides climbing rocks all day, but here I am. I realized that life moves super fast, and here I am already halfway through college. I am not ready to grow up.
I will be the first to admit, I did not complete the AT in 2016. In fact, I didn't even try. The goal was there but it was unrealistic and school had to come first. Of course, I will do it. I will.
I decided it was best that I keep doing what I love, and that is being outside. In all honesty, I found other things to do. I am going to school, playing hockey, and just keeping myself busy. Over the past two years, I did find myself on the trail for a week at a time. Both experiences really got me back into the love for the outdoors and I hope this is something that continues as I grow older.
I am excited to share my experiences over the past two years with both of my "longer" hikes that helped get me back out on the trail.

In June of 2016, I hiked from Pine Grove Furnace State Park (PA) to Duncannon, PA. One notable stop along this trip was my night in Boiling Springs, PA. I arrived in this little town around 2pm, and I planned on continuing on. This did not happen as this town was straight up exciting. There was some music festival going on, weather was great and people were all over this place. I stayed up until the early hours of the next morning just socializing with other hikers. (I was also trying to escape my great campsite, right next to train tracks). Smart thinking. This trip ended with lunch at the Doyle Hotel. All around a great trip with awesome weather.

In June of 2017, I hiked from Bluemont, VA to just North of the Mason Dixon Line (PenMar).  This trip was incredible. I learned a lot. Meaning, I learned what not to pack. I do not know my exact pack weight, but I should have known better.
One night on that trip I stayed at the Blackburn Trail Center. This place spoiled me. The caretaker served spaghetti and certainly made me feel welcome. While I certainly appreciated everything, I kept moving that night to stay at the next shelter. That next day, I strolled into Harpers Ferry and spent some time at the ATC to recharge, phones included. I can't remember where I had lunch that day, but it was a greasy cheeseburger that really made the price worth it.

The next day or two was spent hiking across Maryland. I had a blast in this state. There was nobody on the trail, but the terrain was some of the easiest I have ever hiked on and was a spoiler from VA. This hike again was great, and has me excited for this upcoming Summer.

I feel happy to be part of the hiking community again, and I am excited to be back on the trail in the breaks of my busy life.
Nate

Horseshoe Trail Interview

This past Summer, I had the amazing opportunity to complete hiking the Horseshoe Trail, a 150 mile footpath in Pennsylvania. This hike helped better prepare me for my thru hike.

After I finished, I spoke with Neil Brennan, an outdoor blogger on www.atasteforthewoods.com.  Here is the interview:

INTERVIEW: NATE HARNER, BACKPACKER

    There’s been some talk in the outdoor media about an alleged decline in interest in hiking and backpacking, particularly among young people. So when I discovered a young man named Nate Harner had hiked the length of Pennsylvania’s 140 mile Horseshoe Trail, I thought he might have some thoughts to share. Turns out he has more than thoughts, he has an Appalachian Trail through hike in the planning stages too. I hope you enjoy this interview, and Nate’s photos, as much as I did.

Q: Thank you for agreeing to this interview. How old are you, Nate?

A: I am 16 years old.

Q: When did you start backpacking?

A: I Went on my first backpacking trip with the Boy Scouts in 2010, and I hated it. I decided in 2012 that it may be something I would enjoy, so I went with some friends and I ended up loving it. I then decided right away I wanted to do big things with my new talent.

Q: You’ve completed the Horse Shoe Trail. Was that a through hike? Or in segments?

A: I completed the Horseshoe Trail in 2013. I took about 9 day hikes and that was all I needed to finish it. I averaged about 15 miles a day and I did it in single days because it is tough to find places to camp on the trail.

Q: Which end did you start at? How many days did it take you?

A: I jumped around the trail quite a bit. I started near Lawn, PA and went 15 miles south. I then did many other segments before finishing at the Northern terminus on Stony Mountain.

Q: What sort of gear did you carry?

A:I used most of the gear I will be taking on the AT next year, which can be found on my blog.www.hikeofalifetime.blogspot.com

Q: What was your favorite part of the trail? Least favorite?

A: My favorite part was the solitude of the HST. I did not see many people. I did not like how I was treated by non-hikers. It was difficult at some points trying to cross roads, etc.

Q. How did your parents take the news you were going on this ambitious solo hike?

A: My parents are always worried about me, as they should be. I trust them, and they trust me. They know my ambitions, so they will do anything to help me achieve them, even if that includes letting me hike alone all the time.

Q: Since you are still legally a minor, how did your parents keep tabs on you? Did you have any safety concerns? Did your parents?

A: I texted my location frequently.  I mostly feel safe all the time when I am out alone. I have had close calls with wildlife, but I am in their territory. Respect goes both ways.

Q. Some people say we are raising a generation of overprotected kids. Parents have been arrested for letting their children play in a local park unattended. Your thoughts? Just where is the line between concerned parent and helicopter mom?

A: Parents should always keep their kids in eyesight. If the kids have dreams, let them do it. Let them do it safely, but help them achieve it. Give your kids freedom. There is a fine line between being over protective and not being there. It is hard finding the balance.

Q. Outdoor websites and magazines recently are writing about the decline of hiking, particularly among young people. On average, how old were the people you saw using the HorseShoe? Did you see any young people?

A: I saw nobody on the HST while I was out. I saw not one hiker. When I hike on the AT, I see all older people-middle age people. I saw a few older teens on the AT, but I have never met another young teen like I am on the same trail as me.

Q: If you think there’s been a decline, why do you think that is?

A: Honestly, Neil, I am not sure what it is. Kids just enjoy doing exciting things. I guess hiking is not as exciting as some other things that are gaining attention.

Q. I see you have an AT hike scheduled. Please tell us a little about it. Is it solo? A through hike? Supported or unsupported? With a group?

A: I will be thru hiking in 2016, Northbound, solo. I am planning to do a thru hike, Georgia to Maine. I am still figuring out food, but I will most likely buy along the way, with minimal mail drops(3-4). More information about my thru hike can be found here on my blog: www.hikeofalifetime.blogspot.com

Q: Thank you Nate, and I look forward to following your Appalachian Trail hike in two years.

The link to the web page is below.

Nate

http://atasteforthewoods.com/?p=2618

Weekend of 10/10

It has been a fantastic weekend. I spent the weekend in Roanoke, VA with friends and my Aunt when we hit McAfee Knob and we even had a little un-expected stop on the way home.  The pictures should not need captions, but if you have any questions please let me know.  It was an amazing experience and I am very glad for the opportunity.

Pictures do not do this trip must  justice.

Thank you for your continued support. Please share my page, comment, and even go as far as following my blog!

Nate

Evening hike

Tonight (10/4), I took my brother out for a short little hike at Camp Swatara up to the rock pile. It was a little poor planning since it was a last minute thing, but we made it up to see the sunset on top of the mountain. What a beautiful thing. My brother even got his first taste of night hiking! Proud of that little guy!

On a side note, I would just like to point out to everyone reading this post just how amazing Petzl is.  Their headlamps are great, and their customer service is one of a kind.  I would like to give a huge shout out to Chuck Odette for representing the company well.

Stay tuned for a special announcement next weekend regarding my upcoming practice hike.

Nate JB

Overnighter

This summer, I worked at Bashore scout reservation. It was an amazing summer where I learned a lot of skills that I can use later. When the season was over, I went on an overnight hike with two guys who are on staff with me. 

We hit the trail from swatara gap and spent the night at William Penn shelter. The next morning, I woke up to a snake trying to lay with me. The snake slithered off as quickly as it could buy I still got a few pictures of him. I then hiked out and ended the weekend at Camp Swatara. It was a great hike where I spent a lot of time focusing on my gear. 

Weekend hike: 5/24

WORTH THE READ

This past Saturday, I hit the trail in Green Point, PA to make way to my final destination in Bethel, PA, a total of 15 miles on the trail.  In the first few miles before I crossed over into Berks County, there was not much going on. Beautiful landscapes and a few day hikers. I was a little dehydrated during the day, but I was fine.

After a few miles, I finally got to William Penn Shelter.  Although this is not where I would be staying, I decided to stop here for dinner.  I made ramen with tuna.  It was an ok meal, but what made it awesome was the fact that I could talk with another thru-hiker by the name of Figgy (check out his trail-journal).  We talked about gear, and after I was done eating, I set off.  

I knew that I would not get to Camp Swatara in Bethel while it was still light, so I got out my headlamp and prayed.  At this point, I was alone again, and darkness fell quickly. It was a scary time, as I still had about 5 miles to go.

My plan was to take a side trail called the grapevine trail into my camp for the night. the grapevine is a trail in the camp Swatara trails system, that goes from the AT at the top of the mountain down into the camp, an extra mile and a half. 

As I was hiking in the dark, I spotted a lot of animals off in the woods, a bobcat being one. Scary times, but I did not think of it at the time.  I kept hiking and I missed the grapevine trail, and I came across two guys hanging out around a fire. One guy was nice enough to give me a really cool Coleman knife that he did not want anymore. Maybe he did not want to carry it out. Either way, thank you!  The bad news was that I missed the trail.  As I turned around to find the trail again, out of the corner of my eye I saw what looked to be an orange glow from a gas lamp deep in the woods.  As I turned my head with my petzl on it, I saw a guy jump up and turn off the lamp.  Talk about creepy.  I found the grapevine faster than ever, and finally made it into camp Swatara around 10:30 pm that night.

Conclusion:  Only night hike when I have to.  Keep alert and watch for animals and moonshiners

The next day, I went to Cabela's.  I picked up a Sea to Summit pack cover, titanium spork, and a platypus bag.

Nate JB Harner