Joey Camps

6/28 Saturday Ore Mill->Almost Liberty 1779->1813 Well I almost quit today.  And it's not for anything you would think. I enjoyed the lovely morning climbing up MT Moosilauke. But on the descent I ran into two hikers that told me my dad was hiking up and had supplies for me. At first I was surprised. Then I got angry.  I didn't think I would see him again until Baxter.  Here he was telling people he was bringing me supplies. I couldn't help but think he was trying to sabotage me.  Once I caught up to I let into. I called him an asshole. I told him he knew I couldn't accept support and asked why he was trying to ruin this for me. He told me to calm down and drink a Mt Dew. I told him to eff off.  And I took off down. I was so pissed started hammering up the other side. Quickly my feelings went from anger to worry. I was getting along so well with my dad; it was like we were buddies. So I called him.  No answer. I called again let a long sopping message. I

6/27 Friday Happy hill->Ore Mill 1737-1779 Felt amazing running into Hanover.  6lbs on my back, downhill paved road. I might have just clipped one mile off at 7min pace. $128 at a convience store later , I felt like a bloated out of shape fatty walking out of town. Had a few climbs but nothing crazy.  Loved trudging thru a few swamps too.  I guess I will be wet this whole trip(only wet maine left).  But then Ill appreciate the desert so much more in a few weeks time. 

6/26  thurs Killington->Happy Hill 1700->1737 Shortest day on the trail in a long time it seems I just under 12 hours got a good nights rest and get a good nights rest tonight a lot of food it's hard to go slowly take it easy. But I think I'll be good from the mountains coming out.  Yeah the voice type doesn't work all that great. 

6/25 Wed Mt Baker->Killington 1659->1700 Spent the night in a hotel with with my dad it was awesome I did not want to leave I do want to go to bed I'm back out here I'm resting up taking an easy day. Eating lots of food to refuel before the whites

6/24 Tues Goddard->Baker Mt 1617->1659 This is going to be too hard to keep up through the whites and Maine.  I'll do my best but I got to have a focused head and get these last 400 some odd miles done. Hopefully I'll pop up somewhere and have a Katahdin in 14 or days or so

6/22 Mon Cobble rocks->Goddard 1572->1617 Finally some mountains Greylock and Glastonbury. Margot and her dad met me; it was awesome.  They track me down then walked the trail with me and ran with me for 3 miles and it was great! It was like meeting to old friends for coffee hang out for a while catching up and then leaving feeling refreshed and good. Although we covered 3 miles we talked while we walked for 3 miles and I felt when they left and I was refreshing ready to hike again. But I was already hiking.  Okay we reach a all-time new level here I realize how to use the voice type on my iPhone. All I need is a signal and I can basically just talk to my phone and here you go you got a blog.  Unfortunately I am moving all day and focus I think get food get water and massage my legs him the rest of it I walk sleep that's all I have time for I will try to keep everyone updated as best I can but I'm sure I'll be heading out service very infrequently com

6/22 Sun Blue Hill->Cobble Rocks 1526->1572 Easy day. Besides two 1,000ft, a 800ft and a 600ft climb. Today was flat. So boring, so tiring. Pancake flat.  can't be like pancakes all exciting at first and by the end you're sick of them thanks Mitch

6/21 Sat Belters->Blue Hill 1486->1526   

6/20 Friday Nature landscapes->Belters 1446->1486 Well I slept. Woke up covered in a cold dew. The only way I know how to get warm is move. Packed quick and started running. It was a mile of cow pasture to start every step soaking my feet in cold morning dew. It actually felt nice. I was booking for it was smooth terrain. Got to my resupply point and went to work. I spent a little too long there but it is a nice mental break as well. Ugh now my pack is heavy.  I kept up a good forward progress. But the terrain wasn't making it easy. Can't help but feel like Frodo Baggins trying to get to Mordoor to destroy the ring.  I am currently entering the kingdom of Isengarrd before Mordoor.  Google St. Johns ledges... Enjoy the view. Now add st. Johns ledges stair climb.  Lord of the rings?  Well I just keep plugging away. But every time I calculate my pace, I just seem slow. I am not going to make it. I get angry and sprint. But the sun was winning the race.  Finally, I h

6/19 Thurs Graymoor->nature landscapes 1406->1446 Ugh. The rain started early in the AM. I happened to pick a spot where the roof leaked. Just a drip. But it woke me up and made me move. I really didn't want to be here today. It rained until 11. I was moving so slow. Almost as if I was trying to slow myself down. The sun came out. It was 1 pm. I needed water. I went to a tent site with a pump and laid out my stuff to dry while I filtered the water. I made a few needed phone calls. It was 3 pm.  Crap. I had only cover 17 miles in 8:30.  I got up and started running. I didn't stop until 8 pm. I had covered 23 miles in just over 5 hours. A pretty good pace with a pack. I walked across a swamp on a long boardwalk while eating dinner. I cross some railroad tracks and was at the nursery.  The power outlets didn't work and the bathroom was locked. I got water and passed out. 

6/18 Wednesday Prospector rocks ->Graymoor 1363->1406 So my day start with a big crash.  A tree came tumbling down about 50 feet away from where I slept.  It was really windy, there was lightning(I assume heat lightning), it wasn't raining and was hot as hell.  I was thirsty. So I drank some water. It was 1:30 in the morning. I was up now. Really thirsty and running out of water.  Oh well night hike.  It must have gotten warmer thru the night. 2 miles in, I found a brook and I loaded up on water. Do people actually like the Sawyer Squeeze? I think it is annoying. I would rather pump.   So I stumbled through the dark until about 3:30.  I was pretty tired so I figured a nap would work wonders.  Slept until 5 with my feet up on a rock and my head on my pack. No bag/sac just my tights and shirt.  Well it worked like a charm. I felt like I had slept all night. The day was going great. I was in NY. I crossed the thruway where I have driven a million times. There were climb

6/17 Tuesday Gren Andersen->Prospector Rocks 1321->1363 Today started slow and then got crazy.  I met a ridge runner by the name Grasshopper while I was filling up water at the first shelter. He started in with the usual questions and soon realized how crazy I was.  Being a thru hiker himself and more of a true trail hiker, we seemed to agree on a lot of things. He said that I best be going and that he didn't want to hold me up. I told him nonsense, that I was gaining motivation and inspiration.  But then I hurried away.  Things were going swimmingly but it was get hot and humid fast. I made it to the road I had to take to town and was about to turn on it. There was an older lady who looked like she might be from the area. I asked for confirmation.  She told me it was not the road and I had to go another mile. Ill call B S.  I just didn't believe her. I decided to just go up the road right in front of her. She yelled to me that I was going the wrong way. I just w

6/16 Monday Wolf Rocks->Gren Andersen 1280->1221 No case of the Mondays here. Excited for an early morning town, new shoes and camel back.  Half awake, I floated over those man-eating rocks they have here in PA.  Haha.  Okay, its a simple paychological explanation.  I am not going to deny that there are rocks in PA.  But there are rocks everywhere.  I remember some rooty/rock descent out of NC that was worse than anything in PA.  It is like my buddy Rusty said when I asked him about PA, "people got to have something to complain about".  Bingo. PA is long, flat, boring, uninspiring and lacks views.  But please don't take it out on the rocks.  I love the rocks! Running on rocks is like getting a foot massage all day..Awesome.  I had to run all day in PA, I like mountains and I cannot stand slowing down to eat when it is flat.  I guess I am just complaining now.  Boo hoo.   So I got top of the last hump before dropping to town. Mt MiniSi. Made me think of Jure

6/15 Sunday Allentown->Wolf Rocks 1236->1280 Brr it was cold this morning.  Someone said it was 40 degrees and I would believe them.  Took a little while to get rolling today. It is fathers day and I want to make my dad proud.  Once the sun was up for a bit, both the temperatures and I were warmed up.  Cruised down to Lehigh gap around 11.  I noticed water dripping down the back of my leg. I immediately grabbed the bottom of my pack and it was soaking wet.  I threw my pack down and puled out a broken bladder.  Oh boy, no bueno. It was sunny, hot and the middle of the day. I crossed the bridge and then got lost somehow. All the white reflectors look like blazes so I get confused.  Cursing and looking confused cars just drive by, probably slightly perturbed.  I finally figure it out and get up to the trail head.  Someone had left water and I was immensely grateful.  I decided I needed to chill out and regather myself.  So I pulled out my feet and I called my dad to wish hi

6/14 Saturday 501->Allentown 1190->1236 Well it is my brothers birthday today.  Not just any birthday, dirty 30.   I wanted to do something special. Oh and it is flag day.  The day we celebrate the birth of American Jesus.  Well I took off running. The first 10 miles I spent trudging through the swamps of PA. After I got out of that grossness.  It was running. Non-stop running.  Ugh. Pennslyvania is so flat, it is inbeliveable.  Well I made it to Port Clinton in no time. Well, 5 hrs 10mins.  For 23miles. Ill take it.  Once I got on the pavement. I ripped my shoes and socks off  and called my brother.  Before he even answered the phone the sun had gone behind the clouds.  Seems about right, I shrugged.  I wished my brother a happy birthday, got to talk to Downey and congratulate Mr. Butch on getting married.  I decided to not try to long to dry out my feet with it being cloudy. So I went to the candy shop.  Honestly, it is almost perfect for a resupply.  They have nuts, t

6/13 Friday Doyle->501 1143->1190 Well it didn't seem to rain that much last night.  Maybe I made a mistake.  But my feet are a worlds better, so maybe not.  I ran 2 miles on pavement to start the day.  So my feet were dry for a little.  Had a nice little climb to start.  I felt heavy and probably was.  I ate too much and didn't run far enough.  But thats okay. I  will be down some weight in a few hours.  I got sprinkled on from 9 to 10am. I thought well that wasn't so bad. We are done with the rain for a few days and things will finally dry out.  All of a sudden there was a sharp pain shooting up from my right foot/toes.  I tried to move the foot around in the shoe. But nothing worked. It was so painful it made me nauseous and I threw up.  This is not good.  I stopped took it off. My foot didn't look that bad.  I picked some dirt/rock out of one of the sores.  I ate some cheesy crackers while I waited for it to dry a bit.  I rubbed some neosporin on it,

6/12 Thursday Allenbury->Doyle 1117->1143 My first and hopefully last rest day.  I decided to sleep in a bit.  6:30. I figured I deserved it.  And I mosied out the door by 7:15.  My nice dry feet lasted about 5 minutes. It was only misting, but it poored last night. The ground was covered in puddles. Once I got back on the trail I was soaked head to toe.  The overgrown branches, wind and just plain dripping made it as though it was raining.  It was dead flat again.  I ran and ran. I passed a guy who said, "flash flood warning this afternoon to midnight". Thanks.  Then a girl, "Flash flood warning tonight, you probably don't want to be out here later". Thanks.  Finally, an older lady, "Flash flood warning, you probably shouldn't be out here much longer" thanks. Jesus.  Rahhh.  And I was worried about getting gangrene on my feet because I had been running through ankle deep water in and out of cow and horse pastures.  I had been runnin

6/11 Wednesday Tom Runs->Allenbury 1069->1118 Well I said it was going to be on today, and it was.  As my first decision of the day; I decided to go back to sleep...haha.  It was raining at 4:50 and I thought it wouldn't be the best to run in the dark rain on slippy rocks. So I got up at 5:25.  Mosied out by 5:55.  49 miles to go. Resupply, eat n sleep, hotel and Rangers.  It takes me about 2 hours to warm up these days.  But even during those first hours , I averaged over 4 mph.  A nice descent got my legs going and my self chants kept it flowing.  It was Food , Hotel , Dry gear, Rangers and REPEAT.  I realized that I would cross the midway point soon as well. I thought about it...27 days ago I start and I have put a few hours in today. Doing the math on the run, under 55 days.  I can't believe it.  I checked and rechecked my math. I knew since I decided to push, I was doing well. But this blew my mind. I am averaging 40.1 miles per day and feel great.  Except f

I will start this evening out with a poem that sounds like it was written by a first grader.  But in reality a grown man/boy who is really tired. 6/10 Tuesday Ed Garvey->Two Runs 1026->1069 My brother mike He is awesome, smart and has a big heart He likes to ski, surf and play all day He is one rad dude with a good attitude He can fix or solve any problem if he wants He got me to where I am today, for I followed him across the usa He is the best brother one could ever have I would have never thought that I would say, but he is my best friend today Although sometimes he pretends to be Will Farrell or Ron Burgandy He doesn't have to, because he is so much cooler  He is the best bachelor Ive ever met, that ---- doesnt know how much of a bimbo she is yet He will meet you half way on your hike I love him, my brother Mike So I ran 43 miles today.  Met some cool people.  But the best part was seeing my Brother. I got to hang out with him fo

6/8 Monday Rod Hallow->Ed Garvey 989->1026 So first off, the saying is, " you can't eat your cake and have it too". The other way just doesn't really make sense.  But I have come up with my own. "You can halve your cake and eat it too"  why am I thinking this?  Oh yes.  The town thing.  The key is getting to town mid afternoon.  Enjoy the town stuff then get out before dark.  Half-town.   So 32 miles to town.  No sweat.  So I rode a rollercoaster today.  It wasn't a real rollercoaster; I know because they let me keep my pack on.  "13.5 miles of ascents and descents." That is how the guide book describes it.  I thought it was funny because the whole trail is ascents and descents.  It was short 300-600 foot climbs followed imeadiatly by a similar downhill. A perfect profile if you ask me.  You power uphill.  When the first hint of fatigue hits you, you can already see the top. So you power over the top and bomb down the otherside

6/8 Sun Elkwallow->Rod Hod 946.5->989 Really didn't have much of a plan today.  I had a shelter at 989, 996 and a hostel at 999.  The hostel would be really cool, but I didn't think I was up for another 53 mile day...we'll see.  Started off fine and with great views.  I was moving quick and feeling good. One concern; I was running low on food and was already rationing. I could make it to the Hostel and grab food early tomorrow if need be. But if I don't get there tonight, I would rather just roll to Harpers.  Not a big deal.  I covered 17 miles in my first 4 hours and was thinking. "Hostel?"  But I wasn't getting my hopes up, surely I would slow down.  I stopped to get water.  My purifier was not working.  I tried a couple of things, but was unsuccesful.  Now I am slowing down, I thought.  This could be a big problem. Hmm.  No need to panic, I can always drink out of the streams.  If I do get jardia, I'll deal with it in a week.  Fortuna

6/7 Saturday Hightop->Elkwallow 900->946.5 Sleeping in is nice but it always leaves me feeling kind of groggy/hungover feeling. I was really slow getting out of camp. The first few miles were uphill and my legs felt especially heavy.  The first descent I started slow but I was able to shake out the legs.  Then I was flying.  I ran for a long time in the zone and did not really notice anything. When I finally checked, it was noon and I had covered about 21 miles in just 5 hours.  Shenandoha NP is made for running.  After a bit of climbing, I decided to check my phone. I had service. Mandatory break, I announced. I put my feet up and went to town. I got my blog updated and some other things. I decided to call my brother Mike.  What a fortuitous decision. He answered, it was nice to catch up. But then we figured a meet up was possible in the next few days. We kind of brainstorned some ideas and it is a work in progress.  None the less, I plan on seeing my brother in the nex

-NBA Jam.  TE of course 6/6 Friday Paul C Wolf->Hightop 853->900 Well, I am not going to lie. The legs felt a bit slow today. But a few descents and they are all shook out. I entered Shenandoha National Park today. After some brief climbing, I was up on the ridge the rest of the day. Very mellow terrain lead to a lot of running.  Man, I dont know how I am doing this. I am running everything and feeling stronger and stronger.  I made it to Loft Mt Campstore at 3:30. I did my grocery shopping and finally treated myself right. Two orange juices, V8 juice, two yogurts, two bananas, a block of cheese and a pint of cookie dough ice cream. By treat myself right, I mean getting some healthful items to make myself feel better not worse.  Plus, I still wanted to do 13 more miles. I trucked along not feeling sick or bloated from just eating junk food.   I was flying along and was excited to get to camp early for once and get a good nights sleep.  All of a sudden I noticed somet

6/5 Thurs Brown Mt->Paul C Wolf 801->853 Goman go! Today was going to be a big day. I was making up for yesterday and trying to set myself up to make resupply tomorrow. Big climb tackled before the sun came out. It was windy and blowing water off the leaves of the trees.  I was borderline cold which helped me set a good pace.  I was making great pace running across the ridge. But running low on food and now water had me worrying. Then it happened. Probably the most profound awesomeness on my trip so far.  I ran into Goman and his wife setting up some trail magic for hikers. I was able to get some candy bars and sodas, which eased my worry. But the best thing I got was a lesson and some motivation. Goman was retired and hiked the trail two years back.  He and his wife now come out and stock food and drinks for hikers everyday.  I could see it in his eyes and the way he looked; the trail changed him for better.  I got this feeling that I was excited to see the changes

6/4 Wed Thunder Mt->Brown Mountain 767->801 Got up and out early this morning. At first I felt a bit groggy but I warmed up and was cruising.  Virginia might be "flat" but it sure has some of the bigger climbs.  Two 3,000 foot climbs today along with a few smaller ones.  When just running I would say a 3,000 foot climb is nice and I can do a few. But when carrying a 15lb pack and covering 40miles per day, suddenly a 3,000 fout climb is like an Everest.  The day was going great but it was getting hot and humid. I had one 3,000 ft climb behind me and a lot of rolling terrain. I was 33 miles into my day and basically just had to walk uphill, pig out and I would be done.  I stopped at a stream to get water. I was doing well on time, so I figured I would rinse off and take care of my feet. 20 minutes later I was on my way feeling good about taking care of myself.  Then I heard it.  Maybe it was just a loud truck, we are by a highway. Then again. And again. Damn. So

6/3  Tue Dalesville->Thunder Mtn 724->767 Always tough to leave town. I grabbed a few muffins and bagels then head for the woods.  The pizza hut was definitely messing with my stomach and slowing me down today. That is the thing about towns. It is nice to get that comfort , food and internet. But you can really get trapped into trying to do too much. I know I did last night.  Trying to update my blog , check emails, pay bills, etc .  I barely got any sleep. Anyway, out on the trail it was a blur today. I wasn't feeling particularly motivated or energized. Instead I trucked along aimlessly and almost effortlessly.  My feet feel so much better today. Despite losing two pounds at the UPS store, I was now carrying food for 4 days and my pack seemed ridiculously heavy. It was a lot of climbing today which was even more tiring with the heavy pack.  Running the downhills felt okay but the heavy pack makes it a little more difficult.  Without being much aware, I rolled into

6/2 Mon Powerline->Dalesville 691->724 7 down 15 to go.  "100 miles is not that far" -One of my running heroes, Karl Meltzer I think it was Evans (correct me if I am wrong) but I was whinning about how few hundred mile races I was going to be doing this summer.  And Evans in her infinite wisdom told me, "yeah, but you are doing the AT.  That is way bigger than a hundred miler ".  And so I thought, Yeah, the AT is like doing 22 100milers back to back. Awesome.  Thanks Evans.  Alarm went off. I just went to bed 6 hours ago. Can I snooze?  Hotel! Pizza Hut! New Shoes! Resupply!  Ok I am up. I was launched out of a cannon. I was running everything, again. Is everything finally normalizing?  I just covered 53 miles and slept 6 hours...how am I awake, let alone trucking?  Got to climb up Dragons Tooth today. A lot of people told me I need to slack pack it.  I just nodded. But I was thinking, my pack only weighs 10lbs, I am already slack pack

6/1 Sun Rice Field->Powerline 638->691 Slept good. Woke inspired. Today.  It is going to be the day. I ran and ran everything.  Nothing is going to stop me. I got Dalesville on the mind and only 86 miles. I also had a card up my sleeve. Night hike.  I figured I would see how the day went.  But I wanted to go long so it was an easier/shorter day into Dalesville.  If I got to town early in the afternoon, I could get new shoes, eat a ton and relax. As the day went on, I felt strong but my pace wasn't that good. There had been a few big climbs and my legs were fine but I lost time.  Well I rushed up one more climb to make sure I got the nice long descent in before dark. I did. 43 miles done by sundown.  There is the shelter, I did stop. Go Joe Go, I said.  Bam. It hit me like a freight train.  Trail Magic. Someone had left two coolers of sodas out for us poor hikers.  Sugar, water and caffeine, um afterburner.  Mt Dew and a Coke. I drank and ran. Now it was pitch black e

5/31 Sat Jennys Knob->Rice Field 600->638 There was a dog at the shelter last night. In the middle of the night he came and kicked me. Then he layed by me and paw'd me. I kept try to get him away or his owners attention. Neither worked. It was my worst night sleep in a long time. Anyways. The day started out okay. But I quickly grew tired and was in a fog.  I didn't have that much food for the 32 miles to Pearsberg.  So I was rationing and got very hypoglycemic. I could barely see straight and couldn't help but think that this was not a good situation to be in. I decided to chow down on some nuts on the big climb about 15 miles into my day.  Then I started the "I got this chant". I was gaining momentum. As rounded the top and started the downhill. It was a breath of fresh air. I was cruising and feeling strong.  I busted out the next 8 miles a lot faster than I thought I could. But still I was running out of calories and felt my energy waning.  Then

5/30 Friday Knot Maul->Jennys knob 556-600 I discovered a big knot on my adductor last night and massaged a ton. Needless to say, the knee was all better today.  Some big climbs early took some umph out of my step. Then the heat took its toll.  At one point I covered 6 miles and had no recollection.  Now we are having fun!  Also, I have been trying to plan my resupply towns better to stay the night.  But until now, I have only been checking the night before and none have worked out. So today I flipped ahead.  Daleville is at mile 724.  168 miles away from where I started this morning.  42 miles a day gets me there for the fourth night. Day 19 at mile 724 is an average of 38.1.  I now have motivation and incentive. Wooh hoo.  Let the games begin. I covered 43 and a little today. Feels good. Was going to see about night hike but I am not in the mood. I want one of the next two days to be big so the day into Daleville is a little short so I have energy to enjoy and don't