Does anyone know the northen most point of VA on the AT? I’m going to attempt the Four State Challenge in the dead of winter and I want to know where I should end if I start at Pen-Mar. Has anyone out there completed this challenge? How long did it take and what did you carry with you? Is there any register of whose completed the Four State Challenge?
Ghostrane
Good question.
The first place that the AT enters West Virginia is Crescent Rock. The state line (West Virginia/Virginia) follows the ridge line all the way to the Potomac River. And the AT meanders long the ridge line all the way to Loudoun Heights.
So, the first place you cross into W VA is 57.2 miles to Pennsylvania. From the last place, (assuming that you step to the east side of the ridge) it’s 42.4 miles.
I haven’t taken the challenge, so I don’t know how long it might take. And there is no register that I know of.
Peaks
Isn’t there also a Maryland challange, where hikers try to do the AT across the state in ONE day?
Kineo Kid
From what I’ve read in the journals, people seem to prefer to stop in Harpers Ferry, rather than take the 4-State Challenge. The Maryland Challenge is tougher. That’s about 45 miles in one day.
Harry Dolphin
The VA/WV line on the A.T. is at Loudoun Heights, where (if walking north) a blue-blaze goes straight ahead and the A.T. turns left to descend down to the Shenandoah River Bridge. From this point, it’s 43 miles +/- a tenth or two to the Mason-Dixon line. This includes all of the A.T. in Maryland.
So, to do the four-state challenge southbound you’d stop at the Loudoun Heights blue-blaze, but of course you wouldn’t just stop there, you’d continue south, backtrack to Harpers Ferry, or take the Loudoun Heights Trail (the blue-blaze) on a loop back to the Sandy Hook Bridge area.
Maryland’s A.T. is about 40.5 miles total–from the midpoint of the footbridge that connects Harpers Ferry to the C&O Canal, to the Mason-Dixon line.
If I ever get such a crazy idea in my head, would someone be kind enough to do me a favor? Just put me out of my misery BEFORE I start walking. 
“Skyline”
My hiking buddies and I did the Maryland Counter Challenage. We took six days to get from Harpers Ferry to the Pa line. People stated calling us the Smell The Roses Crew. I take a bit of pride in that. Have some great memories from the time spent meandering along that section.
yo-yo
Hey folks…
I think that some hikers have tendancies to add challanges to their hikes to spice things up a bit. I was wondering what other “challenges” people have made up and attempted… anyone? I know I did, and I was glad. The Flying Scotsman and I attempted the “Virginia Challange” (made up by none other than Bono if I remember correctly). Basically do all of the 550 miles of Virginia in 25 days or less. We came close. I think we took 32 days to do it all, and there was still a lot of snow on the ground in the south. Not making excuses, but we did come close. Now I want revenge. I am going to head back next December and reattempt the challange. Hoping to start around the 2nd week of the month. Well, I need to get goin- I still have xmas gifts to buy. Take it easy and Happy Holidays Everyone!
Peace
Rocket
Rocket 03
Lauren,
the Maryland challenge is to do all the AT in Maryland in one day, from the Potomac River Bridge to the Mason Dixon line just past Pen Mar.
The 4 state challenge is to start in Virginia, and finish in Pennsylvania. Obviously, the Mason Dixon line is still the end point, but I’m not certain about the start point. See my prior post. Is the challenge to do all of West Virginia, or just touch the state? If that’s all there is, then you potentially could still start in Harper’s Ferry, and blue blaze across the Sandy Hook Bridge (old AT) into Virginia and back again.
Never heard about a Virginia Challenge.
Then again, there is the Tennessee Challenge, another obscure one. Do from Vandeventer Shelter to Damascus in one day.
Or, the Presidential Traverse, Crawford Notch to Pinkham Notch in one day.
Myself, think I’ll at least sniff the roses.
Peaks
I did Wautauga Shelter to Damascus, 40 miles, in 11 hours and 50 minutes with a full pack back in 93. I jogged the last 10 miles in 2 hours.
Wolf
…but that was nothing. When i got there, i filled my bag with rocks and ran all the way back in 6 hours and 25 minutes. i’m wolf, i rock, i’ve been there-done that.
wolf
I know of a good challenge. It was called the AT challenge. Hike from Georgia all the way to Maine.
No but seriously. Seems a good number of folks do the 4 stater every yr. I had no interest because you pretty much are in such a rush there is literally no time to stop in Harpers Ferry. It was important to me to get my pic taken, look at the book to see all the other hikers who’ve checked in and pick up a maildrop and visit the nice folks who work there. Its a fun town with a lot of cool history, kinda a shame to miss it completely. This challenge is possible for the in shape thru-hiker and maryland is very easy walking, but it still is a beautiful section and should not be rushed thru.
A thru-hiker this yr did the Virginia Challenge which was hiking the state in 25 days. I remember in tennesee we thought he was crazy for trying and I ended up hiking it in 30 days myself not even trying.
There are tons of unofficial challenges that hikers create to break up boredom, challenge themselves and compete. There were a couple no shower challenges goin. How long can you go with out cleaning up?
A guy in front of me went from the water gap in penn to somewhere in vermont without a shower, 4 whole states. I unfortunately believe I only went 8 days max without a shower. Next time atleast 2 weeks
A-Train
The Four State Challenge in Winter? You are going to be hiking quite a bit of it during the dark. Billy Boy did the Maryland challenge and started from Harper’s Ferry at 5:30 or 6 AM, and didn’t make it to Pennsylvania until around 11:30. With the winter we have been having, there will be snow and ice on the trail. This will substantially slow you down.
Good luck on with your hike, and let us know how it went.
Bankrobber
What? Nobody’s mentioned the half gallon challenge at Pine Grove Furnace? Will these distance things, you might get pride and a sore body, but the half gallon challenge gives you the pride, sore body, AND a cool wooden spoon! For those who don’t know, Pine Grove Furnace is a park halfway between Springer and Katahdin (on the trail.) The challenge is to sit down and eat a half gallon of ice cream as fast as you can when you get to the campstore (which is just a few yards off the trail.) Merry Christmas everyone!
Skittles
I don’t really recall seeing any really good places to set up camp once you get into Pennsylvania after the 4-state, or even Maryland challenge - being as how there seem to be a bunch of road crossings.
Where do people normally camp after either of these challenges?
nobody
take it easy - go for a swim & shower - 4 days straight
dogfart