VMO: Four State Challenge 2026 (44 or 50 miles)

After much clamor and anticipation and date-negotiating, the annual Four State Challenge is here! This year, lots of people have been threatening to do the 50 mile version, so we'll have two contingents, but everyone can sign up here (answer the signup questions!). We also need some trail angels at the check-in points!

How the classic 44-mile version works:
Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/8FCATK8
● Start in Harper's Ferry on Friday, and hike up to Loudoun Heights (maybe 4ish miles). Set up camp near the Virginia/West Virginia border.
● On Saturday, wake up when you want, and start anytime after midnight. Walk north on the AT, cross into Maryland, and keep going until you hit Pennsylvania. Regroup with your fellow backpackers at Pen Mar Park for a pizza celebration, and camp at a spot about one mile past the park.
● Enjoy a victory breakfast on Sunday, likely at Charles Town Family Diner where we've gone in the past.

The 50-mile version is the same except that those folks will park at the Keys Gap Parking Friday night, hike about 3 miles SOUTH on the AT to camp at the David Lesser Shelter, then wake up at or after midnight to hike 6 miles NORTH to the border of VA/WV, and then continue with the regular 44-mile challenge. (Can someone correct me if any of this is wrong, and post a Caltopo line for this version if you have it?)

Before saying “Yes, I’m in!” there are a few caveats and challenges to note.
● If you haven't been doing regular 20+ mile days recently, consider your ability to do this mileage. Like any other event, training will go a long way to make sure you can do this safely and successfully. We do this every year--better to wait and prepare for next year’s event, than to rush in and injure yourself.
● This is a LONG day. 16 hours is a solid time. 20 hours isn't uncommon.
● There is no shame whatsoever in bailing. Even making it to I-70 is a big day. Better to end early than to finish with an injury.
● Water is not plentiful along this route. Maintaining good hydration and nutrition is paramount.
● It is the AT, but navigation can be a challenge in the dark. Be confident in your ability to follow a trail. There’s a chance you could hike all day without seeing another DCUL'er so be mentally ready to go the whole 44 solo if needed.
● This is a backpacking challenge. You must sleep out Friday and Saturday night, and carry all your gear to be self-sufficient just like any other DCUL backpacking weekend.
The logistics are also...complex. Traditionally we have emergency bail-out vehicles stationed at I-70 (27mi) and Wolfsville Road (34ish mi). You must check-in at those points to be listed on the DCUL Hall of Fame (https://dculbackpacking.wordpress.com/hall-of-fame/ ) for a successful completion--we do this as a safety precaution so we know where you’ve been and at what time.
We will need quite a few people who are willing to drive to help us set-up the shuttle and bailout cars.

By RSVPing for this trip, you acknowledge that you agree to DC UL's liability waiver terms. (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver)