The online version of the Boston Globe for 25 March 2007 carries an editorial about a proposal for a new National Scenic Trail: the New England National Scenic Trail. The editorial is titled "From Monadnock to the Sound". US Representative John Olver from Massachusetts has filed the bill to sponsor the creation of such a trail. It would run about 220 miles, mostly along the Connecticut River valley. There is, of course, reference to the Appalachian Trail.
"The goal of planners is that the scenic trail will have a single trail blazing system, but with few through hikers, since overnight camping would be permitted in only a limited number of locations. Of course, decades ago planners of the Appalachian Trail did not envision through hikers for its 2,175-mile length, either. Congress should designate the path as a new national scenic trail and let the walking public decide how best to use it."
Monday, March 26, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Retired Couple Starting a Thru-Hike
Tom Becnel of the Sarasota FL Herald-Tribune has a column titled "Retired couple limps toward Appalachian Trail" in their 24 March 2007 edition.
It's the story of George "Borrowed Time" Whitman and his wife Carol "Guide Dog" Whitman. Long-time New Englanders, they've done long distance sailing, and last year drove a motor home up to Alaska and back. So now, at ages 75 and 64, they're starting a thru-hike. Despite what sound like a lot of medical problems.
Still, it sounds like they have the time and the right attitude. Follow along in their online journal.
It's the story of George "Borrowed Time" Whitman and his wife Carol "Guide Dog" Whitman. Long-time New Englanders, they've done long distance sailing, and last year drove a motor home up to Alaska and back. So now, at ages 75 and 64, they're starting a thru-hike. Despite what sound like a lot of medical problems.
Still, it sounds like they have the time and the right attitude. Follow along in their online journal.
Hiking in the Smokies in the Fifties
The Orangeburg (SC) Times and Democrat brings us Thomas Langford's "High Adventure" story on 24 March 2007. He recounts some of the mountain adventures of L.P. Thackston Jr., a retired radiologist from the area. Before he went west to climb in Alaska and the like, Thackston did some Appalachian Trail walking:
"Covering an 80-mile stretch across North Carolina and Tennessee, its [i.e. GSMNP's] magnificent forests had been bisected with the famous Appalachian Trail. An outdoorsman since boyhood, L.P. eagerly accepted their invitation to join the next excursion. Thus began five years of climb-hiking on this main trail and side trails of 4,000- to 6,000-foot mountains, cooking freeze-dried chicken or beef for supper, oatmeal for breakfast, and resting sore back and leg muscles overnight in the little lean-tos furnished by the National Park Service. They paused and drank in the magnificence at occasional vistas and got used to the sounds of grouse slapping their wings."
"Covering an 80-mile stretch across North Carolina and Tennessee, its [i.e. GSMNP's] magnificent forests had been bisected with the famous Appalachian Trail. An outdoorsman since boyhood, L.P. eagerly accepted their invitation to join the next excursion. Thus began five years of climb-hiking on this main trail and side trails of 4,000- to 6,000-foot mountains, cooking freeze-dried chicken or beef for supper, oatmeal for breakfast, and resting sore back and leg muscles overnight in the little lean-tos furnished by the National Park Service. They paused and drank in the magnificence at occasional vistas and got used to the sounds of grouse slapping their wings."
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Mountain Mama's Hostel at Davenport Gap Closed
The Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times has a brief article by Mark Barrett, Staff Writer published in their 23 March 2007 edition under the headline "Appalachain [sic] Trail way station closed".
Barrett reports the news that "Mountain Moma’s Kuntry Store and Hostel, a popular stop for long-distance Appalachian Trail hikers looking for a bit of civilization, has closed indefinitely, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy."
That leaves a stretch of more than 100 miles between Fontana Dam and Hot Springs without a near-Trail commercial business, according to the article. The ATC web site's "Trail Updates" page has details for hikers about retrieving packages already sent there. Don't send any more, though.
Barrett reports the news that "Mountain Moma’s Kuntry Store and Hostel, a popular stop for long-distance Appalachian Trail hikers looking for a bit of civilization, has closed indefinitely, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy."
That leaves a stretch of more than 100 miles between Fontana Dam and Hot Springs without a near-Trail commercial business, according to the article. The ATC web site's "Trail Updates" page has details for hikers about retrieving packages already sent there. Don't send any more, though.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Two Connecticut Hikers Setting Out
The New Haven (CT) Register of 22 March 2007 announces the departure of two hikers from Connecticut on planned thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail. Reporter Jim Shelton writes under the headline "With their backpacks packed."
Mike Lockett, of Hamden, CT is the first, leaving for Springer on 28 March. Then Greg Huse of Madison, CT leaves on the 29th, planning to start hiking on 1 April.
Lockett is using the Trail Name "Circadian," while Huse is going with "Ronin." Both plan online trial journals at www.trailjournals.com. Huse also has announced one on the Korean-language web site www.thruguide.com.
Though only 41, Lockett reportedly "took early retirement" to make his hike. Thirty-four year old Huse is reported to have stirred up pre-hike controversy by announcing "a live telesummit, during which clients would pay a fee to learn about the logistics of conducting a through-hike." The controversy was over the points that he hadn't any personal experience thru-hiking at that point, and that much of the information he would have been sharing for a fee was already freely available elsewhere. So the telesummit was canceled.
But the hikes go on!
Mike Lockett, of Hamden, CT is the first, leaving for Springer on 28 March. Then Greg Huse of Madison, CT leaves on the 29th, planning to start hiking on 1 April.
Lockett is using the Trail Name "Circadian," while Huse is going with "Ronin." Both plan online trial journals at www.trailjournals.com. Huse also has announced one on the Korean-language web site www.thruguide.com.
Though only 41, Lockett reportedly "took early retirement" to make his hike. Thirty-four year old Huse is reported to have stirred up pre-hike controversy by announcing "a live telesummit, during which clients would pay a fee to learn about the logistics of conducting a through-hike." The controversy was over the points that he hadn't any personal experience thru-hiking at that point, and that much of the information he would have been sharing for a fee was already freely available elsewhere. So the telesummit was canceled.
But the hikes go on!
Highlands Conervation Act Partially Funded
An article by Laura Incalcaterra in the Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal News on 22 March 2007 and entitled "Federal money will flow to Highlands" mentions the Appalachian Trail as one of the components of the the Highlands area covered by the Highlands Conservation Act of 2004:
"The Highlands links the Appalachian Mountains to the Berkshire Mountains and stretches from Pennsylvania to New Jersey and New York and into Connecticut. The Highlands includes the southern and eastern edges of Dutchess County, including prominent features like the Fishkill Ridge, Mount Beacon, Depot Hill, the Appalachian Trail, and the Taconic Mountains in the Harlem Valley."
The point of the article is that Congress has just now, for the first time, appropriated any of the money allowed under the act, $1.98 out of the $10 allowed by law.
"The Highlands links the Appalachian Mountains to the Berkshire Mountains and stretches from Pennsylvania to New Jersey and New York and into Connecticut. The Highlands includes the southern and eastern edges of Dutchess County, including prominent features like the Fishkill Ridge, Mount Beacon, Depot Hill, the Appalachian Trail, and the Taconic Mountains in the Harlem Valley."
The point of the article is that Congress has just now, for the first time, appropriated any of the money allowed under the act, $1.98 out of the $10 allowed by law.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Mike Osmund Heading for the Trail
The television stations get into play on this blog, too. WTSP-TV channel 10 in Tampa, Florida has a piece on its web site as of the end of March. The piece is by Beau Zimmer and titled "Heart attack survivor goes the distance to change his life." You read about the hiker here earlier: restauranteur Mike Osmund.
A.k.a. diabetic and heart patient Mike Osmund.
There's a link from the above page to the video story as it appeared on the air.
As of 3 April, he's still alive and hiking. Got as far as Franklin, NC (ca. 108 miles from Springer). See his online trial journal for details.
A.k.a. diabetic and heart patient Mike Osmund.
There's a link from the above page to the video story as it appeared on the air.
As of 3 April, he's still alive and hiking. Got as far as Franklin, NC (ca. 108 miles from Springer). See his online trial journal for details.
Ft. Wayners Pointed to ATC
Indiana's Fort Wayners (Wayniacs??) are pointed to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and to our Trail in a 21 March 2007 issue of the Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel's article by Wendy Zang titled "Adventure Web: Appalachian Trail Conservancy (www.appalachiantrail.org)".
The notice is just a very quick summary of what the ATC is all about. Almost as short as this blog post.
The notice is just a very quick summary of what the ATC is all about. Almost as short as this blog post.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Andrews NC Aldermen Encourage Walking
Gabby Hudson, a staff writer for the Cherokee Sentinel from Murphy, North Carolina has a piece in the 20 March 2007 issue headlined "Zoning issue addressed by Andrews aldermen". That would be the Town of Andrews.
I'm a little confused about just what the relevant paragraph means, though. After summarizing other business discussed at the aldermen's meeting -- matters like zoning proposals and a request from the local housing authority -- there's this:
"Board members informed the public of a new fitness program that would encourage young and old to walk the Appalachian Trail. The trail is 2,168 miles of walking trails. The walk would consist of walking through areas of downtown that will be marked with small blue hearts so walkers can calculate every tenth mile they walk. Groups participating include Cherokee County Schools, County Extension office, Andrews Recreation Department, Andrews Chamber of Commerce, County Ministerial Association, Far West Mountain Economic Partners, New Millennium Gym and Valley River Trails project.
"Several walkways, at different locations around town, will be marked with blue hearts every tenth mile. All who register will be provided educational and motivational materials. A weekly progress report will be posted in the post office."
So . . . . are folks going to walk 2,168 of downtown? Are they going to be doing it all day long? Or taking a 1 mile loop each day for the next several years? Or does the Trail loop through Andrews, NC? Or will their downtown loop be extended to the Trail? Or do they hope people actually leave Andrews and hike from Springer to Katahdin? Or what?
I'm a little confused about just what the relevant paragraph means, though. After summarizing other business discussed at the aldermen's meeting -- matters like zoning proposals and a request from the local housing authority -- there's this:
"Board members informed the public of a new fitness program that would encourage young and old to walk the Appalachian Trail. The trail is 2,168 miles of walking trails. The walk would consist of walking through areas of downtown that will be marked with small blue hearts so walkers can calculate every tenth mile they walk. Groups participating include Cherokee County Schools, County Extension office, Andrews Recreation Department, Andrews Chamber of Commerce, County Ministerial Association, Far West Mountain Economic Partners, New Millennium Gym and Valley River Trails project.
"Several walkways, at different locations around town, will be marked with blue hearts every tenth mile. All who register will be provided educational and motivational materials. A weekly progress report will be posted in the post office."
So . . . . are folks going to walk 2,168 of downtown? Are they going to be doing it all day long? Or taking a 1 mile loop each day for the next several years? Or does the Trail loop through Andrews, NC? Or will their downtown loop be extended to the Trail? Or do they hope people actually leave Andrews and hike from Springer to Katahdin? Or what?
Florida Hiker Brandon Berryman Starts the Trail
The Florida Emerald Gold Coast web site -- which, I think, is connected with some newspaper or other, although that's not real obvious from the web site -- has a piece about another fundraising Appalachian Trail hike about to be launched.
The notice is headlined "Local Man to Walk Appalachian Trail for Children." It doesn't carry a byline. But it appeared on 20 March 2007.
Brandon Berryman (or "Berry" one time in the short article) is setting out from his Fort Walton Beach, FL home on 24 March, intending to hit Springer on Sunday the 25th. He's raising funds through pledges per mile for "the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast."
The notice is headlined "Local Man to Walk Appalachian Trail for Children." It doesn't carry a byline. But it appeared on 20 March 2007.
Brandon Berryman (or "Berry" one time in the short article) is setting out from his Fort Walton Beach, FL home on 24 March, intending to hit Springer on Sunday the 25th. He's raising funds through pledges per mile for "the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast."
Adkins Update from Two Weeks In
The Charleston (WV) Daily Mail shows up with a trail update from Leonard and Laurie Adkins ... and Mac, their dog. Dated 20 March 2007 under the headline "On the Trail: Hikers often given new names once their journeys begin" Adkins mentions a number of hikers that they've met already.
The trio are hiking intentionally slowly this time, partly in order to meet more thru-hikers as they pass by.
One of particular note is PawPaw, a retired pharmacist from Florida. He's a mere 89 years old! So if PawPaw makes it to Katahdin, be ready to make a change in your record books.
Meanwhile, Adkins is keeping an eye on the shelter registers and keeping track of hikers he's met. "Although they may have dreamed of doing the trail for years, some were just not mentally prepared for its rigors, such as temperatures dropping into the teens at night, a gain and loss of several thousand feet in elevation day in and day out, cold air being blown about by 25 mph winds, and walking through rain storms that last more than 24 hours.
"Mary Ann has been laid up in a low-cost motel for close to a week waiting for infected ingrown toenails to heal. Jim, a missionary who had just returned to America from Tanzania, appears to have dropped out two days into the hike, while Robert, who was carrying close to 90 pounds on his back, has not been heard from in more than a week."
The trio are hiking intentionally slowly this time, partly in order to meet more thru-hikers as they pass by.
One of particular note is PawPaw, a retired pharmacist from Florida. He's a mere 89 years old! So if PawPaw makes it to Katahdin, be ready to make a change in your record books.
Meanwhile, Adkins is keeping an eye on the shelter registers and keeping track of hikers he's met. "Although they may have dreamed of doing the trail for years, some were just not mentally prepared for its rigors, such as temperatures dropping into the teens at night, a gain and loss of several thousand feet in elevation day in and day out, cold air being blown about by 25 mph winds, and walking through rain storms that last more than 24 hours.
"Mary Ann has been laid up in a low-cost motel for close to a week waiting for infected ingrown toenails to heal. Jim, a missionary who had just returned to America from Tanzania, appears to have dropped out two days into the hike, while Robert, who was carrying close to 90 pounds on his back, has not been heard from in more than a week."
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Part of Appalachian Trail Sort of Like Europe
The TRAVEL Q&A column by Elissa Leibowitz Poma listed online as "Special To The Washington Post" on 18 March 2007 -- although I found it at the digital home of the St. Louis (MO) Post-Dispatch -- has some pretty wild, and far-ranging questions posed and answered. The one of relevance here is this:
"Q: Is there a North American equivalent to the European hike from town to town? I'd like to hike during the day and spend the evening in a small town."
Hmmm, what do you suppose the answer includes? How about this? Citing information from Andrea Ketchmark, outreach coordinator of the American Hiking Society, part of the answer is:
"On the East Coast, Ketchmark recommends the Appalachian Trail section from North Adams, Mass., to Kent, Conn. The 140-mile stretch of the National Scenic Trail passes through such quintessentially New England towns as Great Barrington, Mass., rife with bed-and-breakfasts, shopping and Berkshires culture. Info: Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 1-304-535-6331, www.appalachiantrail.org. For more structure, Country Inns Along the Trail (1-800-838-3301, www.inntoinn.com) has self-guided trips in Vermont, including an excursion along the Long Trail, with stays in eight inns. Cost: $1,155 per person double."
"Q: Is there a North American equivalent to the European hike from town to town? I'd like to hike during the day and spend the evening in a small town."
Hmmm, what do you suppose the answer includes? How about this? Citing information from Andrea Ketchmark, outreach coordinator of the American Hiking Society, part of the answer is:
"On the East Coast, Ketchmark recommends the Appalachian Trail section from North Adams, Mass., to Kent, Conn. The 140-mile stretch of the National Scenic Trail passes through such quintessentially New England towns as Great Barrington, Mass., rife with bed-and-breakfasts, shopping and Berkshires culture. Info: Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 1-304-535-6331, www.appalachiantrail.org. For more structure, Country Inns Along the Trail (1-800-838-3301, www.inntoinn.com) has self-guided trips in Vermont, including an excursion along the Long Trail, with stays in eight inns. Cost: $1,155 per person double."
Cancer Survivor and Hiker on Bear Mountain
Lauren Terrazzano writes a column in Newsday. In the 20 March 2007 edition of this New York newspaper, it is titled "Feeling on top of everything, briefly."
She writes about a March hike up New York's Bear Mountain on the Appalachian Trail with a few friends. Not the biggest mountain on the Trail, sure, but then most of you readers have twice the lungs that Terrazzano has. As in two. She lost one of hers to cancer in 2004.
Kind of puts some things in perspective.
She concludes her column with "That's the thing about cancer. There are a lot of peaks and valleys. One minute you're on the top of the mountain, the next minute you're at the base of the trail again."
She writes about a March hike up New York's Bear Mountain on the Appalachian Trail with a few friends. Not the biggest mountain on the Trail, sure, but then most of you readers have twice the lungs that Terrazzano has. As in two. She lost one of hers to cancer in 2004.
Kind of puts some things in perspective.
She concludes her column with "That's the thing about cancer. There are a lot of peaks and valleys. One minute you're on the top of the mountain, the next minute you're at the base of the trail again."
Florida Hiker Mike Osmond to Hike
In the Bradenton (FL) Herald of 19 March 2007, there's an article by staff writer Robert Napper headlined "A heart, a brain and courage; Mike Osmond, two years removed from a heart attack, plans to hike the Appalacian [sic!] Trail".
It's one of those familiar this-guy's-gonna-go-hiking articles. And, as the subtitle says, this particular guy is only two years past a heart attack.
"Osmond, 50, said his wife, Cindy, cried when he told her his plan. And his doctor has advised the heart patient and diabetic not to take on the vigorous task."
The article makes it sound like he's about as prepared as can be, what with hiking the 20 miles between his two restaurants numerous times. "He has been training for four months by walking a treadmill at a local gym with the pack on, and practices for the ups and downs of the mountain trail by walking stairways in local parking garages."
Osmond's big concern sounds like it will be the mental work of long distance hiking. Local gear shop guy, Louis Calcorzi -- who did half a thru-hike in 2002 before having to get off the Trail due to a stress fracture -- has been helping in the planning. His wife seems to be reconciled: "Every 30 days, Cindy will mail food and heart and diabetes medicine for him to pick up at Post Offices along the trail."
And, yes, the web site: "To follow Bradenton restaurateur Mike Osmond as he attempts his journey across the Appalachian Trail, go to the "As Mentioned" area of Bradenton.com."
It's one of those familiar this-guy's-gonna-go-hiking articles. And, as the subtitle says, this particular guy is only two years past a heart attack.
"Osmond, 50, said his wife, Cindy, cried when he told her his plan. And his doctor has advised the heart patient and diabetic not to take on the vigorous task."
The article makes it sound like he's about as prepared as can be, what with hiking the 20 miles between his two restaurants numerous times. "He has been training for four months by walking a treadmill at a local gym with the pack on, and practices for the ups and downs of the mountain trail by walking stairways in local parking garages."
Osmond's big concern sounds like it will be the mental work of long distance hiking. Local gear shop guy, Louis Calcorzi -- who did half a thru-hike in 2002 before having to get off the Trail due to a stress fracture -- has been helping in the planning. His wife seems to be reconciled: "Every 30 days, Cindy will mail food and heart and diabetes medicine for him to pick up at Post Offices along the trail."
And, yes, the web site: "To follow Bradenton restaurateur Mike Osmond as he attempts his journey across the Appalachian Trail, go to the "As Mentioned" area of Bradenton.com."
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Grafton Notch Protection
The folks at the Nature Conservancy have released a 16 March 2007 announcement that starts
"Federal funding awards for two Maine forest conservation projects – Grafton Notch and Lower Penobscot Forest – were announced today by Governor John Baldacci, the Maine Congressional delegation, The Trust for Public Land (TPL), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The Forest Society of Maine (FSM). The Grafton Notch project, which was the nation’s top-ranked USDA Forest Legacy Program (FLP) project in federal fiscal year 2007 (FFY07), received $2 million for the protection of 3,688 acres of forest and recreation lands in the Mahoosuc Mountains of western Maine, just north of Bethel."
Appalachian Trail hikers in Maine know the area. "The Grafton Notch project would permanently protect 3,688 acres of stunning landscape, adjacent to one of the most rugged and most popular sections of the federally protected Appalachian Trail."
"Descending to the southeast from the 4,180-feet crest of Old Speck Mountain, one of Maine’s highest peaks, the Grafton Notch project area offers plentiful opportunities for recreation, hunting, sustainable forestry, and protection of diverse forest and riparian habitats. It is surrounded on three sides by Maine Public Reserve Lands and Grafton Notch State Park, a very popular tourist destination, and is adjacent to Mahoosuc Notch, one of the most rugged sections of the federally-protected Appalachian Trail (AT). The parcel is also in the viewshed from the AT, both from Mahoosuc Notch and from the Baldpate Mountain section of the trail. The Land for Maine’s Future program has already awarded nearly $1 million to this project which will help ensure its completion."
"Federal funding awards for two Maine forest conservation projects – Grafton Notch and Lower Penobscot Forest – were announced today by Governor John Baldacci, the Maine Congressional delegation, The Trust for Public Land (TPL), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The Forest Society of Maine (FSM). The Grafton Notch project, which was the nation’s top-ranked USDA Forest Legacy Program (FLP) project in federal fiscal year 2007 (FFY07), received $2 million for the protection of 3,688 acres of forest and recreation lands in the Mahoosuc Mountains of western Maine, just north of Bethel."
Appalachian Trail hikers in Maine know the area. "The Grafton Notch project would permanently protect 3,688 acres of stunning landscape, adjacent to one of the most rugged and most popular sections of the federally protected Appalachian Trail."
"Descending to the southeast from the 4,180-feet crest of Old Speck Mountain, one of Maine’s highest peaks, the Grafton Notch project area offers plentiful opportunities for recreation, hunting, sustainable forestry, and protection of diverse forest and riparian habitats. It is surrounded on three sides by Maine Public Reserve Lands and Grafton Notch State Park, a very popular tourist destination, and is adjacent to Mahoosuc Notch, one of the most rugged sections of the federally-protected Appalachian Trail (AT). The parcel is also in the viewshed from the AT, both from Mahoosuc Notch and from the Baldpate Mountain section of the trail. The Land for Maine’s Future program has already awarded nearly $1 million to this project which will help ensure its completion."
Appalachian Trail Runs Through Shenandoah
Reporter Mike Holtzclaw writes in the Hampton Roads, Virginia Daily Press under the headline "Take a hike, everybody; Drop in on the Appalachian Trail or explore Shenandoah." The online article is dated 18 March 2007, but I'm reading it on the 17th. Anyway....
He's mostly writing to encourage his readers to leave the flat Tidewater region and head for the hills, at least for a while.
Holtzclaw's opening paragraphs read, "When you start out on the Appalachian Trail, you don't have to hike all the way to Georgia or Maine. But the point is, you could.
"Shenandoah National Park offers some of the best hiking trails on the East Coast. The famed Appalachian Trail, more than 2,000 miles long, cuts through the heart of the park - but that's just the centerpiece to a large, lovely network of trails."
I love that: "you don't have to ... but you could."
I think something like that pretty much every time I'm on the Trail. 'There are folks way down that way, or way up that way, and if I stood here long enough I'd be able to shake their hands as they continue on to Maine or Georgia. I wonder how many other people there are at this moment walking this Trail and exchanging energy with it and me?' That's how I think sometimes. If I were just hypersensitive enough, maybe I could pick up the vibrations of their footsteps reverberating all the way to where I'm standing at the moment.
And I don't have to hike all the way to Maine or Georgia on that particular day . . . . but I could. If I just kept going, I really could.
He's mostly writing to encourage his readers to leave the flat Tidewater region and head for the hills, at least for a while.
Holtzclaw's opening paragraphs read, "When you start out on the Appalachian Trail, you don't have to hike all the way to Georgia or Maine. But the point is, you could.
"Shenandoah National Park offers some of the best hiking trails on the East Coast. The famed Appalachian Trail, more than 2,000 miles long, cuts through the heart of the park - but that's just the centerpiece to a large, lovely network of trails."
I love that: "you don't have to ... but you could."
I think something like that pretty much every time I'm on the Trail. 'There are folks way down that way, or way up that way, and if I stood here long enough I'd be able to shake their hands as they continue on to Maine or Georgia. I wonder how many other people there are at this moment walking this Trail and exchanging energy with it and me?' That's how I think sometimes. If I were just hypersensitive enough, maybe I could pick up the vibrations of their footsteps reverberating all the way to where I'm standing at the moment.
And I don't have to hike all the way to Maine or Georgia on that particular day . . . . but I could. If I just kept going, I really could.
Worth Mentioning?
The Appalachian Trail serves as a location device for a small village in New York. At least in one reporter's mind.
The Times Herald-Record, which serves New York's Hudson Valley and the Catskills out of its home base in Middletown, has a 15 March 2007 article titled "Unionville neighbors wage neighborly mayoral contest" in which reporter Simon Shifrin writes, "Well, it's hard to run a cut-throat campaign in this village of 600 along the Appalachian Trail, where all residents can call each other neighbor. The last time Unionville even had a contested race was 14 years ago."
S-o-o-o-o, when you get to Unionville, watch out for the friendly campaign signs?
Still, I find it interesting how the Trail can be used as a point of reference by different people for different reasons.
The Times Herald-Record, which serves New York's Hudson Valley and the Catskills out of its home base in Middletown, has a 15 March 2007 article titled "Unionville neighbors wage neighborly mayoral contest" in which reporter Simon Shifrin writes, "Well, it's hard to run a cut-throat campaign in this village of 600 along the Appalachian Trail, where all residents can call each other neighbor. The last time Unionville even had a contested race was 14 years ago."
S-o-o-o-o, when you get to Unionville, watch out for the friendly campaign signs?
Still, I find it interesting how the Trail can be used as a point of reference by different people for different reasons.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Old Boy Scout and the Trail
The Norwalk (CT) Citizen-News of 15 March 2007 has Lauren Garrison's article headlined "The Honor of a Lifetime" describing the volunteer scouting career of one Frank Waters. He was being honored by being given a lifetime membership in the local troop he'd helped lead for more than a quarter century.
In his time as scoutmaster, "The troop hiked the Appalachian Trail, canoed in the Adirondacks and went white-water rafting. 'We never lost a scout and never had any serious injuries,' Waters said proudly."
"Now, at 77, Waters has decided that 'the poor old bones don't work as well as they used to and so hiking the Appalachian Trail now has to be relegated as a memory'."
Well, what a good memory to have.
In his time as scoutmaster, "The troop hiked the Appalachian Trail, canoed in the Adirondacks and went white-water rafting. 'We never lost a scout and never had any serious injuries,' Waters said proudly."
"Now, at 77, Waters has decided that 'the poor old bones don't work as well as they used to and so hiking the Appalachian Trail now has to be relegated as a memory'."
Well, what a good memory to have.
Old AT Route Being Recycled in Virginia
Roger Mannon has an article in the Floyd Press, serving Floyd County, Virginia, on 15 March 2007, titled "Trails advance slowly; Group enthusiastic about future effort."
It's about a group in the area called "Trails to Floyd" that hopes to create trails on a series of seven different corridors there. Way, way down at the end of the article it says that three of the possible "Longer trail corridors include town-to Mabry Mill, town-to-Indian Valley, and the Old Appalachian Trail route, which roughly parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway."
Well why not?
It's about a group in the area called "Trails to Floyd" that hopes to create trails on a series of seven different corridors there. Way, way down at the end of the article it says that three of the possible "Longer trail corridors include town-to Mabry Mill, town-to-Indian Valley, and the Old Appalachian Trail route, which roughly parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway."
Well why not?
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Proposed Blue Blaze in Virginia
At a web site called TriCities.com (which is operated by Media General's Interactive Media Division (IMD) in partnership with WJHL-TV and the Bristol Herald Courier ... all down there in the Tennessee-Virginia border region), there's a 14 March 2007 article by the Bristol Herald Courier's reporter Debra McCown headlined simply "Trail trek."
McCown writes about the plans for the Clinch Mountain Trail, a planned 22 mile trail which will run through a big piece of land saved from developers by the Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy calls the property the Brumley Mountain Preserve.
Toward the end of the article there's this: "In the future, the trail may connect with the Appalachian Trail at Burke’s Garden in Tazewell County – a suggestion of the late Charles Kennedy, who lived atop the ridge and was instrumental in saving the mountain from development."
McCown writes about the plans for the Clinch Mountain Trail, a planned 22 mile trail which will run through a big piece of land saved from developers by the Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy calls the property the Brumley Mountain Preserve.
Toward the end of the article there's this: "In the future, the trail may connect with the Appalachian Trail at Burke’s Garden in Tazewell County – a suggestion of the late Charles Kennedy, who lived atop the ridge and was instrumental in saving the mountain from development."
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
News of Adkins' Hike Starting
Now it's on WDBJ-7 television in Roanoke, Virginia's web site since about 13 March -- taken, they say, from an Associated Press story in the Charleston (WV) Daily Mail at http://www.dailymail.com. Here it's headlined "Notable Hiker Ready to Take the Fifth."
It's the story about Leonard and Laurie Adkins stepping off on their fifth Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Well ... his fifth. Her fourth. Their dog's second.
I don't remember this closing, though, from the earlier versions of this story: "He is presently an Appalachian Trail Natural Heritage Monitor, aiding the A-T Conference and National Park Service in overseeing the welfare of rare and endangered plants."
It's the story about Leonard and Laurie Adkins stepping off on their fifth Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Well ... his fifth. Her fourth. Their dog's second.
I don't remember this closing, though, from the earlier versions of this story: "He is presently an Appalachian Trail Natural Heritage Monitor, aiding the A-T Conference and National Park Service in overseeing the welfare of rare and endangered plants."
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Teens to Trails Conference
In the 12 March 2007 updates to the KeepMeCurrent.Com web site (which, it appears, is backed up by a variety of newspapers in Maine), there's a story out of Windham, Maine under the headline "Teens To Trails conference first of its kind" and the byline "National Teens to Trails Conference."
Sounds pretty interesting: "A new organization calling themselves Teens To Trails wants to ensure increased opportunities for teens to get away from their TVs and video games and back outside. The conference will be their kick-off event."
And here's the Appalachian Trail tie-in sentence: "Also on hand will be knowledgeable staff from Maine’s premier trail systems including Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine Island Trail, and Appalachian Trail."
The conference is on 24 March at the high school. In hunting around for the group's obligatory web site, I found mention of the conference at a lot of other places, so the publicity is pretty widespread. Again, I think it sounds pretty interesting. Where was this sort of stuff when I was a kid?
Sounds pretty interesting: "A new organization calling themselves Teens To Trails wants to ensure increased opportunities for teens to get away from their TVs and video games and back outside. The conference will be their kick-off event."
And here's the Appalachian Trail tie-in sentence: "Also on hand will be knowledgeable staff from Maine’s premier trail systems including Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine Island Trail, and Appalachian Trail."
The conference is on 24 March at the high school. In hunting around for the group's obligatory web site, I found mention of the conference at a lot of other places, so the publicity is pretty widespread. Again, I think it sounds pretty interesting. Where was this sort of stuff when I was a kid?
Tenn./N.C. Area Blue Blaze Trail Mentioned
The Knoxville (TN) News Sentinel has a piece by Linda Lange, dated 11 March 2007, and titled "30 great trails to hike regionally." It's got very short, rated descriptions of different hikes in the area, including:
"Grassy Ridge is just off the Appalachian Trail about 2 miles north of Carver's Gap in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. It's about 2.5 miles each way with about 600 feet of elevation gain. 'It's a favorite winter spot, due to its elevation of over 6,000 feet,' says Ron Shrieves."
This is in the "moderate" section.
"Grassy Ridge is just off the Appalachian Trail about 2 miles north of Carver's Gap in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. It's about 2.5 miles each way with about 600 feet of elevation gain. 'It's a favorite winter spot, due to its elevation of over 6,000 feet,' says Ron Shrieves."
This is in the "moderate" section.
Adkins' Hike in the News
The Bluefield, Virginia television station WVVA (its network is the one with the peacock ... NBC, right?) has a blurb on its website that says it's an Associated Press item dated 12 March 2007. It's titled "Fifth Time's A Charm".
It's a pretty brief announcement, more or less, that Leonard Adkins, his wife Laurie, and their dog are startinh out on repeat thru-hikes. (His 5th, her 4th, its 2nd.)
It's a pretty brief announcement, more or less, that Leonard Adkins, his wife Laurie, and their dog are startinh out on repeat thru-hikes. (His 5th, her 4th, its 2nd.)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Kathryn "The Bag Lady" Zimmerman Leaves Springer
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle from upstate New York has an article in its 11 March 2007 edition headlined "Do It!: Always in walking distance; Fairport woman answers call to conquer Appalachian Trail." The column is by Leo Roth.
It's all about a prospective thru-hiker who was launching off from Springer that same day: Kathryn Zimmerman, trail name "The Bag Lady."
The article includes all the usual things about the Trail and one's chances of finishing. Zimmerman recently retired at age 57, and decided to go for it. She's been training by doing the usual: she "walked, cross-country skied, snowshoed — even went to the gym — wearing her backpack." Well, maybe not everybody's "usual."
She's an experienced hiker and backpacker. Her trail journal is online.
The "always in walking distance" part? An old Steven Wright joke that Zimmerman carries as her motto: "Anywhere is within walking distance, if you have the time," it reads. Like Katahdin.
It's all about a prospective thru-hiker who was launching off from Springer that same day: Kathryn Zimmerman, trail name "The Bag Lady."
The article includes all the usual things about the Trail and one's chances of finishing. Zimmerman recently retired at age 57, and decided to go for it. She's been training by doing the usual: she "walked, cross-country skied, snowshoed — even went to the gym — wearing her backpack." Well, maybe not everybody's "usual."
She's an experienced hiker and backpacker. Her trail journal is online.
The "always in walking distance" part? An old Steven Wright joke that Zimmerman carries as her motto: "Anywhere is within walking distance, if you have the time," it reads. Like Katahdin.
Life-changing Events Apart from the Hiking
Charlie Spring writes in the Joilet (IL) Herald News on 11 March 2007 writes under the headline "Loss of job proved a life-altering road," about having lost his job 3 years ago when the manufacturing plant where he was manager closed up shop. And then about the struggles, financial and personal, that unemployment and subsequent under-employment brought to him and his wife. Not much to do with the Trail, I know.
Except this: he wraps the article in a Trail metaphor.
First sentence: "For a long time I've wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail because I've heard it is a life-changing experience."
Then come his stories about how being out of work radically changed his life.
Then the last sentence: "So in a manner of speaking, I managed to walk the Appalachian Trail."
Some folks don't have to spend half a year walking in order to be changed.
Except this: he wraps the article in a Trail metaphor.
First sentence: "For a long time I've wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail because I've heard it is a life-changing experience."
Then come his stories about how being out of work radically changed his life.
Then the last sentence: "So in a manner of speaking, I managed to walk the Appalachian Trail."
Some folks don't have to spend half a year walking in order to be changed.
Greenway the Same but Different
The Jacksonville, Florida Times-Union of Sunday, 11 March 2007, carries an article by reporter Mark Woods about the East Coast Greenway headlined "Tourists Would Take Green Path."
Down a ways, in the middle of the article, comes the inevitable comparison to the Appalachian Trail:
"At a meeting Thursday in Nassau County, organizers said the East Coast Greenway will be like the Appalachian Trail. Only much different.
"The Appalachian Trail is about getting away from cities and people. This is about connecting them.
"To say that it's an ambitious project is an understatement. It's 800 miles longer than the Appalachian Trail. And its path, through 15 states and the District of Columbia, comes with myriad mind-boggling logistical hurdles."
Like it. Only different.
Down a ways, in the middle of the article, comes the inevitable comparison to the Appalachian Trail:
"At a meeting Thursday in Nassau County, organizers said the East Coast Greenway will be like the Appalachian Trail. Only much different.
"The Appalachian Trail is about getting away from cities and people. This is about connecting them.
"To say that it's an ambitious project is an understatement. It's 800 miles longer than the Appalachian Trail. And its path, through 15 states and the District of Columbia, comes with myriad mind-boggling logistical hurdles."
Like it. Only different.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
"Huff" and "Puff" Story
The Times West Virginian (out of Fairmont, WV) carries a story on 10 March 2007 by Marvin Gelhausen under the headline "2,200-mile walk; Taylor County’s John Garner has goal of traveling entire Appalachian Trail".
It relates the story of Garner's NOBO hike from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin last summer, summiting on 12 August. He wants to complete the southern half of the Trail this spring or summer.
Garner started out with his brother in law, Ed Heavner, who eventually had to get off the Trail due to unspecified health issues. They took the trail names "Huff" and "Puff."
The article tells a number of their experiences, some things they learned on the Trail, and refers to food, shelter, and weather issues.
It relates the story of Garner's NOBO hike from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin last summer, summiting on 12 August. He wants to complete the southern half of the Trail this spring or summer.
Garner started out with his brother in law, Ed Heavner, who eventually had to get off the Trail due to unspecified health issues. They took the trail names "Huff" and "Puff."
The article tells a number of their experiences, some things they learned on the Trail, and refers to food, shelter, and weather issues.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Stranded Hikers Rescued in TN
USA Today of 9 March 2005 has an article datelined Gatlinburg, TN and headlined "Rangers rescue four hikers stranded on Appalachian Trail" that relates the story of a rescue of 4 North Carolina hikers who had to be brought out of the mountains (including one hypothermic hiker pulled out by helicopter). They had set off without equipment needed to survive the rain that turned to snow ... 8 inches of the latter.
"The group "was found by six backpacking students from Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., .... Four of the backpackers stayed behind while two others went for help.The other three hikers walked out with the rangers the 8 miles to safety.
"... the hikers took cover at the Derrick Knob shelter, elevation 4,880 feet, in Sevier County, Tenn."
"Breadless Horseman" Hike Sans Bread and Horse
The 9 March 2007 issue of the Winston-Salem (NC) Journal has an article by Lisa O'Donnell that's headlined "Get Out!: Gluten-free hiker to help spread word." It's the story of soon-to-be AT hiker Gordon Jenkins.
Jenkins has celiac disease, a digestive tract disease that means he shouldn't eat gluten. Not a big deal, right? Except when you stop and think about what it is thru-hikers eat a lot of: wheat-based carbohydrates, like Ramen, like bread, like pizza, like energy bars....
So his mom has been preparing and dehydrating gluten-free versions of meals for him to eat on the hike. Pretty good story about adjusting things to suit one's needs.
And, yes, he's also hiking to raise funds for the Celiac Disease Center, at Columbia university, which is supposed to be keeping track of his hike on its web site.
Jenkins's own hike web site is also slated to keep track of him as he hits the Trail on the 17th of March as the "Breadless Horseman." (Maybe he'll run into "Uncle Buck" who is starting his hike to cure leukemia on the same day.)
Jenkins has celiac disease, a digestive tract disease that means he shouldn't eat gluten. Not a big deal, right? Except when you stop and think about what it is thru-hikers eat a lot of: wheat-based carbohydrates, like Ramen, like bread, like pizza, like energy bars....
So his mom has been preparing and dehydrating gluten-free versions of meals for him to eat on the hike. Pretty good story about adjusting things to suit one's needs.
And, yes, he's also hiking to raise funds for the Celiac Disease Center, at Columbia university, which is supposed to be keeping track of his hike on its web site.
Jenkins's own hike web site is also slated to keep track of him as he hits the Trail on the 17th of March as the "Breadless Horseman." (Maybe he'll run into "Uncle Buck" who is starting his hike to cure leukemia on the same day.)
"Breadless Horseman" Hike Sans Bread and Horse
The 9 March 2007 issue of the Winston-Salem (NC) Journal has an article by Lisa O'Donnell that's headlined "Get Out!: Gluten-free hiker to help spread word." It's the story of soon-to-be AT hiker Gordon Jenkins.
Jenkins has celiac disease, a digestive tract disease that means he shouldn't eat gluten. Not a big deal, right? Except when you stop and think about what it is thru-hikers eat a lot of: wheat-based carbohydrates, like Ramen, like bread, like pizza, like energy bars.
So his mom has been preparing and dehydrating gluten-free versions of meals for him to eat on the hike. Pretty good story about adjusting things to suit one's needs.
And, yes, he's also hiking to raise funds for the Celiac Disease Center, which is supposed to be keeping track of his hike on its web site.
Jenkins's own hike web site is also slated to keep track of him as he hits the Trail on the 17th of March as the "Breadless Horseman." (Maybe he'll run into "Uncle Buck" who is starting his hike to cure leukemia on the same day.)
Jenkins has celiac disease, a digestive tract disease that means he shouldn't eat gluten. Not a big deal, right? Except when you stop and think about what it is thru-hikers eat a lot of: wheat-based carbohydrates, like Ramen, like bread, like pizza, like energy bars.
So his mom has been preparing and dehydrating gluten-free versions of meals for him to eat on the hike. Pretty good story about adjusting things to suit one's needs.
And, yes, he's also hiking to raise funds for the Celiac Disease Center, which is supposed to be keeping track of his hike on its web site.
Jenkins's own hike web site is also slated to keep track of him as he hits the Trail on the 17th of March as the "Breadless Horseman." (Maybe he'll run into "Uncle Buck" who is starting his hike to cure leukemia on the same day.)
Vermont and Appalachian Trail Mentioned Together
Something called RISMedia, which seems to be a real estate industry publication, carries a piece datelined 12 March 2007 -- which I'm reading on the 10th, so I don't know either just what that date is supposed to mean. The piece is by John Rosenthal and titled "The Perfect Vacation for Every Month of the Year."
You have to scroll down to October to find that the "perfect vacation" spot for that month is Vermont. After describing the beautiful tree colors and farm scenes and all, he writes "Route 100, which runs the length of the state, is an excellent driving tour; the Long Trail, a 270-mile predecessor of the Appalachian Trail, is one of the finest hiking trails in America."
And a Long Trail End-to-End hiker, I have to agree.
You have to scroll down to October to find that the "perfect vacation" spot for that month is Vermont. After describing the beautiful tree colors and farm scenes and all, he writes "Route 100, which runs the length of the state, is an excellent driving tour; the Long Trail, a 270-mile predecessor of the Appalachian Trail, is one of the finest hiking trails in America."
And a Long Trail End-to-End hiker, I have to agree.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Earl Shaffer Mentors a Ph.D.
The Chronicle of Higher Education has an article by recently-minted Ph.D. and now assistant professor of journalism at the University of Minnesota at Duluth, John Hatcher. It's titled "Writing With My Boots on" and is dated 8 March 2007.
He mostly writes about how a lot of scholarly work -- especially a dissertation -- is possible only through daily determined effort.
And he writes that he drew inspiration during his own recent dissertation work from Earl Shaffer. "I had become intrigued with Shaffer in the spring of 2005 when I spent a week hiking the Appalachian Trail with my stepfather. He has hiked the entire length of what is affectionately called the AT, and he gave me a copy of Shaffer's book, Walking With Spring, when we finished our hike."
Shaffer's "approach was straightforward: Get up every day and walk. That's it. Walk. Every day."
"I began to understand that, like backpacking, scholarship -- at least a long-term project like a dissertation -- isn't accomplished in inspired bursts of energy. It's less glamorous. The work can be tedious and grueling. There is always something more interesting to do. I saw that completing the task would have less to do with my intellect and more to do with my determination -- nourished by the support of so many people who kept me moving down the trail."
He mostly writes about how a lot of scholarly work -- especially a dissertation -- is possible only through daily determined effort.
And he writes that he drew inspiration during his own recent dissertation work from Earl Shaffer. "I had become intrigued with Shaffer in the spring of 2005 when I spent a week hiking the Appalachian Trail with my stepfather. He has hiked the entire length of what is affectionately called the AT, and he gave me a copy of Shaffer's book, Walking With Spring, when we finished our hike."
Shaffer's "approach was straightforward: Get up every day and walk. That's it. Walk. Every day."
"I began to understand that, like backpacking, scholarship -- at least a long-term project like a dissertation -- isn't accomplished in inspired bursts of energy. It's less glamorous. The work can be tedious and grueling. There is always something more interesting to do. I saw that completing the task would have less to do with my intellect and more to do with my determination -- nourished by the support of so many people who kept me moving down the trail."
Thursday, March 08, 2007
"Uncle Buck" Hikes for a Cure to Leukemia
The Daily American, "Somerset County's Newspaper," (in Pennsylvania) has an article by Vicki Rock titled "Local man to hike trail in nephew's honor" in its 7 March 2007 issue.
Somerset resident "Mark Shaffer is going to hike the entire Appalachian Trail in memory of his nephew, Eric Shaffer, 24, who died of leukemia" a year ago. It's a fund-raising hike, like so many others, but this one is also somewhat poignant because the elder Shaffer had been thinking about hiking the Trail someday and only learned at his nephew's memorial service that the younger Shaffer had dreamed of making the hike himself. Mark takes the first step on 17 March, the anniversary of Eric's death.
Shaffer has himself a web site to chronicle the hike. His chosen trail name, Uncle Buck, is what his late nephew called him.
Somerset resident "Mark Shaffer is going to hike the entire Appalachian Trail in memory of his nephew, Eric Shaffer, 24, who died of leukemia" a year ago. It's a fund-raising hike, like so many others, but this one is also somewhat poignant because the elder Shaffer had been thinking about hiking the Trail someday and only learned at his nephew's memorial service that the younger Shaffer had dreamed of making the hike himself. Mark takes the first step on 17 March, the anniversary of Eric's death.
Shaffer has himself a web site to chronicle the hike. His chosen trail name, Uncle Buck, is what his late nephew called him.
East Coast Greenway Patterned on the AT
The "Nassau Neighbors" section of the Florida Times-Union at Jacksonville.com has an article dated 7 March 2007 titled "Group wants Nassau to be part of East Coast Greenway" and written by Kevin Turner. It's about the East Coast Greenway reaching into Florida, and about people actually wanting it to come through their town.
Fernandina Beach, Florida resident and trails supporter Mike Pikula, is quoted. "'It's a noble objective. It's patterned after the Appalachian Trail,' he said. 'The focus is on planning it from a high level, but the implementation is on the state level, and they turn it over to local governments.'"
Fernandina Beach, Florida resident and trails supporter Mike Pikula, is quoted. "'It's a noble objective. It's patterned after the Appalachian Trail,' he said. 'The focus is on planning it from a high level, but the implementation is on the state level, and they turn it over to local governments.'"
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Mother Earth Possible Mention
Mother Earth News may or may not have an article (titled "Whiter Wind?") about wind farms that mentions the Appalachian Trail and Redington. As I'm writing this, the original link I was given leads to an "error" page at Mother's site. Searching the website from its home page leads to another mention of the article, but clicking on the link gets me nowhere.
Maybe it'll be working when you try it. And, no, I haven't tried looking in the paper version of the magazine.
Maybe it'll be working when you try it. And, no, I haven't tried looking in the paper version of the magazine.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Trail in Georgia Barely Mentiond
This article barely mentions the Appalachian Trail, but its premise is sort of different, so I thought I'd record it anyway: In the March 2007 issue of Outside Magazine, writer Eric Hansen has an article titled "The School of Sap." It begins so:
"OUT HERE IN NORTH-CENTRAL GEORGIA, where the rental-car map ends and the Appalachian Trail begins, where the meth epidemic is matched only by the Waffle House epidemic, where every interstate off-ramp leads, eventually, into forested hills or naughty little glens down by rivers—out here, art is going to happen. Trees will draw."
Okay, that's the only mention of the Trail in an article about conceptual artist Jonathon Keats, who has been tieing pencils to Leyland cypress trees and letting the wind move the branches while he recorded the movements in 'drawings' on pieces of paper fixed underneath the pencils.
Still ... it's an interesting way of locating the action: "where the rental-car map ends and the Appalachian Trail begins."
"OUT HERE IN NORTH-CENTRAL GEORGIA, where the rental-car map ends and the Appalachian Trail begins, where the meth epidemic is matched only by the Waffle House epidemic, where every interstate off-ramp leads, eventually, into forested hills or naughty little glens down by rivers—out here, art is going to happen. Trees will draw."
Okay, that's the only mention of the Trail in an article about conceptual artist Jonathon Keats, who has been tieing pencils to Leyland cypress trees and letting the wind move the branches while he recorded the movements in 'drawings' on pieces of paper fixed underneath the pencils.
Still ... it's an interesting way of locating the action: "where the rental-car map ends and the Appalachian Trail begins."
Monday, March 05, 2007
Bike Path Also Like the AT
I've heard this one before, but the Journal News from the lower Hudson River valley (as in Yonkers and thereabouts) published an article on 5 March 2007, written by Ken Valenti under the headline "East Coast greenway bike path takes two routes through Westchester."
It's about the bicycle greenway trail being built/linked up and down the entire eastern seaboard. Here's the part I've heard before:
"Envisioned as an 'urban sister' to the hikers' Appalachian Trail, the East Coast Greenway is designed to link downtowns and encourage local cycling as much as offering a challenge for adventurous pedalers who brave the entire route."
There's that 'gold standard' again.
I'm also waiting for the first hikers to say that they walked the 3,000 mile length of the thing. My guess is that it'll happen sometime before the Greenway is actually and officially completed end-to-end.
It's about the bicycle greenway trail being built/linked up and down the entire eastern seaboard. Here's the part I've heard before:
"Envisioned as an 'urban sister' to the hikers' Appalachian Trail, the East Coast Greenway is designed to link downtowns and encourage local cycling as much as offering a challenge for adventurous pedalers who brave the entire route."
There's that 'gold standard' again.
I'm also waiting for the first hikers to say that they walked the 3,000 mile length of the thing. My guess is that it'll happen sometime before the Greenway is actually and officially completed end-to-end.
Part of Alaskan Trail Officially Like AT
Okay, maybe not "officially." But it was in the Outdoors News Wire of 4 March 2007, where Paul Nickodem wrote about "Alaska's Chilkoot Trail."
Somewhere down in the middle of the trail review comes this: "The beginning of the trail was very surprisingly Appalachian Trail-like, very deep and woodsy, and also boggy at times. Coming over the first big hill, the trail became a quagmire of boot grabbin' mud. The trail was not the pushover that I thought it might be since so many people do it every year; it was a rough trail, with lots of rocks, especially on the Canadian side."
There you have it: the Chilkoot Trail is "surprisingly Appalachian Trail-like". You heard it here second.
Somewhere down in the middle of the trail review comes this: "The beginning of the trail was very surprisingly Appalachian Trail-like, very deep and woodsy, and also boggy at times. Coming over the first big hill, the trail became a quagmire of boot grabbin' mud. The trail was not the pushover that I thought it might be since so many people do it every year; it was a rough trail, with lots of rocks, especially on the Canadian side."
There you have it: the Chilkoot Trail is "surprisingly Appalachian Trail-like". You heard it here second.
Appalachian Trail DVD in the Making
Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming of the Portland (ME) Press Herald writes in the 4 March 2007 edition of that paper about an interesting video project. Under the headline "Producing DVDs on Appalachian Trail has up, down sides," Fleming tells about Jane McMichen's visionary project.
"The outdoor project the Jonesport Web designer envisions is one that would help bring those with disabilities into Maine's wild areas, and encourage those who spend too much time on the living room couch to go to state parks." What is it? Nothing less than a DVD travelogue of the entire Trail.
McMichen wants to document and highlight sections of the whole length of the AT, keeping an eye out for the lesser known and visited spots.
Yet, she now also realizes that this could bring heavier use and crowding to the Trail. So she is also planning on incorporating Leave No Trace segments.
"McMichen has not hiked the entire trail. She has completed sections of it. Her expertise is in video production, and that's what she hopes to bring to the Appalachian Trail DVD set. It will not be a documentary, but more of a travel book on video. It will take her years to record the entire trail, and involve intense weeks covering small sections. But it has become her personal goal."
Of course, there's a web site.
"The outdoor project the Jonesport Web designer envisions is one that would help bring those with disabilities into Maine's wild areas, and encourage those who spend too much time on the living room couch to go to state parks." What is it? Nothing less than a DVD travelogue of the entire Trail.
McMichen wants to document and highlight sections of the whole length of the AT, keeping an eye out for the lesser known and visited spots.
Yet, she now also realizes that this could bring heavier use and crowding to the Trail. So she is also planning on incorporating Leave No Trace segments.
"McMichen has not hiked the entire trail. She has completed sections of it. Her expertise is in video production, and that's what she hopes to bring to the Appalachian Trail DVD set. It will not be a documentary, but more of a travel book on video. It will take her years to record the entire trail, and involve intense weeks covering small sections. But it has become her personal goal."
Of course, there's a web site.
Thru-Hiker Now on Cross-Country Walk
Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Debbie Schachner (class of 2000) is profiled in the 4 March 2007 issue of the Belleville (IL) News-Democrat in an article by Suzanne Boyle. It's headlined "Changing the world step by step; O'Fallon's Debbie Schachner walks across the U.S. to help people in Kenya"
She's walking across the country on the American Discovery Trail in order "to raise $47,000 to build a library in Timau, Kenya." The article reports that she started in the Spring of 2005. "She has 1,700 miles more to go on her quest, but she temporarily put her backpack away late last fall so she could earn money to pay for her trip back to Kenya."
Shachner "began taking day hikes when she started college, then hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2000 and worked at a wilderness school in Wyoming during the summer of 2002." A teaching job took her to Kenya, where she came to know their need for a library.
Check it out! (Library pun intended.) She starts hiking agian on 11 April, the day after Easter.
She's walking across the country on the American Discovery Trail in order "to raise $47,000 to build a library in Timau, Kenya." The article reports that she started in the Spring of 2005. "She has 1,700 miles more to go on her quest, but she temporarily put her backpack away late last fall so she could earn money to pay for her trip back to Kenya."
Shachner "began taking day hikes when she started college, then hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2000 and worked at a wilderness school in Wyoming during the summer of 2002." A teaching job took her to Kenya, where she came to know their need for a library.
Check it out! (Library pun intended.) She starts hiking agian on 11 April, the day after Easter.
Josh Wengard on Fundraiser Hike
The Canton, OH Repository published an article in its 4 March 2007 issue, written by David Kaminski and headlined "Giving to charity will be six-month adventure for Lake Township man."
It reports that Josh Wengerd is setting off from Springer on Monday, 5 March 2007.
"He is doing it because he is 23, healthy and adventurous. He is doing it because it runs in the family. His father, Norman W. Wengerd, a former senior executive at Mercy Medical Center, bicycled from California to Massachusetts a few years ago. He also is doing it to raise money for a local social service agency, the Stark Prescription Assistance Network. "
It reports that Josh Wengerd is setting off from Springer on Monday, 5 March 2007.
"He is doing it because he is 23, healthy and adventurous. He is doing it because it runs in the family. His father, Norman W. Wengerd, a former senior executive at Mercy Medical Center, bicycled from California to Massachusetts a few years ago. He also is doing it to raise money for a local social service agency, the Stark Prescription Assistance Network. "
Julie Judkins Profiled
The Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times carries one of those 'get to know your neighbors' pieces in its 3 March 2007 issue, written by Lindsay Nash and headlined "Trail advocate protects, conserves and promotes AT." The focus of the article is Julie Judkins, resource program manager with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
She writes that Judkins "works in the Asheville office of the ATC to protect the plants along the trail and control non-native invasive species, like kudzu, Oriental bittersweet and multiflora roses. Judkins also advocates for the trail, preaching Leave No Trace ethics...."
This is the nice, informative kind of piece you usually only read in the AT Journeys magazine.
She writes that Judkins "works in the Asheville office of the ATC to protect the plants along the trail and control non-native invasive species, like kudzu, Oriental bittersweet and multiflora roses. Judkins also advocates for the trail, preaching Leave No Trace ethics...."
This is the nice, informative kind of piece you usually only read in the AT Journeys magazine.
Hiking Mishaps Recollected
In the 2 March 2007 issue of the Watertown TAB & Press, from Needham, MA, Kenneth Mirvis writes in his column about a proposal to make Wednesdays walking days for the folks associated with the Lowell School.
In supporting the idea of walking for health, recreation, and sanity, he recounts that "Recently, I reconnected with some of the guys from my Boy Scout troop. We’ve recollected a couple of hiking disasters along the Appalachian Trail in Georgia from 40-something years ago. One had to do with ice; on the other, we lost the trail and spent a day or so wandering through the mountains with a few compasses and a topographic map. Fortunately, we were still young and stupid enough to have had a great time! Today, we are planning a third shot at the same stretch of trail, this time with spouses and kids."
Nice idea. The hiking it again part, not the wandering lost part. Also the Walking Wednesdays part.
In supporting the idea of walking for health, recreation, and sanity, he recounts that "Recently, I reconnected with some of the guys from my Boy Scout troop. We’ve recollected a couple of hiking disasters along the Appalachian Trail in Georgia from 40-something years ago. One had to do with ice; on the other, we lost the trail and spent a day or so wandering through the mountains with a few compasses and a topographic map. Fortunately, we were still young and stupid enough to have had a great time! Today, we are planning a third shot at the same stretch of trail, this time with spouses and kids."
Nice idea. The hiking it again part, not the wandering lost part. Also the Walking Wednesdays part.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Vermont Winter Snowshoe Hiking
The New York Times has an article in the Travel section of its 2 March 2007 issue by Sam Hooper Samuels that is headlined "Keeping a Natural Silence on Snowshoes in Vermont."
The gist of the article is that snowshoes are a great way to get around on the snow, and that Vermont's hiking trails are a great place to do that getting around. Of Kevin Burke, from Connecticut, the article says, "In summer, he has enjoyed hiking the Appalachian Trail, which has a 150-mile section in Vermont, as well as the Long Trail, a 272-mile path between Massachusetts and the Quebec border. After joining the Green Mountain Club, he learned that the same trails could be used year-round with snowshoes."
The gist of the article is that snowshoes are a great way to get around on the snow, and that Vermont's hiking trails are a great place to do that getting around. Of Kevin Burke, from Connecticut, the article says, "In summer, he has enjoyed hiking the Appalachian Trail, which has a 150-mile section in Vermont, as well as the Long Trail, a 272-mile path between Massachusetts and the Quebec border. After joining the Green Mountain Club, he learned that the same trails could be used year-round with snowshoes."
Adkins and Adkins Hitting the Trail
The 27 February 2007 issue of the Charleston (WV) Daily News has an article by Monica Orosz titled "Notable hiker ready to take the fifth."
She's referring to Leonard Adkins being about to launch off on his 5th hike of the Appalachian Trail with his wife Laurie (on her 4th). The article recounts some of Leonard and Laurie's hiking background, how they met on the Trail, how the vet says that their 13-year-old dog is fit enough to accompany them.
The idea this time is to take it easy, rather than to rush to Katahdin.
She's referring to Leonard Adkins being about to launch off on his 5th hike of the Appalachian Trail with his wife Laurie (on her 4th). The article recounts some of Leonard and Laurie's hiking background, how they met on the Trail, how the vet says that their 13-year-old dog is fit enough to accompany them.
The idea this time is to take it easy, rather than to rush to Katahdin.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Profiled
Ralph Ferrusi writes in his column in the 1 March 2007 Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal about the NYNJTC. It's kind of a summary profile that gives folks a good idea of what the club is about. The headline is "Hiking organization benefits thousands of us." They are, of course, the maintaining club for a goodly chunk of the Appalachian Trail in New York and New Jersey.
Ralph writes a hiking column every Thursday in that newspaper.
Ralph writes a hiking column every Thursday in that newspaper.
Trail Magic Ten Years Long
This is a really neat piece. Be sure to click through to the newspaper and read it.
In the Great Falls (MT) Tribune of 1 March 2007, Karen Land (trail name Spork), who is the paper's outdoor columnist, writes under the headline "Letter from the trail sparks memories" about having received a letter -- not an email, but an actual paper and envelope letter -- from someone she met very briefly during her thru-hike in 1997.
"Spork" got hit with giardia while climbing Mt. Greylock. She had to get off the Trail and head to a hospital, leaving her pack on the side of the Trail.
Except that on the way down the mountain she and her partner met up with a stranger who reached the pack and marched it off to Bascom Lodge where it could be shuttled to the hospital.
Now, 10 years later he writes to her with a poignant message.
Like I said, click the link or whatever it takes to get to the column, and read it.
In the Great Falls (MT) Tribune of 1 March 2007, Karen Land (trail name Spork), who is the paper's outdoor columnist, writes under the headline "Letter from the trail sparks memories" about having received a letter -- not an email, but an actual paper and envelope letter -- from someone she met very briefly during her thru-hike in 1997.
"Spork" got hit with giardia while climbing Mt. Greylock. She had to get off the Trail and head to a hospital, leaving her pack on the side of the Trail.
Except that on the way down the mountain she and her partner met up with a stranger who reached the pack and marched it off to Bascom Lodge where it could be shuttled to the hospital.
Now, 10 years later he writes to her with a poignant message.
Like I said, click the link or whatever it takes to get to the column, and read it.
"Model T" Tate to Speak
A note by Linda Stahl in the Louisville (KY) Courier-Journal of 1 March 2007 under the headline "Writer to speak at bird club dinner" tells us that Junius R. "Model T" Tate will be speaking in Louisville "at 7 p.m. March 8 at Quest Outdoors, 2330 Frankfort Ave."
Model T finished his 4th thru-hike last fall and drew a large audience at the 2006 Quest Outdoors, according to the article.
By the way, the headline doesn't refer to Tate but to a presentation by Scott Weidensaul. He's an excellent nature writer. If you have a chance anywhere to hear Scott, take advantage of it. And read his books, too.
Model T finished his 4th thru-hike last fall and drew a large audience at the 2006 Quest Outdoors, according to the article.
By the way, the headline doesn't refer to Tate but to a presentation by Scott Weidensaul. He's an excellent nature writer. If you have a chance anywhere to hear Scott, take advantage of it. And read his books, too.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Thru Hiker Leonard Adkins Writes
In the Charleston Daily Mail of 27 February 2007 columnist Leonard Adkins writes about this year's trip. The column is headlined "This trip, we emphasize quality over quantity."
He writes a good introduction. Says he'll be writing more every 2 or 3 weeks.
If you've read some of his other writing, you know it'll be good.
He writes a good introduction. Says he'll be writing more every 2 or 3 weeks.
If you've read some of his other writing, you know it'll be good.
Retiree Hiker Heading Out on 19 March
The Greensboro (NC) News-Record reports in its 27 February 2007 "Inside Scoop: The Print Version" column that Guilford County, NC's retiring social services director, John Shore, 59, is planning to set out on a thru-hike of the AT on 19 March.
"Shore's hike serves another purpose: raising money for foster children. To contribute, visit www.fosterfriendsnc.org/shore%20journey"
And his trail name is Griz07. "'There are three explainations (sic) of the name,' Shore writes, '1) my rather rotund shape looks like a bear; 2) at night my snoring sounds like a bear; or, 3) after a week on the trail I smell like a bear.'"
Thanks for the warning about the snoring.
"Shore's hike serves another purpose: raising money for foster children. To contribute, visit www.fosterfriendsnc.org/shore%20journey"
And his trail name is Griz07. "'There are three explainations (sic) of the name,' Shore writes, '1) my rather rotund shape looks like a bear; 2) at night my snoring sounds like a bear; or, 3) after a week on the trail I smell like a bear.'"
Thanks for the warning about the snoring.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Awareness Raising Hike Starts in March
The Akron (OH) Beacon Journal contains on 26 February 2007, in an article by Cheryl Powell headlined "Hiker is on the march for prescription help; Appalachian Trail trip to benefit Stark group".
The gist of the article is that Josh Wengerd, 23, from Hartville, TN, is "starting next month" on a planned Appalachian Trail thru-hike "raise awareness about a Stark County group that helps people who can't afford their prescription medicines."
As he hikes, "supporters of the Stark Prescription Assistance Network (SPAN) will use Wengerd's journey to raise money and educate the public about the group's efforts." The article goes on to describe the group's hope to raise $50,000 through the thru-hike, while educating people about their mission.
"Wengerd got the idea to take the journey of a lifetime after spending three weeks hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail last spring with friends."
The gist of the article is that Josh Wengerd, 23, from Hartville, TN, is "starting next month" on a planned Appalachian Trail thru-hike "raise awareness about a Stark County group that helps people who can't afford their prescription medicines."
As he hikes, "supporters of the Stark Prescription Assistance Network (SPAN) will use Wengerd's journey to raise money and educate the public about the group's efforts." The article goes on to describe the group's hope to raise $50,000 through the thru-hike, while educating people about their mission.
"Wengerd got the idea to take the journey of a lifetime after spending three weeks hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail last spring with friends."
When Hiking the AT Isn't Enough
According to an article in the Commercial Appeal (a Scripps newspaper from the Memphis, TN area) by Robert Hirsch, dated 25 February 2007, Hirsch writes that "When I graduated from college, I decided to do things a little differently. I walked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. I walked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. I volunteered with the United States Forest Service in North Carolina, Wyoming and Utah. I joined the Peace Corps in the Pacific island country of Vanuatu. And then, I began doing what I am doing now: riding my bike around our planet."
So there!
Article headline is "Germantown man travels around world on two wheels."
So there!
Article headline is "Germantown man travels around world on two wheels."
Older Couple Headed Off in March
The Charlotte Sun from Port Charlotte, FL reports on 26 February 2007, in an article by Susan E. Hoffman, assistant editor, and headlined "North Porters plan to trek Appalachian Trail; Wife will help guide blind husband" just what the headline says.
The couple in question are George and Carol Whitham of North Port, Florida. George has a number of medical issues that give his adopted trail name a real ring of truth: Borrowed Time. He's also 75 years old. Carol, somewhat understandably, is going by the trail name Guide Dog.
The report says they plan to start from Springer "in late March."
Follow their progress at www.trailjournals.com/guidedog/.
Hats off to you two!
The couple in question are George and Carol Whitham of North Port, Florida. George has a number of medical issues that give his adopted trail name a real ring of truth: Borrowed Time. He's also 75 years old. Carol, somewhat understandably, is going by the trail name Guide Dog.
The report says they plan to start from Springer "in late March."
Follow their progress at www.trailjournals.com/guidedog/.
Hats off to you two!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Another 'Gold Standard' Reference
In a Tim Rowland piece in the 25 February 2007 issues of the Hagerstown, MD Herald-Mail.Com titled "Delegation deserves credit for promoting towpath-repair funding," Mr. Rowland writes about the needed repairs to the C & O Canal towpath. And then how the towpath connects with the "Allegheny Passage" rail trail:
"The Great Allegheny Passage is likely to become a major feather in the cap of the American bicycling fraternity. Just as all bikers want to ride "the Holy Grail of Rail Trails," - a lengthy former jetty extending far into the waters of Lake Champlain near Burlington, Vt. - all serious cyclists will want to ride the Great Allegheny Passage.
"The Great Allegheny Passage is likely to become a major feather in the cap of the American bicycling fraternity. Just as all bikers want to ride "the Holy Grail of Rail Trails," - a lengthy former jetty extending far into the waters of Lake Champlain near Burlington, Vt. - all serious cyclists will want to ride the Great Allegheny Passage.
"On a smaller scale, it will be something of an Appalachian Trail for bicyclists."
In other words, if you want to describe an outdoor adventure as grand, compare it to the AT.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Former Maine Officials on Redington
The 19 Feb 2007 issue of The Portland (ME) Press-Herald on MaineToday.Com has a commentary by Beth Nagusky and Cheryl Harrington, both recently in state government, published under the headline "Turbines on mountains a better choice."
They make the case for wind power to overcome fossil fuel dependence and to do something about climate change. This despite admitting that "It is true the Redington wind project would alter views from segments of the Appalachian Trail." They continue immediately by saying, "But every energy project, including renewable ones, faces sincere objection from some individuals or groups."
I don't read the piece as necessarily wanting the windmills on that site, but as something that is really, really necessary somewhere.
They make the case for wind power to overcome fossil fuel dependence and to do something about climate change. This despite admitting that "It is true the Redington wind project would alter views from segments of the Appalachian Trail." They continue immediately by saying, "But every energy project, including renewable ones, faces sincere objection from some individuals or groups."
I don't read the piece as necessarily wanting the windmills on that site, but as something that is really, really necessary somewhere.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Fontana Village Hiker Festival Planned
Fontana's folks are planning a hiker/kayaker festival for April, according to the Union Sentinel from Blairsville, GA dated 22 February 2007. The headline is about another event ("Saturday night is Western Night at Peacock Playhouse"), but the end of the column mentions the new festival.
Here's what the piece says:
"Hi-Yak: Another Dam Festival on April 12 - 17 to be held at Fontana Village Resort, Fontana Dam, NC
Here's what the piece says:
"Hi-Yak: Another Dam Festival on April 12 - 17 to be held at Fontana Village Resort, Fontana Dam, NC
"This will be Fontana Village Resort's first festival for hikers and kayakers. April is the busiest season for north bound thru hiker of the Appalachian Trail, and that same weekend is the release of the Cheoah River. There will be plenty to do and see! We will have trail maintenance days with the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club and Benton MacKaye Trail Association shuttles to and from the village to the river, bands, outdoor companies, speakers, camping, and much more."
Well, there you go.
Two New Yorkers Hitting the Trail
Teenaged hikers Daniel Morrell and Dean Valentini are starting their hoped-for thru-hikes on Saturday 24 February according to a story by Anne Miller, staff writer of the Albany (NY) Times-Union on 23 February that is headlined "Teens are looking forward to a 6-month hike."
One of them is quoted as saying that this is going to be "kind of a last hurrah before college and life." A "last hurrah" and he's only 17! Oy!!
The writer focuses on their Ramen and huge jars of peanut butter. Also says the pair were "inspired" by Bill Bryson's book. And that they conceived the trip as freshmen, then planned their schedules so they could graduate a semester early and hit the Trail. (They didn't used to let kids do that when I was that age, did they?)
The hikers will, of course, be posting to a web site or blog, but the URL is not mentioned.
One of them is quoted as saying that this is going to be "kind of a last hurrah before college and life." A "last hurrah" and he's only 17! Oy!!
The writer focuses on their Ramen and huge jars of peanut butter. Also says the pair were "inspired" by Bill Bryson's book. And that they conceived the trip as freshmen, then planned their schedules so they could graduate a semester early and hit the Trail. (They didn't used to let kids do that when I was that age, did they?)
The hikers will, of course, be posting to a web site or blog, but the URL is not mentioned.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Trail Story Illustrates Economics Point
D.R. Barton Jr. has an article headlined "Four signs we're close to a market top" in the 21 February 2007 issue of the online Money Week.
His opening attention grabber comes from an AT hike:
"It's one of the most disturbing sounds I've ever heard...
His opening attention grabber comes from an AT hike:
"It's one of the most disturbing sounds I've ever heard...
"I was hiking on the Appalachian Trail in my native state of Virginia and heard a rapid rattle in the leaves. It was the unmistakable raspy sound of a rattlesnake's tail.
"My friend and I froze. I slowly looked in the direction of the sound and saw the brown diamond pattern. A rattlesnake usually signals this way when it fears an attack and is warning that it will take action to protect itself. So while it didn't definitely mean we were going to get hurt, it did mean that we needed to be on heightened alert before proceeding. But knowing we were a safe distance from snake, we gave it a wide berth and continued along the trail."
The AT comes to the rescue again when a writer is searching for a life illustration.
Former AT Hiker Pegram on New Hike
The "Online Edition" of the Northwest Observer comes out of northwest Guilford County, NC. On 22 February 2007, under the headline "Walking to Cold Mountain," it carries a short piece that starts: "Oak Ridge resident Tim Pegram is no stranger to hiking. As a former park ranger, Pegram worked along the Blue Ridge Parkway for years and has walked the Appalachian Trail."
Now he's hiking west from Raleigh, NC, in imitation of a book and movie character. Oh, and he's not carrying a tent but "will rely only on natural shelter."
Now he's hiking west from Raleigh, NC, in imitation of a book and movie character. Oh, and he's not carrying a tent but "will rely only on natural shelter."
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Another Redington Comment
Dr. Richard Jennings, in the 21 February 2007 Kennebec (ME) Journal gives his outlook on the Redington wind farm under the headline "Wind project is important to protect our future".
Among other things, he says, "Siting turbines there would unarguably alter the view from the Appalachian Trail, and might as well threaten habitat and rare species, (though these latter issues are possibilities and not inevitable)."
Among other things, he says, "Siting turbines there would unarguably alter the view from the Appalachian Trail, and might as well threaten habitat and rare species, (though these latter issues are possibilities and not inevitable)."
Bishop's Reference to AT
In what appears to be an undated column in the Catholic Explorer (the official newspaper of the Diocese of Joliet, IL), Bishop J. Peter Sartain, writes about the theme "Surrender to God."
In defining what people can mean by the word surrender, he includes this: "Similarly, “to surrender” can connote a variety of things: To stop fighting because we are unable to win. To give up possession of something—“He surrendered his wallet to the thief.” To let go of an idea or desire—“They surrendered the notion that they would ever hike the Appalachian Trail. ....”
That Trail sneaks in everywhere. I wonder if the good bishop is a hiker.
In defining what people can mean by the word surrender, he includes this: "Similarly, “to surrender” can connote a variety of things: To stop fighting because we are unable to win. To give up possession of something—“He surrendered his wallet to the thief.” To let go of an idea or desire—“They surrendered the notion that they would ever hike the Appalachian Trail. ....”
That Trail sneaks in everywhere. I wonder if the good bishop is a hiker.
Hiker/Drummer on the Trail
The Chattanooga (TN) Pulse ("Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative") of 21 February 2007 carries a Bill Colrus interview headlined "Pouring Their Guts Out All Over The Place" in which Colrus talks with the Knoxville band called 'Dixie Dirt.'
In the intro he writes "While drummer Pete Bryan would leave the band to hike the Appalachian Trail, they picked up a new drummer in Chris Rusk, and a new, poppier sound."
Later on there's this: "Did I hear correctly that (former drummer) Pete Bryan is hiking the Appalachians? Yes, that is correct, and a big part of why he’s no longer with Dixie Dirt. I think it’s amazing what he’s doing, and I can’t wait to send him whiskey while he’s on the trail."
I guess that means he's on the Trail right now.
In the intro he writes "While drummer Pete Bryan would leave the band to hike the Appalachian Trail, they picked up a new drummer in Chris Rusk, and a new, poppier sound."
Later on there's this: "Did I hear correctly that (former drummer) Pete Bryan is hiking the Appalachians? Yes, that is correct, and a big part of why he’s no longer with Dixie Dirt. I think it’s amazing what he’s doing, and I can’t wait to send him whiskey while he’s on the trail."
I guess that means he's on the Trail right now.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Trail Talk Given in Asheville
The 20 February 2007 Hendersonville (NC) News carries an announcement under the headline "Sports Festival features seminars" that describes the upcoming 3 seimnar series being held by the Mountain Sports Festival.
"The first seminar, Magic on the Appalachian Trail, is at 9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co., Merrimon Avenue. A panel of Appalachian hikers will discuss the world of the Appalachian through-hiker."
Probably not AYCE, but still worth dropping in on.
"The first seminar, Magic on the Appalachian Trail, is at 9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co., Merrimon Avenue. A panel of Appalachian hikers will discuss the world of the Appalachian through-hiker."
Probably not AYCE, but still worth dropping in on.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Bryson's New Book (not about AT this time)
In the Baltimore (MD) Sun of 11 February 2007, Susan Reimer writes a book review of Bill Bryson's latest: "Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir."
She writes that "Bill Bryson, a humorist and travel writer who has taken us on amusing journeys along the Appalachian Trail and across time and the cosmos, has turned his wit and his memory to growing up in the middle of the country, in the middle of the century, in the middle of a delightfully dysfunctional family."
Some AT hikers may be surprised that Bryson has had a big writing career both before and after his "A Walk in the Woods." I find him pretty entertaining.
She writes that "Bill Bryson, a humorist and travel writer who has taken us on amusing journeys along the Appalachian Trail and across time and the cosmos, has turned his wit and his memory to growing up in the middle of the country, in the middle of the century, in the middle of a delightfully dysfunctional family."
Some AT hikers may be surprised that Bryson has had a big writing career both before and after his "A Walk in the Woods." I find him pretty entertaining.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Mega Transect Article
Another copy of the Associated Press Roanoke Times article about using motion cameras to inventory to carnivores along the Appalachian Trail as part of the "mega-transect" appears in the Newport News (VA) Daily Press on 17 February 2007.
"The all-volunteer survey is a cooperative effort between the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Smithsonian Institution." {Although I don't see the Smithsonian's logo on the ATC's page of partners, where there are quite a few others besides the ones mentioned in this article.}
"The all-volunteer survey is a cooperative effort between the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the Smithsonian Institution." {Although I don't see the Smithsonian's logo on the ATC's page of partners, where there are quite a few others besides the ones mentioned in this article.}
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Scott Staats and Frank Staats Thru-Hikers
There's a piece in the 16 February 2007 issue of the Bend (OR) Weekly by Scott Staats titled "Appalachian Trail - An Outdoor Appetite".
Scott writes about his 1982 thru-hike with his older brother Frank.
Or, more specifically, writes about how they ate their way from Georgia to Maine.
As he says, "Although we hiked through some of the most scenic areas on the entire east coast, endured every kind of weather imaginable and were bitten by just about every type of insect that flies, jumps or crawls, what I remember most is the food, or rather the lack thereof."
There follow a series of vignettes that mostly only a long-distance hiker would really understand. The AYCE Pizza Hut in Cloverdale, VA; the Half-Gallon Club; the 3 steak dinner two weeks into the hike; the hour-long yogi-ed meal with three other thru-hikers at a picnic ground in Pawling, NY.
Good stories.
Scott writes about his 1982 thru-hike with his older brother Frank.
Or, more specifically, writes about how they ate their way from Georgia to Maine.
As he says, "Although we hiked through some of the most scenic areas on the entire east coast, endured every kind of weather imaginable and were bitten by just about every type of insect that flies, jumps or crawls, what I remember most is the food, or rather the lack thereof."
There follow a series of vignettes that mostly only a long-distance hiker would really understand. The AYCE Pizza Hut in Cloverdale, VA; the Half-Gallon Club; the 3 steak dinner two weeks into the hike; the hour-long yogi-ed meal with three other thru-hikers at a picnic ground in Pawling, NY.
Good stories.
Section Hiker Gene Smith Profiled
Kirk Wessler, executive sports editor/columnist, writes in the 16 Februry 2007 Peoria (IL) Journal Star about AT hiker Gene Smith, of Pekin, IL, who finished his 3 year section hike last September. The article is titled "Hiking this Trail Takes Conscious Effort."
The story begins with a vivid description of Smith's passage thru Mahoosuc Notch. That would be the one where his third fall knocked him out cold.
Smith turned from long-distance running to hiking and backpacking when his knee cartilage helped him decide to change recreation activities. "A co-worker at Caterpillar Inc., Smith says, started talking to him about trail-hiking and suggested the Appalachian Trail. When Smith retired in 2002, he visited his parents in Pennsylvania and took a side trip to check out a nearby stretch of the most famous trail in the United States."
So, three years and 15 sections after starting at Springer, he summited Katahdin. The article gives some good detail about how Smith's hiking changed over the years. It ends with this quote:
"Sometimes, you have to give yourself what appears to be an unrealistic goal," Smith says. "But don't put it off. Do it. Because you don't know how much you'll be given."
For a photo of Smith, see this link.
The story begins with a vivid description of Smith's passage thru Mahoosuc Notch. That would be the one where his third fall knocked him out cold.
Smith turned from long-distance running to hiking and backpacking when his knee cartilage helped him decide to change recreation activities. "A co-worker at Caterpillar Inc., Smith says, started talking to him about trail-hiking and suggested the Appalachian Trail. When Smith retired in 2002, he visited his parents in Pennsylvania and took a side trip to check out a nearby stretch of the most famous trail in the United States."
So, three years and 15 sections after starting at Springer, he summited Katahdin. The article gives some good detail about how Smith's hiking changed over the years. It ends with this quote:
"Sometimes, you have to give yourself what appears to be an unrealistic goal," Smith says. "But don't put it off. Do it. Because you don't know how much you'll be given."
For a photo of Smith, see this link.
Leonard "Habitual Hiker" Adkins Speaks
The web site Mainstreetnewspapers.com from Salem, Virginia has a current posting from the "Cave Spring Connection" titled "Experience the Appalachian Trail without taking a step" in which an up-coming presentation by AT thru-hiker and author Leonard Adkins, the "Habitual Hiker" is advertised.
Details: at the Mill Mountain Discovery Center, Roanoke, VA for their barbecue dinner event on 24 February 2007, 6:00 p.m., reservations required, $15.00 per person.
"Adkins, who will begin another hike of the AT this spring, shares his love of the natural world by presenting multimedia programs about his trips. The program, accompanied by folk and classical music, is a compilation of his treks on the Appalachian Trail and depicts a typical thru-hike. Adkins will be available for signings before and after the program."
Details: at the Mill Mountain Discovery Center, Roanoke, VA for their barbecue dinner event on 24 February 2007, 6:00 p.m., reservations required, $15.00 per person.
"Adkins, who will begin another hike of the AT this spring, shares his love of the natural world by presenting multimedia programs about his trips. The program, accompanied by folk and classical music, is a compilation of his treks on the Appalachian Trail and depicts a typical thru-hike. Adkins will be available for signings before and after the program."
AT Hiker Becerra Headed 'Round the World
The Columbia Missourian of 16 February 2007 carries a short piece by Caroline Zilk and Alex Tribou. It's titled "Around the World on Foot" and relates the fact that a hiker named Cesar Becerra is aiming to be the 5th person to walk around the world.
"While walking the Appalachian Trail soon after being diagnosed with diabetes, he fell in love with long-distance walking and made it his goal to walk around the world, excluding the oceans. ...
"He started his journey three years ago from Key West, Fla., and made it to Clinton, last fall. In late February, Becerra will begin his walk again, this time from Clinton to Topeka, Kan. He plans to walk across Kansas and continue westward. His final U.S. destination is Los Angeles.
"After that, Becerra said he will jump a cargo ship to Tokyo to continue his journey."
In between walking, he is a tour guide in DC, NYC, and Boston, and a teacher for Nature's Classroom, Greenfield, NH.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Adkins Are At the AT Again
The Roanoke (VA) Times has a column by outdoors writer Bill Cochran in its 15 February edition titled "Striper Fishing Sets Record Pace."
Doesn't sound too Trail related. But, if you scroll down a bit you'll discover the following note:
"A MORE LEISURELY PACE ON THE AT
Doesn't sound too Trail related. But, if you scroll down a bit you'll discover the following note:
"A MORE LEISURELY PACE ON THE AT
"Leonard and Laurie Adkins are scheduled to strike off on the 2,176-mile Appalachian Trail in early March. If successful, it will be the fifth thru-trip for Leonard and the fourth for Laurie. The two live in Botetourt County, where Leonard writes outdoor guidebooks.
"The difference this time, said Leonard, is that they “going to emphasize time over distance.”
"What that means is less attention to making miles and more on the luxury of enjoying vistas, waterfalls, wildlife, trail towns and the multitude of other attractions of the Georgia-Maine journey.
"The Adkins expect to get passed by many hikers, and they plan to skip some areas and come back to complete them later in order to make Maine’s Mount Katahdin before the snow flies.
"'We will finally have the time to discover and appreciate all of the small parts of the Appalachian Trail that come together to make up the whole,' said Leonard."
Leonard's trail name is "Habitual Hiker." Laurie is "The Umbrella Lady." His web site has him scheduled to give some presentations at an Elderhostel in Wirtz, Virginia in April and June. Check it out!
Pennsylvanians Pushing Trail Portions
A piece in the LancasterOnline web site by Lancaster PA Intelligencer Journal staff writer Dave Pidgeon on 15 February 2007 includes three notes about the Appalachian Trail.
Under the title "Tips, Sites for Winter Hikers" Pidgeon mentions, first, the Delaware Water Gap area, saying "If a foot of snow covers the area, try snowshoeing the 6.9-mile loop from the Dunnfield Creek parking area, following north along the Appalachian Trail to Sunfish Pond, a 41-acre lake formed by moving glaciers."
Later on down in the piece, he says "Hawk Rocks on Cove Mountain is one of the most underrated vistas in Pennsylvania and is just half-a-mile south on the Appalachian Trail from Duncannon.
Then there's the Sunset Rocks hike in Michaux State Forest: "Start this hike from Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County, following the Appalachian Trail southward until a juncture with the blue-blazed Sunset Rocks Trail. The Sunset Rocks Trail is where you find the boulder scramble and vista, and the pathway eventually returns you to the Appalachian Trail, which you follow back northward to your car."
Under the title "Tips, Sites for Winter Hikers" Pidgeon mentions, first, the Delaware Water Gap area, saying "If a foot of snow covers the area, try snowshoeing the 6.9-mile loop from the Dunnfield Creek parking area, following north along the Appalachian Trail to Sunfish Pond, a 41-acre lake formed by moving glaciers."
Later on down in the piece, he says "Hawk Rocks on Cove Mountain is one of the most underrated vistas in Pennsylvania and is just half-a-mile south on the Appalachian Trail from Duncannon.
"From the perch, hikers see a 180-degree view of the town, the Susquehanna River and the ridge-filled countryside rolling north of Harrisburg.
"For a 7.2-mile shuttle hike, start in Duncannon and follow the Appalachian Trail across a rock slide uphill. Continue past Hawk Rocks over the Cove Mountain ridgeline, reaching a view about 4.7 miles in thanks to a pipeline. The hike finishes at Pennsylvania Route 850."
He also mentions the Doyle Hotel ("famous" and "iconic") as a possible place to stop for a bite to eat after this particular hike. [By the way, who knew the Doyle had a web site?]Then there's the Sunset Rocks hike in Michaux State Forest: "Start this hike from Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County, following the Appalachian Trail southward until a juncture with the blue-blazed Sunset Rocks Trail. The Sunset Rocks Trail is where you find the boulder scramble and vista, and the pathway eventually returns you to the Appalachian Trail, which you follow back northward to your car."
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Maine Windfarm Opposition and Support
So the discussion continues, of course. In the 14 February 2007 issue of MaineToday.com there's an post by Carey Kish that agrees with the LURC decision to reject the Redington windfarm. It's titled "Throwing Kibby Mountain Under the Bus."
BUT, Kish also takes the Maine Appalachian Trail Club et al. to task for backing windfarm plans at other wild sites, particularly in this case Kibby Mountain.
What's the deal? Kish quotes from the AMC Maine Mountain Guide that calls Kibby a "remote mountain ... in the heart of the wilderness area" and then continues,
BUT, Kish also takes the Maine Appalachian Trail Club et al. to task for backing windfarm plans at other wild sites, particularly in this case Kibby Mountain.
What's the deal? Kish quotes from the AMC Maine Mountain Guide that calls Kibby a "remote mountain ... in the heart of the wilderness area" and then continues,
"So, I’m curious: Why would the well-intentioned folks at the MATC think that wind power is not okay at Redington, but that Kibby can be sacrificed? With all due respect, that smacks disappointingly of its own sort of NIMBYism, don’t you think?
"We don’t want wind power ruining our view from the AT, but just up the way we don’t mind if somebody else’s view, somebody else’s favorite mountain, gets marred by development.
"It doesn’t jibe. We need to be more consistent."
Fanhestock Park in New York and the AT
In the Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal of 14 February 2007, Larry Hertz has an article titled "Putnam Park Has Something For All". The "Putnam Park" means 'a park in Putnam County,' not 'a park named Putnam Park.'
The piece describes the Clarence Fahnestock State Park that's over 14,000 acres in size.
"Hikers have a choice of a network of trails, including a portion of the famed Appalachian Trail, a 2,160-mile footpath that stretches from Maine to Georgia. The four-mile segment that winds through the park offers stunning vistas, including one above the park's largest lake, Town of Poughkeepsie resident Ron Rosen said.
"Going south from the Dutchess County part of the trail, you'll find a stunning 360-degree view, and beyond that, there's a beautiful overlook above Canopus Lake," said Rosen, a former chairman of the Dutchess-Putnam Appalachian Trail Management Committee and a member of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference."
I like that view of Canopus Lake, too. It's most "stunning" coming at it from the north because, I think, you get surprised by it. From the south, you walk alongside the lake and then the Trail climbs up to the vista, so you know it's coming.
The piece describes the Clarence Fahnestock State Park that's over 14,000 acres in size.
"Hikers have a choice of a network of trails, including a portion of the famed Appalachian Trail, a 2,160-mile footpath that stretches from Maine to Georgia. The four-mile segment that winds through the park offers stunning vistas, including one above the park's largest lake, Town of Poughkeepsie resident Ron Rosen said.
"Going south from the Dutchess County part of the trail, you'll find a stunning 360-degree view, and beyond that, there's a beautiful overlook above Canopus Lake," said Rosen, a former chairman of the Dutchess-Putnam Appalachian Trail Management Committee and a member of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference."
I like that view of Canopus Lake, too. It's most "stunning" coming at it from the north because, I think, you get surprised by it. From the south, you walk alongside the lake and then the Trail climbs up to the vista, so you know it's coming.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Mega-Transect Looking for Cougars et al.
The Roanoke (VA) Times has a 13 February 2007 article by John Cramer headlined "Will Cameras Catch the Mythical Cat?" It is about the predator survey being started in the Appalachian Trail's mid-section as part of the "mega-transect."
So maybe they won't catch a Virginia cougar (Puma concolor) on film [can I still say that if they're using digital cameras?] with the motion-sensitive infrared cameras they're using. So what? The idea is to get a baseline population counts of all the predators in the woods. If a cougar happens to wander by, that would be icing on the cake. The fact that there hasn't been a verified sighting of one in Virginia since 1882 doesn't mean they're not there, does it?
"Between April and November, researchers and volunteers plan to post 50 digital cameras in 350 predetermined sites in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland." And, no, the cameras won't be on the Trail itself, so they shouldn't be snapping pictures of hikers.
If you are in the area, they're looking for volunteers to help out. Contact either the ATC or the Virginia Master Naturalist Program.
So maybe they won't catch a Virginia cougar (Puma concolor) on film [can I still say that if they're using digital cameras?] with the motion-sensitive infrared cameras they're using. So what? The idea is to get a baseline population counts of all the predators in the woods. If a cougar happens to wander by, that would be icing on the cake. The fact that there hasn't been a verified sighting of one in Virginia since 1882 doesn't mean they're not there, does it?
"Between April and November, researchers and volunteers plan to post 50 digital cameras in 350 predetermined sites in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland." And, no, the cameras won't be on the Trail itself, so they shouldn't be snapping pictures of hikers.
If you are in the area, they're looking for volunteers to help out. Contact either the ATC or the Virginia Master Naturalist Program.
Hike for KaTREEna Results and Frustration
The Greater Baton Rouge (LA) Business Report carries an article by Maggie Heyn Richardson titled "Hammering it Out" that was posted on 13 February 2007. The second half of the article is about Applachian Trail 2006 thru-hiker Monique Pilié.
Pilié [the article consistently spells her name "Pilier," but her own web site has "Pilié" so that's what I'm using except in the quotations], a New Orleans native, evacuated in the face of hurricane Katrina to her family's "longtime country home in Covington." The loss of hundreds trees of trees there really hit her hard.
So she went on a hike.
Her desire to see trees replanted "sparked the creation of Hike for KaTREEna, a personal mission to plant a tree in greater New Orleans for every mile Pelier hiked on the 2174-mile long Appalachian Trail." ....
Pilié [the article consistently spells her name "Pilier," but her own web site has "Pilié" so that's what I'm using except in the quotations], a New Orleans native, evacuated in the face of hurricane Katrina to her family's "longtime country home in Covington." The loss of hundreds trees of trees there really hit her hard.
So she went on a hike.
Her desire to see trees replanted "sparked the creation of Hike for KaTREEna, a personal mission to plant a tree in greater New Orleans for every mile Pelier hiked on the 2174-mile long Appalachian Trail." ....
"But now that her daily pursuit of food and shelter is over, Pelier is discovering the arduous task of running a charity. She returned from the trail in October, and despite raising awareness and $40,000, she has only planted 15 trees.
"The problem is one of timing.
"'I'll drive around and think 'that's a perfect spot,' but the city will tell me if I plant something there it'll be dug up because of pending public works projects.'
"Pelier says she deals with the bureaucratic drudgery by recalling the amount of focus it took to complete a day of hiking.
"'Sometimes you can't see the end of the trail,' she says, 'but you still know it's there.'"
What a story! Go to her web site and buy a tree.
Duct Tape and Dental Floss
In the Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times, Karen Chávez published an article titled "For the prepared hiker, sometimes it's the small things that count". At the web site it says it's published 13 February 2007, and originally published 9 January 2004.
The story starts with a vignette of Lane Nakaji, Appalachian Trail 2001 thru-hiker sleeping with his duct tape. The article goes on to talk about other hikers and their duct tape, dental floss, replacement zippers, safety pins, and whatnot. It's all double use material and can all be used for emergency repairs.
Further down in the article, Nakaji says getting good gear in the first place is important. One of the other folks quoted in the article even goes so far as to suggest reading the instruction manuals for stoves and so on to forestall the breakdowns in the first place. Imagine that! It's just a crazy enough idea that it might actually work.
The story starts with a vignette of Lane Nakaji, Appalachian Trail 2001 thru-hiker sleeping with his duct tape. The article goes on to talk about other hikers and their duct tape, dental floss, replacement zippers, safety pins, and whatnot. It's all double use material and can all be used for emergency repairs.
Further down in the article, Nakaji says getting good gear in the first place is important. One of the other folks quoted in the article even goes so far as to suggest reading the instruction manuals for stoves and so on to forestall the breakdowns in the first place. Imagine that! It's just a crazy enough idea that it might actually work.
Cummings Supports Wind Farm Rejection
The Maine Sunday Telegram of 11 February 2007 has a piece by Bob Cummings titled "Beauty of Trail Rightly Protected." Cummings supports the rejection of the Redington wind farm.
As a board member of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Cummings writes with authority when he explains that "The Maine Appalachian Trail Club also is not opposed to wind energy. Members voted just this month not to oppose the Kibby Mountain wind power proposal, though this project also would be visible from the trail. Why? Members recognized, rightly, that there is a vast difference between an in-your-face industrial development on ridges abutting the narrow trail corridor, and proposals involving distant ridges."
This one, however, was different. "It's hard to imagine a site more in violation of the clear language of the statute."
As a board member of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, Cummings writes with authority when he explains that "The Maine Appalachian Trail Club also is not opposed to wind energy. Members voted just this month not to oppose the Kibby Mountain wind power proposal, though this project also would be visible from the trail. Why? Members recognized, rightly, that there is a vast difference between an in-your-face industrial development on ridges abutting the narrow trail corridor, and proposals involving distant ridges."
This one, however, was different. "It's hard to imagine a site more in violation of the clear language of the statute."
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
AMC in the City
The Worcester (MA) Telegram & Gazette News carries a Mark Melady article on 12 February 2007 entitled "Urban Park New Challenge for Hiking Club".
He tells about the Worcester chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club having gotten a grant from headquarters to fund its effort to clean up "the outdoor parlors of Worcester, starting next month with University Park, also known as Crystal Park."
Now ... I guess the question is whether they will also be building stone huts and charging for overnight stays.
He tells about the Worcester chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club having gotten a grant from headquarters to fund its effort to clean up "the outdoor parlors of Worcester, starting next month with University Park, also known as Crystal Park."
Now ... I guess the question is whether they will also be building stone huts and charging for overnight stays.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Florida Trail 'Feels Like the A.T.'
The Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers' web site TCPalm.com carries an 11 February 2007 item about The Florida Trail.
Here's how it starts: "The Florida Trail, a 1,400-mile foot trail stretching from Big Cypress National Park about 40 miles west of Miami to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Pensacola Beach, feels kind of like a tropical version of the more famous Appalachian Trail. That's not a surprise, considering it was founded by a guy who hiked the Appalachian with his brother and lamented the absence of such a wonder in his native Florida."
Yep! . . . Kind of like it, except with sand and hurricanes instead of mountains and snow.
Here's how it starts: "The Florida Trail, a 1,400-mile foot trail stretching from Big Cypress National Park about 40 miles west of Miami to Fort Pickens at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Pensacola Beach, feels kind of like a tropical version of the more famous Appalachian Trail. That's not a surprise, considering it was founded by a guy who hiked the Appalachian with his brother and lamented the absence of such a wonder in his native Florida."
Yep! . . . Kind of like it, except with sand and hurricanes instead of mountains and snow.
David "AWOL" Miller Speaks
The Tallahassee (FL) Democrat's Tallahassee.Com web site carries this community notes item in its 11 February 2007 edition:
"Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail with 'Awol'" Program: Tuesday David Miller, whose trail name is "Awol," will discuss his 2003 thru-hike at 7 p.m. at Woodcrest Office Park, 325 John Knox Road, Bldg. F (first on right). Miller will show slides with facts and scenes from the trail and will bring his backpack and exhibit gear used during the hike. Contact Linda Patton at (850) XXX-XXXX.
"Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail with 'Awol'" Program: Tuesday David Miller, whose trail name is "Awol," will discuss his 2003 thru-hike at 7 p.m. at Woodcrest Office Park, 325 John Knox Road, Bldg. F (first on right). Miller will show slides with facts and scenes from the trail and will bring his backpack and exhibit gear used during the hike. Contact Linda Patton at (850) XXX-XXXX.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Canoe Trail Compared to Appalachian Trail
The Adirondack Daily Enterprise of 10 February 2007 brings us Joe Hackett's column titled "Adirondack Gadabout: Old skis recapture a youthful spirit on a moonlit trail." Down at the bottom he writes about summer jobs, and includes this sentence: "A most unique internship is available this summer on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a 740-mile water-based equivalent of the Appalachian Trail."
There's that 'gold standard' comparison again.
There's that 'gold standard' comparison again.
Stony Valley Swap Stopped
The Lebanon (PA) Daily News has an editorial dated 9 September 2007, unsigned, and titled simply "Swap Stopped." The article details the agreement reached between the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania National Guard regarding some land called Stony Valley. Appalachian Trail hikers may know it better as "St. Anthony's Winderness." (Think the miles between Clark Creek and Rausch Gap Shelter.)
The Guard has had its eyes on this valley because its firing range is on the other side of the mountain, and they figured they needed a buffer zone. But it seems they've pretty much been the only ones in Pennsylvania seeing it that way.
The end result is that the "it seems the Guard has abandoned altogether the idea of taking ownership of the buffer-zone land. It has a new plan: The land would remain part of SGL [State Game Land] 211 but, under terms of an agreement with the commission, access to the 900-acre buffer zone would be restricted for up to 90 days each year while troops are using the firing range on the other side of the mountain (the danger is from errant shells bouncing or sailing over the ridge)."
The AT is not in the new buffer zone that the Guard wants off limits for a quarter of each year.
The Guard has had its eyes on this valley because its firing range is on the other side of the mountain, and they figured they needed a buffer zone. But it seems they've pretty much been the only ones in Pennsylvania seeing it that way.
The end result is that the "it seems the Guard has abandoned altogether the idea of taking ownership of the buffer-zone land. It has a new plan: The land would remain part of SGL [State Game Land] 211 but, under terms of an agreement with the commission, access to the 900-acre buffer zone would be restricted for up to 90 days each year while troops are using the firing range on the other side of the mountain (the danger is from errant shells bouncing or sailing over the ridge)."
The AT is not in the new buffer zone that the Guard wants off limits for a quarter of each year.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Another Mainer in Favor of Windmills
In the 6 February 2007 issue of the Kennebec, ME Morning Sentinel, Waterville resident Wayne Mullen writes to express his deep regrets over the recent vote by the state's Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) that rejected the plans to build wind generating towers on the Redington ridge in sight of the Appalachian Trail.
"The backbone of the commission turned to mush because of a room full of trail walkers and environmentalists. They don't have the whole picture."
"I can't believe that people walking the Appalachian Trail will have their experience destroyed because they would see these windmills from one mile away. Maybe the LURC commissioners should think about the welfare of the people of the state instead of a few power groups and out-of-state people."
I believe that this has been cast as a NIMBY (not in my backyard) issue in the past -- that is, the ATC and many (most?) hikers want wind power, but just not in the Trail's 'backyard.' Here, however, one Maine resident says 'Yes. Please. Put it in my backyard.'
"The backbone of the commission turned to mush because of a room full of trail walkers and environmentalists. They don't have the whole picture."
"I can't believe that people walking the Appalachian Trail will have their experience destroyed because they would see these windmills from one mile away. Maybe the LURC commissioners should think about the welfare of the people of the state instead of a few power groups and out-of-state people."
I believe that this has been cast as a NIMBY (not in my backyard) issue in the past -- that is, the ATC and many (most?) hikers want wind power, but just not in the Trail's 'backyard.' Here, however, one Maine resident says 'Yes. Please. Put it in my backyard.'
Monday, February 05, 2007
Run the Ridge Near the Water Gap
The Pocono Record, the "daily newspaper serving Monroe County and lower Pike County in northeastern Pennsylvania" has an article in its 5 February 2007 issue by Rich Kramer and Mary Ellen Kramer entitled "Running in the Poconos."
They write that "One of our favorite local runs is along the Appalachian Trail near Delaware Water Gap. This route is not a loop run. It requires a car at each end or a kind friend or relative to act as your taxi."
Describing the run, they also say that "you will rarely meet other runners but will likely meet hikers along the way. Possible deer, eagle, bear or other wildlife sightings provide an extra bonus on this run."
They write that "One of our favorite local runs is along the Appalachian Trail near Delaware Water Gap. This route is not a loop run. It requires a car at each end or a kind friend or relative to act as your taxi."
Describing the run, they also say that "you will rarely meet other runners but will likely meet hikers along the way. Possible deer, eagle, bear or other wildlife sightings provide an extra bonus on this run."
Wonder About that Amicalola Wonder
For some reason, the San Jose (CA) Mercury News has printed a McLatchy-Tribune News Service piece by Mary Ann Anderson on 5 February 2007 touting the fact that 'Georgia Has its Own Seven Natural Wonders.' I suppose, though, that people in Georgia already know this and that it's the Californians who need to learn about it, hence the article.
ANYway, one of these wonders is the Amicalola Falls which is, of course, in the state park of the same name which, in turn, is where northbound hikers find the southern end of the Appalachian Trail.
The list, in case you were wondering, "came about when state librarian Ella May Thornton of the Georgia State Library in Atlanta compiled the first list of Georgia's natural wonders in response to an inquiry by a journalist." Gotta love those state librarians!
ANYway, one of these wonders is the Amicalola Falls which is, of course, in the state park of the same name which, in turn, is where northbound hikers find the southern end of the Appalachian Trail.
The list, in case you were wondering, "came about when state librarian Ella May Thornton of the Georgia State Library in Atlanta compiled the first list of Georgia's natural wonders in response to an inquiry by a journalist." Gotta love those state librarians!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Three No-Bo's Already On the Trail
In an article by Taylor Leonard published on 2 February 2007, the Catoosa (GA) County News reports that three local guys have hit the Trail heading north.
"Park officials don’t recommend hiking the Appalachian Trail until May 15, but three young men set off Saturday for a complete thru-hike of what back-packers call the 'AT.'
"Grant Harris of Catoosa County, Jeff Richardson of Whitfield, and John Cochran of Murray gathered Thursday, Feb. 1 at East Tech to have one last hurrah before beginning their five-month journey." The idea is, first, that they stay warm; and, second, that they finish by July in order to be able to earn some money before their fall semester in college begins.
Despite the date on the article, it ends saying that the trio started from Springer on Saturday, 3 February.
"Park officials don’t recommend hiking the Appalachian Trail until May 15, but three young men set off Saturday for a complete thru-hike of what back-packers call the 'AT.'
"Grant Harris of Catoosa County, Jeff Richardson of Whitfield, and John Cochran of Murray gathered Thursday, Feb. 1 at East Tech to have one last hurrah before beginning their five-month journey." The idea is, first, that they stay warm; and, second, that they finish by July in order to be able to earn some money before their fall semester in college begins.
Despite the date on the article, it ends saying that the trio started from Springer on Saturday, 3 February.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
AT License Plates Fund an Increase in NC
Lindsay Nash of the Asheville (NC) Citizen-Times compiled a column of outdoors news kinds of things that was published on 2 February 2007. One of the items is what looks like an ATC press release touting the increase in grants from ATC to projects in North Carolina. Last year there was $4,000 available, this year "up to $25,000".
That's a lot of license plates sold or renewed.
That's a lot of license plates sold or renewed.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Former Hikes Lauds Smelly Plant
The Bay Journal, published by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay carries a nice February 2007 article by Kathy Reshetiloff, former AT hiker and current employee at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chesapeake Bay Field Office in Annapolis. She begins with the eye-catching sentence "One of the things I enjoyed most while hiking the Appalachian Trail was watching spring emerge."
That's her entree to an article about skunk cabbage. You've seen it. You've probably smelled it. Now you can learn more about it. Interesting stuff.
I recall one of the Euell Gibbons books (don't know his name? look him up!) having his story about this plant and his attempt to cook it up like 'regular' cabbage. It didn't ever get to edible. Don't try it. If he couldn't figure out how to make it palatable, probably nobody can.
The article's title is "Sweetness of Skunk Cabbage's Scent is in the Nose of its Beholder; Ask Any Fly."
That's her entree to an article about skunk cabbage. You've seen it. You've probably smelled it. Now you can learn more about it. Interesting stuff.
I recall one of the Euell Gibbons books (don't know his name? look him up!) having his story about this plant and his attempt to cook it up like 'regular' cabbage. It didn't ever get to edible. Don't try it. If he couldn't figure out how to make it palatable, probably nobody can.
The article's title is "Sweetness of Skunk Cabbage's Scent is in the Nose of its Beholder; Ask Any Fly."
Murder Victim in AT Parking Lot
Tha Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News of 2 February 2007 carries an article by Al Winn entitled "More Slaying Arrests Possible, DA Says."
The only AT connection appears to be that the accused murderer put the "body into the trunk of a rental car and moving the car to the Appalachian Trail parking lot, about two miles north of Lickdale," and that a recently-arrested accomplice "suggested leaving [the victim's] body at the Appalachian Trail parking lot, where no one would be suspicious about a car being there for days."
Yeah, okay, now that's a little spooky.
The only AT connection appears to be that the accused murderer put the "body into the trunk of a rental car and moving the car to the Appalachian Trail parking lot, about two miles north of Lickdale," and that a recently-arrested accomplice "suggested leaving [the victim's] body at the Appalachian Trail parking lot, where no one would be suspicious about a car being there for days."
Yeah, okay, now that's a little spooky.
Mountain Club of Maryland Schedules AT Hikes
The Capital-Gazette Newspapers of Annapolis, MD publish a 'Club News' column on Tuesdays and Fridays. The column for Friday, 2 February 2007, carried a list of hikes being sponsored by the Mountain Club of Maryland. There not being a lot of mountains in Annapolis, the hikes take place on the AT.
Here are the AT hikes listed:
Here are the AT hikes listed:
- Tomorrow: "Pen-Mar North to Antietam Shelter" hike of 14 miles on the Appalachian Trail at a moderate pace. There are breakfast, possibly lunch and dinner stops. For information, call 410-926-9298.
- Sunday: "Appalachian Trail in Maryland" hike of 8.3 miles from US Route 40 to Pogo Campground plus a side trip to the Annapolis Rocks overlook. Pace averages 2.5 miles per hour with total elevation gain of 1,500 ft. For information, call 410-486-8737.
- Wednesday: "Appalachian Trail in Maryland" hike, same as Sunday hike. For information, call 410-486-8737.
"Meandering Little Trail"
A website called Florida Trend published an article on 1 February 2007 by Mike Vogel entitled "Florida Icon; Harris Rosen; President and COO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Age 67". It's, as you might guess, a kind of profile of Rosen. But it's Rosen's answers without the interviewer's questions, and strikes me as a meandering little 'stream of consciousness' kind of thing.
Anyway, after telling how he helped design some of the Disney resorts there in Florida, the article says, "Shingle Creek [Resort] will have this wonderful meandering little trail. Why should the Appalachian Trail be the only trail of its kind? We've got this wonderful opportunity here in Florida where we could do something spectacular. We would name the wilderness trail after Patrick Smith, who wrote "A Land Remembered." You can have development, and you can have a pristine natural ecosystem cohabitating. You can."
That's the AT I know: 'a wonderful meandering little trail.'
Anyway, after telling how he helped design some of the Disney resorts there in Florida, the article says, "Shingle Creek [Resort] will have this wonderful meandering little trail. Why should the Appalachian Trail be the only trail of its kind? We've got this wonderful opportunity here in Florida where we could do something spectacular. We would name the wilderness trail after Patrick Smith, who wrote "A Land Remembered." You can have development, and you can have a pristine natural ecosystem cohabitating. You can."
That's the AT I know: 'a wonderful meandering little trail.'
Centre College AT Hikers Also Hike in Spain
The web site of Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, carries an 1 February 2007 article about three of its folks (one grad and two current students) just having walked the ancient Christian pilgrims' trail called the "Camino de Santiago." The 'Santiago' part refers to Saint James, of Santiago de Compostella fame. That spot is the endpoint of the pilgrims' 500 mile trail. The artcile is titled "Three Centre Pilgrims Walk Across Spain."
Anyway, the article mentions that "Both [Rob] Kinzel [the one graduate] and [Mark] Mallman are veteran long-distance walkers. The two spent five months on a 2,172-mile hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2003, a trek prompted by Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods. The idea for the Camino walk, Kinzel says, came from another book, The Pilgrimage, by Paulo Coelho.
"Most long-distance trails avoid towns, but because of its historic need to provide shelter for pilgrims, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of Saint James), deliberately winds through them. On their trip, the three traveled through five or six villages a day.
"'The path is much different than the Appalachian Trail,' Kinzel says. 'Taking advantage of this, we found ourselves stopping at least twice each day for a café con leche (coffee with milk)'."
Find out what these guys are reading next!
Anyway, the article mentions that "Both [Rob] Kinzel [the one graduate] and [Mark] Mallman are veteran long-distance walkers. The two spent five months on a 2,172-mile hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2003, a trek prompted by Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods. The idea for the Camino walk, Kinzel says, came from another book, The Pilgrimage, by Paulo Coelho.
"Most long-distance trails avoid towns, but because of its historic need to provide shelter for pilgrims, the Camino de Santiago (or Way of Saint James), deliberately winds through them. On their trip, the three traveled through five or six villages a day.
"'The path is much different than the Appalachian Trail,' Kinzel says. 'Taking advantage of this, we found ourselves stopping at least twice each day for a café con leche (coffee with milk)'."
Find out what these guys are reading next!
AT Hiker Ralph Ferrusi Writes a Column
The Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal apparently carries a weekly column by Ralph Ferrusi of Stormville, NY called "Hike of the Week" each Thursday.
"Ferrusi has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail twice and maintains a section of the AT," according to the notes at the bottom of the 1 February 2007 column. This particular column is entitled "'Bear' of a Hike Worth the Effort" and is about a hike in Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. From one point on the hike you can see Anthony's Nose, the Bear Mountain Bridge, Bear Mountain itself, West Point, and other points of interest.
You might could get a chuckle out of Ferrusi's opening advice: "Watch out for: A sign at the trailhead warns: "YOU ARE IN BEAR COUNTRY. THE BEST WAY TO AVOID BEAR PROBLEMS IS NOT TO ATTRACT THEM…" So, how to make yourself unattractive to bears? Don't wash for a week? Nope, this might make you more attractive! Wear goofy heart-shaped sunglasses with red lenses and thick white plastic frames? Mix plaids with stripes??? Your call…"
"Ferrusi has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail twice and maintains a section of the AT," according to the notes at the bottom of the 1 February 2007 column. This particular column is entitled "'Bear' of a Hike Worth the Effort" and is about a hike in Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. From one point on the hike you can see Anthony's Nose, the Bear Mountain Bridge, Bear Mountain itself, West Point, and other points of interest.
You might could get a chuckle out of Ferrusi's opening advice: "Watch out for: A sign at the trailhead warns: "YOU ARE IN BEAR COUNTRY. THE BEST WAY TO AVOID BEAR PROBLEMS IS NOT TO ATTRACT THEM…" So, how to make yourself unattractive to bears? Don't wash for a week? Nope, this might make you more attractive! Wear goofy heart-shaped sunglasses with red lenses and thick white plastic frames? Mix plaids with stripes??? Your call…"
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Retiree Set to Hike
The York (PA) Daily Record has a personality profile article on 30 January 2007 by Mike Argento that's entitled " 'I'm Just a Hyper Guy.' " It profiles Ernie Lehman who is retiring from his antique business and plans to hike the AT, fulfilling an ambition that started as a Boy Scout hiking in and around Swatara Gap.
"He plans to set out in mid-March and hike to Swatara Gap by the middle of May. Then, after a short break, he'll resume the journey, planning on finishing in Maine at the end of July." . . . .
"He plans to set out in mid-March and hike to Swatara Gap by the middle of May. Then, after a short break, he'll resume the journey, planning on finishing in Maine at the end of July." . . . .
"He plans to start out slowly, hiking 10 to 12 miles a day, and work his way up to where he can cover 20 miles a day. He doesn't plan to rush, though. He wants to take in everything. 'I plan to enjoy it,' he said."
Maybe he's not planning on stopping at any hostels, or taking any zero days in towns. Seems like 4 months is quicker than most thru-hikers take these days.
Then again, Lehman is a self-described "hyper guy". Good luck!
Thru-hiker Melissa DeVaughn; and Squirrel Hunter
A column in the Roanoke (VA) Times of 1 February 2007 called "Bill Cochran's Mail Bag" publishes a couple letters from readers who have AT connections.
The first letter, from a "Julie Smith," includes the sentences "When I squirrel hunt on the Appalachian Trail I make sure oncoming hikers see me well before they get close. I don't want to frighten them." She's writing in favor of Sunday hunting.
The second letter, from a "Melissa DeVaughn," updates readers on this former staff writer for the Roanoke Times who is now living in Alaska. The editor's note at the bottom includes the sentences, "One of her most memorable projects was hiking the 2,000-plus mile Appalachian Trail with her dog, Ruby, while sending dispatches of her adventures to the newspaper. Fans of DeVaughn still will remember her haunting account of Ruby being killed by a car shortly after their return from the trail."
The first letter, from a "Julie Smith," includes the sentences "When I squirrel hunt on the Appalachian Trail I make sure oncoming hikers see me well before they get close. I don't want to frighten them." She's writing in favor of Sunday hunting.
The second letter, from a "Melissa DeVaughn," updates readers on this former staff writer for the Roanoke Times who is now living in Alaska. The editor's note at the bottom includes the sentences, "One of her most memorable projects was hiking the 2,000-plus mile Appalachian Trail with her dog, Ruby, while sending dispatches of her adventures to the newspaper. Fans of DeVaughn still will remember her haunting account of Ruby being killed by a car shortly after their return from the trail."
Frank "The Walrus" Miller Hits the Trail
The 1 February 2007 edition of The Havre (MT) Daily News has an article about retiring obstetrician Dr. Frank Miller who has headed for Springer withplans to thru-hike. Written by Tim MacDonald, the article is titled "Physician Taking to the 'Trail'."
Besides marking his retirement he is going "to raise funds for the proposed Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center" in Havre, Montana. He ran into delays right at the start because of some ice problems at the Atlanta airport. Not to worry, though, “'I think the hike will take around six months, but it may take seven or eight, depending on where I find to stop along the way,' Miller said."
"Interested parties can track Miller on their computers at TrailJournals.com, 'The Walrus,' after the doctor’s distinctive Fu Man Chu moustache."
Besides marking his retirement he is going "to raise funds for the proposed Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center" in Havre, Montana. He ran into delays right at the start because of some ice problems at the Atlanta airport. Not to worry, though, “'I think the hike will take around six months, but it may take seven or eight, depending on where I find to stop along the way,' Miller said."
"Interested parties can track Miller on their computers at TrailJournals.com, 'The Walrus,' after the doctor’s distinctive Fu Man Chu moustache."
Thru-hiker Ken Dague Presents
CBS television station WTRF (channel 7) in Wheeling, WV has a 1 February 2007 story by Leigh Ann Towne on its web site about AT hiker Ken Dague who started his 6 month hike on 21 March 2000. The story is titled "Valley Grove Man Tackles The Appalachian Trail."
Dague is now "the environmental educator for Schrader Environmental Center at Oglebay" and will be speaking about his hiking experience -- starting with a 75 pound pack -- on 20 February and 27 February at the Environmental Center.
There's also a video.
Dague is now "the environmental educator for Schrader Environmental Center at Oglebay" and will be speaking about his hiking experience -- starting with a 75 pound pack -- on 20 February and 27 February at the Environmental Center.
There's also a video.
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