The Chatanoogan.com web site out of Tennessee, of course, has an article posted in its 30 March 2007 edition titled "Cherokee Forest Partners Issue 'Urgent Message'" which begins as follows:
"Sam Brocato, the Executive Director of the Partners of the Cherokee National Forest, passes along this 'urgent message.'
"Brocato asks interested parties to "send a letter of support to our congressional folks on appropriation of federal funding for purchasing Rocky Fork tract in Unicoi County, TN. Surrounded by Cherokee NF and with Appalachian Trail on one side. (see sample letter [in the full article])"
...then further down in the article:
"At 10,000 acres, it is the largest unprotected wild mountainous property remaining within national forest boundaries in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. About one-third of the tract lies in Greene County, TN; the remaining two thirds are in Unicoi County, TN.
"The property contains mixed hardwoods of various sizes and is prime habitat for bear and other wildlife. Over a mile of the Appalachian Trail passes through the property, then skirts it for several more miles."
Land acquisition and preservation = good.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
AT Hiker Now Heads to Continental Divide Trail
Ian Cropp has an article titled "One Hike indivisible" in the Vail (CO) Times on 30 March 2007 about a guy named Andy Linger who hiked the Appalachian Trail 10 years ago, and is now heading out on the Continental Divide Trail.
Linger mentions a few things about his AT hike, stuff he learned about long distance hiking, comparisons to what he's expecting on the CDT, and so on.
It's a pretty nice article. And you can follow him on this year's hike at his website where he'll be updating readers with a handheld computer (which the article doesn't explain how he'll be powering or recharging).
Here's a link to his 1997 Appalachian Trail hike journal. His trailname was/is "Skygod."
Linger mentions a few things about his AT hike, stuff he learned about long distance hiking, comparisons to what he's expecting on the CDT, and so on.
It's a pretty nice article. And you can follow him on this year's hike at his website where he'll be updating readers with a handheld computer (which the article doesn't explain how he'll be powering or recharging).
Here's a link to his 1997 Appalachian Trail hike journal. His trailname was/is "Skygod."
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thousands on the Trail
OK, I'm not completely sure what this means, but I'll report it anyway.
The Traverse City (MI) Record-Eagle of 29 March 2007 has an article (part 5 of 5) by Al Parker titled "In it for the long run; Traverse City's Kenny Thomas went from a 5K to this summer's 100-mile ultra race." That part makes sense.
What I'm not sure about is the mention of the AT: "In November, Thomas followed up with an even more remarkable performance in the JFK 50 Mile in Md. ...
"The event made history by becoming the first ultra race to ever attract more than 1,000 runners. The starting line, along the famed Appalachian Trail, posed problems for many runners. [emphasis added]
"'The first 15 miles or so was along the trail and was rocky,' said Thomas. 'You really had to watch where you stepped.'"
First of all, if they want 'rocky' then they should run in Pennsylvania, not Maryland. But is this saying that last November there were over 1,000 people running "15 miles or so" on the Appalachian Trail??? A) I don't want to be hiking anywhere near that kind of crowd; and 2) [remember Paul Reiser in 'Mad About You'?] what would that kind of pounding do to the trailbed?
The Traverse City (MI) Record-Eagle of 29 March 2007 has an article (part 5 of 5) by Al Parker titled "In it for the long run; Traverse City's Kenny Thomas went from a 5K to this summer's 100-mile ultra race." That part makes sense.
What I'm not sure about is the mention of the AT: "In November, Thomas followed up with an even more remarkable performance in the JFK 50 Mile in Md. ...
"The event made history by becoming the first ultra race to ever attract more than 1,000 runners. The starting line, along the famed Appalachian Trail, posed problems for many runners. [emphasis added]
"'The first 15 miles or so was along the trail and was rocky,' said Thomas. 'You really had to watch where you stepped.'"
First of all, if they want 'rocky' then they should run in Pennsylvania, not Maryland. But is this saying that last November there were over 1,000 people running "15 miles or so" on the Appalachian Trail??? A) I don't want to be hiking anywhere near that kind of crowd; and 2) [remember Paul Reiser in 'Mad About You'?] what would that kind of pounding do to the trailbed?
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Spring Break Option
The Roanoke (VA) Times mentions the Appalachian Trail as an option for spring break in a short piece by Katy Allamong of Giles High School titled "Alternative Spring Break Destinations" in its 27 March 2007 issue.
All we get is in the second paragraph: "The more adventurous ones go to the Grand Canyon, skiing in Colorado, while some hike the Appalachian Trail."
By the way, since when do high school students go on trips like this -- or of any kind -- over their spring break?
All we get is in the second paragraph: "The more adventurous ones go to the Grand Canyon, skiing in Colorado, while some hike the Appalachian Trail."
By the way, since when do high school students go on trips like this -- or of any kind -- over their spring break?
Appalachian State U. Students as Maintainers
An article in the "Appalachian Online" publication of Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina, brings us an article about a new trail maintainers' club at the school. It is written by Allison Casey, and titled "Appalachian students give back to local trails" in the 27 March 2007 edition.
"The Appalachian State Trail Crew, formed in spring 2005 by a group of student thru-hikers, works on building new trails and maintaining current ones around the Boone area."
The club has built 150 feet of trail at Elk's Knob. "The Appalachian Trail Crew also works with the Appalachian Trail, Grandfather Mountain and The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club."
"The Appalachian State Trail Crew, formed in spring 2005 by a group of student thru-hikers, works on building new trails and maintaining current ones around the Boone area."
The club has built 150 feet of trail at Elk's Knob. "The Appalachian Trail Crew also works with the Appalachian Trail, Grandfather Mountain and The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club."
Hiking Leads to Simplicity Classes
The News & Observer from North Carolina has a 27 March 2007 article by Missy Baxter that's titled "Sweep out those mental dust bunnies; Spring is a great time to clean your mind, simplify life and refocus on goals." It focuses on a Simplicity Class taught by 'life coach' Janet Harrison from Cary, NC.
"An avid adventurer, Harrison learned the benefits of leading a simple life while hiking the Appalachian Trail. She continues to utilize the skills she learned on the trail in other aspects of her life.
"'I discovered very soon into my journey along the Appalachian Trail that I had overpacked my backpack and that I didn't actually need most of the things in there,' she recalled. 'In life, it's like we're all hauling around too much stuff in our backpacks. I think that's an analogy we can all relate to...that we've got to lighten our load, mentally and physically.'"
The article doesn't say when Harrison hiked, but it does mention that she has been teaching "life and work skills" for the last 10 years, both to individuals and at a corporate level.
"An avid adventurer, Harrison learned the benefits of leading a simple life while hiking the Appalachian Trail. She continues to utilize the skills she learned on the trail in other aspects of her life.
"'I discovered very soon into my journey along the Appalachian Trail that I had overpacked my backpack and that I didn't actually need most of the things in there,' she recalled. 'In life, it's like we're all hauling around too much stuff in our backpacks. I think that's an analogy we can all relate to...that we've got to lighten our load, mentally and physically.'"
The article doesn't say when Harrison hiked, but it does mention that she has been teaching "life and work skills" for the last 10 years, both to individuals and at a corporate level.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Indiana Hiker Sets Off
The Noblesville (IN) Daily Times has an article about a local woman named Christensen, aged 49, who will attempt a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Setting off on Palm Sunday (1 April 2007) I think, I can't tell anything more about the article because it seems to be blocked behind some obscure log-in process. The message I get says I can't see it unless I log in, but I can't see how or where to do so. The headline should be something like "Woman Hits Trail for 5oth Birthday."
No, wait! I found an ugly html version. William Fouts is the author. The hiker's name is Vinona Christensen. Her daughter is sending her packages to her. She's planning on emailing updates and photos (but don't expect an easy job of finding them on the newspaper's site).
No, wait! I found an ugly html version. William Fouts is the author. The hiker's name is Vinona Christensen. Her daughter is sending her packages to her. She's planning on emailing updates and photos (but don't expect an easy job of finding them on the newspaper's site).
Designer on the Trail?
Here's an article out of State College, Pennsylvania (home of Penn State U.) in the Centre Daily Times of 20 March 2007. Written by Pam Sitt of the Seattle Times, it's titled "Wrapping with DvF, dress diva."
Here are the salient paragraphs at the end:
"Von Furstenberg is frequently inspired by nature, and regrets that she has never had time to hike during her visits to Seattle.
"'I'm a big hiker. I hike at home in Connecticut because we have the Appalachian Trail, and I hike everywhere I travel,' she said. '... Obviously, not in London.'
"Struck by a sudden vision of the glamorous Diane von Furstenberg hiking up a mountain in heels, I asked, whatever do you wear?
"'Shorts and a T-shirt and sweatshirt and hiking boots, what else am I going to wear?' she replied. Of course, I said quickly, and tried not to be disappointed. Secretly, if DvF came out with a line of designer hiking gear, I would consider taking up hiking. For a minute."
Ah, well. So, anyway, when you're passing through Kent, CT and the Indian reservation and all . . . keep an eye out for famous fashion designers on the Trail.
Here are the salient paragraphs at the end:
"Von Furstenberg is frequently inspired by nature, and regrets that she has never had time to hike during her visits to Seattle.
"'I'm a big hiker. I hike at home in Connecticut because we have the Appalachian Trail, and I hike everywhere I travel,' she said. '... Obviously, not in London.'
"Struck by a sudden vision of the glamorous Diane von Furstenberg hiking up a mountain in heels, I asked, whatever do you wear?
"'Shorts and a T-shirt and sweatshirt and hiking boots, what else am I going to wear?' she replied. Of course, I said quickly, and tried not to be disappointed. Secretly, if DvF came out with a line of designer hiking gear, I would consider taking up hiking. For a minute."
Ah, well. So, anyway, when you're passing through Kent, CT and the Indian reservation and all . . . keep an eye out for famous fashion designers on the Trail.
Tuscarora Trail Worker is AT Thru-Hiker
The Martinsburg (WV) Journal has a weekly column that is a "series of 28 stories that will run every Monday about interesting finds a little off the beaten path in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle." The one dated 26 March 2007 is by Robert Snyder, and titled "Pathway treats hikers to long walk in woods".
The Appalachian Trail is mentioned throughout the article, but as a reference point when, for example, some other path crosses it. Good descriptions of the side trails. In particular there is mention of Katherine Rindt. "Rindt, along with her husband Jon, who through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1996, have become trail workers, and now spend much of their time keeping the trails in good working order for hikers, bikers and backpackers." They work on the Tuscarora Trail.
The Appalachian Trail is mentioned throughout the article, but as a reference point when, for example, some other path crosses it. Good descriptions of the side trails. In particular there is mention of Katherine Rindt. "Rindt, along with her husband Jon, who through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1996, have become trail workers, and now spend much of their time keeping the trails in good working order for hikers, bikers and backpackers." They work on the Tuscarora Trail.
Kentuckian on the Trail
The University of Louisville is contributing a potential thru-hiker this season. He is Brian Buford of the university's human resources department. He's their "manager of organizational effectiveness." Maybe that's why he says that organizing the food drops, getting house and cat sitters, and arranging to have his bills paid while he's away -- all that organizational stuff -- was easy.
His biggest challenge, he says, will be "staying motivated day after day after day for six months."
"'I’m going to need external motivation,' he said, which is one reason he invited UofL faculty and staff to 'join' him as a fitness challenge through the Get Healthy Now health management program." They're going to form teams that should each log, as a group, the same mileage he does every day. See the web site.
Buford has already had a going away party (photos on his own web site), but I don't see where it says just when he's heading out to Springer. He'll be the one with the Pee Wee Herman figure hanging from his pack.
His biggest challenge, he says, will be "staying motivated day after day after day for six months."
"'I’m going to need external motivation,' he said, which is one reason he invited UofL faculty and staff to 'join' him as a fitness challenge through the Get Healthy Now health management program." They're going to form teams that should each log, as a group, the same mileage he does every day. See the web site.
Buford has already had a going away party (photos on his own web site), but I don't see where it says just when he's heading out to Springer. He'll be the one with the Pee Wee Herman figure hanging from his pack.
Slackpacking Defined
A sidebar to a Columbia (MO) Daily Tribune 26 March 2007 article by Barbara Baird, titled "Bank on the right backpack; A good fit could make difference on certain hikes," gives us a definition of 'slackpacking' that includes mention of the Appalachian Trail:
"Slackpacking is a colloquialism in the hiking world, a verb that means a hiker prefers shorter daytrip hikes off the beaten trail if possible. Slackpackers shun packs and spend their nights on their own pillows atop mattresses at home or in the comfort of hotels. Many slackpackers have hiked the entire 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail without spending a single night around a campfire. Slackpackers keep personal trail maps and mark off which section they have hiked, putting it all together when finished to form a complete hike from start to finish."
There you go. Not exactly the way I would have defined it, though. Slacking the entire AT? Can't quite picture that.
"Slackpacking is a colloquialism in the hiking world, a verb that means a hiker prefers shorter daytrip hikes off the beaten trail if possible. Slackpackers shun packs and spend their nights on their own pillows atop mattresses at home or in the comfort of hotels. Many slackpackers have hiked the entire 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail without spending a single night around a campfire. Slackpackers keep personal trail maps and mark off which section they have hiked, putting it all together when finished to form a complete hike from start to finish."
There you go. Not exactly the way I would have defined it, though. Slacking the entire AT? Can't quite picture that.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Connecticut Couple Tries for Triple Crown
The Norwich (CT) Bulletin of 25 March 2007 has Jessica Durkin's article headlined "Canterbury pair to take on 3,000-mile trek up Continental Divide". The pair are Melissa Pysz and Scott Zilaitis.
They thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2003. Then tackled the Pacific Coast Trail three years later. They start on the Continental Divide Trail on 14 April.
"The couple do the trails south-to-north, in 25-mile-per-day increments. They already have organized 30 self-addressed packages filled with provisions, such as snacks, toilet paper and canned food, Pysz's parents will "mail drop" to the couple at 30 locations along the trail."
They thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2003. Then tackled the Pacific Coast Trail three years later. They start on the Continental Divide Trail on 14 April.
"The couple do the trails south-to-north, in 25-mile-per-day increments. They already have organized 30 self-addressed packages filled with provisions, such as snacks, toilet paper and canned food, Pysz's parents will "mail drop" to the couple at 30 locations along the trail."
New England National Scenic Trail Proposed
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."
"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."
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.
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