Two Year Anniversary of a Trail

Putting a pebble from Springer Mountain, Georgia on the sign atop Mt. Katahdin, Maine

This Friday, September 18th, marks the two year completion of the entire Appalachian Trail for both my son and myself. To mark the occasion, we got together before my computer and finished writing the book that chronicles the journey. I need only spell check and revise it, but I hope to have it out for eager readers by the third anniversary of our start in Georgia (March 5, 2010). As we shared about the journey, tears came into "Paul Bunyan's" eyes, recalling the monumental feat, but tears as well of good memories and challenges and the simplicity that was the trail life.

We don't know what lies ahead for our hiking pursuits. I would like to try again in 2011, but work and other things might prevent a full SOBO hike. But I will keep my options open. Until then, we will rejoice and remember our hike.

Paul Bunyan with THE hiker food - a Snickers bar

Summer Rambles 2009 - Part 1 - Lassen Peak, CA

At last I am updating my hiking blog to include a review of my summer, 2009 rambles. While the one I highlight in this post is not a backpacking venture, I was able to see parts of the Pacific Crest Trail and spent the day climbing a snow covered Lassen Peak while discovering the challenges, and yes, the fear of an ice-covered trail.

This was new for me. Not that I haven't done a snow-covered trail, but this required a bit of skill with Yak Trax on trail runners (of which I had only worn boots in the past). There was also something eerie about climbing an active volcano. I could see the devastation this mountain once wrought, and yes, could smell it as well - of cinders and strange vapors and other chemicals I can't really describe. As I neared the summit, I reached a very steep, icy part of the trail in which I had no idea how to get up. Thankfully a friendly Korean hiker (KJ) was on the trail with me, and when he arrived, assisted me up this icy ledge to reach the knife-edge summit. I celebrated with his flask and he snapped my picture in a most Everest-like moment for me. I like to think that perhaps this might be training exercises for a possible PCT venture one day. It's hard to know what the future will hold in the realm of hiking. But I was glad for the challenge and the opportunity to enjoy this pristine area of the Pacific west.

Summit of Lassen Peak

Note: Since I wrote this note, Lassen Peak trail is only open for a mile do to a fatality in late July of 2009 farther up the trail. I did the trail in early June.