I got an e-mail from Brett on Wed. 7/11/12:
I am unable to call. I should be in Glencliff, NH tomorrow early afternoon. It should be about 2.5 hrs away. What time will you be able to be there? I will need long john bottoms, wool long sleeve shirt, down jacket, and clothes to wear for the day.
Brett called me late that night from the top of a fire tower where he had some reception. I believe it was the fire tower on Smarts Mountain. Brett said he was there alone, sleeping on top of the tower. The wind had woken him up and he was a little cold. That was when he decided to call, knowing that I would still be awake. I had just flown in to New England from Utah and was still getting settled though it was almost midnight. Brett said he would be in Glencliff, NH the next day. We made arrangements for me to meet up with him.
The next morning, Thu. 7/12/12, everyone here slept in. The boys were still asleep at 10am. I ended up taking too long to unpack from my trip, to pack what I needed to take to Brett, and get ready to go. I spent too long talking to my mom and figuring out my route to the Whites. I ended up leaving about two hours later than I had planned with Brett. Brett called to check on my status, heard that I had only just left, and suggested that I go back home and we would find another place to meet up. Needless to say, we were both disappointed.
Brett continued hiking through the White Mountains. The Whites are one of the most difficult sections on the trail. I think that Brett decided to just keep pushing forward through the Whites with a plan to meet up with me when he finished.
Showing posts with label visitors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label visitors. Show all posts
Friday, July 20, 2012
(Tue. 7/3/12) Manchester Center, VT (Phone Update)
The text that I received from Brett on Mon. 7/2/12 is typical: "I should be able to call tomorrow. Terrible cell coverage in VT." Of course, we traded texts back and forth on Tuesday trying to figure out when we would be free to talk. I was spending the morning with family at a hot air balloon festival when he called. Brett was in the middle of eating lunch when I returned his call. We traded a few more texts working out our schedules and finally talked that afternoon.
Brett said the Green Mountains in Vermont were really nice. He had a few tough days of exhaustion where his muscles just didn't seem to want to work any more. So he planned on taking it easy and resting a bit.
He was staying at Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel in Manchester, VT. He said it was a really nice place. In fact, it was the nicest place he has ever stayed in on the trail. They give all of their guests a free pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
My parents were able to meet up with Brett the day before. They went out for dinner and took Brett to a grocery store to resupply. I asked Brett if they said anything about his appearance. I had told my parents that Brett had not cut his hair or shaved his beard, that he had lost a lot of weight and generally looked homeless. Brett said my mom's words were, "I just didn't expect it to be this extreme." Brett said he has a whole mountain man beard. My mom took one snapshot of him which I have now seen. He really doesn't look much like the man I last saw four months ago.
Brett said that he is "seeing the light". He is getting more enjoyment out of the hike, though he still has a lot of hard hiking ahead.
There was a tragedy on the trail a few weeks ago. Brett said that this far along on the trail, all the thru-hikers know of most all the other thru-hikers for that year. They may not have met them all, but they are aware of most of the AT Thru-Hikers Class of 2012. One of the thru-hikers in the class, a younger kid named Parkside died 50 miles from Katahdin. He dove into a lake, and the word is that his body instantly cramped up and he drowned. Five fellow hikers left the trail to attend his funeral. They were now carrying his ashes the rest of the way to Katahdin. He said the tragedy was felt strongly by everyone in their "class".
Brett said he can't really feel his big toes anymore. They are almost totally numb. He also thinks he'll always have a lingering limp from stress of the trail. And he has really big calf muscles. I asked Brett if having minor, but permanent damage to his body would be worth it in the end. His response was, "Totally".
Brett said the Green Mountains in Vermont were really nice. He had a few tough days of exhaustion where his muscles just didn't seem to want to work any more. So he planned on taking it easy and resting a bit.
He was staying at Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel in Manchester, VT. He said it was a really nice place. In fact, it was the nicest place he has ever stayed in on the trail. They give all of their guests a free pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
My parents were able to meet up with Brett the day before. They went out for dinner and took Brett to a grocery store to resupply. I asked Brett if they said anything about his appearance. I had told my parents that Brett had not cut his hair or shaved his beard, that he had lost a lot of weight and generally looked homeless. Brett said my mom's words were, "I just didn't expect it to be this extreme." Brett said he has a whole mountain man beard. My mom took one snapshot of him which I have now seen. He really doesn't look much like the man I last saw four months ago.
Brett said that he is "seeing the light". He is getting more enjoyment out of the hike, though he still has a lot of hard hiking ahead.
There was a tragedy on the trail a few weeks ago. Brett said that this far along on the trail, all the thru-hikers know of most all the other thru-hikers for that year. They may not have met them all, but they are aware of most of the AT Thru-Hikers Class of 2012. One of the thru-hikers in the class, a younger kid named Parkside died 50 miles from Katahdin. He dove into a lake, and the word is that his body instantly cramped up and he drowned. Five fellow hikers left the trail to attend his funeral. They were now carrying his ashes the rest of the way to Katahdin. He said the tragedy was felt strongly by everyone in their "class".
Brett said he can't really feel his big toes anymore. They are almost totally numb. He also thinks he'll always have a lingering limp from stress of the trail. And he has really big calf muscles. I asked Brett if having minor, but permanent damage to his body would be worth it in the end. His response was, "Totally".
(6/2_ /12) Great Barrington, MA (Phone Update)
Ugh. I was able to chat with Brett for a while, but I was so busy taking notes of his activities that I never wrote down the date of this phone call.
Brett had pushed himself the day before, hiking 26 miles. He said it was too much and he was hurting because of it. He had blisters from his new shoes. He hiked only a few miles and arrived at a hostel that morning-what they call a Nero day (near zero). His goal was to hike 20 miles the next day.
He was spending the day at the hostel taking care of errands-phone calls, laundry, and a shower. He planned on ordering pizza for dinner.
Brett said he hiked all through Connecticut without really seeing other hikers. He was in kind of a weird bubble. Some hikers were about a day ahead, some about a day behind, but he was really hiking alone.
They had record heat the previous weekend. Brett said the smell has gone up to a whole different level. He sat in a creek pouring water over his head to cool down his core temp. He said to himself, I could handle some rain. Not much later he was stuck in a thunderstorm with hail the size of a cherry or grape, with nowhere to go. It was June and there was an inch of ice on the ground. He from hot to freezing in about 15 minutes. The hail was smooth and round, making it difficult to walk over. Brett said you have to be careful what you wish for. Brett said it was raining again; another grey day.
Brett was in Massachusetts and said that the mosquitoes were the worst he's ever seen. They continued biting even while he was moving.
On the positive side, Brett said there were wild blueberries all over the place. He was out of the range of the wild raspberries, and the huckleberries weren't ripe yet. He passed by a small, out-of-the-way, but busy creamery. I told him folks know how to do ice cream in New England.
Brett was in Great Barrington, MA. He planned to resupply in Lee.
I didn't hear much about it, but Brett was able to have visitors along the way. His friend Nancy and her sister were able to hike with him for a couple of days. Although I think Brett had to significantly slow down his pace, it's worth it to be able to have good company for a little while.
Brett had pushed himself the day before, hiking 26 miles. He said it was too much and he was hurting because of it. He had blisters from his new shoes. He hiked only a few miles and arrived at a hostel that morning-what they call a Nero day (near zero). His goal was to hike 20 miles the next day.
He was spending the day at the hostel taking care of errands-phone calls, laundry, and a shower. He planned on ordering pizza for dinner.
Brett said he hiked all through Connecticut without really seeing other hikers. He was in kind of a weird bubble. Some hikers were about a day ahead, some about a day behind, but he was really hiking alone.
They had record heat the previous weekend. Brett said the smell has gone up to a whole different level. He sat in a creek pouring water over his head to cool down his core temp. He said to himself, I could handle some rain. Not much later he was stuck in a thunderstorm with hail the size of a cherry or grape, with nowhere to go. It was June and there was an inch of ice on the ground. He from hot to freezing in about 15 minutes. The hail was smooth and round, making it difficult to walk over. Brett said you have to be careful what you wish for. Brett said it was raining again; another grey day.
Brett was in Massachusetts and said that the mosquitoes were the worst he's ever seen. They continued biting even while he was moving.
On the positive side, Brett said there were wild blueberries all over the place. He was out of the range of the wild raspberries, and the huckleberries weren't ripe yet. He passed by a small, out-of-the-way, but busy creamery. I told him folks know how to do ice cream in New England.
Brett was in Great Barrington, MA. He planned to resupply in Lee.
I didn't hear much about it, but Brett was able to have visitors along the way. His friend Nancy and her sister were able to hike with him for a couple of days. Although I think Brett had to significantly slow down his pace, it's worth it to be able to have good company for a little while.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
(Sat./Sun. 6/2-6/3/12) Port Clinton, PA - Phone Update From Brett
I got two calls from this weekend. He called Saturday, and first thing Sunday morning. I don't have much to report. Brett didn't have a lot to say from his end, and we spent more time talking about things from home.
Brett came into the town of Port Clinton on Saturday. He planned on going to a Cabela's store there as soon as it opened on Sunday, and then would get back on the trail. He has had a gift certificate sitting on the desk for quite a while, and this was a perfect opportunity for him to use. Brett's dad said he thought Brett needed to buy new shoes (again?), but I had not heard that. I wonder how many pairs of shoes Brett will end up going through before it's all over.
Brett had been able to meet up with his dad's cousins a few weeks ago. He expects to be able to meet up with his dad's cousin's daughter on Monday afternoon. (That would be Wendell's daughter Kristin, i.e. Brett's second cousin.)
Brett came into the town of Port Clinton on Saturday. He planned on going to a Cabela's store there as soon as it opened on Sunday, and then would get back on the trail. He has had a gift certificate sitting on the desk for quite a while, and this was a perfect opportunity for him to use. Brett's dad said he thought Brett needed to buy new shoes (again?), but I had not heard that. I wonder how many pairs of shoes Brett will end up going through before it's all over.
Brett had been able to meet up with his dad's cousins a few weeks ago. He expects to be able to meet up with his dad's cousin's daughter on Monday afternoon. (That would be Wendell's daughter Kristin, i.e. Brett's second cousin.)
(Fri. 6/1/12) 501 Shelter, PA - Phone Update from Brett
I was able to talk to Brett twice today. It was my birthday, so he called me first thing in the morning. He called me again in the middle of the day when we had more time to talk.
Brett chose to take a zero day at the shelter. It is a pretty decent shelter. He was able to order to pizza the night before and said he would order it again that evening. There was supposed to be some pretty bad weather coming in at 1:00pm that day. Brett didn't think he would be able to reach the next shelter before it got bad, so he decided to enjoy the Zero. However, by lunch the weather didn't look like it was really going to get that bad.
Brett had been able to meet up with two of his dad's cousins when he was in Harper's Ferry. In the next few days Brett will be able to meet up with his second cousin. Brett has never met any of them before, though his dad keeps in touch. I think it's really neat that they are interested in Brett and want to show their support for him, just based on the contact Brett's dad has had with them. Without this experience, I doubt Brett would ever have had an opportunity to meet them.
Brett had a cool nature-encounter. He was walking over a bridge going over a pretty big river. While he crossing he was dive-bombed by a pair of peregrine falcons. The falcons had nested under the bridge and there were two fledgelings in the nest. Apparently, the parents felt like Brett was getting too close to the nest and they swooped down at him. The birds flew pretty close to Brett, obviously. Of course, Brett would likely never have noticed the nest if they hadn't drawn attention to themselves.
Brett chose to take a zero day at the shelter. It is a pretty decent shelter. He was able to order to pizza the night before and said he would order it again that evening. There was supposed to be some pretty bad weather coming in at 1:00pm that day. Brett didn't think he would be able to reach the next shelter before it got bad, so he decided to enjoy the Zero. However, by lunch the weather didn't look like it was really going to get that bad.
Brett had been able to meet up with two of his dad's cousins when he was in Harper's Ferry. In the next few days Brett will be able to meet up with his second cousin. Brett has never met any of them before, though his dad keeps in touch. I think it's really neat that they are interested in Brett and want to show their support for him, just based on the contact Brett's dad has had with them. Without this experience, I doubt Brett would ever have had an opportunity to meet them.
Brett had a cool nature-encounter. He was walking over a bridge going over a pretty big river. While he crossing he was dive-bombed by a pair of peregrine falcons. The falcons had nested under the bridge and there were two fledgelings in the nest. Apparently, the parents felt like Brett was getting too close to the nest and they swooped down at him. The birds flew pretty close to Brett, obviously. Of course, Brett would likely never have noticed the nest if they hadn't drawn attention to themselves.
(Sun. 5/27/12) Carlisle, PA - Phone Update from Brett
Brett arrived in Carlisle, PA on Friday. Brett's friend Don, a former coworker who lives just a few miles from the trail, had invited Brett to stay with him a few days when he passed through. Brett stayed at the house with Don and his family. He was able to do laundry and get clean again.
On Saturday Brett helped Don do yard work. They worked hard outside, but Brett said it was nice to do something different with his muscles. He said it also felt like a weekend. At home Brett would be very likely to help out a friend with a weekend project. They also watched a movie ("We Bought a Zoo"), which he enjoyed.
I had made a dentist appointment for Brett in Carlisle, but the earliest time I could get for him was Wednesday. I thought that was pretty good, considering that it was Memorial Day weekend. However, in the end, Brett decided to cancel. His tooth has not been bothering him as much, and he didn't want to wait that long. One of two Zero Days is okay, but then the thru-hiker feels the itch to get back on the trail and keep moving.
Brett ended up leaving Don's on Monday.
On Saturday Brett helped Don do yard work. They worked hard outside, but Brett said it was nice to do something different with his muscles. He said it also felt like a weekend. At home Brett would be very likely to help out a friend with a weekend project. They also watched a movie ("We Bought a Zoo"), which he enjoyed.
I had made a dentist appointment for Brett in Carlisle, but the earliest time I could get for him was Wednesday. I thought that was pretty good, considering that it was Memorial Day weekend. However, in the end, Brett decided to cancel. His tooth has not been bothering him as much, and he didn't want to wait that long. One of two Zero Days is okay, but then the thru-hiker feels the itch to get back on the trail and keep moving.
Brett ended up leaving Don's on Monday.
Monday, May 21, 2012
(Fri. 5/18/12) Blackburn AT Center, VA - Phone Update From Brett
Brett is sounding really good on the phone these days. It makes me happy to hear him so positive again. He was camping (alone) at the Blackburn AT Center just at the end of VA.
Brett is now a "Thousand-Miler". Brett has walked over 1,000 miles. One Thousand Miles! That is huge.
Brett said he would be arriving in Harpers Ferry over the weekend, staying in the Teahorse Hostel. Brett's dad has two cousins who live relatively close to Harpers Ferry who were both interested in meeting Brett there. Brett has never met them and it has been a number of years since his dad has been able to see them, but they were interested in meeting up with Brett, taking him out to eat, and showing their family support.
[Brett called me on Saturday. He arrived in town and was working out his plans for the weekend. He had been hoping to make a detour to check out Washington D.C., but it didn't look like it would work out.]
Brett is now a "Thousand-Miler". Brett has walked over 1,000 miles. One Thousand Miles! That is huge.
Harpers Ferry is the unofficial half-way point of the trail. It is where the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters are. Thru-hikers are encouraged to check in and have their photo taken for an album kept there. Although it's not the half-way point in terms of mileage, it is kind of the psychological half-way point.
The true half-way point [1092.1 miles] is coming up in Pennsylvania. Just past the true half-way point hikers can participate in the Half Gallon Challenge at the Pine Grove General Store. Finish a half gallon of ice cream by yourself in one sitting and you get . . . I'm not actually sure--the ice cream for free? a T-shirt? bragging rights? Brett said he didn't think he would have any problem completing the challenge.
[Brett called me on Saturday. He arrived in town and was working out his plans for the weekend. He had been hoping to make a detour to check out Washington D.C., but it didn't look like it would work out.]
Saturday, May 5, 2012
(Sat. 5/5/12) Montebello, VA - Email Update From Brett
I am at Dutch Haus B&B. No cell service, but I have Internet. I should be in Waynesborough on Tuesday. I have a new backpack being sent there. I am just about done with the Blue Ridge Pkwy. There is no way that we could have worked out a way for Dad to meet me. It was just not what I thought it would be.
I am having some medical issues that I am worried about but will talk to you about those later. I am in for a good rest today and should be back on the trail tomorrow afternoon. Things are still going well. Once I get to Shenandoah NP it is rumored that the terrain will get easier. I am looking forward to that.
I may not be out of the so-to-say "blues," but I do feel better again about what I am doing. I do believe that I can do this. It is just tough and somewhat monotonous. Someone I was talking to a few days ago said something to me like, "Either you think it is worth the effort [and tough it out] or you go home. It is that simple." I thought that was a good way to put it simply. It really is that easy of a choice. I know it is worth the struggle. I am the one who is making myself climb this stupid hill and cuss it the whole way. I am deciding to do this, and I can decide to quit whenever I want to. I know that it is worth the effort. What is keeping me going right now is that it will get easier soon.
I am still taking pictures, but I have to say they are tapering off, because there is not as much to see. Anything that is worthwhile I do take a picture of.
I crossed the James River the other day and was told that it was a tradition for a thru hiker to jump off the bridge. So I had to do that twice. The first time I had to see if I would survive, and the second time I jumped to get it on video to show everyone else how stupid I am. It would be like jumping off the top of Shalimar Bridge. Scary as hell to actually let go of the rail the first time. Then it was fairly easy. Gravity took over and did the rest. The water was cold but felt refreshing after a few.
We have had a few 90 degree days. It really takes a toll on hiking up hills. I think I came close to drinking 3 gallons of water the other day, and I really did not pee much.
I should be able to call in a few days. Until then, love you Hun.
Email from Brett later in the day:
If the scale here is right, I am now below 200 pounds. That is over 40 pounds lost.
I am having some medical issues that I am worried about but will talk to you about those later. I am in for a good rest today and should be back on the trail tomorrow afternoon. Things are still going well. Once I get to Shenandoah NP it is rumored that the terrain will get easier. I am looking forward to that.
I may not be out of the so-to-say "blues," but I do feel better again about what I am doing. I do believe that I can do this. It is just tough and somewhat monotonous. Someone I was talking to a few days ago said something to me like, "Either you think it is worth the effort [and tough it out] or you go home. It is that simple." I thought that was a good way to put it simply. It really is that easy of a choice. I know it is worth the struggle. I am the one who is making myself climb this stupid hill and cuss it the whole way. I am deciding to do this, and I can decide to quit whenever I want to. I know that it is worth the effort. What is keeping me going right now is that it will get easier soon.
I am still taking pictures, but I have to say they are tapering off, because there is not as much to see. Anything that is worthwhile I do take a picture of.
I crossed the James River the other day and was told that it was a tradition for a thru hiker to jump off the bridge. So I had to do that twice. The first time I had to see if I would survive, and the second time I jumped to get it on video to show everyone else how stupid I am. It would be like jumping off the top of Shalimar Bridge. Scary as hell to actually let go of the rail the first time. Then it was fairly easy. Gravity took over and did the rest. The water was cold but felt refreshing after a few.
We have had a few 90 degree days. It really takes a toll on hiking up hills. I think I came close to drinking 3 gallons of water the other day, and I really did not pee much.
I should be able to call in a few days. Until then, love you Hun.
Email from Brett later in the day:
If the scale here is right, I am now below 200 pounds. That is over 40 pounds lost.
Friday, April 13, 2012
(Fri. 4/6/12) TN - Phone Update From Brett
Brett called and said he expected to be in Damascus on Sunday, where he would spend a zero day.
His feet are feeling better, especially the blister on his left foot. However, the tops of the toes on his right foot were forming a blister where the leather of his new shoes is crimping in against his toes. He is going to try to reshape the shoe or figure something out to stop it from rubbing.
He is hoping for and looking forward to a visit from his Mom and Dad sometime in Virginia.
His feet are feeling better, especially the blister on his left foot. However, the tops of the toes on his right foot were forming a blister where the leather of his new shoes is crimping in against his toes. He is going to try to reshape the shoe or figure something out to stop it from rubbing.
He is hoping for and looking forward to a visit from his Mom and Dad sometime in Virginia.
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