Conference rdvax::grateful

    
    H. R. Puffinuts, for his tendency to swell after ingesting pine or wal
    nuts.
    
    Jamie

Oh yeah, rule #4, the trail name must have some allusion to Chikkens...

:-)

Well I still think that Gerry looks like that sticker of the friendly looking
werewolf that I got stuck with in the first Albany run....

:-)

    re .-1
    
    Are you suggesting the name Friendly Werewolf?  That might guarantee
    him empty shelters every night.  :-)
    
    How about Elk Master?  Wapiti Witchdoctor?  Gooferboy?
    
    Jamie

The obvious choice is ...



		A C E

	:-)

"friendly werewolf" sounds silly so I wasn't necessarily suggesting it.
I was just mentioning the fact that he looks just like that sticker.... but
then again, I have also seen Gerry look like a mean looking mafiaso.

;^)

    
    whatever it is, it has to end with a G.
    
    

    In the chapter on shelters in the AT Bacpacker's Planning Guide they 
    mention the use of trail names. The example they give is a fellow named 
    Craig Jolly who took the name "Estimated Prophet". :-)

    Well, I just learned my termination date - March 19. The rumored
    Atlanta shows are 3/20, 21 & 22. :-) Talk about perfect timing.
    If I was having any second thoughts about doing the AT, my Guardian 
    Bozo just wiped them out. I have to do this hike - I'm *supposed* to
    do it. :-)
    
    ger
    
    Latest suggestion from a friend for my trail name (U folks aren't
    trying very hard, really :-). Don't think I'lluse it, tho...
    
    
    
    Rainman,the Wet Idiot Savant ("I'm an excellent hiker, excellent hiker" :-)

    I'm trying, I'm trying . . . how 'bout:

    Georgia to Maine Jed

    The Poultry Potentate
    
    The Great Unwashed Mass
    
    The Rilly Lost Sailor
    
    Wrong Way GerG
    
    The Lonely Drifter With A Chip On His Shoulder, A Story To Tell, And A
    .357 Magnum In His Pack
    
    Stinky
    
    Jamie

Stoned Ranger.

    
       Jerimiah Gerry

    
    
    The AMC Anti-Christ  ?
    
    :^)
    
    

    PurpleFinger

You reeka, I rocka.

Howzabout...

    Not Jerry

    Dew Shoe Gladu
    
    "Glad u meet ya!"
    
    

- jeff

	"Do I owe you any tapes?"


	:-)


	"Purple Daze"

    
    Holes in my soles Ger...
    
    Another copncept here: why not pick an appropriate song quote for each
    checkpoint based upon your recent experiences: "Upon the Blue Ridge
    Mountains, there I'll take my stand." GerryG...  "What a long strange
    trip it's been" GerryG...
    
    Of course it doesn't have to be from a song:
    
    "Squeal like a pig!" GerryG...   :^)  
    
    No, really...  Good luck!
    
    Tree

re: Note 326.19 by LJOHUB::RILEY 
    
    >Of course it doesn't have to be from a song:
    >
    >"Squeal like a pig!" GerryG...   :^)  
    
    Yikes. I don't plan on being a Hog_4_NEbody! :-( I'll only be armed with 
    a scout knife and a highly pressurized fuel bottle w/lighter. 
    
    back_offG

    GerG...don't wanna rain on yer show, but have been reading alot lately
    about the crime waves on the AT...please be careful
    
    rfb

    Thanks for the concern.
    
    ger

Yes, pack a dog or a sat nite special...

The former carries more beer.  :-)

    I ruled out a dog because I consider that an imposition on other 
    hikers. Also, a dog would slow me down since they do not particularly
    like steep climbs. They can't carry 10 days worh of their own food,
    either.
    
    Plus there's the varmint factor. I don't want to sleep with a dog that 
    got sprayed by a skunk, nor have to perform surgery on a dog that got 
    nailed by a porky. Not to mention what 2,143 miles can do to a dog's 
    paws. And any injury to a dog and you'll have to carry it out to a vet 
    yourself. No thanks.
    
    ger
    
    Highly opinionated condensed version follows:
    
    
    IMHO, dogs have no place on a long distance hike unless you're blind,
    and guns have no place at all.

    re: my highly opinionated condensed version
    
    Of course, if you want to bring a dog or a gun on an AT thru hike,
    that's your business. I just don't think a dog is considerate of
    other hikers and most likely not fun for the dog either. And while
    a gun isn't necessary, if it makes you feel secure, bring it. It's
    up to you, of course. Your actual milage will, er, still be 2,142.9 
    miles. :-)

I would think the biggest set-back about carrying a firearm would be the 
fact that you need permits in almost every state that the AT goes through.

Geoff

You've obviously thought alot about this. I obviously haven't. Good thoughts, 
definitely.

The threat of violence from appalacian mountain dwellers is certainly a scary 
thought, but not the scariest when one considers all the things that go bump 
in the night out in the deep dark woods. Personally, I get the heebie jeebies 
just thinking about such ominous specters as the Crag Monster and Lady 
Hatchetface of Downs, Pennssylvania.  OooooooooooOOOoooooooOOOOooooooooh...

:-)   :-)   :-)

Fog,

Sounds like it's time to go out and rent Deliverance agin.....;-)

tim

    Re: guns
    
    Actually the biggest drawback to a gun is having to carry it and
    your ammo 2000+ miles. I figure I'll be starting out with lots of
    other thru hikers so there's safety in numbers. About 1000+ start
    out each year (and about 100-150 finish). You can bet that I don't
    look like half as easy of a mark as most of the others might. Biggest 
    threat is probably the prospect of getting robbed travelling to 
    and from town for mail drop pickups. Stray, wild or extremely
    terretorial dogs might be a threat. I know how to handle most 
    wildlife except for wild boar. Like most wildlife, I don't think 
    they're aggressive.
    
    ger

Ger,

You're invisible to most cops, maybe you'll be invisible to looters and wild 
boar, too..

    agree with you 100% about dogs Ger, except those rare companions that
    are smarter than most humans, I've had a few...now about the pistola..
    i don't own one, if I did i would carry it always, but then again i'm
    in colo.....
    
    rfb

    Since we're dispensing opinions here . . .
    
    There is no AT crime wave, you'll be safer than in your house,
    A gun is about as useful in the backcountry as a Skeletor staff (lots
     heavier too),
    It rains a lot on the AT and wet dogs stink!
    
    Jamie

    Ger,  I think for wild boars you probably need some sort of pig 
    sticker (spear).  Always seems to work in the movies.  Of course
    you have to stand right in front of the sucker as it impales itself
    rushing towards you to wrek bodily harm.  I believe this is in the
    rule books someplace.
    Let's hope your among the 10% that finishes.  You seem determined 
    enough.
    
    PeterT

    re: Wild boars
    
    I plan to merely thwack 'em upside the haid like a decturkey. 
    That ought to do it. :-)
    
    ger

..but yer not hiking anywheres near mississippi...

 But...he is saying Tudeloo :-)






 Jum

    Halfstep . . . I don't think you'll get a better suggestion from this
    bunch.  :-)  Plus, it sounds good in a high squeaky voice.
    
    Jamie

 do I hear a call for a vote? :-)





 

    re: my last few replies regarding nick names
    
    I apologize for seeming uptight. I'm taking this hike much 
    too seriously. 
    
    - ger

you don't seem uptight to me Halfstep.  ;^)

I'm with Jum, I say we vote!!

Halfstep.  

"hello baby, I'm gone, goodbye"  

"get yourself a powder charge, and seal that silver mine"

"prayed for better weather"

I think Halfstep's a real good trail-name!

I vote 1/2-Step.

  Josh

Hey!  Where'd .35 go?  I think I just missed sompun 'impurtint' ...


- jeff

    Deleted it. Basically it contained a friend of mine's reason
    for suggesting halfstep for a trail name. It being a song that
    is, in some contexts, about leaving one's past for what lies 
    ahead, I thought it might be a possibility. It's a pretty silly 
    name though.

I don;t think its silly: definitely dead related enuf. Maybe if you got 
busted it'd be used in court agin' ya: "Yeah, chances are he'll just say 
'toodle do' while on bail, yer honor"...

:-)

Hey, I'm sittin' here trying to come up with a trail name for gerryg and I
just realized that this is an anagram of Grateful Dead... 

      Rad feet Gladu, 


Also: Red feat Gladu,
      a freted Gladu, 
      AT freed Gladu,
      AT red, Gladu fed...
      
	:-)

    "rad feet gladu" used to be my personal name some time back
    but nobody ever figured it out. :-) :-) :-)
    
    "AT freed gladu" is a pretty interesting anagram. 
    
    ol' rad_feetG

    
>    "AT freed gladu" is a pretty interesting anagram. 
    
Which is not far from Free DAT Gladu, either.  :-)

<- re "Free DAT Gladu"

Now there's a real trail name!!!!

- jeff

    more like "DAT Free Gladu" since I don't have one yet. :-)

S'more..

Ger: Dual Fated 

Ger: a tad fuel'd  :-)

    re: -1
    
    couple more:
    
    data fuel'd Ger
    deet far, gladu
     
    

    One from Tim Dalton:
    
    Tree Fad Gladu :-)
    
    

How could I have missed...


Gladu E farted 

    

 Hey Fog...that one's a gas :-)

    Gerry,
    
    Have you checked out "The Parents' Big Book of Trail Names For Baby"? 
    My folks used it to name my brother "Steps N. Scat."
    
    Jamie

    With the Atlanta shows on 3/20-22, I'm just wondering how many other
    deadheads will be starting the AT on 3/23? :-) I guess most other 
    deadheads with that much time on their hands will be doing the whole 
    tour first though. I'd like to finish before the August Shoreline shows
    but I'd have to pull off an average of 15 miles/day not counting side
    trips. :-/ Might be done in time for Fall tour. Maybe.
    
    ger

    
    Hey Ger, I met a guy Saturday night who'll be on the AT for about a
    month, I think in April, in the GA area.  I don't remember his name
    (Lisa, what was Dave's friend from Plattsburgh's name?) or exactly
    where he'll be when, or any trivial details like that ;-), but I did
    tell him if he met a deadhead named Gerry to say HI! :-)
    
    

	His name was Glenn.  Not sure how many n's he uses though.  :-)

>    month, I think in April, in the GA area.  I don't remember his name
>    (Lisa, what was Dave's friend from Plattsburgh's name?) or exactly
>    where he'll be when, or any trivial details like that ;-), but I did
	
		she probably does remember how cute he is though.  ;^)

Lisa

    
    well hey, ya learn a lot on a Saturday night.  I only have room for the
    important stuff. ;-)
    
    

> Note 326.9 by SCOONR::GLADU 

>In the chapter on shelters in the AT Bacpacker's Planning Guide they 
>mention the use of trail names. The example they give is a fellow named 
>Craig Jolly who took the name "Estimated Prophet". :-)
    
    Oddly enough, Craig "Estimated Prophet" Jolly happens to be the current
    winter caretaker at the mountain cabin where da ve, Jamie and I spent the
    last 4 days.
    
    Gerry

    so what trailname did he suggets for ya Ger? %^)
    rfb

    He didn't suggest any but had a lot of helpful info (nobody but da ve
    earned any new nicknames this weekend - Buzzsaw, Slumberjack ;-). He's 
    sending me some addresses of friends of his along the way as well as 
    connecting me with the folks who wrote the aforementioned book. 
    
    ger

re: Note 326.4 by STUDIO::IDE 
        
    >How about Elk Master?  Wapiti Witchdoctor?  
    
    "Wapiti" is out. I learned this morning that it's an Indian term for 
    "deer butt". :-) The term refers to the white tail.
    
    ger

    	Not that I ever voted in here on this, or like I'll be the one who
    has to hike with it, but I always liked   "Rambozo"
    
    Geoff

    Not sure if I'll be in RamBozo mode for the trip. Dauntless
    defender of the wilderness is a heavy burden. :-) But then
    again, only a Real Bozo (tm) would pack a 4", anatomikally
    keerekt rubber chicken for 2146.7 miles. :-)
    
    ger

    I've got it . . . Gameboy . . . as in GA -> ME Boy.
    
    This inspiration struck me while in Lechmere.
    
    Jamie

So Ger, when do you reckon to be hiking through the Whites on your journey?
Perhaps we should arrange a dechead camping trip of some sort to meet up
with you and party a bit...  

    My guess would be june/july.

I plan on coordinating at least a few "Slow the man down" camping trips to
catch up with Ger on the trail.  Be advised these will be through-hikes, 
though, since Ger will likely not be into much doubling back, side trips, or 
off AT hiking.

Who knows, though.  By the time he hits New England, he may be so relaxed 
that we may even be able to coax him far enough off the trail for a hot tub.

:-)   :-)   :-)

    re:         <<< Note 326.72 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR "under eternity" >>>

>that we may even be able to coax him far enough off the trail for a hot tub.

    Geez, when you described it to me, you said we were gonna kidnap him,
    make him take a bath, and get him a hot meal, a hotel room, and a
    hooker in town.  Why the plan change?
    
    :^)  :^)  :^)
    
    Jamie

    
    Is GerryG going somewhere??
    
    

re    <<< Note 326.74 by CIVIC::ROBERTS_CR "a blinding flash o'the obvious" >>>

    
>    Is GerryG going somewhere??
 

He's planning to hike the AT from GA -> Maine....


I'd definitely be into a "slow Ger down" camping trip!  Fog, are you going
to be the one who's gonna send him stuff and track his progress on a map???   
    

>to be the one who's gonna send him stuff and track his progress on a map???   
    
Yop, if I can find the darned map...

:-)

Having hiked the AT {Me -> GA} [I always do things backwards] I can assure Gerry 
that there are lots of interesting and well worth taking side trails along the
entire length of the trail. Its just that some days you just have to make those
miles and the next shelter. The ones which are only a few hundred yards long, 
I frequently took as a rest stop. Those that were more than 1/4 mile I rarely
took unless it was for water (something which can be a problem in Virginia in 
the summer) One of my greatest trail diversions was a trip to the world series 
in Boston (I did my hike in 1975)!!!! I also took a weekend off in New Hamshire
and hitch-hiked to Boston for a friends wedding. Talk about wierd!!! First 
I have to  go through Concord New Hampshire on thje day when Presdint Gerald
Ford is visiting...There were cops everywhere. Finally I get to Boston without 
incident only to be part of a bachelor party. Whiel on the trail, I got up with 
the sun and went to bed by 9:00. Now I was partying until the sun came up!!!
In any event, Gerry, you'll have a great time...Enjoy

Please be sure and check out the wonderful vegitarian pizza restaurant in 
Duncannon, PA. The people that own the place are deadheads with a real nice tape 
collection

Speaking of tapes, I hope to get some from you before you depart on this 
adventure.


Enjoy...Follow the dotted line NORTH...

Jack


P.S. Gerry, I am going to take a course at AAI this summer. The woman whom I 
spoke on the phone {Susan] to about the course asked me if I knew you since I 
too work at Digital. <insert twilight zone theme here> 

Its a small world after all...

> Speaking of tapes, I hope to get some from you before you depart on this 
> adventure.

So while we're on the subject...

Ger, what-cha doin' with yer mics while you're on the trail???
Hmmmm, ... ;-) ... I can make some DAT's of summer tour for ya!

8-)

- jeff_still_mic_shoppin'

re: Note 326.77 by AKORNY::CUTLER 
    
>Having hiked the AT {Me -> GA} [I always do things backwards] 
    
    Actually I'm doing it backwards, you did it the correct way. :-)
    According to the ATC, it goes from Maine to Georgia. 
    
>Speaking of tapes, I hope to get some from you before you depart on this 
>adventure.

    you will. I owe a lot.

>P.S. Gerry, I am going to take a course at AAI this summer. The woman whom I 
>spoke on the phone {Susan] to about the course asked me if I knew you since I 
>too work at Digital. 
    
    Good move going to AAI. They are a fantastic organization to learn alpine 
    mountaineering from (is that what you're taking?). After the AT, I'm 
    thinking of booking a high-altitude climbing trip for a month in Bolivia 
    or Ecuador thru them. Should be in shape for it. :-) Tell her I said "Hi" 
    next time you call and that they'll be hearing from me from the AT.
    
    
re: SUBPAC::MAGGARD

>Ger, what-cha doin' with yer mics while you're on the trail???
    
    I plan to try to sell them, the cables, capsules & stand before 
    I leave for a reasonable price if you're interested. :-) 
    
    ger

    Well, it's definite. Just ordered a pair of Limmers and bought
    a one-way ticket to Atlanta. 

Er, Limmers?

Inquisitive_glennnnn

    A brand of hiking boots.

	
	Ger,

	how much are the Limmers now?  I just had a discussion
	with someone here about them....he has a pair from 
	10 years ago....loves em

    $230.00 for off the shelf Limmers (what I ordered). They're made in 
    Bavaria, actually, and not NH. $295.00 for the hand made custom New 
    Hampshire boots. The winter boots are $350, I think. There's a 12 
    month waiting list for for the custom made one's (that's why I getting 
    the Bavarian's). Limmer says they'll last me til PA before I need to get 
    them re-soled, I figure Harpers Ferry tops. If I even make it that far. :-)
    
    Gerry

    	I was kind of wondering how you could order a plane ticket and
    Limmers at the same time and expect to use them at the same time too. I
    didn't know they had them off the shelf, I only know they have a great
    reputation and a long lead time.
    
    Geoff

    The plane ticket was less. :-) Because of their durability, they'll
    be cheaper in the long run, though. I normally wear Vasque Sundowners 
    and would easily blow through 2-3 pairs on the AT. I'm rather rough on
    boots. :-)
    
    Gerry

>I'm rather rough on
>    boots. :-)
    
Hence his default trailname: Dr. Bubaka.

    "A Bubaka a day will cause a trail delay" :-)
    
    ger_who_still_needs_a_(new)_trail_name.

    
    hey Ger, it may not be the most original one in the books, but how
    about "the beer hunter"?
    
    					da ve_with_thoughts_of_homebrew :^)

    Actually, there was a Beer Hunter in '92.

Sorry ger, you can't reject your trailname. If we decide to call you "Moose 
Balls", you have to live with it.

:-)

    My Limmers just arrived here. I'm pleased to note that they're
    nearly 3 pounds lighter than I expected. :-) Nice, soft, black
    pebble grained uppers, too! Unfortunately, the 3/4" Vibram soles
    with full steel shanks are going to be as bad as plastic boots
    to break in. :-( Hope they fit, I'm running out of time to break
    them in.
    
    Gerry

Walk home.  


:-)

re: Note 326.93 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR 

>Walk home.  

    My my, someone must be feeling better, eh? Mr. Smarty Pants? :-) 
    
    Gerry

    Is there anyone interested in cross-posting my trail postcards
    to the Hiking file and to rec.backcountry? There'll be quite a bit.

so does GerG yet have a trail name or what?

my aunt and her boyfriend are hiking the AT too, so be on the lookout for them;
Elaine Strum and Bill (?) - they don't have trail names yet either; they're
leaving home (Miami) and heading to Georgia this Friday (3/5); they'll have a
bit of a head start on you, but i guess you'll probably catch up to them

- rich

Note 326.96 by ROCK::ROCK::FROMM 
    
>so does GerG yet have a trail name or what?

    Nope. Just some old worn out used trail names from my past. It's
    not *my* job to pick one. ;-)
    
>they don't have trail names yet either; 
    
    It'll be hard for me to track them down unless they stick 
    with their real names.
    
>heading to Georgia this Friday (3/5); 
    
    Brrrrr! Hope they dress warm.

    Ger,
    
      I'd be glad to post trip reports in HIKING.  I don't know squat about
    posting on other nets but I suppose I can learn.  I'm very interested
    in your trip and since I'm in HIKING alot it would not be a problem.
    
    Marv
    

    I'll send you what you need to post to rec.backcountry. It's
    easy.
    
    Gerry

    I just turned down a $50/hour contract job. I sure hope the
    AT is worth it. They said they would definitely have work for 
    me for similar pay when I get done, though. However, I have a 
    brewing apprenticeship line up for then too. What to do? What 
    to do? Maybe finish the apprenticeship then get a contract job? 
    Good thing I have a few months on the trail to sort this all out. :-/ 

$50/hr contract work sounds attractive, but without benefits or
stability, it's not that great of a deal.  It depends on the duration.

If this is to be a new career direction, and this is for less than a
year, you have to figure on being out of work for something like 50% 
of your time - which tends to bring down the $50 to $25, and then 
reduce it by the value of benefits you're not getting, like medical, 
pension, dental, etc...so you're talking closer to an annual take 
of about $40K...not bad, but is it worth giving up the opportunity 
to do something as big as the AT?  When's the next time you'll have 
a chance like that?  In other words, which opportunity is more rare
and valuable, $50/hr short term contract, or the AT?

I've got kids so my situation is considerably more constrained than
yours, but I think I'd stay on course unless the price tag started
getting closer to twice that amount...

tim

    6 month contract but my benefits are covered by DEC for 7 months
    after TFSO (I'm also paid for those 7 months). After that runs 
    out, it's $100/month to continue bennies - which I understand to 
    be relatively inexpensive. Neverthe less, it's the AT.
    
    Gerry

Yeah, that's what I mean.  If I had a chance to take six months off and
do something really substantial, something I might never have the chance
or the time to do again in my life, it would take a lot more than $50/hr
to give that up.

tim

trail name:	The Vacillator.


:-)

    
    	set voice/mode=arnold
    
    			"i won't be back..."
    
    						:^)

    re: -.1
    
    You got that right, Bucky Boy. :-) FWIW, I already picked
    my trail name. So you you can all stop now. Not that you
    tried that hard NEways. :-) 

    
    Well don't leave us in suspense!
    
    

    Ahem! Trail names are for the exclusive use of authorized thru-hiker 
    personnel only. :-) :-) :-)

    Well as a Mod Im gonna delete the whole DAMN note if you don't tell us
    right now !!! and Im gonna save this and hold it aginst ya and you'll
    never get a real job ! cuz I will send this to every place from the CIA
    to Micky Ds, with pictures....you'll be a marked man GerG !
    
    
    so you better tell us ! 
    
    
    better yet Ill convince DEC to keep you ! HA hows that for a threat !
    yeah thats it, you will have to work here in SHR trying to figure out
    what the systems do that SPO sent here ! a system HELL !
    
    this was a message from you'll friendly Mod Chris :')

    How could it end up being anything other thant GerG?
    
      

    Couldn't be anything *but* RamBozo (that's "Mr. RamBozo" to
    you, Chris :-). After all, that's my trail alter-ego. However,
    I'll be on vacation and promise not to do any guerrilla eco-mischief
    for the duration of my hike. Honest. The AT is no place for that
    sort of thing (well, unless I run into an errant pack of self-
    proclaimed "Bolos" :-). So if you hear of 60 pairs of boots tied 
    together during an AMC weekend jaunt, "It wasn't me". ;-)
    
    I'll go by "R.B." to the thru-hikers, but known in the logbooks
    and to tourists as "Rambozo". They like flashy trail names like 
    that. :-) Look for the "Flying Clown" logo in the logs and on
    yer postcards. ;-)
    
    Ger

    gee thanks Mister Rambozo !
    
    
    :')

don't believe him; after all, check out his personal.


Fog_whose_back_at_werk...

Today is Gerryg's virtual death; and your last chance to lambast him online...

    Damn, damn, damn, if only I'd seen this in time to get it for Gerry. 
    I'm of course talking about the camp espresso maker.  The perfect gift
    for the hiker who has almost everything.
    
    May the wind blow up your shorts, the sun shine on your crack, and the
    trail flies fly up to eat you.  Have a fun and safe trip!
    
    Jamie 

	OK here goes:

	Does anyone have the set list for 2/29/78 ?

	Are the dead playing anywhere in the next 2 weeks ?

	How do I get to the Iron Horse in Northhamptown ?

	Ken

    
    did you pack the discombobulator?  
    
    

    
    the best to you Ger!  I hope you have a great trip!!!!
    and even better future ahead.
    
    take care!
    
    MJ

re: Note 326.116 by MONTOR::HANNAN 
    
>Does anyone have the set list for 2/29/78 ?

    
    Buy a Deadbase, Dammit! :-)
    
>Are the dead playing anywhere in the next 2 weeks ?

    
    Pay attention, Dammit! :-)
    
>How do I get to the Iron Horse in Northhamptown ?

    
    Take the left toin at Al-ba-kiokee!...
    

    ...Dammit! :-)
    

Hey GerG!

  Have fun, DAMMIT!

Dave

Well....


	I just want to say a BIG THANKS to Gerry for all of the dead-stuff
	he's brought to this file:

	- awesome tapes
	- very accurate rumors about showz.
	- hints on new songs...

	and... the list, I'm sure, goes on...   i think everyone in this
	file has benifitted from Gerry in one way or another, I know I have,
	I know i'll miss his input on the scene.


So mon... have yourself a fantastic hike on the AT ... a great experience, and
i must say, i'm envious.

WE (decheads) should try to arrange an "Interrupt Gerry" camping trip when he 
gets closer to the Whites...  :-)



	cheers, peace, rasta, and dead,
		jc

May you awake to the sounds of...



DAYJOB:-)  chiming through the hills each morning as you awake on the trail 
northward...

Peaceful travels await you, enjoy them thoroughly!!

Geoff

	Thanks Ger, I needed that, DAMMIT ;-)

	Let's say something N.I.C.E for Ger:

		Notes Illuminate Character Ejects

	;-)

	/Ken

    So long Ger, keep da faith...I know I'll miss yer inputs here, both the
    positve and the negative! %^) I've made some damn grate friends thru
    this file and yer one of em, dammit! 
    
    please keep in touch, lemme know where and when to send ya post cards
    when you get back from yer trek....
    
    peace
    rfb

Good luck, Ger,

Have a grate time!

tim

re: Note 326.122 by SALES::GKELLER 
    
>May you awake to the sounds of... DAYJOB:-)  
    
    Keep yer own damn Dayjob! :-)

    Gonna miss you in this file, Ger.
    
    Have a grate trip!
    
    -helen

re: Note 326.123 by MONTOR::HANNAN 
    
>Let's say something N.I.C.E for Ger:

>	Notes Illuminate Character Ejects
    
    Hmmm...oddly enough I was going to make my goodbye note
    a N.I.C.E statement. In synch much? :-)
    

    Thanx for the timely inputs Gerry!!! 
    
    Have fun on the AT!!!
    
    Enjoy,Andy

Hey Gerry,

I heard from a reliable source today that there are some Hartford shows going
on April 7th and 8th, and tix go on sale at the box office *only*, Saturday at
10 am!

:-) :-) :-)  couldn't resist

Seriously, I'm glad we had the information from your contacts in the file, and
I'm sure that without your help, many of us (including myself) would not have
gotten Hartford '90 tickets (assuming you didn't dump some of your extras on
us!)

Have a fun and safe time on the AT.  I'll be looking forward to a trip report
in a few months!

adam

Why should I pay attention, dammit ... doesn't that defeat the purpose of
being a Deadhead? 

;^)

Best Wishes to you GerG, on your Golden Road to ...

- DC

re:                      <<< Note 326.128 by RAISE::GLADU >>>

>    Hmmm...oddly enough I was going to make my goodbye note
>    a N.I.C.E statement. In synch much? :-)


	Naturally. Inquiry Caused Euphoria 

	;-)    


	Ken

Hey Ger ....

Well, looks like I'll hafta owe you that hug ....

Enjoy every minute on the trail and don't forget your mothers Glamour magazine!!

:-) :-) :-)  ;^)  :-) :-) :-)  ;^) :-) :-) :-)  ;^)  :-) :-) :-)  ;^)  :-) :-)


Lisa

    Bye bye Ger......I'm surely going to miss your notes....:(
    
    Happy trails...                                    
    
    :), danielle

Thanks for the tapes... They came today, I can't wait to get home to listen 
to them...

Geoff

    Good luck and happy trails to you Gerry.
    
    I'll be looking forward to your trip reports.
    
    Remember, if you see a kid sitting on a porch playing a banjo, run for
    your life.
    
    I hope you broke in those Limmer's well enough.  :-)
    
    Marv
     

    Well, I guess this is goodbye. It's been lots of fun in here
    for the last 7 years. I'm really going to miss your company.
    Fog will be posting my mailing info, so stay tuned. You all
    should be hearing from starting in a couple of weeks. Enjoy 
    the tapes and I hope to see some of you in the Whites when
    I pass thru in late June/July.
    
    Bye now...
    
    GerG

    the end of another era....i have afeeling we won't be getting the info
    Ger used to supply in such a timely manner anymore...unless Fog is to
    take that responsibility too %^)
    
    sniff sniff
    rfb

	See ya Ger!

	Have a fullfilling trip....

	Keep us updated if you can!!!

	and I expect you'll continue to send
	updates out to the "rumors" distribution 
	list never mind where you'll be.  ;-)

	I might add that your rumors were near 100%
	accuracy!!!!
	
	and

	"May the areas that your foot makes contact with
	 the ground be vegetation free!" 

			
			cheers!
			Deane


	
	

re: Note 326.138 by CXDOCS::BARNES 

>unless Fog is to take that responsibility too %^)
    
    That's been arranged. ;-)

 So long, Ger, and good luck.






 Jim

Ger,
Long may you run [hike]!   You're heading out on the kind of adventure that
the rest of us just dream about.   Keep us posted!

And, thanks for putting me in touch with Tim... Could lead to a massive
wallet-emptying soon!

happy trails,  Josh

who's gonna take the ceremonial role of Phish-basher now that Ger's leaving?

;-)

have fun on the trail; it's something that i hope to do someday as well; and
no, i never did find out my aunt's trail name, but her real name is Elaine
Strum; i'm all up for an "Interrupt GerG" DEChead trip come summertime

- rich

>who's gonna take the ceremonial role of Phish-basher now that Ger's leaving?

Um, that'd be me, too, rich.   ;-)

I did find one set of Phish masters which slipped through Ger's Phish
Philter; fortunately, I immediately de-gaussed them. 

:-)  

you're just becoming a virtual Gerry aren't you Fog?  ;^)

You know, I used to think you two were one person.....

    supposedly...I'm gettin some phish masters too.....
    
    rfb

    as for the trips to intercept Ger on the trail, i'll be trying to set
    up one or two of them at strategic locationz! :^)  
    
    Ger will have to carry all the beer...  THAT ought to slow him down a
    bit! :^)
    
    					da ve

Enjoy the trail, Ger. Best of luck and thanks!

jeff

Pretty soon, Fog will start putting a "G" after his signature:  FogG


anyways.... i'd be into hiking to meet up w/ ger.... maybe we can do an
interrupt trip to the berkshires, green mtns, and whites...  and maybe
a party on katahdin!!!

Ger started his hike this weekend, and I have the first half dozen drop 
addresses.

Send me mail if you'd like a copy; there is probably not enough interest to 
keep posting them over the course of his long hike.

I saw GerG at the NC showz...  I guess he was delaying his hike 'cuz the
showz were too easy to pass up!

Update...

	According to the thru-hikers guide, Ger should be stumbling over 
his first rattlesnake just about now...     :-)

Actually, here are some fun exerpts from said guide...

Dahlonega, Ga (pop. 2,844), just a ways past Blood Mountain (4,461 feet),
and after Neels Gap; pronounced duh-lah-nah-guh by residents and is site of
America's first gold rush.  Home of The Smith House, world famous for its
auathentic southern cooking.  This time of the year the following are
starting to bloom: common blue violet, downy yellow violet, buttercup,
crested dwarf iris, great chickwood, flowering doghwood treee, pearly
everlasting, toadshade trillium, toothwart (hope Ger doesn't eat these!),
robin's plantation, golden ragwort, and mayapples. That is, of course, 
assuming the snow cover has cleared...

Ger is just outside of Franklin, NC, now, and has covered over 100 miles of
trail, nearly all of it over 4000 feet. He says the weather hasn't been
great but he is rilly enjoying hisseff. He's been making about 15
miles/day, and has met and hiked with a variety of folks, but none have
been able to keep his pace. One guy he hiked with for a few days could keep
up with him, but his knee blew out and he bailed of the trail. Ger says he
keeps passing by thru-hikers who started at later dates than he, and is now
passing hikers who left three days before he did. What a stud-mon that
gerryG, eh? 

Cards/letters should be sent to Hot Springs, as he'll beat them to Fontana
Dam at this point. 

Fog, do you know if he's encountering a lot of snow?  or, has it all melted
at this point?

He said its all gone except for the occasion north-facing crevice.

He may be seeing puma's, though.  :-)

    An update on the trail name campaign . . .
    
    Being the high-tech, multimedia sort, Gerry has decided that actually
    signing logbooks is too old-fashioned.  Instead of a trail name, he's
    decided to leave his mark by nailing a Phish master to the wall of each
    shelter he visits.
    
    He thinks this will get him written up in Appalachia, but I think it's
    too trendy for the AMC.
    
    Jamie

    RE: "He may be seeing pumas though." (I did see the smiley)
    
    Have the reported sighings of cats in the Appalachins been confirmed?
    Rumors have been circulating for a couple of years. I just re-read an
    old Nat Geographic where the main story was of Mt. Lions and it
    mentioned the rumors of sightings back east.
    
    rfb

Well, rfb, I was alluding to an old Smothers Brothers comedy routine (see 
what you miss if you don't watch TV), but there are lots of Mtn Lions in the 
appalacians.  Sightings have been on the increase since wildlife management 
and DDT bans were placed in affect. I know there are a handful in Mass and 
CT and lots in the Adirondack, Green and White mtn forests.  Gerry sighted 
one earlier this winter in Haydenville. I would imagine that they are 
spread pretty widely along the AT...

    there are mountain lions on top of a hill near my house, in a
    'cave' formed by a crevice in some large rocks. There's an
    official mountain lion hunting season west of Rt. 31 in
    Princeton.
    
    - Dave

    WOW! didn't realize the cat population was so big back east. I assume
    deer are the main prey? (out here they are, in Mont. I've heard the
    main prey is elk) closer to the city lately the main prey has been cats
    and dogs. I've never seen a cat in the wild, my kids have, and a lot of
    people i know have seen cats on the sides of the road in the past few
    years, a true sign numbers are on the increase. Where I hunt deer is the
    largest population of cats in N America, or used to be a few years ago
    anyway. I always see cat sign, but the closest I've gotten to seeing
    one is a fresh track filling up with water at a seep spring. made the
    hair on my neck stand up!
    
    rfb

I don't think there are as many Mt lions as you seem to indicate here.  They
are a pretty elusive animal, and having talked to many of rangers in W. Mass
and NH, mt lion sightings just don't happen often...

furthermore, if there were as popular as ya'll reckon, i'd think we'd see
more mention of them in the media.  i have seen no media mention, at least
in the newspapers.

post card from Gerry to tjd...

   03/29/93, Day 002, Mile 0022.9
   Non-descript campsite, AT in GA
   ---

   Rough Day, Pretty Sore.  Nice and Sunny though.
   8 of us here and we're all bushed.
   Gata rest up to cross Blood Mtn, the highest point on the
   GA AT at 4461 FT. named aftr a battle 400 years ago between the
   Creek abd Cherokee.  Georgia is very pretty, lots of oak
   and pine.  Ran into more army rangers on maneuvers.  I saw them
   before they saw me.  Ha!

	Gerry

   >03/29/93, Day 002, Mile 0022.9
    
    You can take the boy out of the techno-environment, but you can't . . .
    
    

    I read an article several months ago about Mt. Lion in the Norteast. It
    said that there were plently of evidence that pointed to the possiblity
    of a Mt. Lion population in the area but there have been few sighting.
    This area mostly included VT, NH, ME and Western MA. 
    
    A researcher who was interviewed in the article had been researching
    the Mt. Lion for years in UT. Although she had seen and studied signs
    of the cats ( its kill, droppings, footprints ) in area she had never
    seen one herself.
    
    I wish I could remember where I saw that article now!!
    
    Chris

         Actually, if you believe in the work put out by National
    Geographic, the only "confirmed" population of Mountain Lions in
    the eastern U.S., exists in the Everglades National Park in Florida.
    The number of big cats in Florida in the wild is less than 50 and
    shrinking.  However, as earlier notes have mentioned, the Mountain
    Lion is very elusive, and small local populations could exist in
    many of the wilder areas of the east.
    
         A lady by the name of Virginia Fifield has been running a program
    called the Eastern Mountain Lion Project, for a number of years out
    of her home in Western Mass.  She has followed up on hundreds of
    reported sightings in Western Mass. and in Vermont.  If I remember
    correctly, she has one bit of hard evidence of the existence of the
    Mountain Lion in New England, a plaster cast of track she made in
    following up a sighting in the Northern Berkshires.  She doesn't
    believe there is a breeding population anywhere in New England, but
    does attribute the sightings to wandering animals or to lions kept
    as pets, who were released into the wild when the owner's couldn't
    keep up to the demands of a 200 lb. kitty!
    
         Finally, there is a gentlemen named Jack Swedberg who is one of
    the most respected wildlife photographers in the east, and who 
    focuses his work on the Quabbin Reservoir.  I attended a slide show
    of his a few years back, and he mentioned that he had spotted a 
    Mountain Lion in the Quabbin back in the early '70's.  He too felt
    that this was a wandering animal, and not a permanent resident, given
    that in thousands of hours in the Quabbin woods, he had never observed
    any other lion "sign" (ie. tracks, kills, scat etc.).
    
    Russ
    
    - Chris, I think I read the same article you referred to.  By chance,
      was it in "Vermont Magazine"?
                                   

	My Uncle has stated that there have been various
	reports all over the Berkshires, particularly in 
	the October Mtn State forest and the Taconic Range
	(moreso on the NY side due to many farms there) of
	various species of Mtn Lions and Bobcats.

	Of course this info is a year old as he won't tell
	anyone until well after the sighting for hysteria 
	reasons.

re: .165


	That is pretty much the party line I have received when talking about
mt. lions with the rangers around new england.  i tend not to believe folks
who have said they've seen one in new england for those reasons.  you wanna
have be believe you, show me a picture!  

	deb and i camp off-season sometimes at Savoy Mt state park, in the 
northern bershires.  10000 acres of wilderness - very nice place!  Supposidely,
there has been a sighting or 2, but _nothing_ confirmed.  and, those in the 
know tend to clam up when asked for details for fear of poachers who might go 
after the critters.

    
    
    
    	I think it was Vermont Magazine.
    
    Chris

I saw one on top of Mt. Lebanon in New Lebanon, NY about 14 years ago.  i 
was going to school out there and was walking around the mountain when I 
saw one on a ledge about 2500 yards away.  As soon as it heard me it was 
gone!!!

Geoff_who_doesn't_care_whether_JC_believes_me_cause_I_don't_have_pictures

re     <<< Note 326.169 by SALES::GKELLER "Keep passing the open windows" >>>
                 -< I saw one years ago in the NY berkshires >-

>saw one on a ledge about 2500 yards away.  As soon as it heard me it was 
                          ^^^^

that is nearly 1.5 MILES away mon!

i dunno about your eyes, but, i can't see too much detail at 2500 yds,
even w/ a decent pair of binocs!

>       <<< Note 326.170 by ZENDIA::FERGUSON "Your recipe is so tasty" >>>
>                            -< Bionic eye???  :-) >-
>
>saw one on a ledge about 2500 yards away.  As soon as it heard me it was 
>                          ^^^^


Woops, I meant feet not yards

Postcard from Ger to a friend. I tried to convince him he was crazy for
bringing the Whisperlight (Whoosh-not-at-all) and leaving behind his MSR
GKS (Son of Whoosh-a-lot). I think he thought the MSR was too 'high impact'. 
Theres a lot of folks on the trail, so he's been bumming stoves from other 
hikers...

   4/5/93, mile 103.7, day 9
   here at rainbow springs tonight. came in for a shower, laundry + resupply.
   stove hasn't worked in 4 days. i need to call mfr[msr?] to see if i can
   trade for a new one in nautahala[sp?]. 11 people + a dog in the shelter
   last night. the dog chased skunks all night and got sprayed 5 times. not a
   pleasant evening. rained too hard to crawl out to set up a tent. rained
   all day today too, but the promise of a hot shower made the day go quick.
   stayed in the shower about 35 minutes:-) ate a whole pizza tonight. pretty
   hungry. lost 9 pounds so far since starting the at. weather:, changing
   for the better the next few days -- gerry

Another postcard from Ger to another friend...

   Received Friday, April 9
   Dated 4/3, Day 7, Mile 75.6  Bly Gap, N.C.

   The card shows a lush wooded river scene, "The Nantahala River offers a
   peaceful and serene view for young and old alike."
   
   Cold night last night.  Squeege and Marty's water bucket froze solid.
   Temps in the low teens gave way to sunny in the 50's today.  Camped at
   Bly Gap near the "old gnarled oak" (tm), an AT landmark.  Expansive
   northern views from here are a vision.  Finally hiked out of Georgia and
   this is my first day in North Carolina.  The mountains are getting bigger
   and steeper and the first 5000'er is up for tomorrow.  I can hear a
   pilated woodpecker close to here.  I might track it down since I've never
   seen one.  After seeing just thru-hikers all week, it's weird to see
   regular people.  They ask funny questions like "I hear it takes 3 whole
   months to hike the AT" and "Do you carry _all_ your food with you?" :-)
   
                                            Gerry

    Postcard from Ger to a friend:
    
   Received in the mail yesterday...
   
   4/4/93, mile 90.9, day 8
   Carter Gap Shelter, N.C.
   -------
   Big hiking day today - 15.3 miles.  Feet feel great finally. Leg
   still sore but I'm used to it.  Lost my hiking pal, Larry.  He
   blew out his knee and is off the trail.  He was out here testing
   equipment for most major outdoor companies so it's a major bummer
   for him.  He might join up with me in a few days and come back to
   hike this section after Maine.  It's snowing now and pretty cold.
   The shelter is filling up also.  Lots of thru-hikers here I
   haven't met yet.  They started about 3 days before I did.  There's a
   dog here and I can hear skunks under the shelter.  Could be
   trouble tonight.
   
                                                   Gerry

    Got a postcard from Gerry yesterday:

    a picture of hikers on a ridge in GA, overlooking a long valley filled
    with fall foliage

    3/31/93, Day 4, Mile 41.3, Low Gap Shelter, GA

    Rain, hail and thunderstorms today.  Clear and sunny now but there are
    tornado warnings for our area at the moment.  It's sunny and I wanted
    to hike more but 11.3 miles is enough until my knee gets better.  I'm
    sure all of us here would like to hike more but we all have knee and
    foot troubles.  "No pain, no Maine" as the saying here goes.  Hiking at
    a pretty good pace but it gets tough to hike more than 6 hours with the
    various pains.  All in all it's been a great experience so far. 
    Thru-hikers have a great sense of community.   Getting ready to teach a
    few people how to play Cosmic Wimpout.

    Gerry

    and then in the "Space Reserved for U.S. Postal Service"

    ps. will I get in trouble if I write in this box? :-)

Got this about a week ago, and found it last night:

	Front is a late 50's/early 60's snowy picture of 2 women 
	standing in front of and looking at a sign next to a 
	lodge. The sign says "Welcome WALASI-YI INN.  You are
	invited to enjoy the facilities of the many enchanting
	state parks in Georgia".  

	On the back, Beautiful Northeast Georgia, Neel's Gap.

	3/30/93, Day 3, Mile 30.7. Walasi-yi- Center, Wallace Gap, GA.
	Put in 7.8 miles before noon.  Staying here for the night to do
	laundry, shower + resupply for the 7 day stretch ahead.  Have
	been hiking with "Care the Bear" the last couple of days since
	we have the same pace.  The thru hikers have dubbed me "Cakewalk"
	but I don't know if I'll keep the name yet.
							Gerry

Talked to Gerry last night, he's in Fontant Dam, many days ahead of 
schedule, killing the extra days of cheese he allowed for postal delays.

He'll be in Hot Springs in 7 days.

Ger asks that if you have recieved a postcard, PLEASE POST it here. the 
postcards are his journal and I am supposed to be compiling them.

He also said he got a bad third degree burn spilling some boiling water on 
himself, but not bad enough to stop him. 

He has yet another trail name, this time, lots of other hikers are calling 
him by it. Its Moon Shot, after the technique of trying to lose at hearts 
and geting all the points, which he is apparently a master of.

    received by a friend:
    
   4.6.93, mile 110.5, day 10
   Siler Bald Shelter, AT, NC
   ------
   Lazy day, left Rainbow Springs at noon and only hiked
   6.8 miles. Just kinda felt like hanging out today. Here
   with Jane and Kris, and the Danascus Duo, Birddawg(?) and
   Patrick, showed up later. Nice and quite here and not too
   crowded.  Great Grey owls can be heard nearby and they
   sound kinda cool. Lots of duct tape on the roof here so 
   I hope it doesn't rain. Played a few rounds of Cosmic
   Wimpout and had a nice cozy fire going. This is one of
   the more pleasant evenings I've had so far. There's
   much more to hiking the AT than just hiking. Spent a lot
   of time today checking out new and different plants.
   Spring is about to hit soon although the days are still
   cool. I expect sunny days for the next 2 days which will
   be a welcome change from the rain. We may go rafting in
   a couple of days. - Gerry
   
   PS - Full moon just came out and the clouds are clearing.
   I'm _very_ relaxed at the moment!

    yet another postcard from "Moon Shot" (ha!  i like it! :^)
    
    got it a few days ago and i keep forgetting to type it in!
    
    4/2/93  mile 63.33, day 6  Deep Gap Shelter, AT GA
    
    Cold Rain and Snow last night.  Windy with rime ice along the ridges
    today.  Put in 9 miles before noon.  Resting the remainder of the day
    today and building a big fire.  Most of the thru-hikers bailed on the
    prospect of a cold night in a shelter in favor of a warm night in a new
    hiker-friendly hostel 6 miles down the road.  Possible single digits
    tongiht but sunny tomorrow.  going to try for Bly Gap tomorrow just ove
    the NC line.  Here with the Bear and Squeege and Yellowman.  We're
    waiting on Grateful Grandpa who we heard was trying to make it here.
    I still need to decide on a trail name if only for the logs.  We refer
    to each other on a first name basiswhen we speak to each other but use
    trail names to refer to those who aren't present.  Fire needs stoking,
    gotta go...  Gerry
    
    					

>I tried to convince him he was crazy for
>bringing the Whisperlight (Whoosh-not-at-all) and leaving behind his MSR
>GKS (Son of Whoosh-a-lot).

what's so bad about the Whispertorch?  mine started to lose its power last
week on around our 4th day of canoeing, but after i figured out how to use
the little cleaning tool that they give you, it worked fine

- rich

    it's not that the whisperlite is a *bad* stove...  just that there are
    better ones out there...  especially on a trek like the one Ger is
    doing now...
    
    i've had a whisperlite for years and it's served me fairly well...
    however, it clogs a lot and is not as effective OR efficient as other
    stoves i've used...  it can be taken apart and redone in the field
    but it has a few more parts than some other stoves...  in my mind, it's
    advantages are that it's very stable, can make a low flame if needed
    sometimes, and doesn't sound like a flamethrower...  fwiw, i rarely use
    my stove anymore and will probably replace it with an XGK or something
    like that...  smaller and louder but more efficient and cooks faster...
    
    					da ve

i wonder if we're talking about the same stove; i'm pretty sure mine is the
whisperlite

>    however, it clogs a lot

last week was the first time mine clogged

>and is not as effective OR efficient as other
>    stoves i've used...

cooking for 4 people for 5 days only took a little bit more than a single
22 oz. fuel canister; i was amazed at how fuel efficient it was

>  it can be taken apart and redone in the field
>    but it has a few more parts than some other stoves...

trying to unclog it was the first time that i had taken it apart, and i was
surprised at how few parts there were; other stoves have less?

>  in my mind, it's
>    advantages are that it's very stable, can make a low flame if needed
>    sometimes, and doesn't sound like a flamethrower...

i really do wonder if i'm mistaken about which stove i do have; my one
complaint i have about it is that it's difficult to make a low flame; and i
think it does sound a bit like a flamethrower

my stove has 3 legs that swing around to fold up, a flexible feul line that
curves around and clips into the base when it folds up, and no attached fuel
canister (the fuel line just clips onto the canister when you want to use
the stove); does that sound like the whisperlite?

>  fwiw, i rarely use
>    my stove anymore and will probably replace it with an XGK or something
>    like that...  smaller and louder but more efficient and cooks faster...

mine is pretty small; don't know how you could get a stove too much smaller
    
>    					da ve

- rich

My stove, the MSR GS, has not clogged once, nor failed, nor had a part 
replaced in the 16 years it's been in service. My big complaint with the 
whisperlight is the output. It just boils water too slow. When camping, I 
use a combo of the twenty-year old Optimus Primus stove and the MSR; one 
for slow cooking/simiering, one for boiling. Sure the Primus is a pain in 
the ass to fuel and prime up, but drop _your_ stove off a 200 foot ledge 
and try to retrieve it and stoke it up again right away.  :-)

Old_school_on_equipmentP

>It just boils water too slow.

maybe i'm just a patient, relaxed, easy-going guy, but it never seemed to take
too long for me; how long does it take your stove to boil 2 quarts of water?

>but drop _your_ stove off a 200 foot ledge 
>and try to retrieve it and stoke it up again right away.  :-)

haven't yet gotten around to doing experiments to see how high my stove bounces
when dropped off a cliff; i'll let you know how it turns out :^)

- rich

    I had problems with my Whisperlight until I figured out how to fix it
    right.  Ger shouldn't have taken it on the AT without a few shakedown
    cruises.  I agree, though, the XGK is preferable for those times when
    you just can't wait 4 min. for ramen noodles.  :-)
    
    I finally remembered to bring this in . . .
    
    The front has a picture of some nondescript mountains in Autumn.  The
    legend is: "Georgia's Southern Appalachian Mountains offer many scenic
    vistas for the visitor to relish around every curve."  He's still
    obsessed with condiments, I see.  It reads . . .
    
    3/28/93  Day 1  Mile 13.6
    
    Justus Creek, AT, GA
    
    Long hike for the first day.  Pretty beat but I feel good.  No rain
    today but pretty cloudy.  Bypassed a nice shelter in a virgin forest
    for this spot by the creek.  About 12 other thru-hikers had the same
    idea.  Only met 3 other solo hikers and we're all packing around 50
    lbs.  The pairs are packing around 40.  They have less weight but the
    solo hikers seem to travel faster.  Except for Steve from R.I. who's a
    day behind cuz he didn't bring a tent.
    
    					Gerry

While we're talking stoves, I have an Optimus backpacking stove.
It resembles the small Coleman, single burner stove with the fuel
supply attached at the bottom.  I've only used it about 3 or 4
times, and each time I used it I had trouble with a lot of gas
getting to the burner resulting in a rather large flame, like
a 2-footer!   Am I pumping it up too much ?   Anyone else have
this problem ?

Ken

>too long for me; how long does it take your stove to boil 2 quarts of water?

1 qt: about three minutes. 2 qts: about 5 minutes at sea level...

Last time we cooked spaghetti for four with a Whisperlight it took an hour!

When I stop for lunch in the high peaks, I want it to be a hot one, and
when its cold out, the wait while your sitting around for water to boil
watching sweat start to freeze to the inside of your skivvies can get damned
interminable. 

I think my stove probabaly saved da ve's life one brisk winter morning on the 
Randolph path. If it had decided to be fussy or slow in the -17� air, he'd be 
dead (he was hypothermic and couldn't maintain body temp through aerobic 
exercise; he needed body core warming now dammit, and stopping to fire up 
a stove was dangerous!)

>a 2-footer!   Am I pumping it up too much ?   Anyone else have
>this problem ?

Ken, You may not be pumping it too much, but are you shutting it down after 
firing it up?  The proper proecedure is to 1) pump, 2) let out � tsp gas and 
shut off, 3) light, 4) let priming gas burn for about 45 seconds or until 
its all almost gone, 5) reopen fuel valve, 6) cook, dammit.

    what fog said...
    
    both times...  :^)
    
    					da ve

    
          EMS has a stove on sale (sale actually starts tomorrow) that
      uses wood chips for fuel. obviuosly it weighs less and is better
      for the environment, but does anybody know how well these stoves
      work?
    
                                                       ^dave
    

Re:       <<< Note 326.185 by STUDIO::IDE "Can't this wait 'til I'm old?" >>>

>    3/28/93  Day 1  Mile 13.6
    
>    Justus Creek, AT, GA
    
> Except for Steve from R.I. who's a day behind cuz he didn't bring a tent.
  
	so just out of curiousity what would one do about sleeping if one
	didn't bring a tent on the AT with them?  Is this normal?

Lisa

    
    yes, i've seen those stoves, and i question whther they are better for
    the environment...
    
    thre is a small battery-operated fan that blows on the woodchips to
    increase the heat output...  if the wood gets damp at all the stove is
    the pits...  also smokes a lot...  and batteries are an environmental 
    nightmare for disposal...  
    
    i think a gas stove burns cleaner, has less waste, and is a better use
    of resources (natural and fiscal)...
    
    					da ve

    re no tent...
    
    sleep on the ground, in a shelter, in a hostel, in a cabin...  yes, a
    lot of thru hikers leave tents at home to save on weight...
    
    					da ve

    I love my Peak1.  It is rugged, starts easily, boils very fast and I
    like carrying the fuel in the stove rather than in a seperate bottle
    like the MSR.  On a trip back in March my buddie had a MSR and
    my Peak1 boiled much faster and used far less fuel.  Temp was -10 at the
    time.  He also broke the plastic plunger used to pump the fuel.  The
    Peak1 is probably heaver even if you include the weight of the fuel for
    the MSR but it is a tough SOB and the flame adjusts very well.
    
    re tents: A tarp can be rigged to provide adequate cover both top and
    bottom.  It need be nothing more than a strip of plastic.  Also
    hammocks work well with just a small piece of plastic to hang over it.
    
    If you have the right one, tents are great but some older tents have
    poles that are way to heavy for more than a few days.  After several
    days (let alone several months) every ounce counts.
    
    Marv
    
    

>>too long for me; how long does it take your stove to boil 2 quarts of water?

>1 qt: about three minutes. 2 qts: about 5 minutes at sea level...

>Last time we cooked spaghetti for four with a Whisperlight it took an hour!

i've never timed my stove; maybe i'll do it for kicks; it might not be quite
as fast as yours, but it's never taken anywhere near the order of magnitude
of an hour

>When I stop for lunch in the high peaks, I want it to be a hot one, and
>when its cold out, the wait while your sitting around for water to boil
>watching sweat start to freeze to the inside of your skivvies can get damned
>interminable. 

maybe i'm not as picky because 1) i don't typically have hot lunches on the
trail and 2) i'm probably not as much into cold weather camping as you are; if
it's -17 degrees outside, i think i'd rather be inside

- rich

The Peak One is a well designed stove, but as you say, a bit heavy, even
more so since you'd have to pack an extra fuel bottle in order to carry the
same amount of feul as one one litre tank for the MSR. I agree, too that
the plastic plunger on the MSR is suseptable to breakage and a bad
engineering (or maybe manufacturing) decision; the older ones had metal
plungers ala coleman. FWIW, the newer MSR's are not as well made compared
to the older ones, and the GKS model is less efficient by design than the
discontinued models for use with white gas only. 

My MSR Whisperlight International boils pretty quick!  Have not done any
timings though.  So far, it works w/o a hitch...

re"            <<< Note 326.188 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR "Be kind: unwind" >>>

>Ken, You may not be pumping it too much, but are you shutting it down after 
>firing it up?  The proper proecedure is to 1) pump, 2) let out � tsp gas and 
>shut off, 3) light, 4) let priming gas burn for about 45 seconds or until 
>its all almost gone, 5) reopen fuel valve, 6) cook, dammit.

Am I shutting it down after firing up ?  No, maybe that's the problem!  

What I'd do is pump, then turn a priming? knob in the right position,
then light, like I would do with a Coleman double-burner type of stove.
It seems like it's pumping out the gas at that point, and then I get the 
huge flame-up.   With the Optimus, I need to totally shut off the fuel 
supply before lighting to prime it ?   Hmmm, sounds plausible.  Come to
think of it, I had no choice but to turn off the fuel after lighting
because of the flare up, and thought there was a problem with the stove.

Hopefully that will do the trick. It's supposed to be a good quality stove.

Ken

>What I'd do is pump, then turn a priming? knob in the right position,
>then light, like I would do with a Coleman double-burner type of stove.

That's the self-cleaning position, which you are only supposed to turn to 
when the stove is off. Yes, this is your problem.  I know its confusing 
because on the Coleman lantern, that's the proper procedure: far right is 
the priming position. A little needle comes up through the needle-valve and 
while not cutting off the flow of the air-fuel mixture, restricts it. In 
you case, it probably spreads the flame even more...

>Hopefully that will do the trick. It's supposed to be a good quality stove.

Yes, I got mine in the Boy Scouts circa 1973 and its never failed!

    fwiw, the many merits and disadvantages of several different types of
    stove are discussed at length in the HIKING notesfile...  :^)
    
    re optimus...  the biggest drawback for this stove to me is the limited
    fuel capacity...  otherwise it's pretty compact, lightweight and
    reasonably stable...  once you figure it out you find it's not very
    glamorous, but quite functional...
    
    re the Peak1...  this stove has been the subject of more vehement
    debate and argument than any other stove that i know of!  it seems that
    people either love them or they hate them...  personally, i tend
    towards the latter...  Marv outlined the good points pretty well...
    very versatile!  flame adjustablility is probably the best out there
    for stoves in this category...  as Marv himself points out though, it's
    not without it's drawbacks...  it's big and it's heavy are the two most
    significant ones...  while the flame adjusts well, it also has more
    parts and is more subject to fusl leaks than most of it's
    competitors...  RMC caretakers are leery of them because most of the
    flare-ups and fires they've had in the camps have been from Coleman
    Peak1 stoves...  you'd also be hard pressed to find a thru-hiker that's
    willing to carry one...  to be fair, my experience with them is
    limited...  but then again, that's partly becasue the few times i've
    used them they've been a pain inthe butt...  like most other things in
    life, if you take the time to learn to use it right and take proper
    care of it, it can serve you well..
    
    fwiw (and that's not much!) it's been my experience that most
    thru-hikers end up chosing one of the MSR models or the "old reliable"
    Optimus and Svea stoves...
    
    					da ve                     

I received this post card from Gerry on Tuesday April 13.

THE CARD
  Nice tranquil view of teh Chattahoochee River in Georgia.  
Looks like a Fall scene.  The photo is bordered in gold and 
framed by a blue background.  

THE CAPTION
  The Chattahoochee River is a source of drinking water for 
Atlanta.  Rafting, swimming, fishing and aesthetic beauty are 
activities young and old can enjoy.

THE MESSAGE
  4/1/93  Mile 54.3  Day 5  "Cheese Factory Site"

It's raining now as I lie here in my tent to write this.  It was 
a 13 mile day so I'm pretty tired.  Been leaving a few friends 
behind the last couple of days, and it's kind of sad.  I took 
their pictures so I will remember them.  Most folks seem to only 
like to hike shelter to shelter and to me, it seems to hamper 
progress.  They're fair weather hikers.  We're camped less than 2 
miles from the group that started the day before us and hope to 
pass them tomorrow.  It'll be nice to meet new friends especially 
since we put some distance in from out old ones.

Early start tomorrow, going to try to get shelter space to dry 
out.  - Gerry.

      

Whoops, forgot about this until I was rifling through all my stuff trying 
to find all the tax documents I needed...

   Front: A knarled oak and trail through woods on one half and a picture of
   the bronze plaque marking the terminus of the AT.

   Back: "Springer Mountain: Located at the end of the Appalachian Trail from
   Geogia to Maine. 'A footpath for those who wish to seek fellowship with
   wilderness'"  The quote was from the plaque, placed by the Georgia
   Appalachian Trail Council in 1934..

   3/27/93  Mile 0.2, Springer Mountain Shelter.

   First day was a rainy and muddy one. Made good time on the 8.3 mile
   approach. Appx 3 hrs + 45 min. Felt like taking it easy on the first day,
   though. Don't want to get ahead of my mail drops. Great shelter here with a
   loft above the front porch. Can hear large explosions in the distnace.  The
   army rangers train near here. Terrain looks like Mass. Got a good fire
   going now.

   Later,

                                           Gerry

    received by a friend:
    
   [Postcard with a very red sunset, caption "Explore Georgia".  Back reads
   "Scenic sunsets restore the soul and relieve the stress of everyday life
   with a panorama of color.]
   
   4/8-9/93, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City, NC
   
   Beautiful day yesterday (the 8th) for hiking.  The southern Appalacians
   are very scenic.  Lots of views from the balds.  The wildflowers really
   came out as well.  Got a free stove replacement here so I'm psyched.
   We're here taking a day off (first one since I started).  Ended up not
   going rafting but we bought some beer to wait out today's thunderstorms
   and tornados.  Got yet another trailname (moonshot).  I learned to play
   hearts last night and "shot the moon" twice in four hands. I guess it's
   pretty rare. Might keep that one.  I don't know yet. Leaving here tomorrow
   rain or shine for Fontana Dam.  Can't pick up my maildrop until Monday
   so that and the rain made us decide to stay here.  Huge vertical climb
   tomorrow.  Pack is light for this stretch though.
   
           Gerry
   

    Gerry's going to have to do the trail twice -- it'll take him the whole
    trip to decide on a trailname, so he'll have to go back and re-sign all
    the logbooks.
    
    Jamie

   Picture:  River through forest, more like a stream.
   
   Caption:  The rushing water of the Pacolet River near Tryon, NC
   will delight each and every visitor
   
   4/7/93, Mile 122.6 Day 11   Cold Spring Shelter
   
   Nice sunny day today, but spent it slugging over 3 5000 ft peaks
   (plus a Siler Bald side trip for good measure).  Lots of evidence
   of owls on this section (i.e. fur balls).  Great views from Wayah
   Bald where we answered the usual questions from tourists there.
   Pretty uneventful day so far.  Camped in a really tiny shelter.
   Built with 14" diameter logs which is kind of weird.  Nice little
   spring outside the door.  Heading to the Nantahala Outdoor Center
   where we're going to rent a raft and go rafting.  Jane knows how to
   steer one so it's only 20 bucks total for the 6 of us.  Got severe
   thunderstorms coming in along with tornado warnings for the weekend.
   Should be interesting.
   
   Gerry

    re .205
    
      Jane?  Gerry had better be careful.  He's going to need all of his
    energy for hiking.   :-)
    
    Marv
    

   April 10, 1993 - Mile 144.6 - Day 14 - Locust Cove Gap, AT, NC
   
   Picture: "Sunrise in the Smokies" with a hand-written correction:
            I'm not in the smokies, BTW
   
   Seven mile climb up from the Nantahala River, to the top of Cheoah Bald
   today.  OOF!  Hauling 50 lbs. on your back up and down mountains day
   after day is grueling, to say the least.  Left knee joint is a little stiff,
   but no real pain for the first time since day 1.  Well, not counting the
   three inch second-degree burn on my right instep, anyways.  Excellent
   views from Cheoah today.  Nice clear day, but pretty windy, though.  
   Stars are out now, and the wind has died.  An owl just flew through the
   campsite.  They're pretty quiet for such a big bird.  Lot's of folks
   have dropped out already.  Bad knees, bad feet, infections & exhaustion
   seem to be the main reasons.  I'm still hanging in there.  Need to
   pick up the pace again when my burn heals.
   
                                              - Gerry
   
   "No pain, no Maine"
   

    Although not *directly* related to Gerry's trip I saw something in the
    Globe today that he might be interested.  Fog, if you will be sending
    anything along to him at the various mail/supply drops, you might want
    to include the following.
    
      Boston Globe April 22, 1993
    
    WORKERS TO KEEP PLANT OPEN
    Digital Equipment Corp. said that a worker-controlled spinoff company
    would save some jobs at a Springfield plant previously targeted for a
    complete shutdown.  "Digital has played a very significant role in the
    Springfield area for many years, and it's very important to continue to
    do that," said Anthony F. Dolphin manager of the existing plant and
    chief of the new venture.  Digital announced in October that it
    intended to close its 20-year-old Springfield fatory, which employed
    320 workers.  The new company, "SpringBoard Technology Corp.", will
    lease about one-fifth of the existing plant and equipment from Digital,
    officials said.  About 100 workers, most from the Digital plant, will
    be employed by SpringBoard, Dolphin said.  (AP)
    
    
    

Thanks Marv. That venture has been brewing for over a year. Ger was not 
offered a place in it because his job wasn't related at all to the work 
they are doing.  I will pass the article on, though...

Fog

Good to see they are pulling it together.  Tony Dolphin used to work in this
group and always impressed me as being a good guy and good manager.  He left
here a year ago to go back to SPO cause he loved it so ... I am happy this is
working for him and others.

Lisa

    Does anyone know who was going to be posting GerG's postcards in the
    Hiking notesfile?  Someone in there today was asking.  Gerry had
    said in that file that he would get someone to post there.  
    
    Robyn
    
    P.S.  If its a problem with lack of time, I follow that notesfile
    and would be willing to do some posting.

    I will be doing the posting of Gerry's stuff in HIKING.  I am supposed
    to coordinate this with Phyllis.
    
    I will do so on Monday.
    
    Marv
    

To Marv or whoever does the posting of GG's AT postcards in HIKING:

   It would be nice to have all the postcards entered in *one* note, a separate
   reply for each card *IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER* (as opposed to the way they
   are here--sort of random).

   Further, it would be nice to specify that no one should enter any replies
   to that note other than GG postcards.  Perhaps a 2nd note could be started
   for comments, etc.

   This way, it would be possible (and easy) for readers to get a coherent
   chronological "story" of GG's trip by merely reading the replies (in order)
   to this one note.

   What do you think?

          Craig

>   It would be nice to have all the postcards entered in *one* note, a separate
>   reply for each card *IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER* (as opposed to the way they
>   are here--sort of random).

how can you post them in chronological order if they arrive a bit randomly
in bits and pieces?  i thought that a new reply always got numbered one
higher than the last reply; is there any way around this (i.e. can you insert
a reply)?

- rich

>is there any way around this (i.e. can you insert a reply)?

You can use SET NOTE/NOTE=nn.nnn to renumber a note once you put it in. You
have to make a "hole" for the new note, though, since it won't renumber 
anything else and you can't have a duplicate number.

	dave

    I will work with the finest minds at this great corporation to ensure
    that *everything* is done in a highly professional and timely manner.
    
    Anybody know where those two women are located.  :-)
    
    Marv
    

re                    <<< Note 326.216 by XCUSME::MACINTYRE >>>
                              -< Id vill be done >-

>    I will work with the finest minds at this great corporation to ensure
>    that *everything* is done in a highly professional and timely manner.
 
I'd like to suggest for you to form a committee containing high-paid consultants
and various VPs to sort out the best, possible way to accomplish this task.
Be sure to have a few woods mettings as well...



:-) :-) :-)

>    I will work with the finest minds at this great corporation to ensure
>    that *everything* is done in a highly professional and timely manner.
    
>    Anybody know where those two women are located.  :-)
  
	right here Marv.  :-) :-)
  

From another friend...

   Received yesterday, postmarked 4/20/93 Asheville NC:

   "Grotto Falls, photo by Jim Doane"

   Grotto Falls on Roaring Fork is a reward to anyone who walks the easy 1 1/2  
   mile trail from the parking area on the MOTOR NATURE TRAIL (Circled with   
   "Huh?  MOTOR NATURE? :-) near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  One may walk behind   
   this falls and remain dry except for a delightfully cooling spray on a hot   
   summer afternoon. 

   From Ger:

   4/19/93, mile 266.8, day 23.
   Deer Park Shelter, AT, NC

   Turned a lot of mileage in the last few days.  22 miles today, 102 in the
   last 7 days and 71 in the last 4 days.  I'm going to slow down a bit so my
   friends can catch up.  I'm taking 2 days off in Hot Springs.  I'm 3 miles
   from there now.  Pretty good hike today, lots of views from Max Patch Bald.
    There's no leaves on the trees yet and the forest floor is wall to wall
   wildflowers.  It's a pretty awesome sight.  Saw lots of fur on the trail
   today.  Seems like some large varmints are shedding.  No blood so it's not
   some sort of prey.  Some thru-hiker probably ate them whole :-)

   moowhniot  <--approx. reproduction, possible signature, makes mine look
   completely legible!  Oh, to be on that trail...

>   moowhniot
    
    Maybe an interpretative art form of "Moon Shot"?  I hope he never has
    to pick out names for kids.  :-)
    
    Jamie

re            <<< Note 326.219 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR "Be kind: unwind" >>>

>   "Huh?  MOTOR NATURE? :-) near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  One may walk behind   

i've been up to Gatlinburg before.  Cool place... lots of old southern
attractions there.  my friend and i sucked back quite a few brews as i
recall..............

   Postcard received 4/23:
   front: "Great Smoky Mountains" with waterfall
   
   4/17/93 mile 233.7 day 21  - davenport gap shelter, AT, NC
   
   Another long day - 15+ miles.  I'm at the end of the Smokies
   with less than a mile to go.  About 10 thru hikers got off at
   the gap and went to "Mountain Moma's Kuntry Store and Bunkhouse" [sic].
   I'm not ready for another town just yet so I'm holed up here.  Looks
   like 3 ten mile days ahead.  not much campsite selection.  So I guess
   I'll spend time in the afternoon just goofing off.  Either that or
   carry extra water so I can camp farther in.  Climbed a side trail to
   Mt. Cammerer today.  Great views of the smokies and of the mountains 
   I'll be going over in the next few days.  Oh ... it's acdtually spring
   down here in the gap.  Snow in the mountains, but leaves on the
   trees here.
                           - Moon Shot
   
   (note that the signature must now be official, and it is 2 separate
   words)  Thanks, ger !  good luck ...

    
    From Moonshot, postmarked 4/20/93 Ashville, NC Great Smoky Mountains
    (firey red, orange, yello trees)
   
    4/18/93. Mile 244.2, Day 22 Groundhog Creek shelter, AT, NC
   
    Short day but its either 2 long days or 2.5 medium ones to hot springs.
    This place was so nice I had to stay. I knew there was a swimming hole
    here and found one 1/4 mile downstream. First one :-( There's a '92
    thru-hiker here from last year. He gave us a few tips on places to
    stay/visit. I knew of most of them but he made it sound like I
    shouldn't miss them. I'm about to hit one in a day and a half and I'm
    psyched.
   
    ps. this place has a sense of place.

         Being an avid summer and winter hiker and camper, and one who has
    daydreamed of some day tackling the Appalachian Trail from end to end,
    I am getting a great deal of vicarious pleasure from reading the "play
    by play" of Gerry's journey.  
    
         Keep those cards and letters coming!
    
    Russ

    
   Postmarked 4/20/93, Asheville NC
   
   Postcard is "Fontana Lake - Great Smoky Mountains"
   
   4/14/93, mile 190.8, Day 18
   Silers Bald Shelter, AT, NC/TN
   
   Fairly long day - 14.3 miles. Might take a short day
   tomorrow. We're only allowed to stay at shelters here
   and the next one is at 2 miles, then 8, then 16.
   I expect rain tomorrow and with 2 6K'ers, I'll probably
   only do 8. Only 3 of us here tonight. We seem to be
   between 2 large groups. The shelters ahead of us were
   full both nights and I know there's a big group behind.
   This is great, though. Saw a few deer today. Some kind
   of white tails. No bear yet but a thru-hiker saw one
   yesterday. My burn is healing nicely. Legs a little sore
   from the extra weight. I feel good though - Moonshot
   

    re .224
    
    Before he left, I sent Gerry a note thanking him for letting me
    vicariously hike the AT.  He offered to send me his used socks to
    enhance the experience (smell-o-rama).
    
    I declined.
    
    Jamie

   Postcard description:
           Valley Fog - Clingman's Dome
           A sea of fog engulfs the peaks of
           Clingman's Dome, giving the sunrise an eerie,
           yet beautiful quality.
                           Photo by Bill Tuttle.
   
   ****************************************************
   
   April 20 & 21, Mile 270, Days 24 + 25
   The Inn at Hot Springs, Hot Springs, NC
   ----
   I'm finally taking a couple days off.  I'm
   staying at an old Victorian home with a bunch
   of great folks in a nice quiet little town with
   natural hot springs.  This house is beyond description.
   I have a private room uniquely furnished with a door 
   that opens to a back porch and out to the garden
   all for $10 !!  There's not enough room to describe
   what this place is really like (perhaps Cindy or
   Tim can expand a little for me :-), but it's the
   most unique place I've ever been in (my kind of
   place).
   
                           (signed) Moon Shot
                                    GA -> ME '93

Talked to Ger today. He's been sidetracked for a couple of days by some 
locals who put him to work for beer.  He called cause he needs Ting 
stickers.  His trail name is Rambozo again...

Sheesh, it should be The Vacillator or something...

   received in the mail yesterday, 4-28-93, wednesday:
   
   postcard of a red sky sunset with the smoky mountains in profile, 
   and a band of back lit clouds across the sky, GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS 
   NATIONAL PARK in the lower right corner.  nice colors of back lit
   reddish greys, the sky is reddish, except at the top, where in one
   corner it's greenish-yellow-reddish...
   
   Bambi stamp, postmarked 04/20/93 20:51.  "NO RAIN, NO MAINE" written
   in the area to the left of the stamp.  
   
   "4/14/93, Mile 198.8, Day 14
   Mt. Collins Shelter, AT, TN
   Bad weather day today, gale force 
   winds all night long last night and 
   all thru the hike today.  Winds got even 
   fiercer the closer we got to Clingmans 
   Dome (the highest point on the AT).  We 
   climbed up the tower anyways just 
   to see how windy it really was.  We're 
   camped here with 7 Boy Scouts and 
   5 thru-hikers.  I got a blaze-o fire 
   going after the Scouts gave up :-) (.The 
   shelters here are stone with a fireplace).
   Thunderstorms and hail going on now 
   with tornado warnings for our area (the 
   "Cheerios" have a ham radio that gets 
   N.O.A. weather). I don't need a radio to 
   tell me this is very bad weather.  How 
   come postcards don't depict how 
   the weather really is?  Moon Shot"
   
   Caption on card:  "Sunrise as seen from atop Clingmans Dome, the 
   highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This 
   mountain towers 6,643 feet above sea level and is the the third 
   highest point east of the Mississippi River."  Written next to 
   caption:  "GA -> ME @".
   

    
   "Great Smoky Mountains", picture of
   stream with trees and rocks.  Dated
   4/12/93, postmarked 4/20.
   
   "Fontana Dam Shelter, At, NC.  Short hike today,
   had to go into town to pick up supplies.  Pack
   weighs 65+ lbs., ugh!  No stops for 105 miles.
   The shelter is great...running water, hot
   showers by the dam, all courtesy of the TVA :-|.
   Nice view of the lake (also courtesy of the
   TVA). Heading into the Great Smoky Mountains
   tomorrow (they are on the other side of the
   dam).  Probably will take a walk out across the
   dam later.  It's the highest in the East at 480
   feet.  Oh, one of my mail drops didn't make it
   here, so I had to have it forwarded.  Should be
   able to do the 105 miles in about 8 days -
   moonshot.
   

    >> April 20 & 21, Mile 270, Days 24 + 25
    >> The Inn at Hot Springs, Hot Springs, NC
    
    
    Wow!  That's a lot of hiking in 25 days....
    
    :), danielle

    I got this letter from Gerry last week:
    

    4/21/93 Hot Springs, NC

    Hi Phyllis,

    How's it going?  Thanks for writing, it's great to get mail once in a
    while instead of me sending it all the time.  I'm having fun here
    taking 2 days  off from hiking.  I'm even drinking a decent beer
    (almost - St. Pauli Girl). Never thought I'd find something other than
    "Old Milwaukee" out here. :-|

    The place I'm staying at is pretty wild.  It's a victorian house
    furnished with all sorts of wild stuff.  My room has a 4-poster bed,
    mahogany fireplace, bizarre artifacts, full size skeleton in my closet
    (yes, a skeleton :-).   The music room has drums, horns, guitars,
    piano, etc.  There's wild hats and costumes everywhere (the statues are
    all decked out).  The place has a sort of communal 60's feel to it
    (food is awesome family style veggie). Best part is, the room only cost
    me ten bucks!! (thru-hikers only).

    Sounds like your Vegas trip is shaping up real nice.  I wish I were
    going. Looks like I'll miss summer tour also.  Nothing coincides with
    my trail whereabouts.  I might do the NYC & Boston shows (what do I
    mean "might" :-)

    The trail's been great so far.  Still trying to catch up with the
    partiers that I know are not too far ahead.  Most folks I've met are
    all business and no pleasure.  Me, I wanna have FUN!! :-)  I mean I can
    hike any old time but this trip is supposed to be fun, too.  I can do
    both, just ask Fog, Tim, Jamie and Da ve :-)  In 270 miles only one
    person asked what's up with the rubber chicken.  Geez! :-)

    Well, it's off to lunch and to the HOT SPRINGS!  I'll have a mail
    schedule thru Harper's Ferry (just about 1/2 way) all worked out by the
    time I hit Roan Mtn.  Please make sure Fog doesn't send any more food
    (dammit!) to those stops.  He's sent too much already (tell him to
    RELAX :-)

    X's & O's, Gerry

Ger is in Roan Mtn Tennesee.  He has changed his plans.

If you are planning to send Ger mail, please PAY ATTENTION...

Ger has decided to skip the Trail Days fair at Damascus on the 14th., so
any mail sent to that address after Saturday might miss him.  He is due in
Damascus on Thursday, May 7. He had originally planned to hike out of
Damascus, then hitch back to the fair, then pick up where he had left off
after that.

His next stop is: c/o General Delivery, Pearlsburg, VA, 24134 He is due
there 5/18.

He is skipping the fair because he wants to get well ahead of the 500
through-hikers expected and because the Tennesee locals are very
hiker-unfriendly, and he is anxious to get into Virginia. He says that the
locals have been a pain in the butt; he'll tell the whole story in
postcards to come...

>If you are planning to send Ger mail, please PAY ATTENTION...

DAMMIT.

   Photo of:  The Chimneys - Great Smoky Mountains
   
   Fri, 4/23/93, Mile 296.3, Day 27
   
   JERRY Cabin Shelter, AT, TN/NC border
   
   Slogged all day thru snow, mud, and slush.  Great day though, fine views
   and a nice 15 mile hike despite the above.  This shelter is maintained
   by someone with a sense of humor -- the outhouse is labeled "gazebo",
   there's a phone on the wall as well as a lamp.  There's a fireplace in
   the shelter and plenty of cut, dry wood.  I'm a day behind "Sawman" who
   picked up a new saw blade in Hot Springs and has been leaving cut,
   stacked wood behind ever since.  :-)   "The Hook" saw a bear about a
   half mile from here.  Maybe we'll get lucky and see one tonight.  
   Sautee'd some "ramps" (wild onions) with dinner.  They're not bad.  I'll
   be sure to use them again but will wait until the snow melts because
   they're hard to locate and dig up with snow cover.  Well, gotta go now.
   I need to use the gazebo.  :-)
                                                Moonshot  GA->ME '93

   4/16/93, mile 218.8 day 20
   Tri-corner Knob Shelter, AT, NC
   -
   Fierce thunderstorms and hail storms last night. lots of blowdown to climb 
   over/under today. put in 20+ miles today. just felt like letting loose. 
   awesome scenery over the ridge lines all day. best of the trek so far. 
   Should be through the smokies tomorrow (well, within a mile anyways). 70 
   miles in 5 days. most folks are getting off the trail to resuply tomorrow,
   but i've got enough to get to hot springs. still have 6 days of food in
   my pack but i hardly felt it today. guess i'm getting stronger. it's
   cold + snowy tonight. gotta sleep with my water filter. it'll get
   below freezing- moonshot
   below freezing- moonshot

   picture on front:
   waterfall and pond with caption reading:
   Abrams Falls
   Great Smokey Mountains

   and on the other side:
   One of the most impressive sights in the park is Abrams Falls where Abrams
   Creek plunges more than thirty feet over a spectacular rock ledge to a
   beautiful pool below. The trail to the falls begins about halfway around
   the Cades Cove Loop Road and is a very easy five mile round trip hike.

   when sharon and I droped ger off at the trailhead in GA, we all
   hiked up to this neat little waterfall before seeing him off. just
   the three of us all alone at the base of the falls (not Abrams Falls).
   most have been what ger was thinking of when he pick this card to
   send to me.

    4/26-28/93 mile 338.3 days 30-32
    Haven Farm, Tumbling Creek Hollow, Erwin TN
    
    Impromptu layover here. Free room and board in exchange for a little
    work. It's sorta a thru-hiker hotel/commune that we were invited to
    stay at. I'm only the 6th person so far. (There's 3 others here.) Me
    and "Bluejeans" built a bench for the firepit and a deck for the
    hammock area. We also cleaned out the woodfired hottub and it's firing
    up now. It's "Sawmans" b-day and "Lowrider" just came in for the
    occasion. Boones Creek Bunch just pulled in now. Looks like there's
    going to be a party! This hollow is pretty scenic. Nice creek and
    there's a log cabin for sale for 20K$ right across the creek.
    Hmmmmm.....
    Some day I'll tell you the story of the elephant that was
    lynched in Erwin in 1916.
    Moonshot GA-->MA 93
    
    _________________________________________________________________
    I was so psyced to get a card from GERRY! I feel very prived!
    
    rfb

    hmmmm...  signed GA-->MA???  has he changed his plans and decided to
    quit 3 states short of his goal?  :^)
    
    					da ve

    yep, typo...his handwritting is VERY small on my post card...
    rfb

    
   Front:
       Mountain scene with white trees in the foreground,
       Caption - North Carolina
   
   Back:
       "Snow covered trees in the North Carolina mountains delight the
       winter visitor."
   
   4/29/93, day 33, mile 347.6
   _BEAUTY_ Spot BALD, AT, TN
   Camped on top of a nice grassy BALD tonight. Watching the sun set and
   cooking supper now. Haven't set up my tent yet But the sun is hidden
   behind some dark clouds now off in the west. If a storm comes thru
   tonight, I gonna get creamed.
   
   Had fun last night at Sawman's birthday party. We made up a shirt that
   says "Eat My Sawdust" :-)
   
   The moon is out now and I can see the lights of Erwin, TN twinkling
   below. HAH! The Boone's Creek Bunch just shoed up (they're locals and
   you can drive up here). Most likely they brought Beer! :-) 
   
   Oh, my name's been changed back to:
                                   Rambozo
   

Hey Fog - 

Tim Dalton asked me to ask you why haven't you posted anything here
yet about Gerry getting shot (as in with a gun) in Tennessee?

Josh

    WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope this is false, believe it or not, I had a
    strange preminition about this!!!!!
    rfb

>Tim Dalton asked me to ask you why haven't you posted anything here
>yet about Gerry getting shot (as in with a gun) in Tennessee?

Well, I did, if you read .233 carefully....

Seriously, though, I thought he was going to tell of it in a postcard, and 
I didn't want to spoil the story or post something that would be redundant.

Anyhow, Ger was hiking through a part of Tennessee south of Irwin where the
trail had been recently relocated. This relocation had involved some land
taking by Emminent Domain, and at least one local resident was very hostile
towards thru-hikers.  Apparently, this man had sort of shadowed Ger for a
while, and Ger knew his name and had encountered him over a period of
several days. This was during the period when Ger layed over with some
friendly locals for a couple of days. I don't know the relationship of the
one local to the other locals, but it may have had something to do with why
the guy chose Ger as a target.  One day the guy fired his BB gun at Ger and
hit him in the left cheek. The shot raised a large welt but didn't break
the skin. Ger did not report this or file charges because he knew the local
constabulatories would be just as hiker-unfriendly.  This sort of thing is
not an uncommon occurrance for this particular area. In the past some
hikers have been killed.

   address update:
   
   Gerry Gladu
   c/o General Delivery
   Pearisburg, VA 24134
   Hold for AT Through Hiker, Due 5/17
   
   Waynesboro, VA 22980
   Hold for AT Through Hiker, Dur 6/1???
   
   
   

    
   5/2/93, Mile 380.8, Day 36 (obscured by postmark so
   miles may be wrong)
   
   Stayin here at Stack's. Extremley windy day crossing
   the treeless balds but I enjoy the mountain weather.
   Pretty foggy as well couldn't see more than 20 feet
   away. Unfortunately the blazes were 60 feet apart.
   I've dropped my trail names again they just don't
   fit. Getting ready to push into Virginia. I might
   skip trail days just to keep ahead of the crowds.
   I'm here showering (not now dammit ! :-) and doing
   laundry. Elvis Presley stayed in room #7 here. Did a
   repair to my sandals and removed all four pockets
   from my pack trying to trim as much as I can.
   Weight doesn't bother me as much as other folks. Got
   shot in the ass by a BB gun walking down the road
   today - good ol' Tennessee :-(
   
           Gerry
   
   The postcard is from Stack's Roan Mountain Motel and
   restruant and the picture is a map of the AT with
   "I'm here" added. He still has an awful long way to
   go.  

   Corrected.  He just called from near Atkins, VA...

   address update:
   
   Gerry Gladu
   c/o General Delivery
   Pearisburg, VA 24134
   Hold for AT Through Hiker, Due 5/18
   
   c/o General Delivery
   Waynesboro, VA 22980
   Hold for AT Through Hiker, Due 6/8
   
   
   

    
    a postcard sent to ting:
    
   Handwritten note:
   
           4/25/93, Mile 331.3, Day 29
           No Business Knob Shelter, AT, Tenn.
           ----
           I'm actually writing this the morning of the 26th.  Late
           start but ut's raining and it's only 7 miles into Erwin
           (more on Erwin tomorrow :-) where we're going to consume
           mass quantities of beer and pizza.  Anyways, had a 
           beautiful hike yesterday (20 miles) and met 4 thru-
           hikers I've been following for a while.  Met 2 (Blue Jeansi
           and Stone) yesterday morning and they gave us pizza.  They
           had hitched to a cafe for a sandwich and got picked up by
           a rugby team that was 2 men short, so they ended up in
           Ashville playing rugby.  The team brought them out for
           free beer and pizza and showed them the "3 man lift" :-).
           They then dropped them off at the trailhead late that
           night and we found them the next day with pizza left.
           Awesome views and decent trail conditions (except for the
           I181 detour :-).  Time to pack up and head to town.
   
                                   Moonshot  GA->ME '93
   
   Printed description of card
   ---------------------------
   
           Linville Falls displays a panorama od autumn color as the
           waterfall plunges into the 2,000 foot deep Linville Gorge.
           The area was donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to the
           National Park Service.  Linville Falls is located at mile
           post 316-317 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
   
                                   Phot by:  Bill Tuttle
   
   Picture up front
   ----------------
   
           Splendid panoramice view of Linville Falls on Blue Ridge
           Parkway with beautiful reds and yellows and oranges and
           purples coloring the hillside.
   

    
    FYI - Gerry's birthday is the end of the month.  I'm sure he'd
    appreciate getting a card on the trail!
    
    

   picture of a white water rafting trip, "Ride a wild river with one of
   the local rafting companies."
   
   5/5/93, mile 433.5     Double Springs Shelter, AT, TN
   
   21 mile day with an overflowed shelter, ten thru-hikers and also seven
   older feminist-type ladies camped nearby.  I caught up to a slower
   group and am camped up from the shelter.  18 miles into Damascus
   tomorrow and I intend to be up and out of here before the others are
   awake.  Probably going to take 2 days off to regroup myself, trim my
   pack weight and pick up a few items in town.  "Packmule" just showed
   up so there's eleven thru-hikers now. He's got his pack trimmed down 
   to 65-70 pounds now B^)   Listening to the others gossip about other
   thru-hikers.  Kinda makes me glad that i'll blow past them soon,
   they're ok but I'm out here to get away from that kind of crap.

re:       <<< Note 326.247 by TERAPN::PHYLLIS "in the shadow of the moon" >>>

>           Splendid panoramice view of Linville Falls on Blue Ridge
>           Parkway with beautiful reds and yellows and oranges and
>          purples coloring the hillside.

this is no doubt some very pretty country;  i camped in this area last
year while heading home from the summer tour.  very nice!   

   5/3/93, Mile 394.4, Day 37
   Moreland Gap Shelter, AT, TN
   
   Finally got thru the hostile section of the AT.  There's been problems
   in this section over the last few years with booby traps on the trail,
   harassments in town (I got shot in the butt with a B-B gun), attacks
   by dogs, etc.  It's just a really redneck section.  The hike even
   sucked - cow pastures, lots of steep ups and downs, climbing over 
   barbwire.  Found two old moonshine stills in the woods today.  Gues it's
   a heavy moonshine area here.  Pack weight down to 41 lbs with 5 days
   food.  Goal is to get underr 40 lbs with 7 days food.  I should have
   that by damascus.  I lost 26 lbs so far since starting.  I figure to
   lose 10 more.  - Gerry
   
   Postcard of people rafting from "USA Whitewater"
   

    I got this one from Gerry yesterday.  
        
    CARD: Beautiful photo of a wild turkey in flight.
    
    CAPTION: A wild turkey lifts into startled flight at slight sounds made
    by the hidden camera.  Its brilliant colors are displayed only
    momentarily as this magnificant bird passes through a shaft o fsunlight
    in the lush forest that is his home.
    
    THE MESSAGE:
    
    5/4/93, mile 412.8, Day 38  Watauga Lake Shelter, AT, TN
    
    Rain'n day to day but clear and blue sky now.  18.4 mile day in 8.5
    hours.  21 and 18 mile days ahead the next two days into Damascus. 
    Finally broke the 400 mile mark.  Awesome scenery thru Laurel Fork
    Gorge.  Sort of a tortuous gorge cut thru a fault line.  Nice hike with
    nobody else around all day.  Climbed down into the bottom to check out
    the waterfalls.  The leaves are all out now and everything is vivid
    green outside the front of the shelter.  Saw a tree fall in the forest
    (and it did make noise. :-) ) Two days 'til Virginia!!!
    
    

   
   Saturday, April 24, 1973
   Hogback Ridge Shelter AT NC/TN
   Mile 310.9  Day 28  
   
   Picture: A mountain stream and delicate yellow/green new spring foliage.
   
   Caption: A cool mountain stream, rich in flora is a delight to many 
            visitors of the beautiful North Carolina mountains.
   
   Lots of uphill today, only did 14.6 miles.  Caught up with Sawman,
   who is now doing what he does best - saw wood.  Trail was weird today,
   the steepest hill had nice switchbacks once but now makes a beeline
   straight up in spots.  Then when you get to the top, you're now going
   south with Tenn. to the east!  To the west is the ridge I went north
   on yesterday.  Then when you go downhill, the trail used to go straight
   but they added switchbacks.  Not only that, but they added about 30
   speedbumps - between each of which are the ditches they took the dirt
   from!  When you ascend to the top of the ridge, you're now going north
   parallel to the ridge you just went south on.  The ridges are in N.C.
   but the valley between is in Tenn.  Nice day but T-storms tomorrow 
   and Monday and I need to do 20 tomorrow.
   
                                               Moon Shot
   

"Yogiing" is the fine art of stealing food from day hiker's piki-nick baskets.


   From TN, postmarked 5/3:
   
   4/30/93, Mile 351.1, Day 34
   Clydesmith Shelter, AT, TN
   
   Only 3 people here tonight but there's 18 not far behind. I always seem
   to luck out and stay between the big groups. Met Uphill Bill and Boston
   Andy. (AKA [email protected]) ownder of the fastes first need in the
   east. :-) After my 3 day layover in Erwin, there's lots of people I
   haven't met yet who are close behind. I imagine I'll run into them all
   at Stalks cuz I have to stay there thru Monday so I can mail all that
   extra food that materialized there somewhere else. Only doing 11 miles
   tomorrow, and 10 the next day because of it. Good possibility to do some
   "yogiiing" on Roan, though.   --Gerry
   
   
   Picture is of Azalea in bloom in the southern appalachian mountains.

    "This is where I stayed in Hot Sprints."
           "SUNNYBANK INN"
     Built in 1875, home of famous Appalachian Balladeer
     Jane Gentry, the Inn at Hot Springs has offered
     hospitality to visitors for over a centry.

   4/22/93, Mile 281, Day 26
   Spring Mountain shelter, AT, NC
   ______

   So sad to leave Elmer's today.  Going to
   miss the 4 course meals.  Cold, clear and
   windy today with snow in the mountains.  Only
   did 11 miles but expect to do the 110 Miles
   to Roan Mountain in about 8-9 days.  Sent
   my winter layers home and got my pack down
   to 46LBS with 10 days food, and full water
   and fuel bottles in it. Can't really trim
   too much more. Might send home for my
   candle lantern since I can afford a luxury
   item or two. Got a tiny FM radio now to
   listen to NPR + get weather. Mostly use it
   to drown out the snoring in the shelters.
   Dinner is simmering but I don't know what
   it is since Mr. Support Person didn't label
   it. :-) Came out pretty good despite the
   inclusion of microwave instructions
   instead of stove top. :-)         Moonshot
                             GA->ME '93

   Photo of the inn on the front-- White house with large
   windows, 2 chimneys, and a mountain in the background,
   obscured by mist.

   postmark 930420: asheville, nc :

   "4/13/93, mile 176.5, day 17 Russell Field Shelter, AT , NC --
   Tough day. Lots of ups and downs.  Went thru 5 liters of water mostly due
   to pack weight.  Made good time despite the weight, though.  Mr. Ranger
   checked out my burn today.  hE said it looked ok but that I should let
   it air out.  Too nice to take a day off.  Guess i'll have to start
   earlier so that I can stop sooner to let it mend.  Shelters in the
   smokies are stone with double platforms, indoor fireplace and are
   enclosed by a chain link fence to keep the bears out.  Saw wild boar
   signs today - they tend to uproot the forest like a roto-tiller.  Got a
   few long days ahead of us and rain for a few days as well.  Looks like
   no view from Clingman's Dome for me.  Got Thunderhead and Rocky Top to
   do tomorrow.
                           Moonshot "

   Obverse:  Stream scene with landscape reflected in shallow rocky water.
             titled : "Great Smokey Mountains"

   Caption:  The unbroken surface of the crystaline Little Pigeon River
   mirrors a spring morning in Tennessee's GSM's
                                           Photo by Bill Tuttle

   5/11/93, Mile 521.5, Day 45
   Chatfield Shelter, AT, VA
   ------------
   19.2 miles today, these long days are getting to be
   easier, started taking longer breaks mid day and
   that really helps my feet a lot.  Took today's
   lunch break at Mr. Ranger's HQ.  Called Dominos to
   order a pizza and a salad.  It got there in 23 minutes.
   Had another thuderstorm today.  That's 5 days running
   now.  Still haven't really caught in one yet.  They
   don't last long but they are quite violent.  Sitting
   5 miles out of Atkins, VA.  Heading there to resupply
   & shower, etc. tomorrow.
                                   Moonshot
   ---------------------------------------------------
   The winter sun reflects the crystal composition
   of an early evening snowfall framed through an
   arch of bent tree limbs.

   5/8/93, mile 460.4, day 42
   Saunders Shelter, AT, VA
   -------
   Hiked about 9.5 miles out of Damascus today.  Fairly easy climb despite
   2000' plus elevation gain.  There's 11 people here, 8 of which are
   thru-hikers.  The first shelter after a major trail town is usually
   full, but I usually pull a long day on the second day out of town so
   I can hike between groups.  That way I can usually be guaranteed
   space in a shelter and also the trail seems less crowded.  I put new
   insoles in my boots so my feet practically danced up the trail today.
   I'm doing an 18 mile day tomorrow up to Mt. Rogers.  There's a shelter
   near the summit, hopefully there'll be views.  Doesn't matter though,
   I'm still going to climb it.  It's the highest mountain in the state
   and I'm not packing a summit chicken (tm) for nothing.  Birds are
   *really* singing right now.  After 2 nights in Damascus, it sounds
   very nice.  It's going to be tough readjusting to city life/noise after
   the trail.

                                                   moonshot
                                                   GA->ME '93

   front of card:  sunrise over some Virginia mountains.

   caption:  Nestled in silence, the early morning mist awaits the burning
   warmth of sunrise in this serene setting in the mountains of Virginia.

Looks like we're missing a few postcards. The following days are unaccounted 
for as of today:

13, 15, 35, 40, 41, 43, 44

IF you've recieved a card from ger, please share it! This is how he is 
documenting his whole trip...

    Thanks a whole ton for doin' this...i'm really gettin' into it...it's
    like the continuing saga of the Ger-trail-o-mon.....
        
    dugo

Mr. Support Person (if you are who I think you are) - 
	Are you sending Gerry Mystery Meat dinners?  Did you take off the 
"stove-top" instructions on purpose?  ;-) ;-) ;-)

Josh

I've sent him so many damned dinners, I have no idear which one it was, 
though I think I might have screwed up and mixed the "Powdered Lobster 
Bisque" with the "42 alarm Chili" while decanting them into ziplock baggies...

    :-)

Fwiw, I found a great price on Freezed dried dinners, too: REI had a sale 
on four dinner varieties for $2.50 to $3.00 ea. I just recieved a VAX
4000-sized carton of them this week. Problem is keeping the critters in my 
barn out of it...

Ger's next stop: (he was in Pearisburg, VA day before yesterday)...   


   c/o General Delivery
   Waynesboro, VA 22980
   Hold for AT Through Hiker, Due 5/28
   
   
   

	5/12/93, Mile 526.1, Day 46
	Village Motel, AT, VA

	---

	Short day, did laundry, showered and re-supplied.  Staying
	at this motel tonight resting up from doing [25,75?] miles 
	in 4 hiking days as well as the 90 mile stretch to Pearlsburg.
	My cheezy waterbag gave out so I have a new one waiting there
	as well as a new set of gaiters from "OR" because the ones 
	I have are defective.  Raining really hard now and thunderstorms
	are expected for the next few days so I expect to get pretty wet.
	The shelters are pretty far apart so I'll have to do lots of wet
	miles.
						Moonshot

	---

	The front of the postcard features 2 shots of the Village Motel 
	& restaurant, which illustrates the simple beauty of, early 60's 
	architecture.   It's easy to see why Ger is doing this trip ;-);-)
	An hand-drawn arrow points to the first room to the left of the 
	Office, which I assume means this is where Ger got to shower and
	rest up. 

    5/14/93, mile 559.7, day 48 jenkins shelter, at, va. 
    
    pretty tired today, started the day off with a 2000' climb up to an
    open ridge. absolutely great views down into a farm valley. the
    afternoon portion of the  hike was almost 10 miles of up and down over
    a boulder strewn, sawtooth ridge. my feet are like raw hamburger
    tonight. you take the good with the bad, though still managed to good
    time despite the battered feet and inaccurate maps. this shelter does
    have interesting psychedelic murals on the outhouse. either that, or
    i'm more tired than i thought.    
    
    					moonshot
   
   postmarked roanoke, va. 19may
   
    picture of new river, valley and rapids. 
    
    caption: the wild and scenic new river, one of the world's oldest
    rivers, and perhaps the oldest, winds its way north from north carolina
    into the mountains of virginia. it flows east of wytheville and
    pulaski, then through radford, pearlsburg, and narrows and into west
    virginia.

    
   picture:  New River Valley, Virginia
   blurb:  The wild and scenic New River, one of the world's oldest rivers,
   and perhaps the oldest, winds its way north from North Carolina into
   the mountains of Virginia.  It flows east of Wytheville and Pulaski,
   then through Radford, Pearisburg, and Narrows and into West Virginia.
   
   5/17/93  mile 610.5  day 50
   Camped on ledge on Pearis Mtn., AT, VA
   
   Mice chewed through the ankle of one leg of my rainpants last night.
   Two holes about the size of a quarter.  I never heard of mice eating
   Gore-tex before.  Patched them up, not really a show stopper, but I'm
   ticked off.  Camped in a nice spot on a ledge overlooking the valley
   on the reverse of this card.  I'm about 2 miles out of Pearisburg where
   I'll take the day off tomorrow for laundry, shower, and resupply.
   I'm going to call Marmot about getting my pants repaired also, they
   might send me a loaner pair while mine get fixed.  Anyways, after 90
   miles in 5 days, I need a rest.    Moonshot

    
   5/13/93, Mile 539.9, Day 47
   Knot Maul Shelter, AT, VA
   
   Passed the 1/4 mark today!!! Celebrated by packing in two beers.  On a
   six month pace but that's with taking 7 [2?]  days off and also
   factoring in conditioning the next 1/4 should go by faster.  The
   rhododendrons should be blooming soon and the woods should be ablaze
   with the blossoms.  Trying to get the weather on the radio but all I
   can get is the usual evangelism, C+W, and, get this, Wheel of
   Fortune!?  How the hell do you play "WOF" on the radio?  I usually get
   NPR but not here for some reason.  Don't care to hear the news today
   anyways.  No weather but it surely looks like rain.
   
           moonshot
   

   Tim Dalton just spoke with Ger,
   
   He's in Troutsville, VA (Near Roanoke)
   Just did 90 miles in 6 days and is taking a day off.
   He's at 703 miles, just about 1/3 of the way.
   
   Waynesboro is his next mail drop, as posted earlier.  He'll be there
   for 2 days of r&r.
   
   Sunday is his birthday!
   
   He can be reached till tomorrow morning at:
   
   703 992 1234, x230.  He'll be in and out during the day.
   He's off to an all you can eat restaurant or three!
   
   Fog, please try and call him.  He tried to get in touch with you
   earlier. Also, have you had any of his film developed at a double 
   exposure place, to send a copy to him ?
   
   in 300 miles (less than 3 weeks) is his next drop:
   
   A.T. Conference
   PO Box 807
   Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
   25425-0807
   

Ger is in a chatty mood; he misses us...


Fog_whose_ear_got_bent_for_an_hour...

    just in...post card w/ map of AT on front w/ "I AM Here--->" written on
    it, back of card is crossed off, did read Stacks Roan Mt. Motel and
    Restaurant and in place reads "I'm not here anymore but this is where I
    got shot." card itself reads:
    
    5/18/93 mile 613.0 day 51
    plaza motel, pearisburg? VA
    
    It's a rest chore day. Pleasant town and the residents are friendly,
    but I may have a tough time sleeping in a bed with city type noises
    going on. Not that this is a big city, pop. 2500. Cut all my hair off
    as well as my beard (kept the moustache) Hair's about 1/2 inch long
    now. Needed it. Too uncomfortable hiking 18-20 miles a day with long
    hair. Many of the women I've met (thru-hikers) have cut their hair even
    shorter than that. Got heavy rain coming for the next few days. :-(
    Had my summer sleeping bag sent here so my pack is now even lighter. So
    far have been able to keep stuff dry. Some folks still have problems
    with that :-)
    Moonshot
    

    this one came in a couple of days ago...  postmark Roanoke VA on
    5-19...
    
    picture has a pretty shot of two backpakers walking along a split rail
    fence past a flowering rhododendron...  along the bottom it sez
    "Appalachian Trail along the Blue Ridge Mountains"...
    
    the back sez "the appalachina trail winds across the panoramic
    highlands of the shenandoah national park in the blue ridge
    mountains, taking the hiker along a popular 95 mile segment that
    closely parallels the entire length of the skyline drive.  Beautiful
    blooming rhododenron and delicate wildflowers greet the early summer
    trekkers pictured here."  
    
    it also sez the at is 2135 miles from Maine to Georgia...  Ger has
    crossed it out and replaced it with "2,147.3 miles DAMMIT!"
    
    5/16/93  Mile 596.8   Day 48  Wapiti Shelter, AT, VA
    
    "Nice 23 mile day today. Packed in a couple of pints of beer from the
    store down below.  Life is good, I'm relaxed.  Saw 5 deer since getting
    here.  I guess that's why they call it "wapiti shelter."  Nice swimming
    hole but we're inthe midst of our daily thunderstorm and i don't feel
    like taunting higher deities by doing the backstroke in the pond when
    they have lightning bolts at thier disposal.  There's only 2 of us
    here.  I guess if I keep up the big miles I can keep ahead of the 
    pack of hikers not far behind.  There's a bazillion screech owls here.
    They need to *RELAX*!  :^)    Moonshot"

    I just tried to call Ger but the phone was buzzzyyyyyy so I left a
    message (as he should be hitting the trail soon...) hope I didn't miss
    him completely :')
    
    
    Chris

    (it was me, Chris :-)
    
    I just spoke with Ger.  He says Hi!  He really likes Virginia a lot -
    nice, mellow, state.. friendly locals.  He's with a bunch of folks that
    he's been hiking with for about 3 weeks now.  I was glad to hear there
    were some who could keep up with him so he could have some
    companionship.  Sounded like for a while he was blowing everyone by. He
    says "the wound everyone is interested in" is healing fine. ;-) He's
    headed for some good partying spot for his birthday this weekend. He's
    not sure he'd make it walking, so he might hitch up to it and  then get
    a ride back to where he was after Sunday.  It's some thru-hiker only
    place with hottubs and good partying facilities.  (I don't remember the
    name.)  He's thinking about trying to hit RFK if possible but he'll
    probably be in NJ by then so he's not sure.  All in all, he sounded
    really good and seems to be having a great adventure.  

    This one arrived a couple of days ago and was postmarked May 12
    (he's walking faster than the post office can deliver...)
    
    5/9/93 Mile 479.2 Day 43
    Thomas Knob Shelter, AT, VA
    
    Long hike--18.8 miles. Pretty much uphill all the way. Camped near
    the summit of Mt. Rogers, the highest in Virginia. There's wild horses
    and sometimes they come in and peek into the shelter. Nice sunny day
    today until an hour ago when a couple of thunder clouds materialized
    from nowhere and lambasted us for the last 45 minutes. 3rd night in a
    row thunderstorms built up locally here. Probably do another long day
    tomorrow. Supposed to have some of the most spectacular scenery in the
    southern Appalachians tomorrow as well as herds of wild horses. 2 deer
    behind the shelter tonight.      Moonshot
    
    Card says: Commonwealth of Virginia
    First English settlement in  North America--Jamestown 1607. State Song:
    Carry Me Back To Old Virginia. Nicknames: Mother of Presidents & The
    Old Dominion, Statehood: June 25, 1788, Area--40,815 sq. miles. 1990
    population--over 6,000,000
    
    Front has a drawing of the state that says Greetings from Virginia with
    the state flag, flower (dogwood), and state bird (cardinal) on it with
    a drawing of the state on it.

    
    5/15/93, Mile 574.0, Day 48 Helveys Mills Shelter, AT, VA --- 
    
    Boy, it just doesn't get better than this.  Today was *IT*.  Nothing
    special, just a nice relaxing day.  Left the last shelter late, took my
    own sweet time hiking, had a nice long afternoon siesta and I'm just
    kicking back to a nice campfire right now.  Some days I like  putting
    in the miles and some days, like today, and so relaxed and dreamlike I
    just float through them.  I'll take one of these days any day, they
    make the whole trip worthwhile.  Saw a few deer, one not too far from
    the shelter.  Nice spot here: no view but there's a symphony of
    sound--birds singing to the sunset to my right, a pileated woodpecker
    banging on a hollow tree in front, and owls in the ravine to the left.
    -- *IT* 
    
    moonshot
   
    The caption:  "Virginia Appalachian Sunrise -- A golden sun garcefully
    rises above the mountains, painting the sky vivid shades of red and
    yellow. Layers of early morning fog nestled in the valleys below await
    its burning warmth." (Can't add anything to that--describes the front
    photo perfectly)

   5/20/93, mile 635.9, day 53
   bailey gap shelter, at, va
   -----
    
    19 mile day today.  hiked partly in west virginia along the border on
    the ridge.  pretty cold all day and getting colder now as the sun goes
    down. and i sent my warm sleeping bag home, too.  at least i can't
    freeze my asss off cuz there ain't much left to it after hiking 636
    miles. :-) hiking between groups again - lots of folks behind not too
    much people ahead.  didn't see anyone all day.  had afun 1700' climb up
    to the shelter to end the day.  dropped off the ridge on the other side
    of the road via 52 bazillion  switchbacks at about a 2% grade only to
    climb back up on this side wiht _no_ switchbacks.  typical day :-/
   
                                   moonshot, GA->ME
   
   (postmark undecipherable)
   
   OBVERSE:  Appalachian Trial (map), with a penned in "I AM HERE", arrow
   pointing to just S of Roanoke, sort of where Jefferson Nat. Forest ends
   and George Washington Nat. Forest begins.  Don't know if it was
   significant, but he pointed to the W side of the trail.
   

   Postcard is a map of the AT with "I am here" written in near Roanoke.
   
   5/22/93, Mile 672.5, Day 55
   
   Campsite near Pickle Branch Shelter, AT, VA
   
   23 mile day - 3 ridge cuts, 2 ridge runs and lots of rocks.
   Put some distance between us and the big group behind only
   to catch up with "Little John" and "Revie" - the 2 worse snorers
   out on the trail. So we camped in a great campsite on a stream
   just behind the shelter. Got to hand it to the Roanoke ATC trail
   maintainers. They did some nice work on an otherwise grueling
   section. Passed the site where Audie Murphy died in a plane crash.
   
   moonshot
   

    card sent to ting:
    
   Handwritten Note
   ----------------
   5/21/93, Mile 649.8, Day 54
   Laurel Creek Shelter, AT, VA
   
   14 mile day.  Thought the group out of Pearlsburg would catch up but they
   never made it past the last shelter.  As a result there's 4 of us here and
   ten at the last one.  Tomorrow is a distance day for me so I'll be able to
   keep a day away from two big groups ahead and behind.  It's not that I'm
   unsociable but I just think that 10-12 people at a shelter is a bit too
   much.  The terrain has been weird.  I've been heading northeast and seem
   to be crossing perpendicular to a series of parallel ridges.  So there's
   a lot of steep up and down lately.  Another cold night tonight.  Hoping
   for warm weather soon.
                                                        Moon Shot
   Printed Note
   ------------
   Love from Virginia
   
   Blue Ridge Mountains; Manassas National Battlefield Park; The Cascades;
   Virginia Beach
   
   Front of Card
   -------------
   Pictured the above-described scenery inside each of the letters of LOVE.
   The O in LOVE is covered by a dull-gold "No Time to Hate" sticker.  I was
   just wondering if he got the package (I guess he did! 8-)

   5/30/93 mile 784.5, fay 63
   Cow Camp Gap Shelter, AT, VA
   
   Had a most excellent birthday today.  Met a woman just before leaving
   Punchbowl Shelter who slackpacked myself, Acid and Sherpani 12 miles
   to US 60 and she gave me a 6-pack of beer, hotdogs, Snickers and cake
   when we picked up our packs again.  Now that's what I call "Trail
   Magic"!  I should probably thank my Guardian Bozo (TM) for today.
   After all it was his birthday too! B^)  Thanks to Phyliss for the
   present.  I shared it with my fellow slackpackers.
                                                   == Moonshot
   
   One of Virginia's many beautiful waterfalls, Crabtree Falls can be
   found off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the George Washington National
   Forest, 8 miles east of Montebello.
   
   picture of a pastoral wooded scene with Crabtree Falls gurgling down
   the cliffs.
   

   Mile 699.7, Day 56, Hayrock, VA. Dated 5/24, mailed 5/26.
   
   Old Rag Mountain, Skyline Drive, VA
   (picture of deep rolling hills of virginny)
   
   Caption: Located near milepost 46, just east of Skyland tourist center,
   Old Rag Mountain rises to an elevation of 3,268'. [snide left-coast
   comment: 3K feet makes a mountain? :-)] Even though Old Rag is
   considered a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenendoah
   National Park, its peak lies several miles east of the main ridge.
   
   Front: Most of the Blue Ridge slopes have a mantle of soil and are
   wooded to the top, but Old Rag is an exception. Along its rugged ridge
   line is much bare rock on which only lichens grow. A favorite
   destination for experienced hikers, Old Rag's summit requires energetic
   rock scrambling but reward with magnificent vistas. Cone-shaped
   Robertson Mountain stands in front of Old Rag.
   
   Gerry's words: Gave moonshot the day off today. Just felt like letting
   rambozo have a turn. Life's too short to have only one trailname. :-)
   One of the best days yet. Superb views from McAfee Knob, even better
   views from Tinker Cliffs, plus a bit of "Trail Magic" (TM) -- beer,
   soda, and treats lefts for thru-hikers at Campbell shelter by a former
   thru-hiker. Ended up camping near Hay Rock -- neat rock formation just
   outside of town. Just a *real good* day. Besides, any day that someone
   else inadvertently carries your rubber chicken can't be bad. :-)
    -Rambozo
   

   Mailed 5/26 Roanoke, VA
   5/23/93, mile 686.1, Day 55
   Campsite near catawba Mtn. Shelter AT, VA
   
   Great hiking day (14 miles). Yogi'd coffee in the morning from the train
   maintainer and beer in the afternoon in a parking lot. (Gave it away to
   "Pilgrim", I had 2 in my pack :-). Awesome views from Dragon's Tooth. Beautiful
   hike as well (14 mile days usualy are kinda lax :-). Hit a general store for
   lunch for sandwiches, beer & ice cream. Then packed up beer and chili dog
   fixin's for supper. Life is good (after living in the woods for 2 months, I'm
   easy to please :-). Watched two deer eating a late afternoon meal near the
   spring for a while. Saw another in a cow pasture. Saw a brazillion lizard on
   Dragon's Tooth. I think they were chameleons.
   Moon Shot
   
   written on a 3-1/2 x 7-1/2 green map of the Applachian Trail

    what's means 'slackpack' ?
    

    I'm pretty sure it means the act of slipping something extra into
    someone's pack without their knowing.
    
    Marv
    

looks like it means you take a day pack for hiking and you have someone drive 
your pack to a pickup point later down the trail... 

    that's it exactly...  slackpacking is when someone is willing to haul
    the majority of your gear to a point further up the trail...  then you
    hike without the weight to meet up with your gear...  sometimes it
    let's you have an easy day, sometimes it let's you get in some extra
    miles...  either way, it's a blessing according to most thru hikers!
    
    and just in case anyone was wondering or missed it the first time,
    "yogi-ing" is a way of getting food and drink from others...  often 
    you can scoop up food stuffs from other folks in exchange for a few
    stories, or just cuz they have more than they need and you happen to be
    standing there looking hungry! :^)  one can yogi successfully in
    heavily touristed areas with ease...  it is NOT required to have a 
    side kick named Boo-Boo however...
    
    					da ve

    Hey BOO BOO wanna take those picnanic baskets

    ah, I don't know Yogi. Mr. Ranger wil get awefully mad.

   5/6-7/93, Mile 458, Days 40-41                          ------------------
   Damascus, Virginia                Post Card            |           Harriet|
   ---                                   |                |            Quimby|
   Came into town yesterday, 71 miles    | ROANOKE VA 240 05/08/93 PM Pioneer|
   in 3.5 days. Damascus is a major mile-|                |             Pilot| 
   stone for thru-hikers and a super     |                |       USA Airmail|
   friendly town. Took the day off to    |                |                50|
   regroup myself and trim my pack weight|                 ------------------
   some more. Bought a lighter rain-     |
   coat. Mine is super heavy Alpine      |
   storm parka (my old one that is) and  |       GAVIN ROSS
   it's much too hot to hike in down     |       77 FORE ST
   south. Sitting in a local bar now     |       FRAMLINGHAM
   drinking with some hikers and bikers  |       SUFFOLK
   (harley bikes, that is). Heading out  |       ENGLAND, UK
   tommorrow. Going thru some country    |       IP13 9DD
   with wild horses! Going to try to make|
   it thru Virginia in 4-5 weeks (500+   |
   miles). I'm about 1/4 the way thru the|
   trail now, at least difficulty wise.
   Ready to roll out again tommorrow.
                           MOONSHOT
   
   (Green Appalachian Trail card)

    re .-1
    
    I can't compete with that!
    
    A picture of mountains, mist, and trees.  Shenandoah -- the mystical
    name conjures up thoughts of peace and the desire to discover secrets
    long forgotten.  Virginia's Shenandoah National Park has nearly 280
    square miles of land set aside that allows travelers to make new
    discoveries about their world, while running the rapids of the
    Shenandoah River allows canoeists to make new discoveries about
    themselves.
    
    5/29/93, mile 770.0, day 62
    Punchbowl Shelter, AT, VA
    
    19 AT miles today.  Add the 2.5 mile worng turn and that made for an
    impromptu 21.5 day.  The turn wasn't marked and I just kept on going
    straight up the mountain until I ran out of trail.  :-/  Took 3 dips
    today.  It was pretty hot out.  Camped out next to the shelter by a
    pond full of 3 kinds of frogs.  And boy are they LOUD.  Sounds kind of
    cool, though.  The shelter is supposed to be haunted by the ghost of
    "Little Ottie."  No sign of him yet.  Can't hear him over the frogs
    anyways.  :-)
    
    Moonshot
    GA -> ME '93

    spoke to Ger this weekend...  looks like boot problems may have him off
    the trail for a couple of days...  :^(  
    
    					da ve

   5/27/93 Mile 734.4, Day 61 {illegible?}
   Bryant Ridge Shelter, AT, VA
   ----------------------------
   20 miler today. Crossed the Blue 
   Ridge Parkway for the first of 
   many times. Yogi potential was 
   low. Not a lot of tourists out
   yet.  Should be out in droves
   this weekend.  Ran into "LOWRIDER"
   for the first time in a month.
   He flip-flopped up to Waynesboro
   and hiked south after traildays.
   We're trying to find a Steely Dan
   tour schedule to see if they're
   playing close by. Awesome shelter,
   brand new, probably sleeps 30,
   has four levels.
                   Moonshot
   
           PEAKS OF OTTER
       Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
   The famous twin peaks at 4,000' eleveation, near milepost 86 along the
   Blue Ridge Parkway, overlook Bedford, Virginia.  A boulder from atop the
   peaks was place in Washington, D.C. in the Washington Monument in-
   scribed "From Virginia's loftiest peak to Virginia's noblest son".
   
   "Saw this view 
   today. Phote is reversed you'll 
   have to use a mirror 
   to view
   it properly. :-) "
   

    I did a fifty mile stretch of the AT in the area Ger's postcards 
    indicate he just passed.  From the southern end of the Shenandoah
    Nat'l Park north, uh, about 50 miles ;-)  Beautiful country, 
    though I think it was during spring break of '74 and it was a 
    bit colder than what he's running into.  It took me and my girlfriend
    about 5 days.  I think Ger probably coverd the same strech in about
    2 or 2.5 ;-)  I remember finishing "The Last Unicorn" by the bottom
    of a waterfall on this trip.  Hmmm, don't remember any shelters
    though.  Then we hitched back along the Blue Ridge Parkway to our
    starting point.  Took us less than an hour to travel the distance 
    we went in 5 days. I think we had the best of it walking though.
    
    PeterT
    

Virginia, Enchanted Forest. 

Virginia abounds with many inviting state, regional and national park and 
forest recreational areas.  Getting back to nature is easy in Virginia. 
Pictured here is an early morning setting in the George Washinton National 
Forest.

Card Postmarked June 1, 1993, Tryo, Va.

5/26/93, Mile 714.8, Day 60
Wilson Creek Shelter., AT, VA

Appropriately enough, I'm at the 1/3 mark on day 60.  That balances out to 
a 6 month pace although I should finish sooner. Only three of us here and 
we're only a couple shelters north of town. Some stayed in town for another 
day of AYCE restaurants, others headed to the third shelter out. Me, with 7 
days food, am happy to stay here.  I do hate days when I hike less than 15 
miles though but will make it up hiking 20 tomorrow. Besides, I need to get 
some letter writing done and I just can't seem to do that in town.

Moonshot, GA->ME '93

re:       <<< Note 326.268 by TERAPN::PHYLLIS "in the shadow of the moon" >>>

>   in 300 miles (less than 3 weeks) is his next drop:
>   
>   A.T. Conference
>   PO Box 807
>   Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
>   25425-0807


I have some stuff to send to Gerry.  Is this address still valid ?
Till when ?   Any update ?

Thanks
Ken   

    
    I don't know.  Fog?
    
    

Ger is expected at the ATC HQ this saturday.  I don't have the next address 
after that. MAil today or tommorow should get there, since harper's Ferry 
isn't nearly as much as a backwater as his past typical drops.

    here's two that were sent to ex-DEChead Doug Moog:
    
    5/19/93, Mile 617.0 (or something like that) Day 52, non-descript
    campsite, Peter's Mtn. AT, VA
    
    Hiked just 4 miles out of town today (ie Pearisburg).  It's rainy and
    we're the only 2 idiots who left today.  So I'm  cooped up in my tent,
    cooking dinner and writing letters.  There'll be a lot of people
    leaving tomorrow so it's good to be a little bit ahead.  The 2700'
    climb up will slow 'em down a little. :-)  Left without an eating
    utensil for the next 5-6 days. :-(  Don't have much to make a spoon
    with.  Maybe cut a film can in half  and attach it to a stick with a
    bandage :-/  The rain stopped, time to  stretch my legs.
   
    (No rain, no Maine)  Mmonshot  GA -> ME '93
   
    PS - The AT has been going thru lots of cow pastures since I hit
    Virginia. :-/
   
    PPS - Made an eating utensil from parts of the plastic microscope I got
    in my Captain Crunch (with Crunchberries :-).  It'll have to do.
   
    [And here's a card I got a while ago; it got lost in a pile for a long
    time - doug]
   
    4/11/93, Mile 156.8, Day 15
   
    Cabie Gap Shelter, AT , NC
   
    Heavy ups and down today, pretty steep climbs too.  Unfortuntaely the
    guidebook neither mentioned them nor were they on the profile maps.
    Easy day tomorrow, then it's 105 miles before the next resupply. 
    Getting psyched for the Smokies and will be sending 2/3 of my warm
    weather stuff ahead to Hot Springs.  Pizza & beer tomorrow then trail
    food for 7-9 days. Getting ready for a game of Cosmic with Jane,
    Kristen, & Patrick (Jane's last day is tomorrow.  Met two south
    bounders just finishing.  They still  had snowshoes on their pack.
    
    Moonshot GA -> ME '93 
    (still not in the Smokies yet)

re:     <<< Note 326.296 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR "Live together, Play together" >>>

I didn't get a chance to go to the po, and I don't trust USmail to make 
it there positively in 2 or 3 days, so I'll wait for the next dropoff.   

Ken

Ger should be arriving in Harper's Ferry Monday.  I do not have an address 
for his next drop yet.

   postmarked Jun 1, 1993, Tyro VA...
   
   5/31/93, Mile 800.8, day 64, The Priest Shelter, AT, VA
   
   16.4 mile day.  Passed the 800 mile mark today.  Pretty easy day for me
   today.  Some of the others had a tough day, though.  That's how it seems to
   go.  Here with Acid, Sheupani (yargh, I need the Ger decryption
   system..%^), Uphill Bill, Cronut (yargh again...), Mudpuppy and Beam. 
   There's also a Secret Service Agent and an IRS Special Agent here who are
   out hiking for a few days.  They stayed with us last night also but it took
   them 3 more hours to get here :-)  They're OK for federal agents :-)
                                   Moonshot
   
   Postcard:  The Devil's Backbone, at Blue Ridge Parkway milestone 143.9, is
   a knife-like rock spur jutting between Pine Spur and the Overlook.  Only a
   few trees and shrubs maintain a perilous hold along the spine of the Devil.
    On the right is Grassy Hill, hiding the growing town of Rocky Mount, Va.,
   and on the left is Cahas Knob, while straight away is the long view of the
   Blackwater Valley.
   

    got this from Ger a few days ago.  The front is an amazing picture of..
    nothing.  (plain white postal card)

    6/1/93, Mile 814.4, Rusty's Hard Time Hollow, Lyndhurst, VA 
    Day 65

    14 mile day but headed into the hamlet of Tyro for a short term
    resupply and to call Gregory for a new pack harness.  The old one is a
    little flat in the padding.  It turns out that the store just got a
    shipment of Ben & Jerry's so I pigged out on some Cherry Garcia.  I
    wish I could get that more often because I flew up the 2500' climb out
    of the valley in no time.   When I got to Maupin Field Shelter I
    decided to head down to "the hollow". I'm glad I did.  Within 5 minutes
    of arriving, I was photographed for the  '93 thru-hiker mural, fed 2
    plates of food and handed a cold beer.  This place is the coolest
    thru-hiker hang out on the trail.  I'll probably hang out for a couple
    of days off.  I haven't had a full day off for over 500 miles.

    Moonshot
    

   Postmark: Charlottesville, VA, 9 June 1993    Stamp: Bambi
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Front: "Old Rag Mountain"  lovely autumn vista in foreground, mountain in
          profile, with blue sky and a few puffy clouds.
   Caption: Old Rag View Overlook, elevation 3,585 feet, milepost 46.5.  The
      profile of Old Rag Mountain is one of the most recognizable Mountains
      in the Shenandoah National Park.  Across the road at the North end of
      the overlook is a single Yucca, which may be the only one in the Park. 
      It sends up a flower stalk every four or five years.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   6/5/93, Mile 839.8, Day 69          
   Calf Mountain Shelter, AT, VA
   
   Killer thunderstorm last night.  Sat on the porch in the hollow watching
   the lightning flash everywhere.  One of the best lightshows I've seen
   yet.  Not much sleep last night.  Didn't start hiking until 2:00 today
   and only did 7 miles. Really enjoyed the two days off.  I really needed
   it. The new pack harness Gregory sent really makes a difference in
   comfort. The boot repair didn't last.  It's already coming apart. 
   Hoping to make it to Harper's Ferry.  Hopefully my spare boots are
   re-soled and waiting for me.      - Moonshot

   6/8/93, Mile 894.8, Day 72, Big Meadows C.G., SNP, AT, VA
   (USPS postcard, no picture)
   
   Another killer thunderstorm last night. We got an early start because
   of the high humidity (I've been hiking with Bigfoot the last couple of
   days). Managed to put in 20 miles but the humidity was killer. I've
   never sweat that much in my life. Easily dropped 8 pounds in sweat
   today alone. (Gained it back by chugging 1/2 gallon of water when I
   got here). Believe me, hiking and sweating like this every day, you
   lose _pounds_ of water that needs to be replenished. Took a _HOT!_
   shower for the first time in 2 weeks and could barely walk out of the
   stall due to being too relaxed. Ate a huge prime rib for dinner at the
   lodge. Really needed _that._ Then went to the taproom where a
   couple bought us 4 beers. A "Yogi" is a nice way to end the day. Cool
   and breezy now. All my stuff is dry!! Moonshot
   

Next maildrops.  Ger was in Harper's Ferry on Monday, but I didn't hear 
from him.  Just got word via another friend who talked to him Monday.
He's mad at me for procrastinating getting his boots repaired 
for him. Also, He'll be going to RFK Friday, send mail to Phyllis if your 
going and would like to hook up with them...

       to: Gerry Gladu
           c/o General Delivery
           <Insert town and zip code>
           Hold for AT thru-hiker expected <date> )

    ~6/21  Boiling Springs, PA 17007
    ~6/23  Duncannon, PA 17020
    ~6/30  Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327
    ~7/10  Pawling, NY 12564
    ~7/18  c/o Bascom Lodge, P.O. Box 1652, Lanesboro, MA 01237
    ~8/8   Gorham, NH 03581
    ~8/18  Monson, ME 04464

   with tentative stops between Bascom Lodge and Gorham at the Dartmouth
   Outing Club and between Gorham and Monson at Rangeley, ME (04970).  (He
   didn't have the complete address for Dartmouth OC with him, and it's still
   tentative.)  Later dates will of course be subject to change.

    
    Huh?  Why send mail to Phyllis?  Phyllis isn't going to RFK.
    And she gets enough mail.  Rilly!  ;-)
    
    

Sorry. I guess I've been philosophizing too much.  :-)

re     <<< Note 326.304 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR "Live together, Play together" >>>

>    ~7/18  c/o Bascom Lodge, P.O. Box 1652, Lanesboro, MA 01237
>    ~8/8   Gorham, NH 03581
>    ~8/18  Monson, ME 04464

should we start thinking about planning a DEChead mtg with him?

    
    why don't you take a vote on it. ;-)
    

    yeah I vote JC organize it !
    
    
    :')

Still too soon to nail down a date/time/place.  Those later dates are very 
much WAG's, and very slanted to the minimum date's he'll get to a place so 
as to not miss any mail.  Remember, he gave us his ETA for HArper's Ferry 
as last friday, but didn't get there until Monday, and that's when he was 
only 6 days away...

    what's a WAG?  I received directions somewhere from someone in the file
    that made a refferral to WAG's.
    
    

it's a "wild ass guess" and if I make another regarding who sent you the
directions let me remind you of Rule #1 ... Don't Follow Fog!!  :-) :-)

    now that I think about it, it was directions to SIS.  After losing my
    way along the "new" directions I received, I bagged it and went the
    same way I went the year before.  Don't think it was Fog though :-)
    
    	Mike

>Also, He'll be going to RFK Friday

just friday, or saturday too?

- rich

    
    > just friday, or saturday too?
    
    I would assume both shows, but I don't really know.
    
    
   plain-vanilla postcard, postmarked Charlottesville VA
   229 PM 09 JUN 1993
   
   6/21/93, MIle 832.8, Day 66, Rusty's Hardime Hollow, Lyndhurst, VA
   --------
   Slackpacked today.  Got left off at Rockfish Gap and 
   hiked the 21 miles back to here.  So much for a day off, 
   but at least I slackpacked.  Took a cold shower (there's
   no electricity here), ate more good food and partied in
   the wood-fired hot tub with "Hippy Dad", Cindy, and "Soley" <Sally?  sp.???>
   of the "She-Wolves".  Doesn't get any better.  Opened up
   my birthday presents & shot off all the fireworks I got.
   (Thanks, I think, for the "Inflatable Trail Companion" It
   seems to have found a home here).  There's lots to do here,
   darts, skeet shooting, ping pong.  It's a through hiker only
   hangout although Rusty lets a few long distance cyclists
   stay here as well.  It's the kind of place you want to
   come back to, and it'll be tough to leave.  Some of
   the thru-hikers have been here more than a week. :-)
                                       Moonshot
   

re           <<< Note 326.312 by MRNGDU::YETTO "the future is here" >>>

>directions let me remind you of Rule #1 ... Don't Follow Fog!!  :-) :-)

I thought of this when going up north this past monday.  the NH constuction
trucks have a sign hanging on the back of them that says:

	"Construction Vehicle

	 DO NOT FOLLOW"


sounds like we need to snake one of these signs and put it on Fog's car!

:-) ;-) :-)

But my car is in the process of deconstructing.

:-/

    As he gets closer to NH I'd like to be able to time a "meet" location
    and hike a portion of the trail with him.  Maybe the Crawfords to
    Pinkham section or the Carters.  For a DEChead get together so much
    will depend on how Gerry's feeling, his schedule and whether he's
    willing to leave the trail and camp in an established area rather than
    a shelter or in his tent.
    
    One thing about hiking with him is that by the time he gets to NH ( and
    a lot sooner) he'll be in such great hiking shape that it will take a
    major effort to keep up with him.  :-)
    
    
    Marv
    
    

    re .-1
    
    I thnk he's planning to blue blaze around the Whites rather than follow
    the AT.  Since he's hiked the Whites portion a number of times, this
    is accepted by the AT Office of Ethics.  :-)
    
    jamie

>       <<< Note 326.316 by ZENDIA::FERGUSON "Your recipe is so tasty" >>>
>
>re           <<< Note 326.312 by MRNGDU::YETTO "the future is here" >>>
>
>>directions let me remind you of Rule #1 ... Don't Follow Fog!!  :-) :-)
>
>	"Construction Vehicle
>
>	 DO NOT FOLLOW"

You'll have to make it say INstruction vehicle, do not follow:-)

    
    RE: .319
    ok - what does blue blaze mean?  I've heard of blue buicks and other
    things blue - but what it means to blue blaze.  
    
    I know this is going to be so incredibly obvious tht you are all
    snickering on your screens .. leaving little droplets 
    
    :-)

    
    well if it makes you feel better, they can snicker at both of us.  I
    have no idea either. 
    
    

    Side trails off the AT are usually marked with blue blazes (a blaze is
    a paint mark which marks the trail).  Taking side trails around the AT
    to skip a section is called blue blazing.
    
    I'm not snickering, I'd never heard of Yogiing before.  Did the cartoon
    bear steal food from campers or something?
    
    Jamie

re: GerG's postcard in .315...

>   plain-vanilla postcard, postmarked Charlottesville VA
>   229 PM 09 JUN 1993
>   
>   6/21/93, MIle 832.8, Day 66, Rusty's Hardime Hollow, Lyndhurst, VA

For those that are really paying attention, this must really have been written 
on 6/2/93, not 6/21.

tms

    thanks jamie.  and thanks for not snickering :-)
    my guess is that a person who doesn't want to run into hoards of
    daytrippers would go for the blue blazes?
    
    

Planning to hike with Ger for a day could mean a 22 mile hike. Be prepared.

The term Blueblazing means skipping a part of the actual trail by taking an
alternate route. In some cases, the connotation means "short cut", as in
the case of the famous blublaze to avoid the presidentials.  In other cases, 
it doesn't neccessarily mean a shortcut, and could even be longer than not
blueblazing. Imagine the situation below: 

		Shelter, mountain, scenic vista, Dipping hole, McDonalds, etc.
	      /  \
	    /	   \  Blueblaze trails
	  /	     \
	/		\
-----------------------------------------  < AT
	1		2


Some Thru hikers will actually backtrack to the point they stepped off the
AT in every blue-blaze situation in order to hike every inch of the AT.
Ger, and the lion's share of other thru-hikers, however, do not bother in
those situations where they aren't missing much of interest in not
backtracking. The thru hikers will actually distinquish one type of hiker
from the other. Those who don't hike every inch are considered "2000
milers", rather than official-like AT thru-hikers. I think I got that
right. It really comes down to each individual having to decide for himself
what he or she is out there for. 

Yogiing is exactly what Yogi the Bear does: trying to get tourists to give 
you whatever's in their pik-a-nik baskets.

    
    HAH!   Fog ... you got the 326.326 note.  congratulations :-)
    this is making more sense now - seems like i've heard the phrase
    'going like blueblazes' .  uh huh
    
    

    re .-1
    
    Surely "what in blue blazes" predates the AT.  I wonder what its origin
    was?  Perhaps it was started by the washerwomen of bluberry eating tribes?
    
    I hate Yogi and all the other Hanna-Barbera cartoons.  The Jay Ward
    cartoons had lousy animation too, but at least they had good writers. 
    Flame me in the TV note.  :-)
    
    Jamie

I suspect the etymology of blue blazes, in the sense of "wildfire" indeed 
has something to do with fire. How apropo that we are discussing this in 
the GerryG topic, too, since GAS burns blue.  :-)  :-)  :-)

re       <<< Note 326.326 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR "Two pints make one cavort" >>>


>Planning to hike with Ger for a day could mean a 22 mile hike. Be prepared.

22 in the Whites?  That is damn tough to do unless you're doing a lot of
ridge-running!  I dunno, I consider myself to be in very good shape and I
can, on a good day, crank out a max of maybe 15 miles!  

BUT...

he will have about 1800 or so miles on us and will be in great shape... and, 
like i said, if there are a lotta flats, you can really crank.

If he's doin' 20 mile days in the Blue Ridge mountains (see .291) and other
big ranges of 5ker's, I don't see why he can't do them in the whites. The
whites doesn't mean the presidentials, which he'll probably skip anyway.
Actually, the hardest part of the AT in not in the Whites, its in the Old
Speck region, just north of the Whites in Maine.

Plain white generic post card, postmarked 19 JUN 1993 from Martinsburg, WV

6/10/93, Mile 925.4, Day 74, Gravel Springs Hut, SNP, AT, VA

-------------

13 mile day, major zollygagging with a 3 hour lunch at 
Elkwallow Wayside.  It was either do 26 miles or 13 miles.
I opted for 13.  No sense in killing myself since I'll be 
in Front Royal tomorrow anywas.  The difference being getting
into town early in the morning or late morning.  There's no
place to camp legally here in the SNP.  Just finished reading 
"Rising Sun".  You can't believe how hard it is to find books
out here.  I haven't seen a bookstore since leaving home.  Maybe
I can get another book in Front Royal.  Doubt there's a bookstore
there though.  I refuse to stoop to reading western's or romance
novels.  :-(  It's also tough to find one small enough and light 
enough to pack.
					Moonshot   (over ->)

PS - There's a wood rat in the shelter and 
it cleared 4 people out. :-) There's probably 
been one in every shelter since springer but 
the mere sight of one makes people flee. :-)
I'm the only one left (where the rat is). I'll
probably move down below, there's plenty of room,
now. :-) It's up here near me. Not a very threatening
creature. Nothing to lose sleep over. (Now I know how
to clear space in a shelter real quick :-)

  Postcard pictures 'Sharp Top Mt.', El. 3875 ft. and
  'Flat Top Mt.', El. 4001 ft.
  
  06/06/93, Day 070, Mile 0860.2
  Loft Mountain Campground,  AT, VA
  
  Well, the thing I feared the second-most happened.  My spare
  boots did not get fixed and I realy need them BADLY.  I'll
  have to have them sent down as is and hope that they'll make 
  it until my Limmers get fixed.  Hopefully I don't hurt my 
  Limmers beyond the point where the can be repaired, and
  hopefully my spare, unrepaired boots make it to Harper's 
  Ferry before I do.  As you can tell, I'm *NOT* a happy camper.
  
  		Moonshot
  
  P.S.  4 deer outside my tent right now.

Yogiing - "Hungrier than the average Ger!"

  6/12/93, Mile 945.2, Day 76
  Denton Shelter, AT, VA
  
  Well, didn't get too far out of town today--only 5.3 miles.  Nice spot
  here, decided to stay.  It's a shelter with a patio, picnic pavillion,
  bench and a spring-fed shower.  Been here a couple of hours and there's
  no one else around, so I'm just hanging out reading "Congo" by Michael
  Chichton and plotting out how to make up the time I'm spending here by
  lollygagging... :-)  Passed the National Zoological Society's compound,
  kinda neat seeing African varmints along the A.T.  The signs says
  "Trespassers will be eaten!" :-)
                                          Moonshot
  
  Postcard depicts 12 "wildflowers of the Blue Ridge."

	Does anyone have a connection with Ger before the RFK 
	showz?

    
    Hi there! This is ger here typing from ad's system. Boy, does it feel
    stange to be typing instead of writing postcards by headlamp! Maybe I
    should get  someone t slackpack a laptop for me because this is much
    easier (maybe I  should borrow reb's cell phone, too) This has been a
    great vacay from the trail although it's a bit of a sensory overload to
    plop down in the middle a big city after being in the woods for three
    months.
   
    I was ahead of everyone I've been hiking with so far, so the three days
    I took off here in Wash D.C. for Dead shows and visiting with friends
    won't put me more than 1-2 days behind. I'll probably do a little surge
    hiking to catch up if the weather's not too hot or muggy (surge hiking
    = hiking extra time & miles to catch up after lollygagging somewhere
    :-). 
   
    Everything's going well (except for my boots which badly need a
    re-sole) and I feel absolutely great! This is the best thing I've ever
    done in my life and it's really starting to be one heck of a lot of fun
    lately (but you'll have to wait for the postcards to find out why ;-).
    I'll be mailing 10 or so more cards tomorrow. I hope everyone is
    enjoying them and that they are not a nuisance.
   
    Well anyways, I hopeeveryone is doing fine and may you all find your
    own Katahdin wherever it may be!
   
                                                   Moon Shot
                                                   GA->ME '93
   
    PS - please crosspost to the decheads and to rec.backcountry. Thanks!!!
   
    PPS - Boy, do I miss being able to use the "delete" key! :-)

    
    just got off the phone with Ger...  he's pulling off the trail again
    for a few cold ones...
    
    he's looking to get in touch with Mike Rogers, so Mike, if'n your out
    there, i'll be talking to him again in a few days...  he needs you
    number...  ca you send it to me?  or if you're on vacation, can someone
    else send it to me?  :^)
    
    he sez hi again to all the decheads...  rilly enjoyed the RFK shows...
    he's wondering if there'll be any dechead gatherings he should be
    trying to be at...  mass, ct, vt, nh, wherever...  he's planning on
    being in the delaware river gap monday or tuesday...  then cruisin'
    thru NJ and NY pretty quick...  i may be meeting up with him in NY
    for a couple of days while i'm on vaca the week of the 12th...  anyone
    with mail or messages and stuff, let me know...
    
    						da ve

>he's planning on
>    being in the delaware river gap monday or tuesday...  

from dc to the delaware river gap in a week plus a few days?  he's crusin'
along pretty fast!

- rich

    he backtracked to get to DC...  also, depending on terrain he is doing
    anywhere from 10 to 20 miles per day...  yesterday he had 70+ miles to
    go to reach the gap...  after that he expects to pick up the pace again
    since the terrain gets much easier...
    
    						da ve

   Front:
           Wildflowers Of The Blue Ridge
      [lots of nice pictures of flowers, including a very
       pleasing one of a 5 pointed ref flower.]
   
   Back:
     Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge
   
     Black-eyed Susan, Fire Pink, Phlox,
     Bull Thistle, Turk's Cap Lily, Columbine,
     Great Mullein, Butterfly Weed, Flame Azalea,
     Small Red Morning Glory, Chicory, Trumpet Vine
   
   6/14/93, Mile 981.8, Day 78
   
   Blackburn AT Center, AT, VA
   ----------------------------
   
   Only did 17 miles today but that
   included 17 ascents and 17 descents
   in that distance. I was beginning
   to get FLASHBACKS of Georgia :-)
   Pretty rugged section although
   we weren't at very high elevations.
   Stayed here at the Blackburn
   AT Center--A house with a big screened
   in porch, a cabin, campsites, hiker's
   hostel and a solar-panel heated
   shower that's free for Thru-
   Hikers. Great Place! Only 11.8
   miles before I'm done with
   Virginia. Should be in pennsylvania
   by the end of the week.
   
                   Moonshot

I chatted with Ger as well yesterday, and passed along a request from
Debess: Organize a Dechead camping trip, Dammit!  Debess was right: we just
can't seem to get one together without him pushing us along.   :-) He
agreed: He will let us know where and when via postcards. He will likely
plan it for Vermont around the end of July... 

Ger says he's had a few "boogie" days through Pennsylvania's rocky morrain
country: He said he was trying to catch up with a certain group of hikers
who left Springer a full month before him. He says he covered 80 miles in
three days, one of which was a 31 mile day. He says he needs his theramrest
matress now, since he's too boney to adequately cushion himself anymore. :-) 

He also is planning to come off trail for a break after reaching North
Adams, mass He will rent a car, and plans on visiting his Mom in Holyoke,
some friends in Noho, and me: I will probably organize some sort of
gathering while he's here. 

   photo of an old farm near helvey's mill, at
   6/16/93  mile 995.6, day 80, sandy hook, md.
   -------------------------------------------
   
   hiked a whole 1.5 miles today, seems reasonable
   to me B^)  after all, i *did* finish up west virginia.
   the rumor is that only 800 started the at this year.  
   most are behind me (i'm in the front
   70-80 hikers). pack's pretty heavy
   now that i resupplied for 7 days --
   that's 4000 calories of food per day.
   they say that's twice the calories a marathoner burns during a race.
   that's the equivalent energy of
   running 2 marathons a day, or about
   330 marathons in the 5 1/2 months
   it'll take me to do  the trip.  YIKES!!
   (or should i say ``har!'' B^)
   of course, today i expended the total energy
   of watching a marathon on tv B^) 
   
                                   moon shot
   

    
   6/26/93, Mile 1117.8, Day 90, Wash, DC
   
   Did some sightseeing in DC today.  Visited the Lincoln Memorial, the
   Wall and the Air and Space Museum.  had an excellent lunch at the Omni
   Hotel and spent another night a tthe RFK Dead shows.  Decided to ride in
   to the show with REB just to add some excitement to my stay in DC.  I
   must say he didn't let me down. [ must've been a "RENTAL" :-) sn]  I've
   never seen a traffic ticket before for "driving thru a barricade". :-)
   Had good fun at  the shows, but I'm itching to hike.
   
                                           Moonshot
   
   Postcard is a Smithsonian Inst. special, of the National Air and Space
   Museum, an aerial shot, of course :-)!
   

   postcard is a sunset shot of the Lincoln Memorial in DC
   
   6/25/93, mile 1117.8, day 89
   Washington, DC
   
   Zero milage day (trailwise) as I went to DC for the weekend
   for the Dead shows, sightseeing, and to visit friends.
   Hitched to Harrisburg to take the bus in, but when I got there,
   the bus was ready to leave and the driver wouldn't wait.
   Another driver told me to get on his bus and we headed the first
   bus off at the pass so I was able to make it after all.  The show
   was a welcome change although I was a bit overwhelmed by culture
   shock after being in the woods for 3 months. Ran into quite a few
   people I knew.
   
   Moonshot

   6/24/93 Mile 1117.8 Day 88
   The Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
   -------------------
   Got my first taste of the infamous Pennsylvania rocks
   today.  Not bad actually, just slow and tedious
   getting through them.  Had a run-in with a "HUGE"
   rattlesnake.  Biggest one I've ever seen.  He had
   2 inches of rattle on him.  Spent the rest of the
   afternoon doing laundry and trying to figure out
   how to get to D.C. tomorrow.  Spent the evening
   drinking 60 cent Yeungling dark drafts at the
   Doyle - a threw (sic) hiker institution.  Just
   another run down cheezy, $10 hotel room.  It's
   got character, I've gotta give it that much.
   
                                   Moonshot
   
   ****************************************************
   The front of the postcard has a picture of Pennsylvania
   with the magor cities and highways labeled, and a picture
   of the state bird (Ruffed Grouse), state flag and state
   flower (Mountain Laurel).  I grew up in PA, so this
   picture post card is *it* for me!

   6/19/93, Mile 1042.4, Day 83
   Tumbling Run Shelter, AT, PA
   (Postmarked 6/28/93)
   
   Front: "Appalachian Trail along the Blue Ridge Mountains" -- pic of a
   green hillside, covered with trees.  There is a beautiful rhododendron
   bush in full bloom in the foreground, and a wooden fence coming out
   behind it.  Two thru-hikers can be seen beside the fence.
   
   "Major lolly gagging today.  Only hiked 7.8 miles.  It was hot, humid
   and in the 90's, but I took 3 dips to cool off.  Despite a late afternoon
   thunderstorm, the ladies we met last night did indeed show up here
   tonight bearing two pizzas and an ice cold case of Rolling Rock longnecks -
   welcome to PA!!  Nothing can make a thru-hiker lollygag quite like two
   pretty women bearing beer _and_ food!  We promptly dubbed them "the
   beer goddesses" and they are 2 of the most wonderful, together people
   I've met so far on my trip.  Nothing brightens up a thru-hiker's day
   like trail magic.  I'll never forget them.
   
                                           Moonshot"
   
   Back caption: The Appalachian Trail winds across the panoramic highlands
   of the Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains, taking the
   hiker along a popular 95 mile segment that closely parallels the entire
   length of the Skyline Drive.  Beautiful blooming rhododendron and
   delicate wildflowers greet the early-summer trekkers pictured here.
   

   Photo: Laurel Falls, Laurel Fork Gorge, AT, TN (some falls among trees)
   
   6/18/93, Mile 1034.4, Day 82, Penmr (?), MD, AT
   
   "Hiked 22 miles in 90^ temps, in 98% humidity.  Remind me not to do
   _that_ again. :-( Summer's just about here and I got to save the high
   milage (sic) days for the cool days.  Got sodas from someone at the park
   and Mr. Ranger said we can bivvy in thee pic-a-nic shelter after dark.
   Met two pretty local gals and they brought us into town for Ben & Jerry's.
   They hung out with us for a while after the park closed and asid they'd
   meet us tomorrow at our next shelter and cook dinner and bring us beers.
   I'm really starting to get used to this thru-hiker thang. :-)
   
                                   Moonshot"

   Albert Einstein's response when asked to smile          ---------------
   for his birthday, Princeton, 1951  ----------------PORT CLINTON  Claire|
   Photograph by Art Sasse           |    WORLDPOST    |  JUL    Chennault|
                                     |US Postal Service|  |1        USA 40|
   6/30/93, Mile 1186.9, Day 93      |                 |  AM Flying Tigers|
   Port Clinton, PA                  |    PAR AVION    | 1993        1940s|
   ----------------------------------|    AIR MAIL     | 19549------------
   ROCKS, ROCKS, ROCKS!!!             -----------------
   MILES of them. Well, maybe only       |
   17. :-/ My feet are like hamburgers,  |
   especially after days of 30 + n       |        GAVIN ROSS
   miles, the bad part is, there's       |
   even more rocks up ahead, only        |        77 FORE ST
   5 more days and I can send my boots   |
   in to get fixed. They aren't holding  |        FRAMLINGHAM
   up too well and the sole flaps        |
   keep catching on the rocks. I'll be   |        SUFFOLK
   walking on the midsoles soon. Short   |
   day tomorrow as I have to go in       |        ENGLAND, UK
   to Hamburg for a resupply, staying    |
   in the town pavillion tonight. Had an |        IP13 9DD
   awesome cheesburger (HUGE!) for dinner|
   and a few 50c yeungling drafts! Moon  |
                                   Shot
   

   Scribed on the back of a 3x5 photo:
   
   Darlington Shelter, AT, PA. 6.23.93 Mile 1106.4, Day 87.
   
   Photo: Wild ponies and the Cheerios [the two hikers pictured i'll assume]
   Grayson Highlands, AT, VA. 
   
   15 mile day today that felt like 5. Hiked thru the Cumberland valley, 
   and I'm up in the ridges that'll take me into NJ. Passed by a house 
   with two women out mowing the lawn and they waved me over for a cold
   microbrew. Turned out to be an ATC house for trail workers. Except for
   Bigfoot, everyone I've hiked with so far is behind me now. Perhaps by
   taking 3 days off in D.C. they'll catch up. That'll be great because
   there's some fun people back there. I don't feel a need to take those
   days off, but I haven't seen any of my friends since I started so it'll
   be great seeing them.
   
   Moonshot
   

Postcard: Sunset over the Susquehanna River, Harrisburg, PA; post marked 
	  July 1, Port Clinton, PA


6/28/93 Mile 1147.0, Day 91
Rausch Gap Shelter, AT, PA
---------------------------
First day back on the trail after 3 days
off in DC.  Hiked my first 30 mile day
(31 actually) so its a new milestone for
me.  I got to Peter's Mountain by 11:00 (~12 miles)
and learned that Uphill Bill, Acid, and 
Sherpani stayed there last night so I figured
they'd head for this shelter tonight as 
its 19 miles out. Wrong.  When I got here
I lkearned they went another 3 miles to
the Bleu Blaze Hostel. I figured 31 miles
was enough to hike for one day. Wasn't 
bad, though. Didn't feel any worse than the
first time I did 20 miles. Scary thought.

			Moonshot

Postcard: Aerial photograph of a large farm, postmarked Jul 1, Port 
	  Clinton, PA. Caption reverse: Late afternoon sun across the 
	  rolling hills of a Pennsylvania landscape.


6/29/93 Mile 1164.0, Day 92
501 Shelter, AT, PA
---------------------------
Caught Uphill Bill at the Bleu
Blaze this morning before he left.
Nice place -Free hostel, free soda
and free Ice cream.  Was going to 
hike 20 miles but liked this place
so much I stayed (~17 miles).  Good
thing cuz 2 ridge runners - Bill 
and Lou, took us into town 
for an AYCE (all you can eat)
Smorg.  I had 4 plates of food, 3
desserts and 5 sodas. Don't have 
to worry much about gaining weight
on this trip. :-)  Caught up w/ Acid
and Sherpani here too.  Figured
that I can easily finish by Sept 1
but I'll stretch it out to mid-
Sept. I'm just having too much 
fun!  :-)   :-)   :-)

		Moonshot

   Photo of wild ponies, including a foal, Grayson Highlands, Virginia
   6/20/93, Mile 1054.3, Day 83 (Boy, that took a long time to get here!)
   
   "Another hot and humid day. Hiked 10 miles in just under 3 hours to
   go to the public pool at Caledonia State Park and spent the afternoon
   basking at poolside with my thru'-hikers's tan - white ankles, white
   belly, white back. The pool was great. This is the cleanest I`ve been
   in weeks :-/ Still trying to kill time so that I end up in Duncannon
   on Thursday, and thanks to the "beer goddesses" and the day at the pool,
   everything will time out nicely. Hiked another 2.5 miles and just
   managed to find a campsite and set up my tent before the thunderstorm
   hit. Moonshot"
   

   Arrived earlier in the week - a photograph.
   
   "Photo: Watauga Lake, AT, TN"
   
   "Boiling Springs, AT, PA, 6/22/93, Mile 1054.3 Day 84"
   
   "Passed the 1/2 way point toady! Celebrated by
   eating 1/2 gallon of ice cream during lunch at a
   general store. Finally found an empty spot to leave
   the register I've been carrying snce Waynesboro - in
   the 1/2 way register box. Probably the best location
   to leave one. Hopefully, someone will mail it back
   to me when it is full. Finally passed of the
   blueridge mountains that I've been following since
   springer. Went to a tavern built in the 1700's for
   beer and food. Turned out that the had 2
   microbrews that I've never had before, nice way
   to end a great day"
   
                   Moonshot.

    photo: Farmland At, VA
    6/21/93, 1071.7, day 85 Pine Grove, Pa (postmark Harrisburg PA)
    
    "An easy 17 mile day, fairly level terrain, only took 5.5 hours.
    Staying at the Ironmaster Hostel, an old mansion built in 1827. Just
    beat another storm logging in. Spent 1/2 hour in the jaccuzi to
    celebrate the 1.2 way point (still got another 1.5 miles to go though)
    Bought some glue for my boots but don't think it will work. The soles
    are too far gone. So I'll guess I'll have to flap my way for another
    193 miles until I can pick up my spare boots (they are in worse shape)
    in New Jersey. Most folks are on their second pair of boots now. Not me
    though by the time I send mine to Limmer (NJ) and get them back, I'll
    be in COnn. :-( :-( :-( 
    Moonshot"
    

Hi, 
  I have taken all the GerG postcards to date and put them in chronological
  order in a file.  I have left in a *few* (*very* few) other notes from this
  string that seemed particularly valuable (e.g., we all want to know what
  "slackpacking" and "yogiing" are).
  
  Anyone who wants this file can have it by just letting me know.  Or, if
  there is general interest, I could post it here.

  BTW, there are a number of days "missing":
    19, 35, 44, 49 (5-15), 58, 61, 67, 68, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 84, 85, 86

  If cards from any of these days are around, let's bring 'em in.
  
  I think that's about all.  Some of the day/date correlations seemed to be
  inconsistent.  I corrected some but not all of these.

       Craig

I don't know why he never sent his boots in for repair. I gave him the
address of a repair shop that would have had them back to him 7 days after
he expressed mailed them: instead he keeps sending his extra pair of
vasques to himself: sheesh, the least he couldda done is sent the Vasques
in for repair instead of ten days forward _twice_ to himself.  I guess he'd 
rather limp along the trail than spring the $30 to have his vasques resoled?

         I wonder how Gerry is enjoying this heat and humidity?  Even the
    mountains are not escaping the warmth, as the Mt.Washington Observatory
    came within a few degrees of their all-time high temperature record.
    (yesterday the Ob hit 69 degrees, the all-time record is either 71 or
    73 degrees F)
    
    Russ

re                     <<< Note 326.358 by GIAMEM::SCHOTT >>>

>    came within a few degrees of their all-time high temperature record.
>    (yesterday the Ob hit 69 degrees, the all-time record is either 71 or
>    73 degrees F)
 
I you sure they hit 69?  I was under the impression that the all-time high on
Mt Wash was 68.  

         One of the Boston TV stations reported the 69 degree figure.
    And we all know how accurate they can be!  The Globe prints the daily
    weather summary from the MW Observatory, and if I think of it, I'll
    look up the temperatures (from Wednesday) listed in Thursday's Globe.
    
         I am reasonably ;^) sure, that the record high temperature for
    the summit is in the low 70's.
    
    Russ 

    	Two years ago I was hiking up Mt. Wash in July. The temp at 
    	Pinkham Notch Lodge was in the low 90'2 the high for the summit
    	was 72. They said that it was close to the record!
    
    Chris

I called pinkham notch earlier today to find out the weather in the mtns.  the
high in the last 24 hrs (as of 7am this morning) was only 64...  low was in
the low 50s...

    received Friday:

    front picture of the Delaware River winding through bright green fields
    and forests.

    from back:  The Beautiful Delaware River, Pocono Mountains Area,
    Pennsylvania & New Jersey

    caption: Aerial view looking north showing the picturesque Delaware  at
    a point between the Delware Water Gap and Shawnee-on-Delware, forming 
    the natural boundary between New Jesery and Pennsylvania."

    7/4/93, mile 1245.7, Day 91 
    Leroy A. Smith Shelter, AT, PA

    25 mile hike thru the rocks in the baking sun with no water high
    lighted today's hike.  No trees due to pollution from a zinc smelting
    plant.  No water due to contamination or just plain dried up springs. 
    Temps were  in the high 90's with near 100% humidity.  Pretty brutal
    day.  Caught up with 24 thru hikers at the shelter.  It's a good thing
    there was plenty of room to tent.  Met a dozen I haven't met before. 
    It's a good thing we're a gregarious bunch.  Had to hike all the way
    down the mountainside to a known giardia-infested water.  A fine way to
    end a blazing hot 4th of July.

    Moonshot

Ger must have been really hurtin' this last past week with all that heat!
Something like 16 or so people have died in the Philli area due to extreme
temps!  They had 3 days of 100+ !!  ouch!

FYI, da ve is meeting up with Gerry today at Bear Mountain State Park, near 
Peekskill, NY. He will hike with him for a couple days: Rochelle is driving 
the car around to meet them, car camping while she waits.

   7/1/93, mile 1186.9, day 94
   Hamburg, PA  
   ---------------------------
   Came into town, decided to take the day off.  I was only going to
   hike 6 miles today anyways.  Caught up to a dozen hikers and 
   decided to let them run ahead and spread out.  I don't need to be
   in Delaware Watch Gap until Tuesday because the post office is
   closed Monday anyways.  So I bought 4 days' food and will hit
   the rocks tomorrow.
   
                                                   Moon Shot
   
   front of card:  a photo from The Rose Garden, Allentown, PA
   

   6/27/93, mile 1117.8, day 91
   The Doyle, AT, Duncannon, PA
   ----------------------------
   Back at the Doyle after Big Fun in D.C.  Got some catching up to do as I
   lost 3 hiking days, but that's not a big deal.  Going to try for my first
   30 tomorrow but it's in one of the infamous PA rocks sections.  We'll see.
   I'm psyched and ready to hike but the rocks'll be a challenge.  I'm not
   about to let the rocks psyche me out, but this probably isn't the sanest
   section to try to pull a 30 mile day.  Nevertheless, I'm ready ro rock and
   roll.
   
                                                      MoonShot
   P.S. I actually posted to the net today.
   
   Front: Aerial view of the U.S. Capitol with Washington D.C. in the background.

   blurb:  Hot air ballooning over the Delaware Water Gap
           Hot air balloons fill the autumn sky as they float over the
           Delaware River between Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains and
           New Jersey during one of the balloon festivals held annually
           at Shawnee-on-Delaware, Pa.
   
   7/6/93, mile 1265.4, day 99
   Church of the Mountain, Hostel, DWG, PA
   
   Took a day off for laundry and resupply.  Hiked 80 miles in the last
   4 days through the ROCKS and getting rested to do 112 in 6 days to
   meet Dave & Rochelle at Bear Mtn. SP.  Trimmed another 2 pounds off
   my pack so it's under 40 pounds (~38) with 3 days food.  A bunch of us
   went to the movies last night (there's ~30-40 thru hikers here resting
   after the PA rocks).  Saw Jurassic Park.  Wasn't too impressed (no plot)
   but the T-Rex was great.  Anyways, I'm glad to be done with PA.
   Moon Shot

 received 7/12/93, postmarked July 9, 1993, Unionville, N.Y.

 7/7/93, mile 1283.0, day 100
 campsite, Kittaninny mountain, AT, NJ
 --------------------------------------

 Hiked 17.4 today in what the radio said was a 117 degree heat index.
 Not a fun day. Sent my Limmers in for repair and I'm wearing my spare
 boots that Mr. Support person forgot to re-sole before sending. Let me
 tell you that soles that are merely 1.2 vibram molecules thick don't
 offer much comfort on the rocks. :-( Camped by myself tonight on a nice
 grassy clearing on a ledge overlooking the New Jersey woodlands and
 Fairview Lake. In fact I was pretty psyched to see my first glacial
 pond - Sunfish Pond, as that means swimming holes from here to Maine!
 Someone built a mini version of stonehenge with the rocks along the shore
 and that'll make a good postcard in the future. Saw my first bear on the
 trip - in N.J. of ALL PLACES! :-)

				Moon SHOT

 Front of card: 
	A tourism map of the state of N.J. showing many little icons of 
 of what's what around the state. Among them are a sail boat, a young lady 
 surfing, a lighthouse, and sea gulls along the coast. In the south a little 
 fawn, a hunter with a dog, and vegetables. In the north a canoe and a dairy 
 cow around the Delaware water gap area. In the northeast section of the map 
 he draws an arrow pointing to Hoboken and writes "OOH I'm Diein'" (my best 
 interpretation). Just Next to Hoboken is a little car loaded with people, 
 golf clubs, and a fishing pole heading west, with exhaust gas blowing out 
 the back of the car (On to Hoboken).

 Back of card:
			 NEW JERSEY
			Garden State
	CAPITAL: Trenton. AREA: 7,836 sq. mi. POPULATION:
	6,066,782. MOTTO: Liberty and Prosperity. FLOWER:
	Bogbice Violet. BIRD: Eastern Goldfinch. TREE:
	Red Oak. Third of the original 13 States.

    hey lawlor, is there a significance to you recieving a card from 
    
    
                     NEW JERSEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
                    %^)
    
    
    rfb

I stayed at Bascom Lodge this past weekend, and I can report that although
Gerry himself was nowhere to be seen, I did see 2 packages he'd mailed to
himself.  The Lodge-master said Ger was expected around 7/18.

While thumbing through an old Appalacia magazine (Dec. 1967) I found an
advertizement for "Gerry Gear".  This company was selling backpacks, 
packs for horses, dogs, etc, with the tag-line something like "Ultra-light 
Gerry Gear goes where you go...".   With a line-sketch of a backpacker,
surrounded by a horse with a pack, dog with pack, etc.

I clipped out the ad and stuck it with Ger's packages, with a small note like
"Hey Ger I saw this ad for your company!".   I think he'll get a kick out of
it.

Josh

    
    re: -1
    
    	Yea RFB, I dropped him a line recently, knowing he soon would be
    passing by my old stomping grounds in the Delaware Water Gap area of
    Jersey. It used to be a truely beautiful area and I was curious as to 
    what it was like around there these days, in particular Sunfish Pond ! 
    since I hadn't been there for over 18 years. Sunfish is a place I used 
    to go to alot back when I was a teenager growing up in NJ, and had many 
    uhh, sort of higher level out of body experiences up there. In fact 
    Sunfish was the first place where I had ever camped out, back in 72.
    There were a bunch up hippies "living" around the pond for the summer
    and a real "free" kind of scene going on. It was a real "eye-opening" 
    experience ! My friends and I were immediately popular since we had 
    lugged a couple cases of beer up the two or so mile steep trail (that 
    was a one time thing!). Anyway I knew the AT passed by there so I related 
    these experiences, thought he'd like some history around places he would 
    pass on the journey, stuff that's not in the guide book ;^)
    
    TL

   
   front:  beautiful view between two trees of the Delaware River, 
   winding between two peaks on it's many winds in in the Gap area; 
   says Delaware Water Gap in the LRH corner; colors very saturated,
   deep blue sky, white clouds, blue waters, green trees;  wish I was 
   there :-)
   
   back:
           Delaware Water Gap
   Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
           Pennsylvania and New Jersey
   
   The Delaware Water Gap, viewed from the National
   Park Service's Kittatinny Point Visitor Center
   
   7/8/93, mile 1305.6, day 101    postmark:  Unionville, NY       19c
   Rutherford Shelter, AT, NJ      JUL 9 AM 1993                   Bambi
   ------------------------------  10988
   Hot, hot, hot day - 101 according
   to the radio.  Hiked 24 miles anyways.          POST CARD
   Scammed a slackpack early this
   morning for the 1st 12 miles and
   picked up my pack at the Worthington            Ihor Slabicky
   Bakery.  Got a beer out of the deal
   too.  At least 20 of the 24 miles               35 Hathaway Dr
   were on Pa. style pointy rocks.
   I'm 40 miles into NJ and there's                Portsmouth, RI
   still rocks.  Rumor has it there's                      02871
   only 4 more miles of them.  Even
   though there were more than 30
   thru hikers at DWG, I'm ahead
   of them now so that's comforting.
   Got to the shelter and there's a
   9' dome tent set up inside.  That's
   gotta be a record! :-) There's
   a barn swallow in here incubationg her eggs - Moonshot
   

    A picture of a wooden bridge near a rock wall.  Koonford Bridge, Laurel
    Frok Gorge, TN, AT.
    
    7/3/93, mile 1221.3, day 96.
    
    Bake Oven Knob Shelter, AT, PA.
    
    More rocks today and they were pretty wet and treacherous.  I took a
    flight and landed on my upper thigh.  It's swollen and cut up and
    pretty painful (I have a charley horse) but otherwise ok.  Hurt like
    hell to walk in here and I imagine it'll hurt more tomorrow.  I'm just
    glad I didn't break anything considering the force I landed on it with. 
    A few of us have scars from the wet rocks today.  One of us is getting
    stitches right now.  "Doc Hank" is an MD and he's out here section
    hiking.
    
    Moon Shot

Chronicalers of GerG odyssey take note:

  Ger has now lost *two* days in his counting of his trip days.  Given that
DAY 1 = 3/28  (3/27 was listed as Day 0), which is how he *started* numbering,
then his most recent card (dated July 8), should be day *103*, *NOT* 101 as
he indicates.  He lost his first day somewhere in the 40s and was off by 1 day
from there until somewhere in the 90s where he dropped another.
Here are the correct days:
  3/27 = day 0
  3/28 = day 1
  4/1  = day 5
  5/1  = day 35
  6/1  = day 66
  7/1  = day 96
  7/8  = day 103

      Craig

                      <<< Note 326.375 by NOVA::ZASTERA >>>
>  Ger has now lost *two* days in his counting of his trip days.  Given that

Sheesh,  I won't leave.

Maybe he discounted for RFK?  
bobo

   Posted from GMF-MID-HUDSON NY, 7/16. Received 7/19 in CA.
   
   7/9/92, Mile 1322.2, Day 102
   Pochuck Mtn. Shelter, AT, NJ
   
   Another hot day, worse heat wave in NJ in 35 years according to the
   radio. Wnet in to Unionville, NY to pick up a food drop I mailed to
   myself and it hadn't arrived yet. It's hard to believe I can walk 52
   miles before my package can get *driven* the same distance. :-/ I set it
   2nd day priority mail too. My guess is it's lost. I sure hope my boots
   didn't get lost too. My sparcs don't have too much left after 45 miles
   of sharp, pointy rocks. The rocks have mellowed finally. Wish the heat
   would do the same.
   
      moon shot
   
   Caption: Delaware River
   Tri-State Area --- Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey
   
   A spectacular view of the upper Delaware River and the New York and
   Pennsylvania shorelines as seen from the Hawk's Nest Drive (N.Y. Route
   97) just north of Port Jervis, near a point where the three states of
   New York, Pennsyslvania and New Jersey meet.

   Can't read postmark, arrived CA 7/19
   Photo: Virginia Forest, AT, VA
   7/12/93, Mile 1377.0, Day 105, Harrison (?) SP, NY
   
   Short day - ~14 miles again, no water to be had. 2 out of 3 sources on this
   stretch were dry. Had some great views from Black Mtn. Bear Mtn. and West Mtn.
   The US Army had artillery practice yesterday and set no less than 4 forest
   fires. I met up with my friends Dave and Rochelle at the Bear Moutain Inn and
   we're camped here at Harr Mtn. for a couple of nights. I'm taking the day off
   tomorrow. Limmer fixed my boots and will mail them tomorrow. They only charged
   me 1/2 price for all of the work. Spare boots came apart yesterday but I have
   them completely covered with shoe boo (?) so they'll last until Friday when I
   get my Limmers back.
   Moon shot
   
   Photo of narrow path cutting through lush green ground cover and trees.
   

    
    clarifications...  "Harr Mtn" is Harrison State Park...  distintion
    made for those of you who have camped with us and have first hand
    experience with "Harr!!!"  :^)   and that's a glue product called 
    "Shoe Goo" that he used to reattach the soles to his boots...
    
    					da ve

re:        <<< Note 326.379 by ESKIMO::DWEST "if wishes were horses..." >>>
>                             -< clarifications... >-
>
>    clarifications...  "Harr Mtn" is Harrison State Park...  distintion

You sure it's not Harriman?  I don't know of a Harrison (doesn't mean there
isn't one :-)) and Bear Mtn is not too far north of Harriman.

adam_ex_NY'er_who_spent_many_summers_near_Harriman

    Yeah, it's probably Harriman.
    
    ~~
    
    7/15/93, Mile 1406.3, Day 108 
    Ralph's Peak Hiker's Cabin, AT, NY
   
    Passed the 1400 mile mark today.  Only 740 left!  10 hikers left
    Graymoor today, only 3 of us made it here.  19 miles but easy terrain
    and temps in the low 80's with 50% humidity made it a super hiking day! 
    More of the same tomorrow.  We need rain soon.  Word is water is scarce
    from here to Vermont (like it *hasn't* been from PA to here?)  It's a
    drought year and the H2O situation is deteriorating rapidly.  Hopefully
    the '93 southbounders will start coming thru soon so we can exchange
    water info.  The lack of water is going to weed out ever more folks. 
    Lots have dropped out in the last two weeks.
   
    Moonshot
   
    The postcard is one of those souvenir-type maps of NY State, oversized
    pictures of scenic views like the Carrier Dome, Fort Drum, Fort
    Ticonderoga, West Point (also several nonmilitary-oriented things %^). 
    Caption:
   
    New York 
    Empire State
   
    Capital:  Albany.  Area:  49,576 sq. mi.  Motto:  Excelsior, Ever
    Upward.  Flower:  Rose.  Tree:  Sugar Maple.  11th of the original 13
    states.
   

>and that's a glue product called 
>    "Shoe Goo" that he used to reattach the soles to his boots...

it also works well on repairing silicon gel biking seats; which reminds me,
can i have my shoe goo back, mike?

- rich

>it also works well on repairing silicon gel biking seats; which reminds me,
>can i have my shoe goo back, mike?
 
    Sointenly!  Whenever I remember or you grab it. :-)

    yep, it was Harriman...  ooops!  thanks for catching that...
    
    					da ve

7/13/93, Mile 1377.0, Day 106
Harriman S.P., NY

-----------------------------

Today was a day off for me.  Did laundry, etc.  The food 
I mailed Unionville showed up in Bear Mountain finally.
Spent the day with friends from home.  Mr. Support person
sent down a sampler of fine Belgian Ales (my favorite) and
Dave and Rochelle brought homebrews as well.  We spent the 
day "frolicking" in Lake Welch.  Saw a deer nursing two fawns.
That was pretty cool.  Even managed to get a picture.  Had Dave
bring my old therm-a-rest down and sent my Ridgerest back.  It 
was getting kind of thin.

					Moon shot

			---------

The picture on the front is a great shot/mountain-view of the 
Hudson valley.

		    Storm King, N.Y.

	With West Point to the south and Cold Spring across the
	Hudson River, Storm King is the highest point on the old
	Storm King Highway known as Rt. 218.  This beautiful 
	mountain offers a breath-taking view of the Hudson Highlands.


Stamp on the postcard is appropriately, a deer (small fawn) ;-). 
Caption next to the stamp says "Let people know you care, send Post Cards"

    This is going in late but better than never.
    
    Post marked Jun 28, 1993
    
    This is a photo not a postcard.  View of a very nice stream with
    whitewater.  Knarly granite walls form a cool looking cliff.  Lots of
    greenery.  Laurel Fork Gorge, AT, TN
    
    6/15/93 Mile 993.6  Day 79 Harper's Ferry, WVA
    
    Hiked 12 miles into Harper's Ferry to the ATC Headquarters.  Got
    photographed for the archives and weighed.  I lost 35 pounds and my
    pack (without food and water and fuel) weighs 32lbs.  So basically I
    weigh less *with* my pack than I did when I started. (Until I put food,
    etc. in it.)  Realistically though my back & knees know the weight is
    there.  Staying at a hotel on a cliff overlooking the Potomac.  First
    night to myself since I started.
    
    Moonshot  
    GA -> ME '93
    
    

   7/16/93, Mile 1414.0, Day 109
   Edward R. Murrow Park, Pawling, NY
   
   Pretty easy 17 miles today.  Water still scarce.  Got a ride into Pawling
   fairly easily by a nice woman in a Caddy.  She shuttled us to the  bank and
   P.O.  Finally got proper footwear.  I picked up my Limmers at the P.O. Carl
   did a great job and charged me significantly less than the regular price.
   They are stiff as hell again with the new midsole and yellow label Vibrams,
   but it's great to have some support and grip again.  Nice, friendly town
   here.  Would be a great place to live if I worked in NYC.  Nice spring fed
   lake to take a dip in. Headed into town for a couple of beers and got a free
   brew and a free huge basket of fries.  Off-trail magic, I guess.
   
                                          Moon shot
   
   Another photo, this of the first white blaze at Springer Mountain, GA (with
   plaque beside it).

    Is it just me or does he seem to get an *awful lot* of free stuff along
    this little walk of his?

re:                      <<< Note 326.388 by EST::BOURDESS >>>

>    Is it just me or does he seem to get an *awful lot* of free stuff along
>    this little walk of his?


That Gerry, he's smarter than the a-v-e-r-a-g-e bear ;-)

Photo by Ger: Dragon's Toothy, AT, VA, postmarked Hartford, CT 7/20/93

7/17/93, Mile 1428.2, Day 110
Ten Mile River, AT, CT

Finally hit New England! (I can see New Haven!) 	 <-- [Private joke]
Hit the 2/3 mark as well. Part of the AT here was 
closed due to a forest fire. That 4 fires in the
last 6 days!  This one was the closest.  Water situation
is a little better here in CT.  Forest is very dry,
though (fire danger is high). Figured out my average
milage and its 13.1 miles per day - but thats with 
about 21 zero miles days. Take those away and and thats
about 16 miles perday. Not bad, I guess.
Camped in a nice little clearing 
near where the 10 mile and Housatonic
rivers meet.  Took a dip.  Been able
to do that a l ot since N.J. and it 
feels great! Super weather, low humidity,
temps in the 50's tonight. Sure
sould use some rain soon, though.

			Moon shot

    arrived yesterday:

    7/19/93, Mile 1469.6, Day 112, Limestone Springs Lean-to, AT, CT

    22 mile day marked once again by no water.  Sat out some of the rain at
    a shelter and let my cook pot fill up.  Get it any way you can.  Great
    spot here but it's 1/2 mile off the trail and  about 500 feet straight
    down a ravine.  The spring is flowing, though.  Met "Upson Downs" here! 
    I started on springer with her  but she had dropped out in Tenn.  She
    is out section hiking Conn. Been travelling solo lately.  Bunch of
    people behind and a group  of 8 just 5 days ahead.  I'd like to catch
    them, they used to be 3 weeks ahead.  Pretty much met most of the
    others anyways.  Only a day behind Bigfoot but I doubt I'll catch him
    before the weekend. Gonna try, though.

    Moonshot

    card is a photograph of food bags at sunrise at Deep Gap shelter, AT,
    NC

    Gerry is a young boy who has terminal brain damage.  He's trying to get
    into the Guinness Book for collecting the most e-mail messages.
    
    Actually, he was complaining that very few people were sending him
    mail.  If you want to write him a note, send it to me and I'll deliver
    it to him this weekend.
    
    Jamie

    Tim look at the note title and then at the name of Jamie's brain
    damaged friend.  If you don't want to sent mail then just send money.
    
    :-)
    
    Marv
    

    So, that makes two uf us wif brain dammage...

    re .393
    
    Tim, I'm going to start a legend about a boy who's collecting coffee so
    he can have another cup and wake up before reading notes.  :-)
    
    There might be an opportunity to combine two legends here: brain
    damaged boy collecting blue star tattoos?  It has possibilities.
    
    But, if you'd like to contribute to my campaign to collect the most
    pictures of Andrew Jackson, please contact me.
    
    Jamie

> my campaign to collect the most pictures of Andrew Jackson, please contact
> me.
  

Jackson!?  

Go for Franklin! ;-)

    
    oh ANDREW Jackson...  and i had a nice 8x10 color glossy autographed 
    photo of Jesse all adressed in an internal mail envelope for you too...
    
    btw, that story about the brain damaged person collecting the blue star
    tattoo is true...  it's me...  send all blue star tattoos that you
    suspect might be of interest to *me*...  it's part of a scientific
    study i am conducting with the help of legionnaires and sheriff's
    departments across the country...
    
    						da ve

    Smart ass. ;-)
    
    I don't drink coffee anymore...maybe that's the problem...;-)
    
    tim
    

    hey Jeff,
    
    i just felt i should mention that i have a great shot of Aretha
    at a show she did about ...  oh...  never mind...
    
    					da ve

    Was that Andrew, Jesse or Reggie Jackson?
    
    tim
    

    Photo: Laurel Fork Gorge, AT, TN
    7/18/93, Mile 1447.1, Day 111, Stewart Hollow Brook, AT, 
   
    16 Mile day, plus a 1 1/2 mile RT into Kent.  Boots 
   are loosening up a little, well as good as 3/4"
   of new sole + midsole can loosen up.  Spent
   the afternoon in Kent having pizza + beer, and
   making plans for next weekend.  The whole 
   town is full of yuppies-- 1/2 of whom ride
   Harley Davidsons (BORN TO BE MILD!).
   I'm by myself here tonight.  Well, me
   and a coyote, anyways.  There's
   no wather because the brook
   is try.  I have a 1/2 liter so 
   that'll get me through th enight.
   I'll have to eat a dry dinner of
   bagels + cookies.  No biggie, IK'm 
   stuffed from the pizza anyways.
   
                       MOON SHOT
   PS- the owls are
   going nuts right now!

    received 8/03/93, postmarked July 28, 1993, Springfield MA.

 7/21/93, mile 1494.9, day 114
 Shea's Pinetree Inn, AT, MA.
 --------------------------------------

 14 mile day. Stopped into Shea's and decided to stay. The menu looked
 great and the Harp's is fresh. Looks like a rugged 26 mile day tomorrow 
 to get back on track. Awesome views today from Mt. Race + Jug End. Saw a 
 new species of snake today - a bright green one. Not much to report today.
 More lack of water. Had a nice chat with an English woman about the AT.
 Met a few dozen day hikers who were completely clueless about thru-hiking.
 They were talkng about thru-hiking with all sorts of erroneous info and
 I tried to strike up a conversation to set them straight but they wouldn't
 believe anything I said. Go figure. :-/

					MoonSHOT

 PHOTO:
	James River, AT, VA. A river calmly flowing through green hills.

   7/26/93, Mile 1550.5, Day 119, St. Mary's Parish Hall, Cheshire MA
   -------------------------------------------------------------------
   Nice smooth 20 mile day. Stopped for  pastrami grinder in 
   Dalton and headed for Chesire for the night.  I'm stuffed from 
   a huge plate of spaghetti, raspberry pie and ice cream. 
   Unfortunately, my food bag is not getting any lighter.!-|
   The Hall I'm staying in is typical of the free hiker hostels
   some churches sset up along the trail.  It's the kind of place where
   school plays take place (I set up my bedroll on the stage).  No
   showers but there is running water and flush toilets.  Besides it
   looks like rain and I'd rather be here than camped on Mt. Greylock 
   during a storm.  It kinda looks like I'll have a nice rainy day to go
   up and over Greylock tomorrow.  I alos need to get some supplies before
   I head into Vermont.  Geez, the Big K is beginning to seem real! :-)
   
                                                   Moon Shot
                                                   GA->ME '93
   
   Photo: Rock Formations Outside Troutville, AT, VA
   
   Stamp: "Bambie".
   
   Postmark:  None visible.

    I'm never going to get around to writing a trip report, but I wanted to
    get this vignette in.

                               Trail Magic

    Trail magic ought to be easy for Dead Heads to understand.  It's those
    instances of cosmic coincidence and good fortune that often happen at
    Dead shows.  They're usually inspired by a sense of community, and a
    belief that good deeds are rewarded.

    The same thing happens along the Appalachian Trail.  Former through-
    hikers remember the times when trail magic happened to them, and
    continue the tradition by surprising this year's crop of hikers.

    Gerry and I reached Clarendon Gorge halfway through a fourteen mile
    day.  An easy day for Moonshot, but I needed a long break and a dip in
    the river to get my energy up for the second half.  While I lollygagged
    in the gorge, Gerry went into town on a beer run.  Sipping Molsons
    along the river's edge, it was hard to believe that things could get
    much better.

    Lunch and the six pack were gone much too soon, and I reluctantly
    crossed the suspension bridge and climbed up to the parking lot.  A
    sign taped to the trunk of a VW caught my eye:

                               Thru-Hikers
                       Push button and lift trunk.

                 Cold water, soda, and watermelon inside.
                               Leave trash.

    Not only that, there were a few beers inside too.  We filled up our
    bottles and ate a slice of watermelon, then each packed a beer. 
    Moonshot insisted that not taking advantage of trail magic was a bad
    idea, guaranteed to come back to haunt you.

    We stopped and drank the beer at the next shelter.  The rest of the
    afternoon was spent huddled under an apple tree in a pasture waiting
    out a thunderstorm, slogging through a downpour, and trying to find the
    trail at poorly marked road crossings.  But I didn't mind, trail magic
    had lifted my spirits and I knew everything would work itself out.

    Jamie

The AT thru-hiker thing is definitely quite a culture.  Recently when I was
out hiking, I hooked up with a bunch of them and spent time trading stories
and shootting the bull.  While not a thru-hiker myself, I am doing the 4kers
which seemed to interest the thru-hikers.

After my visit with those folks, i really wanted to do the AT myself.  Kinda
like going on tour i guess... a real sense of community and caring out there
in the woods.  

too bad the whole world is not like that.

The only trail magic I see in that story is that you weren't stuck by 
lightening. Even tourists know you don't hide under a tree in a 
thunderstorm.



:-)   :-)  :-)

   not a card but a photo of "some river near Rusty's, AT, VA"
   
   7/25/93, mile 1531.2, day 118, October Mt. Shelter, AT, MA
   
   Took the day off today too.  Trying to recover from yesterday's
   brewers festival :-/  Got to make Manchester, VT by Saturday,
   90 miles in 6 days should be no problem.  I'm here with 2
   other northbounders and 3 southbounders.  They tell me
   that 25 started at Katahdin this year.  They've been out for
   8 weeks now, but it should only take 6-7 weeks to finish up.
   A friend is going to hike with me for 50 miles and that will
   slow me down but I should be able to make good time after that.
   Some friends are going to meet me on the "Big K" so that'll be
   great not to have to worry about getting home from Maine.
   
                                        Moon Shot
   

    re .407
    
    I know, I know.  But we were in the middle of a series of pastures, and
    the apple tree wasn't as high as the big pines at the edge of the
    pasture.  We took off our packs and stood away from the trunk.  I dunno
    what else we could've done . . . the smart thing would've been to stay
    at the shelter when the weather turned bad.  It was scary, no doubt
    about that.
    
    The next obstacle was getting past the 50 cows blocking the gate.  :-)
    
    Jamie

    getting by the cows is easy, just say MOOOOOOOOOOOOve cow !
    
    
    hahahahahaha

    Postcard of a backpacker near Mt. Greylock summit.
    
    [Perhaps having hiked from as far as Georgia,]* and possibly on the way
    to Maine, this weary backpacker has just climbed the last steep trail
    to the summit of Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Mass. (3491') on the
    journey over the famous Appalachian Trail.  Here, at Bascom Lodge, the
    Appalachian Mt. Club will welcome all with delicious home-cooked meals
    and a comfortable bed "on top of the Berkshires."
    
    *Not!  Coming from the north and walking away from A.T.
    
    7/27/93, mile 1571.8, day 120
    Seth Warner shelter, AT, VT  <- another state down!
    
    23 miles in the rain today.  The trees are loving it and I don't mind
    (except when Ma Nature decides to downpour).  Went up and over Mt.
    Greylock and took 4 hours off from the rain at Bascom Lodge -- pure AMC
    Hell!  Holds 100 people, most of whom drive there.  I did get to catch
    up on the latest high tech outdoor fashions though.  :-)  The hut croo
    was largely unfriendly and chewed me out for not picking up my mail
    sooner.  I apologized for not walking fast enough from Georgia to suit
    their purposes.
    
    Moon Shot
    
    GA -> NC -> TN -> VA ->
    WV -> MD -> PA ->
    NJ -> NY -> CT -> MA -> 
    . . . ME '93
    

re       <<< Note 326.411 by STUDIO::IDE "Can't this wait 'til I'm old?" >>>
                                  -< day 120 >-

>The hut croo
>    was largely unfriendly and chewed me out for not picking up my mail
>    sooner.  I apologized for not walking fast enough from Georgia to suit
>    their purposes.
 

Ger has always been sorta sour on the AMC, perhaps for good reasons, which i
don't debate.  but, when i was staying at the Galehead AMC hut on my b-day
last week, the croo there let _FOUR_ thru-hikers stay there, free-of-charge,
which included a HUGE dinner, breakfast, and a bed, in from nature's downpours
and electric storm.   one guy said he would pay, but when he got to the
window, they said don't worry 'bout it...  sounds like they're alright at
galehead, then again, everyone's mileage may vary.

    The croos definitely vary from hut to hut.  I can't speak for Ger, but
    my problems with the AMC are:
    
    - Their administrators are way overpaid for a NPO.
    - They're running a chain of hotels in the mountains.
    - A lot of them have the attitude that they own the WMNF.
    - Running into an AMC group of 80 on a hike really soured me.
    - This complaint is longer than previous one because it looks cool.
    
    They do a lot of good, such as excellent trail maintenance, that no one
    can deny.  Gerry commented to me that the AMC folks he's met south of
    Greylock have been fine.  He's planning to work at the huts for food
    and lodging, fwiw.
    
    Then again, I think that if you go in expecting people to be jerks, you
    often get what you expect.
    
    Follow-up to another note or HIKING, I think.
    
    Jamie

When I was hanging out with Ger a couple of weekends ago, we talked about 
the AMC a bit. He said there is a big diff between the AMC of the Whites 
and the AMC of parts south. He said that only in the far north are the AMC
employees "Snooty" and shun thru-hikers in order to cowtow to rich 
tourists. Every peice of trail and every hut, lean-to, shelter, and hostel 
has its own flavor I'm sure...

Photo postcard (nice 3D shot, probably taken by ger):

Photo: McAfee Knob, AT, VA
7/29/93, Mile 1609.8, Day 122, Warming Hut, Stratton Mtn, VT
-------------------------------

Got a late start - 10:00, then hiked 8 miles and took a nap.
Some days are made for lollygagging.  Unfortunately I should
have stayed at Storybrook where I napped instead of continuing 
here because severe thunderstorms hit Stratton as I was half
way up the mountain.   When I got to the fire tower, things 
got worse so I made for the hut.  The problem was, the hut was
in a clearing and I couldn't see it because of the clouds and
I didn't feel like running out in the open with lightening
everywhere.  So I ended up riding out the storm sitting in the
woods not 50 yards from the hut. :-/  Anyway, I'm dry and my
stuff is dry cuz we have the heaters in the ski hut going.
Met up with [sic] the "Wildflowers", "Oz", the "Farm" and 
"WT Flatlander", none of whom I met yet.  They are all pretty
cool.  Looks like a party in Manchester tomorrow.
			
				Moon Shot
				GA -> ME '93
P.S. Hi Mindy!
				

    another photo card from Ger...  unfortunately i forgot to bring it in
    for a loooong time so it's badly out of sequence...
    
    photo of Rusty's Hard Time Hollow...  Love Gap VA 
    7/20/93   mile 1482.2, day 113, sages ravine, AT MA
    
    Rain stopped this moring and made for a beautiful day.  Hiked into
    Salisbury CT to resupply and contact Jamie to arrange a pick up spot
    fro friday night.  Unfortnuately i got food poisoning in town :^( .
    made for and interesting hike this afternoon.  I'm almost out of TP!
    :^/  It alsways seems to be something inthe outside world that manages
    to muck up things.  Life on the trail is much less complicated-hike,
    eat, drink, sleep, enjoy.  OK, so water is a little scarce, but i'm
    managing fine.  Met my first ME->GA south bounder today.  He said I
    was the 36th north bounder he met.  I'm definitely inthe front of the
    pack and will probably pass a few more before finishing.  Not that it
    matters - it doesn't.
    
    					moonshot
    
    ps.  finally in my home state!!  10 states down, 4 to go!

Does anyone have a sequenced file of these that I can copy to re-read in 
order.  

And I'm feeling some shame because I've been meaning to drop him a line 
and haven't done so yet :( 

It's off to the penalty box for me,
bob

yep, I've got all GerG's cards in one sequenced file.   Want it?
      Craig
      DTN 264-4121

Thanks to tms and craig.

I have alot to read now.

bob h

hey, Craig

	What days are missing?

   Postmark 9 August, White River Junction, VT
   Picture of a covered bridge over a river, autumn colors just beginning
   to show.
   Printed description: Bartonsville Covered Bridge Route 103,
   Bartonsville, Vermont. Unique to the New England Countryside is the
   picutresque yet practical covered bridge protected from weather's
   harsher elements by its covering.
   
   8/4/93, Day 128, Mile 1688.8
   Wintturi Shelter, AT, VT
   
   Tim and Heidi payed [sic] me an impormptu visit last night. Got a late
   start this morning and hiked 17.4 miles. This seemed to me to be the
   toughest section in VT so far even though the mountains weren't too
   big. Lots of steep climbs. Enjoying a 22 oz Belgian ale Tim and Heidi
   made (very tasty!!). The spring here is ~50 degrees so it chilled well.
   Sure gets dark early now. It's a good thing I plan to cut back my
   mileage to enjoy the last 450 miles of the trip because there's not a lot
   of light to do the big miles anyways.
   
   Moonshot
   GA->ME '93

Yeah, but what I want to know is: are Tim and Heidi married yet?
(not that it matters to me at all, but I like gossip ;-)  And did
Ger get a good look at the Persieds?  Maybe thru-hikers don't stay
up that late (yeah, right!)?

PeterT

    No, Tim & Heidi aren't married yet, but I'll let them know to put you
    on the announcement distribution. ;-)
    
    ~~~~~~~~~~
    
   street scene from manchester village, vt.
   
   7/30, mile 1621.8 day 123
   zion episcopal church hiker hostel, manchester, vt.
   
   hiked down from stratton mtn into manchester for laundry resupply and
   refreshments.  met jamie there who will be hiking wiht me for 50 miles.
   had $1.25 10" pizzas for lunch (well, plus burgers, fries, and an order
   of buffalo wings :-) and a few pints of long trail stout at a local
   establishment that probably was the only non-yuppie place in town.
   anyways i had a nice stay in town, albeit a short one. still meeting
   lots of south bounders.
                                   moonshot
                                   ga -> me '93
   
   postmark was 930804. 
   

>establishment that probably was the only non-yuppie place in town.
 
    Very true -- they didn't take credit cards, and wouldn't run a tab
    unless we ordered food.  This was one reason I spent all the money I
    had for the trip within six hours of arriving.  Later on, the cops had
    to come in and remove a patron who'd been banned from the place.
    
    This is also where I met Jebediah, who just couldn't let go of his two
    years past AT experience.  He showed up at the bar with a fully loaded
    pack and no plans to hike, and we ran into him twice more at road
    crossings.
    
    BTW, Gerry wouldn't let me read the daily cards while I was with him,
    so these are all new to me.  I think one of them may have a nasty dig
    at my endurance, so I'll get a jump on him and start defending myself
    now.  :-)
    
    Jamie

    yeah, he woulkdn't let us read the cards either saying "you'll just
    have to wait for them to be posted lilke everybody else!"  fortunately
    he was kind in relaying the experinces and left out all the really
    embarrassing stuff...  besides, you can only fit so much on a postcard,
    so i would't worry too much Jamie! :^)
    
    					da ve

    
   Front: wooden covered bridge spanning a rocky creek bed
          (Back says it's the Saxton River, VT)
   
   postmarked 9 Aug 1993.
   
   8/1/93, Mile 1646.3, Day 125
   Greenwall Shelter, AT, VT
   
   Nice lollygagging 10.2 mile day. We hiked almost as far as the girl
   scouts from Camp Farnsworth. :-) Haven't seen too many people on the
   trail today, although there were lots at Little Rock pond. Only met
   one south bounder and 0 northbounders. Hiking between two groups again.
   Bigfoot's still only one day ahead, so I'll try and catch him after
   Sherburne Pass. Only 500.4 miles to go!! Geez, I could finish by 
   Sept 1. I'll need to slow down I think. !-) :-) :-)
   
   Moonshot
   GA->MA '93

    >We hiked almost as far as the girl scouts from Camp Farnsworth.
    
    It's a bullshit lie!  There were two separate troops!
    
    Jamie

    
    I think he meant that they anticipated *him* finishing in 6-7 weeks.
    
    

Postcard: Mount Lafayette in summer.
Postmark: White River Jct, VT, 19-Aug-93

8/13/93(Friday the 13th), Mile 1792.8, day 137
Garfield Ridge Campsite, AT, NH
-------------------------------
10 mile day - Thats an official Lolly-
gag. Spent the day on franconia
Ridge (see reverse). Hung out for the
most part above treeline on at
least 5 different summits.  The 
weather was 60 degrees with no wind and
visibility was just a few miles. Not
perfect, but close.  Felt great to
just hang out and take in the
views.  Its a good plan to lollygag
here since this is some of the 
best stuff on the AT.

			Moon Shot
			GA - ME '93

Postcard: Mount Lafayette in winter.
Postmark: White River Jct, VT, 19-Aug-93

8/14/93, Mile 1810.1, day 138
Trailhead, Crawford Notch, AT, NH
---------------------------------
17 mile day with great weather
although the summits were in
the clouds.  Met up with Stones's 
Brother who took us into North 
Conway where we ate dinner and
checked out the equipment stores.
Unfortunately, we couldn't find 
a single motel room or campground
with a vacancy so we had to head
back to the AT and bivvy by
the trailhead.  Going to be a short
day tomorrow and I'll probably
take 5 days to get to Gorham (45 mi)
just to enjoy the whites a little 
longer.
			Moon Shot

    Postcard: Greetings from VERMONT
    Postmark: Brigdewater, VT
    
    7/31/93, Mile 1636.1 day 124
    Lost Pond Shelter, AT, VT
    
    Got 14.3 miles out of Jamie today. Pretty impressive. However if *one*
    moe southbounder asks if we're "just out for the weekend" I'm going to
    scream. It's a pretty fair insult to someone who's hiked 1050 more
    miles than they have if you ask me:-). Nice hike today with views from
    Bromly, Styles, and Baxter. Water situation is much better up north
    although it's mostly streams so the filter is getting a workout again.
    Still on the first cartridge and it looks like it will last the whole
    trip. Going to do about 10 miles today. May bivvy out on a legde with a
    view.
    
    Moon Shot
    GA->ME '93

Postcard: Lakes of the Clouds and Hut [note by ger: "<--Goofer Hell!"]
Postmark: Gorham, NH, 21-Aug-93

8/16/93, Mile 1820.6, day 140
The Dungeon, Lakes of The Crowds Hut
---------------------------------
This place is a total zoo! There's
90 people here and 2 thru-hikers
staying in the Dungeon.  The rest 
are paying $57 to stay here 
(we're paying $6.00). I can't
wait to get to the RMC hut tomorrow
where things are more sane.
There's lots of people showing
up late and getting turned away
(over 20 so far). Its places
like this thats largely responsible
for overcrowding the mountains.

			Moon Shot

    Photo of the Pemi Wilderness.
    
    8/15/93, mile 1810.1, day 138
    Intervale Motel, N. Conway, NH
    
    Impromptu day off in North Conway.  Ended up dropping off food at
    Pinkham Notch for resupply.  Dropped off my tent as well.  I won't be
    needing it for the next couple of nights.  Finally found a local pub
    that wasn't full of weekending yuppies.  This town is out of hand.
    
    						Moon Shot

   photo:  Cloud in PA
   8/10/93, mile 1759.3, day 134, Jeffers Brook Shelter, AT, NH
   
   16 mile day.  Nice ledge but no views from Mt. Cube [?].  Kinda cool,
   though, being in the clouds.  Ran out of water when the D.O.C. camp
   we planned to get some at was dry.  The neighbors wouldn't give us any
   either.  Not much to report today, just taking it easy now sitting in
   my chair with my feet up.  Nice shelter here.  There's 6 of us here.
   KY Reb, Tic Tac Tony, Stone, Deacon Jones, Ponder Yonder, and myself.
   I plan on taking a short day tomorrow and hanging out on top of
   Moosilauke all day if it's nice.  I only need to finish and that's 40
   days away.  With 387 miles to go, I have plenty of time to goof off.
   Moon Shot
   GA -> ME '93

    8-9-93, mile 1743.0, day 133
    South Jacobs Brook, AT NH.
    16.3 mile day w. a couple of tough climbs today. Stopped about a mile
    short of the shelter because this is a nice spot to bivvy. The nites
    are getting cooler and that's fine with me. Sittin here sippin some
    darjeleng and cookin dinner streamside. Had some grate views from smart
    mt. and cambert ridge. It's quite bugless here despite being beside a
    stream. Nice waterfalls and cascades. I'll haveta remember to
    photograph them in the A.M. 
    Moon Shot
    GA-->ME '93
    ___________________________________________
    Post card of pictures of 14 small pics of NH covered bridges
    surrounding one large shot of a covered bridge. (Something ya don't see
    in Colo!)
    
    

   Postcard: Lincoln, NH.  
   East Branch of the Pemigewasset River
   Nice fall foliage shot with storm clouds overhead.
   
   Postmark: 8/19/93 White River Junction, VT
   
   8/11/93 Mile 1787.5 Day 135
   Cascade Lodge B&B, N. Woodstock, NH
   
   9 mile day today up and over Mt. Moosilauke.  Pretty nuce hike with the 
   summit above treeline (~4810') and really scenic cascades along the trail on 
   the north side.  Stone, Ponder and I decided to hitch into town for lunch and 
   never got out.  No big deal since I have plenty of time to finish up.  Going 
   to take 3 days to do the Kinsmans, Franconia Ridge and Zealand Notch, then
   head into North Conway for the night.  Met one of the local residents from 
   the state sanitarium at Jeffers Brook Shelter.  He was decked out in a Sea
   Captain's outfit.
   
                           Moon Shot.
                           GA > ME '93
   
   *****************************************************************************
   
   Postcard: Kinsman Notch, White Mountains, NH
   Fall view of the notch and Kinsman Pond.
   
   Postmark: 8/19/93 White River Junction, VT
   
   8/12/93 Mile 1782.8, Day 136
   West Branch Pemigewasset, AT, NH 
   
   Slackpacked from Kinsman Notch (see reverse) to Franconia Notch (About 17 
   miles).  It took about 9 hours including lunch, so these mountains are
   definitely tougher than what we've gotten used to.  North Kinsman was
   great with lots of rock scrambling.  Feels great to be back in my old
   stomping grounds and most of the north bounders are pretty damned psyched
   about the hiking here the last couple of days.  The best is yet to come
   in the next few days.  What an awesome way to wind down a long distance
   hike!!!
   
                           Moon Shot
   
   *****************************************************************************
   
   Postcard:  Mount Adams, White Mountains, NH
   Nice view of Adams with blue skies.
   
   Postmark: 8/21/93 Gorham, NH
   
   8/15/93 Mile 1835.0 Day 142
   Ellis River, Pinkham Notch, AT, NH
   
   Decided to hike down to Pinkham instead of holing up at Grey Knob
   another day.  Weather was patchy clouds ith no wind for hiking over Adams
   (see reverse) and Madison.  I've had no wind above treeline for neary every
   stretch so far.  The hut Croo at Madison gave me some Rice Soup,
   Bread and Cake.  Definitely a mellower scene than the Lakes [ed. comment:
   of the Crowds!].   Ate diner at Pinkham (AYCE) and hung out with "Iron Ron"
   the caretaker at Liberty Springs (he went into town to get us beer) and a
   fe other AMC campsite caretakers at the croo lodge.  Great people!
   
                                           Moon Shot
   
   *****************************************************************************
   
   Postcard: Map of the AT 
   A litle 'Camping Here' and an arrow drawn on to point
   near the NH/ME border on the AT.
   
   Postmark: 8/21/93 Gorham, NH
   
   8/19/93, Mile 1840.5, Day 143
   Carter Notch, NH
   
   Hiked 5.8 miles today.  That makes 30 miles in the last 5 days!  I realize
   that I wanted to slow down a bit, but this is ridiculous. :-)
   The funny thing is _NO ONE_ has caught up except CopperHead. I guess no one 
   wants this to end.  Copper Head met Supreme Court Justice David Sutter out
   hiking today.  We also learned that one of the "Wildflowers" broke her leg
   while slackpacking the Kinsmans and both are now off as well as "Oz".
   Almst to Maine and people are still dropping out.  It can happen to anyone.
   I'm camped here in Carter Notch, bout .3 miles from the AMC Hut.  The croo
   is friendly - they told us to camp and gave us 3 trays of cherry cobbler.  
   This is by far the mellowist of all the huts.  Its far away from the
   overcrowded areas above treeline.  They invited us to chow down on leftover
   pancakes tomorrow but I'll be leaving for Gorham early yo hit the P.O.
   before the weekend.
   
                                   Moon Shot

   Can't read postmark, arrived CA 8/21
   Photo: Water Tower, AT, NY
   8/2/93, Mile 1661.9, Day 126, Gov. Clement Shelter, AT, VT
   
    Nice 14 mile hike today. Made a beer run into town and spent a couple
    of hours at Clarendon Gorge. Also picked up a couple of grinders for
    lunch. Hit some trail magic as there was a car in the lot with a sign
    indicating that thru-hikers should help themselves to ice water,
    watermelon and soda. There was also beer in the trunk as well. It
    turned out that the car belonged to "Water" who had just finished up
    his thru hike. We ended up getting caught in a thunderstorm and pulled
    into the shelter quite wet. We were then confronted by a vicious dog 2
    women brought with them. All it did was snap, snarl and bark at me and
    even chased me when I went for water. Some dogs just do not belong on
    the trail. 
    
    Moon Shot

    Gerry gave me a call from Rangeley on Saturday.  He plans to finish on
    Sept. 12.  He may head down to Bar Harbor/Acadia NP that week, which
    would be great 'cause we'll be on vacation there and will hook up with
    him.  After that, he's going to Florida to hang out with Phillip and
    Elspeth for a while.  He mentioned looking for a job somewhere in the
    conversation.  :-)  He'll be at the Boston shows.
    
    Jamie

    Hi folks,
    
    I met Gerry this weekend as planned in Rangeley, Maine at the trail
    where it crosses Rt. 4 about ten miles south of town.  He had Andy (aka
    "Stone"??) with him and they have been hiking together for about three 
    weeks since Manchester, VT.  He is doing well but when I asked him if he 
    was sorry to see it ending he had a mixed answer.  His repsonse was
    something to the effect that yeah he was soory, but he was pretty beat 
    and that miles were starting to take their toll.  Part of this was because 
    of just coming over one of the toughest sections, the Greens, the
    Presidentials and the  Mahoosics, and he is also carrying a lot of 
    weight in this section because their are no frequent re-supply towns.
    Therefore he is carrying a lot of food and his pack is up to around
    55 pounds.  I think he was carrying 11 days of food for this section.
    Also, they ran into that heat wave last week which was tough.  They were 
    looking forward to the wilderness ahead though as it means few "touristas".
    He also said his weight is down to around 155 and he started at around 192.
    He said he still seems to be losing weight no matter how much he eats. 
    We had lunch and they spent several hours in town while I toured the areas 
    around the lake and we headed back to the trail at around 4:30.  I hiked 
    the 2 miles into the Piazza Rock shelter and we each had a cold Pete's 
    Wiked Ale that I packed in for them.  Even though there were a ton of 
    cars at the trail crossing on Rt 4, there was one only other hiker there 
    (another thru-hiker) at the shelter.  This was a brand-new shelter by the
    way, there was still fresh shavings and sawdust all around and a ton of 
    split pine firewood stored all around the shelter.
    
    Gerry was planning to have a camp fire that night, his first since May.
    
    All and all a nice experience meeting him and a nice short hike with
    him and Andy as well.  I brought them several gallons of fresh water,
    two of which were still half frozen in the jug which they appreciated 
    as they could have something other than "Chateau de Pond"!  I also passed
    along a snack "care package" which I made up.  Finally, I gave him
    and extract of his postcards, (in order) from this file.  He appreciated
    this, especially since he was finishing up and he could reminisce and
    also read some of the things he had forgot about on the trip.
    
    Thought you'd all appreciate an update.  I enjoyed supporting his trip
    in this small way.
    
    Take care,
    --Chris   
                                   

	8/25/93, Mile 1902.8, Day 149
	Hall Mountain Lean-to, AT, ME
	--------------------------------------
	1900 miles! And it sure feel like I hiked every inch of it, too.
	Did 15 miles today. Up and over Baldplate. The summit was in the 
	fog so new views, but hanging out was sort of other-worldly.
	Finally had some regular-type trail to hike for a change - 10 miles
	of it, instead of all this rock scrambling. Prior to this, the	
	last 140 miles have been rugged.  Only 2 of us here tonight. 
	30 miles into Maine and I think the crowds are finally starting
	to thin out again.  First time I had a view that didn't show any
	signs of civilization in a long time.  If this keeps up it will
	be a great way to end the hike.

					Moonshot


	----------
	the postcard shows the AT with a handwritten arrow showing
	mileage at 1902.8 miles!  WOW!

    once again, i am tardy in entering my postcards!  this one came a few
    weeks ago and then i misplaced it...  found it again today...  sorry it
    took so long!  apparently news of this "episode" ignited some flames 
    in rec.backcountry...  i didn't see it, just what i was told by some
    friends...  anyway, here's GerG news, albeit a tad late...
    
    postmark from Gorham NH...  written 8/17/93...   day 141...  Gray Knob
    Cabin (RMC)...
    
    Sure feels great to be on my home turf (RMC territory) after spending
    last night in AMC hell.  The hut croo at Lakes of the Crowds wouldn't
    sell me coffee because they were too busy with their 96 guests so i
    waited until all 96 guests were served and then i tried again.  When i
    still didn't get coffee i proceeded to fill out a "courtesy card" and
    described in detail what i thought about AMC "hospitality".  That got
    thier attention and i got a cup slammed down in front of me, despite
    my protests that i didn't need coffee anymore since i was quite awake
    after being up for an hour and a half waiting for a cup. :^/  oh well,
    i guess i was expecting too much.  Nevertheless, it's good to be back
    at a cabin that allows me to hang my chicken and requests (no INSISTS)
    that i put a NTTH sticker on the window.  I'd like to stay and relax an
    extra day, but i also want to get to Gorham by the weekend because i
    have mail there.  Relax and hurry up! :^)  It's only 30 miles, but i'd
    end up back in AMC hut land.  :^(
    
    				Moonshot
    				GA->ME '93
    				ATO/RMC
                                                              

    oh yeah...  the card was a trail map with an "i am here" arrow in
    northern NH...

    can someone tell me what AMC and RMC stand for again...I only know what
    AOB stands for.
    
    rfb

>    can someone tell me what AMC and RMC stand for again...I only know what
>    AOB stands for.
    
    I believe AMC stands for appalachian mountain club. I have no idea what
    RMC stands for tho'

	Rangely Mountain Club?

Randolph Mtn Club; a puny club that maintains trails, cabins and lean-to's
only in the small area of the Northern Presidentials which surround
Randolph, NH.  ATO is the Appalachian Terrorist Org...

    Reclusive Mountain Club?
    
    

    yep, fog's got it...  Randolph Mtn Club...  a place that lets you
    sleep in thier camps, cook your own meals, smoke and drink in the
    cabins, stay up and play past 9 oclock, and pretty much do anything you
    want as long as it's not destructive or in someone else's face...
    to me, a much nicer organization than the AMC...  dues are about 1/3
    what AMC charges...  the price for a night in one of thier camps is
    about 1/9 what AMC charges...  the camps are much more low impact 
    and are real CAMPS and not hotels-in-the-sky...  and significantly
    lower yuppie content...  :^)
    
    					da ve

    rec'd 1sept, postmarked 30aug, photo of a/t trail sign on tree, bark
    almost grown over the sign, in northern virginia. 
    
    "8/26/93, mile 1910.5, day 150 campsite, old blue, a/t, me 8 mile day,
    felt like lollygagging today after all the climbing over the last days.
    had a couple of steep climbs today too, but took a 2 hour lunch & took
    a dip in black brook. decided to make up the miles tomorrow. it was
    just a beautiful day. i still need to be in rangely by saturday to hit
    the post office. probably won't get any letters there either. found a
    nice campsite with a clear spring in the saddle between old blue and
    elephant mountain. the ridge was supposed to be dry with no place to
    camp but i found a spot in the middle of a virgin forest of red spruce.
    i[t, sic] looks somewhat enchanted. had some fine 360` views from old
    blue. maine is pretty expansive. got clear skies  tonight so i left the
    top down on my tent. lots of woodpeckers around here as well as a flock
    of chickadees. things have quieted down now that the sun is setting.
    
    moonshot

RE:         <<< Note 326.443 by STRATA::DWEST "reality is not..." >>>

>    took so long!  apparently news of this "episode" ignited some flames 
>    in rec.backcountry...  i didn't see it, just what i was told by some

Here are said flames. Not exactly a flamewar, but definitely a brushfire...

Article: 37300
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!pa.dec.com!decwrl!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!uunet!rayssd!rd.ray.com!frank
From: [email protected] (Frank Sandy)
Subject: Re: AT Through Hike: 08/16/93, Day 140, Mile 1820.6
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Organization: Raytheon Co., Research Division, Lexington, MA
References: <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1993 00:22:21 GMT
Lines: 35
 
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Transitive NightFall of Diamonds) writes:
>
>   Postcard: Lakes of the Clouds and Hut 
>             [note by ger: "<--Goofer Hell!"]
>   Postmark: Gorham, NH, 21-Aug-93
>   
>   8/16/93, Mile 1820.6, day 140
>   The Dungeon, Lakes of The Crowds Hut
>   ---------------------------------
>   This place is a total zoo! There's
>   90 people here and 2 thru-hikers
>   staying in the Dungeon.  The rest 
>   are paying $57 to stay here 
>   (we're paying $6.00). I can't
>   wait to get to the RMC hut tomorrow
>   where things are more sane.
>   There's lots of people showing
>   up late and getting turned away
>   (over 20 so far). Its places
>   like this thats largely responsible
>   for overcrowding the mountains.
>   
>                           Moon Shot
 
     Why don't you quit bitching.  The AMC charged you and other
thru-hikers 1/10 the normal rate, let you in without reservations
while others were turned away, and maintained the trails for your
enjoyment.  What more do you want.  
 
     If the 90 people that hike to the hut make the White Mountains
crowded, what do the hundreds that drive to the top of Mt. Washington
or take the cog railway do?
-- 
Frank Sandy,  Raytheon Research Div.,  131 Spring Street,  Lexington, MA 02173
[email protected]                                  phone: (617) 860-3049

Article: 37307
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!pa.dec.com!decwrl!doc.ic.ac.uk!daresbury!mrccrc!dmartin
From: [email protected] (David Martin x3175)
Subject: Re: AT Through Hike: 08/16/93, Day 140, Mile 1820.6
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Sender: [email protected]
Nntp-Posting-Host: tin
Organization: MRC Human Genome Resource Centre
References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1993 08:33:01 GMT
Lines: 10
 
 
I'm sure that most of those who visit snowdonia are laughing at the american
idea of crowded..
 
Only a few hundred in a day??
 
try Snowdon on an august bank holiday... 7 mile long queue..
 
....d
 

Article: 37408
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!airbag.enet.dec.com!swatko
From: [email protected] (Mike Swatko)
Subject: Re: AT Through Hike: 08/16/93, Day 140, Mile 1820.6
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Sender: [email protected] (USENET News System)
Reply-To: [email protected] (Mike Swatko)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation, Nashua, NH
References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1993 19:38:31 GMT
 
--
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Frank Sandy) writes:
>In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Transitive NightFall of Diamonds) writes:
>>
>>   Postcard: Lakes of the Clouds and Hut 
>>             [note by ger: "<--Goofer Hell!"]
>>   Postmark: Gorham, NH, 21-Aug-93
>>   
>>   8/16/93, Mile 1820.6, day 140
>>   The Dungeon, Lakes of The Crowds Hut
>>   ---------------------------------
>>   This place is a total zoo! There's
>>   90 people here and 2 thru-hikers
>>   staying in the Dungeon.  The rest 
>>   are paying $57 to stay here 
>>   (we're paying $6.00). I can't
>>   wait to get to the RMC hut tomorrow
>>   where things are more sane.
>>   There's lots of people showing
>>   up late and getting turned away
>>   (over 20 so far). Its places
>>   like this thats largely responsible
>>   for overcrowding the mountains.
>>   
>>                           Moon Shot
>
>     Why don't you quit bitching.  The AMC charged you and other
>thru-hikers 1/10 the normal rate, let you in without reservations
>while others were turned away, and maintained the trails for your
>enjoyment.  What more do you want.  
 
 
Ya, do you know what his $6 got him?  Not a gratuitous stay in the kushy
part of the hut, but a chance to spend the night under the floorboards
of the main hut in a little stone walled, bug infested cell called the
Refugee room.  If you've been there, you know it's no thrill and being
able to stay there for $6 is hardly a favor.
 
To be in the greatest part of the Presidentials of the White Mtns,
and have only 2 "legal" alternatives if you want to spend the night there -
1).  To make *reservations* months ahead of time for the chance to
     pay $57 to cram yourself in a bunk house with 90 other people.
2).  Pay $6 to spend the night in a cell under the trampling feet
     of the 90 other people who paid $57.
 
The AMC is fine by me, except for the fact that they have a monopoly on
the Whites, and that everything they do seems to have a significant
$$$-sign attached to it should you want to participate.
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Swatko                             !  [email protected]
Digital Equipment Corporation           !  swatko%[email protected]
Nashua, New Hampshire                   !  ...!decwrl!airbag.enet!swatko
===========================================================================

Article: 37447
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!pa.dec.com!decwrl!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!inmet!impact!daf
From: [email protected] (Tony Flanders)
Subject: Re: AT Through Hike: 08/16/93, Day 140, Mile 1820.6
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Sender: [email protected]
Nntp-Posting-Host: impact
Organization: Intermetrics Inc.
References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1993 09:45:43 GMT
Lines: 28
 
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Mike Swatko) writes:
 
> To be in the greatest part of the Presidentials of the White Mtns,
> and have only 2 "legal" alternatives if you want to spend the night there -
> 1).  To make *reservations* months ahead of time for the chance to
>      pay $57 to cram yourself in a bunk house with 90 other people.
> 2).  Pay $6 to spend the night in a cell under the trampling feet
>      of the 90 other people who paid $57.
 
Come on, be serious.  I passed throught the Presedentials while through-
hiking the AT in New Hampshire and Maine, and I didn't stay in any AMC
huts.  (The "refuge room" hadn't been invented then.)  If you hike
down off the ridge, into (say) the Dry River valley or the Great Gulf,
you can find magnificent campsites with hardly any other people around.
Sure, it takes a lot of time and sweat to go down and come back up again,
but so what?  The trails between the ridge and the Great Gulf are some of
the best anywhere -- well worth hiking in their own right.
 
It's not the AMC's fault that the Presedential ridge is one of the two
extensive areas above treeline in the Eastern U.S., that it is within
easy driving distance of several major cities, and could not possibly
withstand the pressure of summer camping.  If there were no AMC huts,
nobody would be able to stay above treeline, period.  Maybe that
would be more fair -- I don't want to argue that point right now --
but it wouldn't make things any easier for hikers.
 
    - Tony Flanders
	Intermetrics, Inc.

Article: 37569
Path: nntpd2.cxo.dec.com!pa.dec.com!decwrl!uunet!telenet!tmrobins
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: AT Through Hike: 08/16/93, Day 140, Mile 1820.6
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 31 Aug 93 12:30:02 GMT
References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
Sender: [email protected]
Lines: 40
 
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Frank Sandy) writes:
> In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Transitive NightFall of Diamonds) writes:
 
- snip -
 
>      Why don't you quit bitching.  The AMC charged you and other
> thru-hikers 1/10 the normal rate, let you in without reservations
> while others were turned away, and maintained the trails for your
> enjoyment.  What more do you want.  
 
- snip -
 
> Frank Sandy,  Raytheon Research Div.,  131 Spring Street,  Lexington, MA 02173
> [email protected]                                  phone: (617) 860-3049
 
 
Gee, only 1/10. We here in Virginia don't charge a thing.  Our
philosophy is that WE and our huts are here for the HIKERS. The
HIKERS are not here for US nor our HUTS.  We build them to serve
as a small oasis for the weary hiker, not to make money.  They are
maintained by club members with money raised from club events.
 
We also don't have the attitude that we own the mountains and the trail,
which is the impression I've gotten from more than one AMC member.
 
I do agree though that hikers shouldn't bitch about the AMC accomodations.
I think they should just avoid them altogether.
 
 
 
   __	                        /\             0        Tim Robinson
  / /__      o__             o /  \           [| |      Jack of All Trades
 /____/     _,>/'_       []__|/___ \          o|\|      Alcatel Data Networks
 @@@@@     (_) \(_)   ~~~|(_______)~\~~~      / \|      Reston, Virginia
Skate it,  Bike it,     %            <){    Hike it.    unicorn!tmrobins@
                           Fish it,                        telenet.com
 
           Go for the gusto.......or don't go at all.
           __________________________________________
 

         As a 15 year member of the AMC and an "on again off again" member
    of and contributor to the RMC, I would like to point out that it's a
    bit unfair to compare the two organizations.  The AMC, the U.S.' oldest
    Mountain Club/Conservation Organization, has over 30,000 members,
    operates over 25 facilities and camps, maintains the majority of trails
    in the Whites (and many trails elsewhere), runs an ambitious outdoor
    education program, and participates in search and rescue.  The RMC
    operates four camps on the side of Mt. Adams, maintains less than 100
    miles of trail in the Northern Presidentials, has a couple of hundred
    members, and is more a social club for its members than anything else.
    My point is that the charters of the two organizations are radically
    different.
    
         The AMC Hut system was established over 100 years ago (Madison
    Hut, aka "Mad House", celebrated its 100th birthday in 1988) when the
    level of useage of the White Mountains was considerably different.  The
    system was patterned after similar hut systems in Switzerland and
    Austria, and were positioned roughly 10 miles apart (one day's hike)
    so hikers of that day could tour the White's over the course of a two
    week vacation, and not have to carry overnight and cooking gear. 
    Remember that 3 lb sleeping bags and lightweight stoves and clothing
    were not available at the turn of the century.  The opinions voiced
    by members of this conference are not unique, as today there is a 
    vocal minority in the AMC who is advocating removal of the Huts.
    Several earlier notes have commented on the impact to the environment
    the huts have.  My counter to that argument, is that at least the huts
    serve to "concentrate" the impact to the small area surrounding each of
    the huts.  Consider the alternative .... either unsightly campsites
    would appear all over the Mountains, or more likely, rules would be
    established that would "herd" hikers and campers to designated,
    undeveloped campsites below timberline.  
    
         As to the cost of staying at the Huts, the Hut System is one of
    the few "cost centers" within the Club which annually turns a profit,
    and to a degree the Huts subsidize some of the other programs the Club
    offers.  Factor in also the value of two meals, maid/waitor service
    provided by the Croo, the cost of supplying provisions, flying out 
    trash and waste, and maintaining a building in the Eastern U.S.'s most
    inhospitable climate.  In my view the $57/night charge is not far out
    of line.
    
         As a personal aside, some of my most enjoyable experiences in the 
    mountains have involved the AMC Huts, as well as my single worst 
    experience in the mountains.  I have had equally enjoyable stays at
    Gray Knob and the Perch (RMC Camps).  Your mileage may vary.
    
        Notwithstanding my defense of the Hut System, there is no excuse
    for the rudeness Gerry encountered at Lakes, and he should alert the
    folks at Pinkham.
    
    Russ   

re                     <<< Note 326.453 by GIAMEM::SCHOTT >>>

>Consider the alternative .... either unsightly campsites
>would appear all over the Mountains, or more likely, rules would be
>established that would "herd" hikers and campers to designated,
>undeveloped campsites below timberline.  
 
Well, I think if there were no huts, the camping would be limited to
those who go through the trouble of buying the equipment and learning
about backpacking.  Every time I've stayed at a hut (4 times maybe in 13
years) or walked near one, there are scads of completely unprepared hikers
who are obviously there because the hut is there: that is, if no huts, then
those people would stay home.  the people i'm talking about are the ones
hiking in sneakers or loafers wearting their polo button-down shirt!  matter
of fact, i saw a bunch of folks like this last weekend at the madison hut
when i hiked adams and madison...  

the amc is done right by me; i don't hold anything against them.  just making
comments on the huts...

    what did they think of yer tye-dyes, JC? %^)
    
    rfb (always hikes in tye-dyes!)

         There comes a point in most hikers lives, when their knees, heart,
    lungs, or whatever, won't allow them to carry a 35 lb. backpack, in as
    challenging terrain as New Hampshire's White Mountains. (yeah, I know
    all about Grandma Gatewood, and a friend from the AMC's Worcester
    Chapter went end to end on the AT at age 64, but folks like them are
    the exception.)  It wasn't that long ago when I could carry a 60 lb.+
    pack into the Adirondacks for 5 day winter peak-bagging trips.  Now at
    41, my heart and lungs are up to the task, but my knees begin talking
    to me after much more than a 5 mile day hike!
    
         The Huts allow both older hikers, families with young children,
    and yes, underequipped "goofers" to experience New Hampshire's White
    Mountains.  At times, I have been turned off by the crowds and types 
    of people the Huts attract.  However, I don't go along with the
    argument that the mountains should be the exclusive domain of super
    fit eighteen to fourty year olds equipped with the latest gear from
    Moonstone, the Northface and Patagucci.
    
    Russ
    
    - who owns some stuff from Moonstone, the Northface and Patagucci ;^) 
    
    - speaking of Patagonia, did anyone see the latest publicity on the
      fact that Patagonia is now making some of its fleece clothing from
      recycled soda bottles?
    

    Another thing about the Huts.  Each Hut is unique, both in its size and
    its accessibility.  The Lakes-in-the-Clouds Hut (where Gerry stayed) is
    the largest and busiest of them all.  Naturally the croo will also be
    the busiest.  The does not excuse ignoring people or being rude.  After
    all they are in the hospitality business.
    
    Galehead Hut is the smallest and the most remote, although remote is a
    highly relative term.  It is quieter but in a less spectacular
    location.  
    
    Some Huts offer barracks style sleeping while others have seperate
    bunkhouses away from the main hut where the eating is done and the croo
    lives.  Some use chemical toilets while others (Carter at least) have
    real flush toilets.  
    
    All these is just to show that the Huts offer a varying experience and
    some are better than others.  I spent a night in Greenleaf during one
    of the fiercest storms I've ever been in.  The windows shook and the
    wind was very, very loud. ( When I first reached the Hut I couldn't open
    the door and momentarily freaked out thinking they were closed and I'd
    have to smash a window.  Turns out the wind was so strong that, since
    the door opened outward, I couldn't open it myself.  I got in because 
    people inside saw me and pushed as I pulled.)  It is one of my favorate
    mountain memories.
    
    Although expensive, the Huts can offer a great experience if'n you
    choose the right Hut.
    
    
    Marv
    

    Favorite Hut Memory:
    
         Hiking into Zealand Hut over Thanksgiving Weekend about 10 years
    ago, with 10 or 12 friends.  We brought in two Digital Turkeys (the
    birds, not middle managers ;^)), potatoes for baking, squash, the
    fixings for pies, and many, many bottles of wine.  Those were heavy
    packs!!!  The mountains had received a couple of inches of rain
    overnite, but as we left our cars the rain changed to snow.  Every
    river crossing was a challenge!  Once into the hut, we started cooking,
    and absolutely filled the place with wonderful aromas.  We went up
    to the Zeacliffs in the snow, breaking trail through 6"'s of new snow.
    That night we pigged out, and had enough left over to feed the
    caretakers, (during the offseason at Zealand and Carter, the huts 
    operate on caretaker basis, at much reduced fees) and also to feed a
    couple of folks who had brought in freeze dried glop!  A wonderful
    time was had by all, and its one of my favorite Thanksgiving memories!
    
    Worst Hut Experience:
    
        Also at Zealand, I led an AMC Ski Trip into Zealand in February.
    A couple of young guys brought in too much beer and a bottle of vodka.
    After most people had turned in, they stayed up doing shooters and
    playing cards, talking loudly.  Sometime in the middle of the night,
    the people in the west (left) bunkroom were awaken to the sounds of
    one of the two, urinating in the corner on peoples packs.  He evidently
    thought he had made it to the bathrooms.  A couple of hours later,
    either he or his friend was heard retching in his bunk.  The two had
    the good sense to get up early, clean up their mess with the help of
    the caretaker, and to depart before the bulk of the people got up.
    If they had stayed around, things might have gotten nasty!!
    
         Two extreme experiences that I will never forget!
    
    Russ
        

Relatively speaking, Usage in our parks is way way down, especialy when you
start to look at usage per capita numbers. Used to be everyone wanted to
get up there. Witness the financial flop of the big, old hotels, and even
the condo prices in Lincoln, etc.  I'm old enough to remember the impacts
that the Hippy generation had up there, and the tundra is indeed coming
back. So, the shepard carries a golden rod: big deal; at least there are no
more _real_ hotels like there used to be on Mousilauke, Washington, and
other high peaks. I believe in protecting our wilderness, but I also
believe we have to strike a usage balance which maximizes popular
understanding of our environment while minimizing impacts. I do sometimes
wonder if the pinstrip-suited board members at 5 Joy Street lose sight of
this balance and instead concentrate on the balances of their equity funds
and investments portfolios. This is the nineties, though, and yes, its
true, even environmental stewardship has become a commodity. For the
purests and those able to carry their own packs, yes, the hut system is a
blight across the high peaks, but a neccessary blight without which popular
environmental awareness in general would likely slip. You just can't come
down from those peaks without a refreshed vision of the fragility of our
environment, no mater how much of a goofer you are. The exception, of
course, is the Cog Railway, which turns an attempt to bring people out to a
fragile wilderness environment into a tourist trap circus ride, repleat
with kitschey souveneer shops and the general aura of expolitation, crass
commercialism, and the very real visual blight from the coalsmoke, noise
from the engines and whistles, slag from the boiler, and spilled engine
grease and oil all over the flanks of Mt Washington. Just what we need: a
momument to the history of wilderness exploitation and destruction. Blech.

    Besides, there's no way that Gerry would hang around for 1.5 hours
    waiting for a cup of coffee.  He could've been at the summit snack bar
    in 0.5 hr. and gotten one there, or made tea on his stove (he isn't
    carrying coffee).  There's another side to this story, I'm sure.
    
    It's very easy to avoid the huts and crowds if you're so inclined. 
    Check out the Pilot and Kilkenny ranges.  Personally, I love the
    feelings of aloofness and righteous indignation, so I seek them out. 
    
    Fog, this file is in need of detailed Cog mooning instructions.
    
    Jamie

>    Besides, there's no way that Gerry would hang around for 1.5 hours
>    waiting for a cup of coffee.  He could've been at the summit snack bar
>    in 0.5 hr. and gotten one there, or made tea on his stove (he isn't
>    carrying coffee).  There's another side to this story, I'm sure.

I was thinking something along the same lines.  I don't know Ger well
enough to make any real conclusions, having met him only briefly at 
shows, but I seem to remember him getting someone (Marv, wasn't it?)
rather P.O.'d at him at one point in here.  At which point Gerry left
the conference, only to come back for a while before he finally left
to do the AT.  Not saying that something like that happened, but the 
possibility exists.  I tend to fall on Gerry's side of things from 
what I've seen of him in the past, and I certainly admire (and envy)
him for his stick-to-it-tiveness on the AT, but I realize that people
can get pissed at friends and loved ones for certain things they do.
Total strangers might not take as kindly to things that we aren't 
even aware of.  Without a better description of events, all we can 
rely on is Ger's words, but I, like Jamie, wonder if there is indeed
more to the story.

So who's going to meet him up at Katahdin this Sunday?  If not someone
in here, tell them to hoist one for me!  I definitely have looked
forward to his postcards about his trip.

PeterT

My guess is that Ger expected at least a cup of Joe for his $6. After all,
He's come to expect a certain special treatment as a through-hiker,
particularly from the AMC, which in all other places except the Whites has
treated him like a demigod. Heck, with AYCE meals for $4, lodging for free
for almost the whole trip, slackpacking, people bringing him beer and all
that, can you blame him? I'd get a little spoiled, too, If I were in his boots.

    If anyone does meet up with Ger, Tell him Howdy from Colorado and I
    think of him often! 
    
    rfb

Ger should reach Katahdin Sunday....

    
    in some ways i think of the AMC like i do the DMV...  both have gotten
    a little too big and a little too expensive for thier own good and they
    are just too easy to complain about...  and a lot of the beef comes
    from the same thing in both places-a snotty attitude...
    
    the Appalchian Money Collectors (ooops, my bias is showing! :^) so
    indeed provide some useful services and i appreciate a lot of the work
    that they do...  excellent trail maintenance for one thing...  several
    people have brought up good points about concentrating use into small
    pockets that are easier to control and i do believe that accessibility
    to the mountains for people who might not get there otherwise is indeed
    a good thing...  still, there are several things i have real issues
    with...
    
    i don't think and AMC/RMC comparison is all that unfair...  both
    organizations are dedicated to giving people a place to go, maintaining
    the trails and protecting the areas that they exist in...  the RMC
    hardly qualifies as a social club though...  there are only two club
    "activities" all year...  still, with only 600 members (compared to
    30,000) and a small number of camps in a small area i can see where it
    can seem so...  members run into each other more often since they tend
    to come back to the same areas time and time again...  and yes, there
    is sometimes an elitist attitude at the RMC due to the "if you
    can't take care of yourself you probably should have stayed home"
    attitude...  still, i'll take that over the "you wouldn't be here if we
    didn't let you" attitude i've encountered all too often at the AMC
    huts (primarily the mad house and lakes of the crowds)...
    
    if you're looking for a social org with activities and opportunities
    to meet people, AMC is the better place...  of course, you'll pay for
    it too...  what are dues now?  $45/year?  
    
    it's true that the AMC does some cool educational work as well... 
    still, i don't think it's unfair to say that a lot of wehat you learn
    from a stay in the huts is how to fold a blanket AMC style...  not a
    lot of eco-education on site...
    
    both AMC and RMC groups do provide search and rescue services...
    RMC camps are the only ones in the presidentials that are open year
    round...
    
    the huts are definitely money makers for the AMC...  if i'm not
    mistaken, the costs for running the zoo huts in the presidentials are
    pretty much covered during the first month of operation... the rest is 
    gravy...  i suppose it's a necessary evil to pay for the people and
    facilites at Joy St (though thre seem to be some folks making nice bux 
    for a non-profit org)...
    
    i don't care to see the huts supplied by helicopter...  i much prefer
    RMC's "if you didn't carry it up, it ain't here"...  (in fact, a big
    argument happened in RMC when rebuilding the camps...  many in the club 
    were opposed to using a helicopter to airlift the new building
    materials in)...
    
    i've no need for another pretty magazine with pictures of the
    mountains...  still it's where a lot of that education stuff starts...
    
    membership means nothing at an RMC camp...  your price to stay is the
    same as a non member ($5 summer $7 winter)...  no reservations taken...
    you don't have to go to bed at 9...  no "lights out"...  there's always
    room for one more, even if it means sleeping on or under tables...
    
    i've never been yelled at by an RMC caretaker but i've been barked at
    a couple of times from AMC hut croo folks (cardinal sins...  one didn't 
    see me put money in the can for a hot cocoa and the other was upset 
    that i set my pack on a chair instead of on the floor)...
    
    contrary to how it sounds, i am NOT totally down on the AMC...  i just
    think they got too big and lost a lot of focus...  also, i have to say
    that most of the things i DONT like seem to be largely stuff that
    happens in the New England chapters (understandable...  more people,
    more opinionated jerks etc than in some other areas) more than other
    parts of the country...  oh well...  i guess when you have a monopoly
    in a high tourist area it's hard to not use that to your advantage...
    i just prefer to spend my limited dollars on the more grass roots
    RMC and help them manage trails and camps with it instead of funding 
    lobbyists, magazines, offices in boston etc...
    
    					da ve

More AMC comments:

I was under the impression that the AMC was "well Endowed", i.e., got a lot 
of money left to them by dead members, and they operate just on the interest 
from multi-million dollar portfolios.


Best AMC Hut Experience:  Madison Crew Sluts, July 1976!

Worst AMC Hut Experience: The Anti-Day-Glo poster posted in Madison Hut in 
			  1991 which took off on Day-O, forever implanting
			  That really stupid song in my head whenever I see
			  brightly clothed hikers in the mountains. 

nevermind.

I put in a snide comment or 2 in the reply entitled "nevermind part 2".

I should just keep my mouth shut X 100000000000000.
bob who's not having a good day and this ain't making him feel any better.

Go ahead, bobo, that's what we're here for, to vent off a little steam once 
inna while!

         I was Chairman (Grand Exalted Poobah) of the Worcester Chapter
    for two years back in the mid '80's, and thus had to attend numerous
    Club wide meetings during that time.  Since then, I have left the 
    Chapter Executive Committee, so I can't address in any detail the
    present financial situation of the Club, but can speak to the situation
    5 to 8 years ago.
    
         At that time the AMC's finances were a mess, and numerous cost
    cutting measures were being implemented.  Staffing was cut back,
    education was curtailed, and the Appalachia Journal (not the magazine,
    but the paperback book, published twice/yr. and the oldest
    mountaineering journal published in this country) was nearly
    discontinued.   At this time, the Huts were one of the few "cash cows"
    that the AMC operated.  The Club's problems began in the late '70's/
    early 80's when it acquired large properties at Crawford Notch (N.H.), 
    the Lodge in the Catskills (recently sold) and an adjacent building at 
    Joy Street on Beacon Hill.  Many of us can recall the 13 to 16% mortgages 
    that were common in those days, and the AMC was clearly a victim of 
    borrowing money at high rates.
     
         It was also determined that the AMC was the least well endowed
    environmental/outdoor organization, when compared to other similar
    sized groups such as the Nature Conservancy, the Audubon Society and
    the Sierra Club.  (Wealthy old Boston Brahmins got that way by not
    giving away their cash ;^))
    
         Since then, the AMC has embarked on several major fund raising
    efforts, has raised fees considerably, and is no longer, to the best
    of my knowledge in any danger of financial ruin.  On the flip side,
    there are not any money managers on State Street getting rich off of
    the commissions earned on manipulating the AMC's portfolio.
    
    Russ

So much for "my impression"...

    	I was atop Mt Washington (via the auto road) yesterday for
    	the hill climb (bicycles). We, of course, got there before
    	the riders. I saw a backpacker who looked like he'd been
    	around, so I asked him if he'd met or seen entries by
    	Moonshot. He said he had, although he'd never met him.
    
    	Of course, I guess it would be relatively easy to find the
    	name of someone who did the whole AT.
    
    	Scott

   postmark 30 Aug 1993, Bangor ME
   Map of the AT, no "here I am" arrow but ger's still in NH on this one...
   
   8/21/93, mile 1855.7, day 145
   The Barn, Gorham, NH
   
   Took the day off today to rest up before the final push to the "Big K". 
   Lots of thru-hikers here tonight as "2-Styx Brit" and "Woodland Stooge"
   showed up.  "Acid", "Sherpani", "Itchy and Scratchy", "Beauty and the
   Beast", "Ironman", and "Over Easy" also rolled in after the AMC refused to
   let them sleep on the floor of Lakes of the Crowds hut despite cold temps
   and wet weather (it got down [up crossed out :^)] to 17 degrees last night
   on Mt. Washington)(!!!).  Basically, that's a stupid thing to do (and
   inhospitable) given the weather.  There is NO OTHER PLACE TO GO up there! 
   Luckily for them, they all got a ride down from Mt. Washington by some guy
   with a van.  Unfortunately, they all have to hike back up tomorrow.
   
   -M.S.
   

   8/3/93 mile 1674.1
   The Inn at Long Trail, Sherbourne Pass, AT, VT
   
   Escaped from the dog form hell and hiked over Killington. Made a pit
   stop at the summit lodge for sandwiches and beer. I called Tim and Heidi
   and he said that he and Heidi would meet me at Sherbourne Pass. Had some
   cellar temp Guinness at the inn and said goodbye to Jamie (and hello to
   T&H). Tim and Heidi took me out for "2 for 1" dinner (I ate 2, they had
   1 each :-) and out for a couple of beers. I managed to successfully run
   the "gauntlet of friends" without slowing down too much. But then again,
   there's still NH. :-)
   
   -Moonshot
   
   (Photo is of the Congregational Church at Lyme, NH. "One of New
   England's finest examples of colonial architecture and its church sheds
   are regarded as the longest.")

   Front:
     small bird beaking a larger bird's bill
   
   Back:
   "Common Loon with Chick"
   
   9/2/93, Mile 1994.7, Day 151 (?could be 157 or 159)
   Pierce Pond Lean-To, AT, ME
   ---------------------------
   
   17 mile day, pretty much flat
   terrain. Finally thru most of
   the mountainous stuff. I'm
   camped on a small ledge just
   above the pond and there's
   a super sunset out over the
   water. The loons should start
   calling pretty soon. The
   noseeums are nasty tonight
   so I'm glad I opted to tent.
   Tried to call the Monson PO
   to have my mail drop moved to 
   the hostel because of Labor Day
   But the phone at the camp down the
   trail was dead. Made reservations for
   Breakfast at the camp tomorrow -- 12 pancakes,
   2 eggs, sausage, juice + coffee for $5.50.
   
   Moon Shot
   

    12 pancakes....%^)
    
    

   (Map of AT on front labelled, "Wahoo! Maine Dammit!")
   
   8/23/93, Mile 1876.6, Day 147
   Full Goose Shelter, AT, ME
   
   WAHOO! I'M IN MAINE! 15 mile day. Got a late start and pulled in after
   sunset. Pretty rugged trail with lots of class 4 and class 5 sections.
   Not easy when carrying a 50 lb. pack with a week's worth of food. More
   of the same tomorrow as I have to go thru the infamous Mahoosuc Notch.
   Only planning on an 11 mile day. Anyways, the late arrival treated me to
   a beautiful sunset. It's great to be getting 360 degree views again with
   no civilization in sight. Trails here are still crowded with vacationing
   backpackers. Everyone wants to do the "toughest mile on the AT" (TM).
   
   Moonshot
   GA to Big K

 received 9/??/93, postmarked August 30, 1993, Bangor ME.

 8/22/93, mile 1862.3, day 146
 Trident, ??? campsite, AT, NH.
 --------------------------------------

 Finally left Gorham at 1:30PM. :-/ Blue blazed out of town and
 RR-linked with the AT on top of Mt. Hayes. Learned that my uncle
 is in a coma so I may have to come off the trail for a few days in
 the event of a funeral. Unfortunately it won't be easy to get
 home from the middle of Maine since no one is willing to come and
 get me. Minutes before learning this I had booked a flight to
 Florida for a week of post-hike relaxation. If only I had called
 home first. Anyways, the nights are getting colder here - almost
 autumn weather. It's rather enjoyable for both sleeping and hiking.
 Starting to get PHYCHED for KATADIN, as I'm only 9.8 miles from the
 state of Maine !

					Moon Shot

 PHOTO:
	Sunrise, AT, PA.

	"Common Loon with Chick"....????????????????

	Sounds like my friend from Revere.  ;-)
	

Ger finished this morning at 10:00!

>          <<< Note 326.480 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR "life is a carnival" >>>
>
>
>Ger finished this morning at 10:00!


YEA Gerry, Good job, several pats on the back and all that!!!

Geoff

Congrats to Ger!!!  

So, was anyone there to meet him?  Or does he have to 
walk back?? ;-)


PeterT

Excellent accomplishment!

Now Ger is gonna have to re-adjust to normal society:  you know, cars, trucks,
stereos, buildings, smog, etc....

    Wow....he finally got to the end...'the end my friend'....'this is the
    end'....he's got a wink and a nod from me...that was one hellashis
    adventure....don't know if i could have kept up a +10 mile average
    through the whole thing...
    
    Truely amazing...*
    
    Hey thanks to everyone for posting the cards...it was the highlight of
    the summer, following Ger all the way home!!!!

Yeah, and he's starting his re-adjustment to normal society (well, not
precisely starting, but close enough, given he's been in the woods for 6
months) by attending a string of Dead shows.  Some "normal" society!  :-)
Or is that NORML ? ;-)

>Ger finished this morning at 10:00!

wow - reached the peak of Katahdin by 10 am?  must've been a pretty early start

tell him congratulations; i hope to someday follow in his footsteps

- rich

    Great, wonderful, tremendous, wow!
    
    We knew he'd *make* it but making it quickly all the while keeping up
    the correspondence.  Writing can be a type of relaxation but also a
    tiring obligation.  Thanks to Ger for sticking with us.  I hope, after
    all the cards are in that Craig can present Ger with a printout
    documenting the trip.  (Hint, Hint!)
    
    I must confess that I have been sitting on a card for a while that I
    promise to enter tomorrow.
    
    Maybe we'll see him in Boston.
    
    
    Marv
    

>    Maybe we'll see him in Boston.

	I hope so. I'd like to thank him, in person, for allowing us to
	travel along with him. I enjoyed it very much. And my legs aren't
	even tired!!  ;-)
	
	Jay

    we'll definitely see him in boston...  :^)
    
    i was thinking of him last night and lifted a glass of my strawberry
    and honey stout to him...  it was delicious... :^)
    
    now if he'd only get back here and help me drink the "no whining barley
    wine" i brewed in his honor when he left 6 months ago... strong stuff
    with a pretty hefty alcohol content... (O.G. was 1.077 measured between
    85 and 90 deg farenheit... F.G. was just a tad under 1.020 anyone have
    a conversion scale handy to guestimate alcohol content?)
    
    way to go Ger!  
    
    					da ve

    da ve,
    
      As a wine con-e-sewer I just use the MD scale, ie. is it as good and
    as potent as Mad Dog 20/20?
    
      :-)
    
    Marf, **hick**, 'cuse me
    
    

Example: if your gravity measurement was 1.072 at 90 degrees F, then the 
actual gravity would be  1.076

                     Specific Gravity Temperature Compensation
        
        
        	       Temp (�C)   Temp (�F)   Correction
        
        		    0	       32	   -1
        		    2	       35	   -1
        		    4	       40	   -1
        		    7	       45	   -1
        		   10	       50	   -1
        		   13	       55	   -0
        		   16	       60	    0
        		   18	       65	    1
        		   21	       70	    1
        		   24	       75	    2
        		   27	       80	    3
        		   29	       85	    3
        		   32	       90	    4
        		   35	       95	    5
        		   38	      100	    6
        		   41	      105	    7
        		   43	      110	    8
        		   46	      115	    9
        		   49	      120	   10
        		   52	      125	   12
        		   54	      130	   13
        		   57	      135	   14
        		   60	      140	   16
        		   63	      145	   17
        		   66	      150	   19
        		   68	      155	   20
        		   71	      160	   22
        		   74	      165	   24
        		   77	      170	   25
        		   79	      175	   27
        		   82	      180	   29
        		   85	      185	   31
        		   88	      190	   32
        		   91	      195	   34
        		   93	      200	   36
        		   96	      205	   38
        		   99	      210	   40
        		  102	      215	   42

    COngrats GerG!! amazing! 
    
    and vibes to his Uncle...
    
    rfb

    so, according to that scale, original gravity would be about 1.081
    and finish gravity about 1.020...  i don't have the potential alcohol
    content parts of the scale though, so the comparison to mad dog is
    still unavailable...  it's still sitting in bottles and hasn't been
    properly sampled yet, but the hydrometer sample i had was pretty strong
    tasting!  
    
    				da ve 

    
    Way to go GerG.  I talk of his adventure with others frequently.
    I'd love to do it some day myself.  Hiking gives me a chance to 
    put life into perspective.  The postcards have been a grate way
    to live the adventure along with him
    
    	Excellent job GerG
    	 

acl content:

1.077 @ 90F corrects to about 1.083  (guessing; didn't note it from fog's post)

1.083 - 1.022 = 0.061 * 1.25 = ~ 7.6% alc by volume (or, is it by weight?)

    Well I glad to hear GerG is done but I will miss the postcard updates.
    
    Chris

     Congratulations Ger!  

     	I've enjoyed following your hike as much as I enjoyed reading daily
     updates on the Whitbread 4 years ago. It seems like you hiked it really 
     fast, but if I think about all that's happened since you started I'm 
     reminded that more than a summer has passed. I hope to see you at 
     the Garden and congratuale you in person. 


     Good Walk!
     Geoff

	If n e 1 knows which showz gerry is going to, maybe we cud
	choose a date/time/place to meet and toast?
	
	Jay

    Ger is going to ALL the shows and can often be found in the
    commonwealth brewery before hand...
    
    					da ve

    Good Job Gerry!  It was nice to have met you and to provide some
    support.
    
    To all postcard receivers/holders:  Don't forget to keep posting them
    in here!  Looks like we are about 2 weeks behind.  Where are they all?
    Gerry has a pretty good extract of the file that I gave him in
    Rangeley, but I'm sure he'll want to complete it with the ones that
    were still missing or not yet sent at that time (8/26).
    
    -_Chris Corey
    

    
    Good job Gerry! Does anyone have the complete listing of postings 
    (in order?). I think it was mentioned in a reply about 60-80 notes
    back...
    
    doug
    

    Ger here... Just pulled into MA about an hour ago with Jamie and Emily
    after meeting up with them at Acadia. Nothin' quite like familiarizing
    myself with the "Other World" than hobnobbing with the tourists in Bar
    Harbor and Freeport (OK, we hit a few brewpubs too :-).
    
    Just dropped in to see how badly my postcard writings got mutilated
    (not that bad, actually :-), although I found some of the interpretations
    amusing. :-) :-) :-) I haven't read through them all yet but maybe I'll
    get to check them out while hanging out at Fog's.
    
    Thanks to everyone involved with posting my cards - particularly Phyllis 
    and Marv for cross-posting them to various parts of Cyberspace (tm).
    Sure wish I could hang out in here again. Miss y'all...
    
    						Ger 
    
    						Moon Shot (retired)
    						GA>ME, Class of 1993

	Congratulations Ger!

	Hiked/camped in Carter area over the weekend, I saw Moon-Shot 
	logged in the log book at Carter Notch for 8/20, thats some 
	good haul assin.....I think I found that campsite o'er yonder 
	in the hollow too!

Late Friday or Saturday night I took a look at our Rand/McNally or equivalent
road Atlas to get an idea of where Katahdin was in Maine.  Then I followed 
the trail back through the various states to Georgia.  Now I'm even more 
impressed (and exhuasted ;-)  Heck, I haven't even been that far into 
Maine in a car!  Maybe catch you at the shows Ger.  


PeterT

Back from a week of canoeing, fishing and hiking in Northern VT.  

Glad to see Gerry made it all the way!  Congrats!

I'll be looking to buy him a beer if he shows at Commonwealth (whoever said
Commonwealth, did he usually go to Cambridge Brewery?) 

Got home yesterday and my Sunday paper (Nashua Telegraph), on the front
page, had one article with a title something like, "When it starts to get
cold the thru-hikers start showing up".  I didn't know that Gerg is now
a member of ~2700 thru hikers who've also done it!  Another statistic was
that 40% of the hikers who start are in their 20's, 40% are over 55 and
the other 20% are in between.  

yow!
bob

   Photo: Bull Moose
   8/27/93, Mile 1828.0, Day 151, Little Swift River Pond AT, ME
   
    17.5 mile hike today. Camped about 5 miles from the road to Rangeley
    where I'll meet up with Chris tomorrow. Had some decent views from the
    north end of the Bemis range. Hiked past a few ponds on the way. Lots
    of moose nuggets and moose prints but no sign of the critter. Perhaps I
    need to spend more time next to roads :-) 
    
    Moon Shot
   
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    
   Rod Hollow Shelter, AT, VA
   6/13/93, Mile 964.3, Day 77
   
   Spent the day lollygagging on a 19 mile hike.  Took two hour long
   breaks plus another hour and a half for supper at papa nicks, a
   roadhouse near the trail.  Ate lasagna, beer, milkshake, and a 3-scoop,
   3-cake strawberry shortcake before crawling up the last 3.5 miles
   to the shelter.  Evidence of bears here, but they seem to be
   everywhere these days.
   
   Moonshot
   GA->ME '93
   
   ---
   Front of card says "Appalachian Trail along the Blue Ridge Mountains"
   Picture of rhododendron with hikers heading down the path.
   

   9/1/93, Mile 1977.8, Day 156       Postmark illegible, Bambi stamp.
   
   Foreground is a bright green meadow with scattered yellow flowers,
   behind that is a small copse of trees, and off in the distance is
   a mountain, with milky, partly cloudy skies overhead.
   
   "Mt. Bigelow, from Eustis Ridge near Stratton, Maine"
   
   Little Bigelow Lean-to, AT, ME
   
   Lollygagged 9.7 miles today.  Left late and let the weather clear
   so we had an excellent day on Bigelow (reverse).  Saw the big K again.
   It's getting closer.  4 other thru-hikers caught us so there's seven
   of us here. Still ahead of the big social scene that's a few days back. 
   This group is pretty good group [sic] and it would be great to finish
   up with them.  Sure glad I've been hiking with this group instead of
   the gossip clique behind.
                                            Moonshot

   Front:  A view across the tops of autumn's changing colors to Rangeley Lake.
   
   Handwritten at top: 5 month anniversary on the trail!!
   
   Note:  8/28/93, mile 1833.9, day 152
          Piazza Rock Shelter, AT, Maine
   
   Woke up at dawn this morning to a beautiful sunrise and a cow moose in the
   pond.  First moose in Maine for me.  Hiked 5 miles and took a dip in an
   old sawmill sluice before meeting Chris and heading into Rangeley for
   resupply.  Chris brought foodies, ice water and cold beers brought stone and
   I into town (thanks, Chris!!)>  It was nice to have someone come all the way
   up here to help support my hike.  Staying in a brand new shelter - so new
   that we're using scrap logs to build a fire.  First fire in a long time.
   Went up to check out Piazza Rock - a huge boulder that juts out in mid-air
   like a beached yacht.
   
                                           Moonshot

Hi,
  I'm just back from 2.5 weeks in Maine--hanging out in Acadia and white-water
  canoeing on the St. Croix river (border between Maine and New Brunswick).
  
  Congratulations to GerG on his awesome accomplishment.  I'll be editing his
  recent postcards into my compilation of all that have been posted.  If anyone
  has a use for it, let me know.

         Craig
  

    
    just got another one yesterday...  cards 'n letters just keeping
    rolling in! :^)
    
    front is a "tourist map" of Maine...  back has "Maine facts"...
    	- Maine- the pine tree state
    	- Capital - Augusta
    	- Area 33,125 sq miles
    	- Pop 1988 1,177,550
    	- Motto  "Dirigo"  Guide
    	- Flower Pine Cone
    	- Animal - Moose
    	- Cat - Maine Coon Cat
    	- Insect - Honeybee
    	- Bird - Chickadee
    	- Tree - Eastern White Pine
    	- 23rd State admitted to the Union
    
    and finally (Ger's note....  drum roll please...  thank you)
    
    9/5/93, mile 2016.6  Day 160  Moxie Bald Lean-To  AT ME
    
    20 mile day with a net northbound gain of 6 miles.  :^/  backtracked
    all the way to Caratunk to get a friends truck to drive them out. 
    Tried driving in from the south, got 10 miles up the logging road but
    the road was blocked off so i had to go back, drive 30 miles north and
    try to get in the other way.  Unfortunately, the bolt on the left rear
    shock came off and i couldn't drive in.  I ended up hitching it to
    within 2 miles and walking the rest.  they got a ride out anyways.
    
    					moonshot
    
    ps.  yogi'd three beers along the way in as it was labor day.
    pps.  met a 6 ft tall amazonian roller derby queen skating down the
    logging road on incline skates...   really...

    Front:  Closeup picture of Maine Wild Blueberries
    
    9/10/93  Mile: 2080.9  Day: 165
    East Branch, Pleasant River, AT, ME
    
    8 mile day.  A monsoon rolled in around 11:00 last night pelting
    us with rain and high winds for 12 hours straight.  Hiked 4.5 miles
    to a shelter in the morning, dried off, and waited out the rain.
    Left around 3:30 to clear skies and hiked 4 more miles and camped
    here by the bank of the river.  Ponder (?) and I will wait until 
    morning to ford.  Perhaps the river will be significantly lower by
    then as the heavy rain has swelled it up.  I prefer to camp thru
    the "wildernot" as the shelters are crowded.  Lots of phony thru
    hikers around too.  It's pretty weird how some folks try to fake
    people out.  They're easy to spot and foil, though. :^)
                                 
                                     Moonshot
                                  

    'Phoney Thru Hikers'....man, gim'me a break...must be kind of like that
    guy Gerr met in VT who was driving from trail crossing to trail
    crossing, just to 'make the scene'...people will never fail to amaze
    me...but as our beloved Hunter S. Thompson would say...
    
    "It still hasn't gotten weird enough for me..."
    
    
    Dugo

    what's a phoney thru-hiker? someone who lies about hiking the whole AT? 
    
    I can relate with the guy who drove from crossing to crossing...don't
    see anything wrong wit dat (unless someone can explain what it is that
    IS wrong) I have become one that 4x4's rather than walk, when possible. 
    being the old, decreppid, fart that I am....but it still hasn't gotten
    weird enough for me either! and when the going DOES get weird, the
    truely crazy 4 wheel there!
    rfb

    surely trail etiquette demands that one heap scorn upon all that are
    not thru_hikers (tm-approximately)
    
    

   9/9/93, Mile 2072.1, Day 164   Postmark Worcester, MA 9/21/93, Bambi stamp.
   
   Four different views of Loons (nesting, on land, mama loon swimming
   with her baby, and male loon strutting his stuff on the water).
   
   "COMMON LOON:  A large diving bird inhabiting lakes in the northern U.S.
   and most of Canada.  The loon is best known for its mournful call heard
   at night and early morning. Loon numbers have decreased in the East
   because the bird is most sensitive to human and prredator encroachment
   during the egg setting period in early summer."
   
   Campsite, Gulf Hagas Mtn, AT, ME
   
   Was going to be a 16 mile day but it turned into an 11. :-)  Nice
   campsite here in a col with a spring.  Will probably do a 16 tomorrow
   instead.  Nobody here but me + ponder,. We're trying to keep apart
   from the crowds.  Pretty cosmic day.  A hawk flew in and watched us
   from a branch. Took a side trip to Screw Auger Falls - pretty damn
   nice!  Lots of dayhikers (wildernot!) though.  Would like to come
   back here (as a day hiker :-) and check out the rest of Gulf Hagas.
   
                                            Moonshot
   

    congratulations to Ger! There was a write up in this past Sunday's
    Nashua Telegraph about thru hikers, etc. I'll try to enter it in the
    not too distant future.
    
    jeff

   
   9/8, Mile 2060.7, Day 163                   100 mile wilernot!
   Chairback Gap Lean-to, AT, ME
   
   Short day--about 11 miles.  Ponder Yonder and I are here with 3 guys
   from PA hiking from Monson to Katahdin.  Seems to be a popular stretch
   since Backpacker Magazine wrote an article on the "100 mile
   wilderness" last year.  It seems that there was more wilderness down
   south.  I'm not complaining since I expected to see lots of people out
   hiking the AT.  Taking it slow thru here and will probably stay here
   in the "wildernot" until I run out of food.
   
                                             Moonshot

~~~~~~~~
    
   09/11/93, Day 166, Mile 2099.7
   
   PostCard: Front: Comical Picture of MAINE 
   
          front is a "tourist map" of Maine...  back has "Maine facts"...
              - Maine- the pine tree state
              - Capital - Augusta
              - Area 33,125 sq miles
              - Pop 1988 1,177,550
              - Motto  "Dirigo"  Guide
              - Flower Pine Cone
              - Animal - Moose
              - Cat - Maine Coon Cat
              - Insect - Honeybee
              - Bird - Chickadee
              - Tree - Eastern White Pine
              - 23rd State admitted to the Union
   
   Potaywadjo Lean-To, AT, ME
   09/11/93, Day 166, Mile 2099.7
   
   18 mil eday on flat terrain.  Got rained on again last night.
   We seem to have the Wildernot system beat and have a shelter to
   ourselves.  (Ponder and I have been camping lately).  Saw a huge
   rainbow over Jo-Mary Lake (after getting rained on) and watched
   a plane land on the water (Wildernot!)  Tried some fresh water
   clams but they weren't very tasty.
   
                           Moon Shot

    ~~~~~~~~~~
    
   we're looking for the following days.
   if you have been sitting on them, post em!
   
   13,35,44,46,58,61,67,68,71,92,95,98,103,107,113,115,116,117
   119,121,127,131,132,144,145,148,154,155,158...
   
   170 is the final one.
   
   Ger doesn't have a journal.  these cards are his journal.
   So post them and share the stories with us all!
   
   

Wildernot!

:)

Ok,  maybe I missed it.  Maybe someone else asked so just chastise me and
point me to the right place.  BUT what is wildernot!

I imagine it's the opposite of wilderness.  Right?  Thought it'd be best
to double check that though.  

bob

re             <<< Note 326.518 by LANDO::HAPGOOD "Java Java HEY!" >>>

>I imagine it's the opposite of wilderness.  Right?  Thought it'd be best
>to double check that though.  

well, i read these notes quickly, basically, i think it got the name wildernot!
because there were tons and tons of day hikers on the trail the days Gerry
went thru there...


this could be off, so don't murder me!

    
    >Wildernot!
    
    According to my WAG, it's where they send phoney thru hikers as well
    as the RIGHT hikers when they're being punished for some indiscretion.
    

Certain areas are "designated wilderness", i.e., named as wildness areas by 
the US Forest or Park services. In fact most of them are nowhere near being 
true wilderness areas, since the definition of wilderness is totally 
untrodden land. A twice-logged forest, for example, hardly qualifies as 
wilderness.

    Actually, it takes an act of Congress to designate a Wilderness Area. 
    An area so designated has to have shelters removed, as well as bridges,
    etc.  That's why the Dry River shelters will be removed when major
    maintenance is required.
    
    What if that forest had been twice burned down by lightning started
    forest fires?
    
    Jamie

   front: MT. Katahdin     Baxter State Park
                                   Maine
   
   view from a peak of thepeaks around and some lakes.
   cool lime green lichens and a worn rose pink spot in
   themiddle of it all :-)
   
   back:  BAxter State Park, Maine
           The Knife Edge viewed from Baxter
           Park, Mt. Katadhin.  Northern Terminus
           of the Appalacian Trail
   
   postmark:  WOR<illegible> 016
                   PM
                   21 Sep 1993
   
   a big ___Wahoo!!!___ above my address and a Bambi stamp.
   
   Overcast and windy day today.
   Hiked up to the summit from
   Katadhin stream(?) in 2.5 hours.
   I don't remember much of the
   climb up as I was in deep thought
   the whole way.  When we got
   up to the summit, we had it to 
   ourselves for about 20 minutes
   before the day's peakbaggers
   started showing up. It was very
   windy on the summit and the
   visibility was less than ten feet
   but we didn't care - we made it.  I'll
   never forget how I felt when I
   finally touched the sign.  A lot of
   pain and hard work went into getting there
   and it's changed me forever - Moonshot GA -> ME '93
   

   >postmark:  WOR<illegible> 016
   
    Worcester, 01609.  He was debating if he could just hand out cards
    instead of mailing them.  I said he had to mail them.

>   Hiked up to the summit from
>   Katadhin stream(?) in 2.5 hours.

wow; i think it took me about 4 hours to reach the top, and that was with
only a lightly loaded daypack

- rich

> wow; i think it took me about 4 hours to reach the top, and that was with
> only a lightly loaded daypack

That's because you're old and fat like the rest of us, not young and
spritely like GerG!  ;-)

- jeff

    re .-1
    
    Nahh, we're young 'n' fat, Ger's old and spritely.

    hey! I was gonna say that! %^) except it woulda been "...old and fat
    like ME..."
    fat in the belly

re: Phyllis...

>   postmark:  WOR<illegible> 016
>                   PM
>                   21 Sep 1993
>   
>   a big ___Wahoo!!!___ above my address and a Bambi stamp.

So is this the Day 170 postcard?  What's the mileage?????

tms

   9/12/93, mile 2113.8, day 167   Crescent Pond, ME
   
   15 mile day.  Had 2 fantastic views of Katahdin!  It's pretty damn
   close!  PonderYonder and I are camping at a great spot near a pond
   that appears to have resident moose (see revese :-)  We've been
   camping between the shelters and campsites to avoid the crowds here in
   the wildernot.  Despite my grumbling about lots of people and all,
   this section is one of the sweetest on the trail.  There's some super
   mini-campsites around mostly in great fishing spots.  Ponder found a
   backpacking fishing rod and yogi'd some lures and is out trying to
   catch something.  Going to have a nice sunset over the pond.  Perhaps
   a moose (see reverse :-) will show up.  Time to cook dinner....
   
                             moonshot

   picture os baxter state park, maine; view ofchimmney pond
   
   9/14/93. mile 2141.5, day 169 katahdin stream campground, ap me
   
   13 mile day. took it easy today i'm camped at the base of mount katahdin
   5.2 miles and 4000 vertical feet from the sumit. i expected a mail package fro
   with belgian ale to celebrate with at the top but it didn't arrive. i
   didn't reaaly expect it to be here anyways, i guess:-( i yogi'd a beer from
   the ranger at daicy pond, though. it's only fitting that my last yogi is
   from mr ranger.:-) looks like "ponder yonder" and i are the only thru
   hikers summitting tomorrow along with "beach bum" who is finishing the
   AT by section. i plan to head up early and be down by 1:00 to hitch
   into the logging town of millinocket. it'll be hot tubs, suanas and
   hot shower tomorrow!!    moon shot
   

   8/5/93, Mile 1709.7, Day 129 (might be 127)
   Happy Hill Cabin, AT, VT.
   
   21 mile day, mostly trough relos. (?)
   great scenery along the Kerouie(c)? and I stopped for lunch
   at a nice spot with a 360 degree view.  I'm camped here
   about five miles out of Hanover, NH and will head in early tomorrow
   morning for breakfast.  Haven't decided if I'm taking off one or
   two days yet, but it's been nearly two weeks since my last days off, so 
   who knows.  It depends on what there is to do in Hanover.
   Cracked the 1700 mile mark today in week 18.  Staying on the porch
   of the oldest shelter on the AT, built in 1918.
   
   Moonshot
   GM-ME'93
   
   Front picture is of a white clapboard house reflected in a placid
   stream and surrounded by rolling hills of brilliant fall foliage,
   captioned "Autumn in Vermont."

    
    from Tim Dalton:
    

    last call for all those missing post cards!
   
    All those who have 'forgotten' one or two will be forgiven. Come
    forward during AT Postcard amnesty week!!!
   
    These are the cards that I have as of now. Do you have one of the ones
    not listed here ??? If so, then please post it.
   
    Phyllis, please forward this to the DECHeads notes file...
   
                   day027          day062          day097          day139
                   day028          day063          day099          day140
                   day029          day064          day100          day141
                   day030          day065          day101          day142
   day000          day031          day066          day102          day143
   day001          day032          day069          day104          day146
   day002          day033          day070          day105          day147
   day003          day034          day072          day106          day149
   day004          day036          day073          day108          day150
   day005          day037          day074          day109          day151
   day006          day038          day075          day110          day152
   day007          day039          day076          day111          day153
   day008          day040          day077          day112          day156
   day009          day041          day078          day114          day157
   day010          day042          day079          day118          day160
   day011          day043          day080          day120          day162
   day012          day045          day081          day122          day164
   day014          day047          day082          day123          day165
   day015          day048          day083          day124          day167
   day016          day049          day084          day125          day169
   day017          day050          day085          day126          day170
   day018          day051          day086          day128          
   day019          day052          day087          day129  
   day020          day053          day088          day130
   day021          day054          day089          day133          
   day022          day055          day090          day134  
   day023          day056          day091          day135
   day024          day057          day093          day136
   day025          day059          day094          day137
   day026          day060          day096          day138

    I have one at home I've been meaning to post. will do it today.
    
    rfb

    Day 116
    
    7/23/93, mile 1531.2  October Mtn, State Forest, AT, MA
    
    Had a great morning at Upper Goose Pone.  "Z" Showed up with apples and
    2 cans of orange juice concentrate and Nancy, the caretaker, cooked
    "Tassie Devil", "Timber Rambler" and myself some great pancakes!!  I
    headed into town with Nancy to try to change my pick up spot to UGP
    because I wanted to hang out there longer, but couldn't reach my
    friends.  I left there late but made it in time.  Unfortunately, my
    friends are an hour late (Dammit! :-) ).  Geez, I can *walk* here
    faster than they can get here by car.  Really could use a shower.  Its
    been 11 days since my last day off so I hope there's one at the
    campground we're going to.  Its more of a morale thing than anything
    since I try to take a dip whenever possible.
    
    Moon Shot
    
    

    Day 154
    
    8/30/93, Mile 1962.8, Stratton, ME
    
    Hiked 13 miles today and hitched into Stratton for resupply.  Got a
    ride in the [garbled] first truck that came by.  Made it into town by
    5:50 and managed to do a full resupply by 6:00 before the store closed. 
    Got a break on a hotel room, $32, for the 3 of us (there's a
    southbounder here) and despite the small size of the town, we found
    Anchor Steam on tap at the Cafe.  Met a local who is a "kickboxer for
    Christ" and someone had zebras for sale on the town bulletin board. 
    Back in the small towns again but the trail is still pretty populated.
    
    Moon Shot
    
    

    9/3/93 mile 2004.3 Day 158
    Pleasant Pond Shelter, AT, Me
    
    2000 miles !!! pretty good day hiked 10 miles started the day with an
    excellent 12 pancake, 2 egg sausage coffee and juice at the Harrison Camp.
    Then took the canoe ride across the Kennebec into Caratunk for Ben and
    Jerrys. Packed 1/2 6-pack of Gearys(?) up to the lean-to in one of my
    water bottles to celebrate. Opted to use a tent and some t-storms just
    moved in, oh well. Called home and learned that some friends are
    starting a 100 mile hike in Caratuck tomorrow so I'll wait for them
    here. I'll have to make up 1/2 day somewhere too catch up with the
    bunch I plan to hike Katahdin with. 
    
    Moon Shot
    
    Post card back 
    MAINE SONGbirds 
    american goldfinch
    rose breasted grossbeak
    red winged black bird
    evening grossbeak
    
    pictures of above on front -cool card!!
    

Geary's could be right,  I seem to remember a beer with a picture of 
a lobster on it ;-) with that approximate name.  Genny Cream ale also 
comes to mind as a possible alternative ;-)

PeterT

I don't think Ger would be drinking Genny...  ...but then again, a couple
thousand miles of AT might have changed his tastes.  

;-)

Geary's could be right,  I seem to remember a beer with a picture of 
a lobster on it ;-) with that approximate name.

i've had Geary's before; don't remember whether or not it had a lobster on it,
but i think it might be a new england brew

- rich

	Geary's is out of Portland I think, I've had it at 
	Sugarloaf and the bottle does have a lobster on it.

    Geary's is definitely out of Portland. The label does have a lobster
    on it, and their motto is "crack one open!" They also brew an ale
    called Hampshire Ale, which should be available shortly.
    
    Geary's is good from a bottle, but on tap it's hard to beat.

from friends in the UK:
       
   Postmark 21 Sep Worcester MA 016 Bambi Stamp. A postcard
   picture of baby moose - New England Wildlife.
   
   9/4/93 Day 159 Mile 2010.2 Some Brook AT ME
   
   Spent the day waiting for some friends to show up
   from Mass. They got here around 3:30 and we headed
   out for the next shelter. We didn't quite make it
   as we found a campspot near dark. Unfortunately two
   of them were straggling and didn't get in until after
   dark. One of them blew out his knee and is unable
   to hike further with a pack. I'll probably end up
   hiking back to Caratunk to get my friends truck and
   take them out. Moonshoot.
   
   ==========
   
   Postmark 21 Sep Worcester MA 016 Bambi Stamp. A postcard
   picture of a black bear - New England Wildlife.
   
   9/6/93 Day 161 Mile 2034.6 Shaw's Boarding House AT ME
   
   Hiked 16 miles into Shaws and caught everyone there taking a
   day off. The ATce dinner and breakfast seem pretty good
   (dinner was good anyways). Quite a few people still
   starting out for springer. I don't have much hope for
   them making it as it will be a winter hike and only
   4 people made it last year. Lots of flip-floppers
   comming thru now. Most have flipped up from NY and
   are mid-April starters, they've got a long way to go.
   Lots of people here just comming up to do the
   "widlerness". Busy planning 10-12 days. Yikes! Moonshot

Anyone know what the reference to Springers is?  From the sounds of it
might it be another more northerly destination than Katahdin?

PeterT

I think you are a tad confused. "Springer" refers to Springer Mtn, GA, the 
southern terminus of the appalacian trail.

    so I assume a flip-flopper is some one who hikes in flip-flops??? 
    
    I've been known to trip around the mountains in berkies....so what am
    I????  (besides stupid) %^)
    
    rfb_berkie-flopper??

But rfb - it's easy to hike around in berkies when your feet never touch the
ground - something about eight miles high...  ;^)

From the "flip up from NY" comment - I gathered that a flip-flopper was someone
who starts (flips) from the middle of the trail somewhere and finishes hiking
to one end, and then flops back to the middle/otherend to finish hiking the
rest. 

glennnnn_who_really doesn't know....

    how many miles high IS 10,0000 feet?? Fog should know %^)
    
    rfb

    Glennnnn  has it...  if it looke like you may not make it to katahdin
    before the nasty weather starts blowing in, you leave the trail in the 
    middle and jump up to the north end...  thenyou hike back to where you
    left off...  you still cover the whole distance, just not in a complete
    south to north fashion...
    
    the reference to Springer is indeed the southern terminus...  most
    people hike the trail from south to north, but there are those who go 
    the other way too...
    
    						da ve

According to ger (he's right here):

Generally people flip-flop when they realize that they cannot make it to 
Kahtahdin before the park closes. It basically means a reversal of 
direction during the process of a thru-hike. For example, Papa Smurf
only made it as far as PA by early September so he took a bus up to
Katahdin and started hiking south from there. He will finish his
thru-hike when he reaches the point he left the trail down in PA.

In order to confuse you more, there were a few people who "flipped"
several times during their thru hike. For example, "Gourmet" and 
"Footloose Jesus" (pronounced "hay-soos" :-) hiked to Damascus, VA,
flipped up to Duncannon, PA, and hiked to Damascus southbound. Then
flipped again at Damascus back up to Duncannon and continued on
to Katahdin. The possibilities are endless. :-)

A YO-YO on the other hand is the act of completing a thru-hike
in one direction and immediately turning around and completing
a thru-hike in th opposite direction. There were no known YO-YOs
as of 9/15/93 but dozens of folks who flipped.

    "....dozens of folks who flipped."
    
    hmmmmm, i think I know some of them....
    
    
    HOWDY JER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    rfb

>dozens of folks who flipped.

a friend of mine who hiked the AT in '91 hiked from GA to the half-way point,
then got transported up to ME and hiked back down to the half-way point

- rich

10,000 feet is a bit under 2 miles.  5280 feet = 1 mile

    RE: 10,000 ft = aprox 2 miles. 5280 feet =1 mile ( I knew that!)
    
    hmmmm a little shy of "eight miles high" eh??????????? BUT CLOSE
    ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! %^)
    
    rfb

> I think you are a tad confused.

Fog, that usually goes without saying!  ;-)

I'm familiar with Katahdin, but just never bothered to familiarize myself
with the southern part.  It was the reference to "winter hike" that 
confused me, thinking that they were headed up towards Canada.  And one
night after Ger finished, I pulled out my atlas and checked the AT as
it went from state to state, and I thought somewhere up in New England, I 
noticed a trail that headed north towards Canada, after starting somewhere
on the AT.

PeterT

    PeterT-
    
    the trail you noticed running from new eng to canada was probably
    Vermont's Long Trail...  not as long as the AT but i believe it is
    older...  another popular hike with end-to-end folks, but it can be
    done in weeks rather than months...
    
    					da ve
    
    ps.  for my money, Vermont is not as spectacular for views and stuff
    but is often prettier tn some of the more heavily visited areas...
    your trail mileage may vary however...

Yeah, that was confusing, cause most people wouldn't consider hiking in 
georgia winter hiking, but if you started at Katahdin in Sept., you'd get 
to Georgia in April..

    Re: Vermont & views 
    
    	I don't know about the views, but Vermont has a distinctly different 
    flavor of skiing than NH. I think Vermont tends to have more long steep
    pitches where NH is more jagged and broken. That's at least what I
    think when I recall the skiing. Except for Magic which is in southern
    Vermont and resembles NH. 
    
    When's winter supposed to show up around here? 

>          <<< Note 326.558 by MILKWY::SAMPSON "Driven by the wind" >>>
>                 -< I seem to be thinking about skiing today >-

is your boat away yet mon??

>    	I don't know about the views, but Vermont has a distinctly different 
>    flavor of skiing than NH. I think Vermont tends to have more long steep
>    pitches where NH is more jagged and broken. That's at least what I
>    think when I recall the skiing. Except for Magic which is in southern
>    Vermont and resembles NH. 
 
VT definitely has some of the steeper stuff, when compared to NH.  Sugarbush's
old time (60/70s "real" expert stuff) Castle Rock area is awesome expert
skiing, steep, narrow, boulders, etc...  it is too bad they gutted the top
of sugarbush with that wide gross trail (I call 'em something else but i don't 
wanna get flamed in here!).

   (photo: whiteout. must have been snowing 8^)
   
   6/3/93 mile 832.8, Day 67, Hard Time Hollow, Lyndhurst, VA.
   
   This is the first of my two days off. It'll be my 3rd night at Rusty's but I
   hiked the other two days.  Went to town to drop off my Limmers at the
   cobblers.  The soles are starting to separate at the toes.  Having my
   water bottle holder sewed as well.  Went to the outfitters to pick up
   my shoulder harness but gregory sent out the wrong ones.  You'd think 
   that they'd know what the heck a "classic cassin" is since they made 
   them for over 16 years, but they keep sending parts for 1993 model packs.
   Spent the day doing general maintenance things on my gear as well as hand
   washing all of my clothes.  This place, rustic as it is, is always home 
   to through-hikers. Rusty has even provided inhis will to keep this place
   for hikers after he's gone.
   
                                              Moonshot
   
   Photo: one of the many cow pastures the trail goes through
   7/10/93 Mile 1347.1, Day 103, Wildcat shelter, AT, NY
   
   Heat wave still going on. Put in 25+ miles today and crossed the NJ/NY
   line.  Another state bites the dust.  Can't hike as fast in my spare 
   boots as I can in my Limmers. The sole flaps around in a more awkward way.
   Lots of rock scrambling today, and goof views from the ledges.  Had a 
   breif T-storm which really nailed the area east of me.  Lucked out
   there.  Ate at 2 different farn stores along the way. Really enjoyed
   the fresh fruit but, man, it does NOT give you sufficient calories to 
   hike at all. I was draggin'. Spent the night in a shelter full of Boy
   Scouts.  They were beat from hiking 5 miles so they crashed early. 8^)
   
                                               Moonshot

    A few years ago I started a journal to record my hiking adventures.  A
    couple of years ago I stopped contributing to it.  :-(  So, I've been
    browsing through these notes to figure out when I hiked with Gerry. 
    I'm going on a trip next week and I plan to spend some time filling in
    the blanks in my journal.
    
    Anyway, has anyone still got a postcard file in chronological order?
    
    Jamie