Sad News,
Baltimore Jack Tarlin passed away at Angel Mission Hospital at 6 am this morning in Franklin, NC
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Sad News,
Baltimore Jack Tarlin passed away at Angel Mission Hospital at 6 am this morning in Franklin, NC
Wow. Terrible and unexpected news. He surely touched many a life of thru and section hikers.
Well crap.
My condolences go out to his family.
God must of needed a trailblazer. RIP Jack !
I enjoyed Winton Porter's sketches of BJ in "Just Passin' Thru"
I was always outside when I was a kid, then almost completely shut down for thirty years. Now that I'm getting back into it, legends are moving on to the higher paths. Weary, now Baltimore Jack. I'm sticking around here for awhile, there's so many places I haven't walked. But damn. Hoped I'd chance to meet him on my thru once I get the funds together and the time off. Not to be.
Of all the people that post on WB, Mr. Tarlin was one of the very few that I would have liked to have met. I almost met him in 08 (within a day or two before Damascus.). His knowledge will be sorely missed. RIP.
So glad that I was able to meet and talk with him at SORUCK a few years ago. RIP Jack!
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Met Jack twice, both times at an ALDHA conference in Shippensburg, PA. Nice, sincere, and personable. Gone way too soon.
Not news I ever wanted to hear :( RIP Jack, you will be missed.
Legendary. Sad news!! He was posting in here just a few days ago it feels like. I never met him but hugely benefitted from what he shared on here. Is there a memorial fund or site or family we can reach out to?
Spent some time with Baltimore Jack at Miss Janet's in Erwin one March, maybe ten or twelve years ago. He showed up with his boom box and his Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash CDs and started playing music and grilling food in the back yard. An interesting character and a blast to hang out with even for a short time.
I think that was the same weekend Jack discovered Miss Janet's computer, unattended and logged into Whiteblaze, and he posted a note purportedly coming from Miss Janet announcing her upcoming thru-hike, to begin immediately. :)
Any details? He wasn't that old.
The above included link to YouTube footage from 12 months ago and he at least looked and sounded healthyy
The first person I met when I came down Blood Mt. into the gap was the man himself, first words out of his mouth, How are you? and, Can I help you with anything? It was his way it seemed. We talked, chuckled a bit before I moved on. The random pic on the home page today had a Jack pic on it from trail days 07 or 08 I opened it, showed my wife and told her of this kind guy I met one day, I clicked to the forum and pow right in the face in the mist of a good memory, a kick in the chops was waiting.
Very sad news. I met Jack at Kincora while Bob was hiking in Europe a couple years back. When I met him I had never seen him before and didn't know who he was. True to his character he was incredibly gracious to us and prepared us a warm meal since it was a cold and rainy November day when we showed up. He never told us who he was and I only found out later after seeing a photo of him. He was a kind soul. May he rest in peace.
Terrible news.....i'f say he lived life to the fullest!! How many thru hikes was it?
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Gone to put up golden trail blazes. Thanks Jack, for all your knowledge and kindness through the years.
So very sad to hear this.
Hate to hear this, always wanted to meet him
I met BJ in a shelter in NC, near Standing Indian Mtn right before a horrible storm.
I recall that at first we thought "here is a dirty homeless person taking up the shelter". There was stuff scattered everywhere.
He said that he hated shelters, and did not like to use outhouses... I mentioned that I had been hiking the AT since about 1970 and he said that was a lot longer than he had been hiking it. I think he stayed the night in that shelter, while we headed out into the storm and got drenched just before reaching the next shelter.
Ran into Jack several times thru the years. He always seemed to be popping up in the most unexpected places. Spent a couple of nights with him. He was very gracious but could rub some people the wrong way. I remember one night at Brown Fork Gap shelter he got everyone at the shelter to pool their food and he cooked up a fantastic trail meal. Another time he was cooking trail magic at Hikers Welcome Hostel and trashing SOBO's. Good time. RIP Jack.
I meet him at Kincora going through that section last year.
Very gracious and kind person.
He seemed pretty young, gone way too soon.
Condolences to his loved ones........he will be missed.
Floyd
He loved ragging on about SOBOs. I recall his words exactly: go SOBO if you "wanna spend Thanksgiving in a box."
I think I first met Jack sharing a bottle with Keith Shaw Jr., in the boathouse or garage across the road from Shaw's. In truth I don't have a positive ID, but everything fits. 90% sure it was Jack. It was at least 15 years ago. He will be missed.
RIP Jack. You will be missed
Sad news indeed. A true trail legend. My condolences to his family.
Met BJ several times. His contributions - both here on WB and in person to aspiring thruhikers - were almost always sound and well-reasoned. He will be missed.
Dear jillian,
Your father is sorely missed.
You have a place in hikerdom .
You are family.
Matty.
From his profile page...http://whiteblaze.net/forum/member.php/227-Jack-Tarlin
Man, myth, legend........... Stories that never got old.
Very sad news. A true advocate for the trail.
Never met him but enjoyed reading his posts. He seemed like a great guy always willing to help. RIP
Baltimore Jack inspired many of us to be better more conscientious less selfish people first hikers second. Always enjoyed his presence as an AT supporting fixture. His depth of knowledge, thoughts, and contributions beyond himself demonstrated a trail and life wisdom arrived at by contemplating lifelong experiences I will sorely miss. Jack Tarlin certainly loved the AT and hikers. TU BJ for embracing this sometimes brash young wannabe hiker always steering me in a positive trail and life direction. The AT community has lost another father. Many are richer, wiser and better through his efforts.
From his profile: "Am primarily interested in helping and assisting first-time thru-hikers with their trip planning and preparations, and am always available to do so."
Honest words he lived by!!! He walked his talk and walked his walk. Jack knew himself well sometimes being hard on himself.
From Jack’s Facebook page, and in his own words this past April 22 (after Prince died):
“This is pretty impressive. If you Google "Prince Tributes Purple" (Images), you'll find lots more. The Niagara Falls shots are pretty amazing. Makes me wonder what I'll get on the Trail when I check out. Maybe I rate a purple headlamp or two, I'll be happy with that!”
I was stunned to read the news this morning… I’d have to say he rates far more than “a purple headlamp or two.” May he rest in peace and his wisdom, kind acts, and stories be shared with others. He will never truly be gone as long as he is remembered. I offer my condolences to all who knew and loved him.
****.. sad news indeed. ****.. we rarely agreed.. **** ... RIP BJ.. cheers.. to a legend and mentor to many..