Paul's Boots

Anyone following the story of Paul's Boots? http://www.ducttapethenbeer.com/paulsboots/

Paul Evans was from Australia. He always wanted to hike the AT, but passed away in 2014. His wife reached out to the folks at the Dirtbag Diaries hoping to find someone who could take a pair of his boots onto the AT and send her a photo. Dirtbag Diaries, with help for REI, organized volunteers to take 3 pairs of his boots along the entire trail. They are making there way now, and people are posting great photos on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/paulwalkson/

I did a search and was surprised there was not already a thread on WB (maybe I missed it).

I thought others would enjoy this touching and uplifting story.

That is a really unique story. I'll be following. Thanks for sharing it.

Outstanding story

Here is the podcast from Dirtbag Diaries. Well worth the listen. https://soundcloud.com/thedirtbagdiaries/pauls-boots

Great story...


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Neat to see this, thanks for posting!

I like it! thanks Scrum.

Saw the boots at Byrd's Nest 3 in SNP a week+ ago. Great story!

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Originally Posted by Scrum

Anyone following the story of Paul's Boots? http://www.ducttapethenbeer.com/paulsboots/

Paul Evans was from Australia. He always wanted to hike the AT, but passed away in 2014. His wife reached out to the folks at the Dirtbag Diaries hoping to find someone who could take a pair of his boots onto the AT and send her a photo. Dirtbag Diaries, with help for REI, organized volunteers to take 3 pairs of his boots along the entire trail. They are making there way now, and people are posting great photos on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/paulwalkson/

I did a search and was surprised there was not already a thread on WB (maybe I missed it).

I thought others would enjoy this touching and uplifting story.

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Anyone know who is taking the Paul's Boots through NH and ME, and when?

I met Daddy Long Legs at the Top of GA and he was carrying Paul's Boots. Awesome story and cause. I met another guy hiking with a wooden staff that was affixed with a laminated card asking that it be carried to Katahdin for the owner who passed on. He said it was leaning against a shelter when he found it. The AT is full of magic.

I emailed and volunteered to carry but of course tremendous outpouring and I was not thru hiking. Respectable organization those Duct Tape Then Beer guys are. Hearts of gold!

Paul's boots made it to the top of Katahdin yesterday. https://www.instagram.com/p/BJg3Fy5A...ed=paulwalkson Paul's brother was part of the group that took the boots to the summit. His wife was waiting at the bottom.

Wonderful end to a wonderful story.

RIP Paul.

This is what makes the Internet worth it. Inspiring story and huge kudos to Fitz&Co. Great storyteller!

Great job everyone!

I can't believe no one was convinced to switch them out for lightweight trail-runners though. I guess Paul's trail runners just doesn't sound right.

Seriously, this is a really cool story.

cool story, and its nice to see a broader industry being built around the outdoors.

Released today: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt6MCloJ5iw

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Originally Posted by chknfngrs

Released today: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt6MCloJ5iw

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Thanks. Was wondering when it would be out.

I must have passed Paul's boots at some point on my hike of the HMW. Sad to say I dont recall them.

There's a screening of Paul's Boots presented by REI and Duct Tape then Beer in Atlanta this Sunday Oct 16 7-9 p.m. at Sweetwater Brewery. I got an early invite through REI. I'm going. The $5 entry free is donated to the AT or PCTA. All 120 spots are full though.

Watching it is a huge reminder of how good I have it.

I went to a screening of this last night in DC. REI sponsored it and the $5 entry fee was donated to the ATC. Pretty good deal considering that it included free beer, wine & soft drinks, as well as free popcorn. They also raffled off 3 REI Flash 18 packs and an Osprey pack (everyone in attendance got a free raffle ticket). One of the filmmakers and a few of the folks who carried Paul's Boots (including the The Real Hiking Viking) were on hand for a Q&A afterwards. The theater was packed and the movie was very touching. I was heartened to see a few folks who brought their children in the audience.

Didn't advertise that, probably would have gone.very cool indeed

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Originally Posted by chknfngrs

Didn't advertise that, probably would have gone.very cool indeed

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It was offered through REI - they sent the invitations out via email in late September. So you would've needed to be an REI member with a valid email address on file with them (and have not opted-out of emails from them) to receive it.
REI has been really stepping up their game in the DC area, in promotion of their new flagship opening in the old Uline Arena this month, so they've been hosting lots of cool events like gear swaps and meet and greets at Wundergarten.

There are also some other cool organizations in the DC area worth looking into if you enjoy films/talks about the outdoors:

DC Adventure Films - they host about 5 or so film screenings a year, usually in Arlington. They also do an annual film festival in early fall. Check out their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/DCAdventureFilms/

The North Face - I used to dismiss TNF because, well, it's The North Face. But if you sign up as a VIPeak member (it's free), you'll get on their mailing list for their speaker series and other events, usually featuring TNF Athletes (Alex Honnold, Emily Harrington, etc.). Last year, they even hosted a special screening of "Meru" with a Q&A session with the filmmakers and a free cocktail reception afterwards. VIPeak members usually get discounted admission (and tickets are usually less than $10). And through their Mountain Athletics program, they even offer outdoor group training 2x a week - for free!

https://www.thenorthface.com/vipeak-rewards.html
https://www.thenorthface.com/get-out...er-series.html
https://www.thenorthface.com/get-out...-training.html

Mappy Hour DC - Every month, Mappy Hour hosts a gathering in DC where folks get together and talk about their upcoming adventures. Usually, there is a "main speaker" (tonight's event features Subaru's Traveling Leave No Trace trainers), but it's really just about connecting with other outdoorsy folks. The North Face has started to co-sponsor these events, which is nice because they offer free rides to/from their Georgetown store via LYFT, food and drink from local caterers, and sometimes raffles and free stuff. https://www.facebook.com/mappyhour/

National Geographic Live - Nat Geo offers a speaker series (one in winter, one in spring/summer) which brings world class explorers like Conrad Anker and Jimmy Chin to DC. Their tickets are a little pricier (like $25-30) and some events, like their Banff Film Festival Tour in Jan/February sell out quickly.

That's awesome info!! I am a member and a former employee. Definitely knew of the event and didn't realize cast and crew, let alone snacks and booze was a part of it, but no big deal!! Big love to them for making such a great story come to life! Super exciting to watch and share nonetheless

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Originally Posted by chknfngrs

That's awesome info!! I am a member and a former employee. Definitely knew of the event and didn't realize cast and crew, let alone snacks and booze was a part of it, but no big deal!! Big love to them for making such a great story come to life! Super exciting to watch and share nonetheless

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Cool! I used to work in the Bailey's Crossroads store ... from about 2004-2009 or so. If I could figure out a way to work at REI full time and still have enough $$$ to live comfortably, I would.

Wow that's interesting, thanks for sharing.