Gerald Gabon, 55, of Milton, Ontario dies while hiking the AT in Maine.

[TJ aka Teej]

"...it appeared initially that the man may have suffered “medical complications” as he hiked the trail."

Lester Kenway (MATC President) says the body was found appx. 16 miles north of where Inchworm's body was found.
Body of Canadian hiker found along the Appalachian Trail in Franklin County

[Mountain Wildman]

I have friends from Maine and have worked with guys from Maine and they are tough individuals to be sure, but Maine itself is even tougher!!
My prayers are with his family and all who have lost loved ones on the trail.

[zig-zag man]

Condolences to his family and friends.

[Ironee]

Thank you for your condolences from Gerry's family and friends. We'd like to thank whoever found Gerry on the AT and tried to revive him as well as those who stayed with him through the night and protected him; if anyone can share this info with us it would be sincerely appreciated. Gerry hiked many trails in Canada and the USA as well as South America. Gerry was like a mountain goat with extremely strong legs, complete with strong will, determination and persistence, and was a source of love with an enormous giving heart. He loved being in nature, and loved the challenges of hiking and marathon running, as well as the strengthening and going inward with his many years of yoga practice. If you have the opportunity, please visit Gerry's website to see his videos www.trustedwealthprofessionals.com to get a true sense of his character and his toughness. We know that Gerry will be there to guide and protect AT hikers. Thank you, with love and gratitude.

[Ironee]

Adding Gerry's photo, the last one he took on the AT.
Gerry.jpg

[illabelle]

How sad and how unexpected to lose someone who was clearly fit and strong. My husband and I hiked through that area just two weeks ago. It's a beautiful area. I wish peace for the family.

[Ironee]

Thank you, Illabelle, for your beautiful and kind words and wishes. We, Gerry's family and friends, are truly thankful to everyone who has expressed their condolences. We appreciate that there is such care taken on the AT by AT'ers and the Maine Warden Service. If anyone could choose such a beautiful spot for their last day, this part of the AT would be such a location. Gerry resonated with turtles (the oldest and wisest of the animal kingdom) and he brought us many gifts and lessons throughout his life (patience, persistence, determination, living in the now, innocence & fresh perspective, longevity of the soul, connecting heaven and earth, respect for Mother Earth, knowing that we are connected to an eternal source of unconditional love and wisdom, feminine energy, cycles of the moon, endurance & standing the test of time, vast journeys, protection & being protective, steadfastness & security, faithfulness, following the divine path, etc.). So, if you come across any turtles, know that Gerry's spirit is there and will guide you on your own journey. If you feel Gerry' spirit on the AT, please feel free to let us know.Thank you, with love from Gerry's family and friends.

[Ironee]

Hi Everyone, Gerry loved turtle lights and had several to use for overnight hiking/camping trips. To remember him as a bright spirit and to call in Gerry's turtle energy to guide you on your path. With love.
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5013-1...hite-LED-Light

[Ironee]

Gerry's turtle mantra: You have the strength.
When you encounter; unexpected obstacles on your path, stumble and fall, feel you've come to an end, do the following. Acknowledge the obstacle, then be present in the now. Use your inner compass and set your new target by looking out to the horizon of the mountain, attune to your new destination. Triangulate your power sources by connecting to Mother Earth, reaching out to Gerry's turtle energy, and tapping in to your inner strength and will. Then pick yourself up and move, rise and walk, leap and soar to reach your destination. With love.

[Ironee]

Gerry's turtle principle:
AHIMSA (way of life adopted by Gerry from his years of practicing yoga)
Be compassionate to all, respect that every living thing has divine energy including Mother Earth, plants and animals. Do no harm to others or yourself since every living thing has this divine energy. Love with all your heart, be open to being loved and know that you are loved. Gerry was a source of love; he was loved by many and gave love to many. Let every move you take be filled with conscious intent to love and be loved, to be compassionate, and to do no harm. Feel free to connect to and be guided by Gerry's turtle energy which is a vortex of love between earth and heaven. With love.

[Ironee]

Gerry loved cooking, 2014 photo getting ready for Canadian Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October).
Thanksgiving.jpg

[Speakeasy TN]

This is just a great reminder that we have so much in common with the people we meet on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. There isn't a doubt in my mind that we'd have enjoyed meeting each other out there. Keep sharing when the mood strikes Ironee.

[Ironee]

Thanks, Speakeasy, for your kind words and encouragement. Gerry met many on his hiking trips and always found shared interests and ways to connect. Perhaps we can consider this another another turtle principle, that we all have more in common than we think, and that if we take the opportunity in the moment to learn more about each other, we'll recognize that our divine spark is being reflected in the person(s) on our path and then reflected right back to us. That divine spark doesn't die, it simply transforms into an expanded energy that our subtle senses can perceive and connect to. Perhaps on your next trail you'll be able to meet him
The reason I'm posting some pics is for anyone who wishes to do so to be able to recognize Gerry and connect to his energy, to join together to fill the world with compassion and love. As Gerry evolved on his spiritual path over the years, he often took on the spiritual warrior role to harmonize all aspects of his being (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual) and with others in his life. So, namaste, Speakeasy, Gerry and his family and friends honor the light (divine spark) within you.

[Ironee]

Gerry's European ancestral roots. A picture of Gerry doing the honors of cutting the cake (family tradition). Generational traditions from strong roots.Polska.jpg

[Ironee]

Gerry's family and friends would like to place a memorial marker on the AT where Gerry was hiking. We've been told that we need to have the permission of the owner of the property on which the trail is located, so far we've found out that the landowner is the State of Maine. If anyone has info on how to go about getting in touch with the proper people to obtain permission to have a memorial marker, please reply to this post. We were thinking of doing this soon before the weather changes. With love.

[MuddyWaters]

Contact Maine Appalachian Trail Club.
They have responsibility for the Local Management Plan for that part of the AT.

Realize this is a national scenic trail, and that is not congruent with its use. There are a few bootleg memorials, if simple and unobtrusive like a large engraved brick, people generally leave them alone.
You cant easily destroy it , and no one wants to carry it out.

I wouldnt expect to be granted permission.

[Ironee]

Thank you for replying. May all your travels be light and filled with light. With gratitude and love.

[Ironee]

Turtle mantra: You have the power!
You have the power to develop and grow your spiritual strength and divine connection.
Connect to your divine energy and your heart, live your life with purpose.
Use turtle qualities to build your spiritual strength by being in the now, recognizing and acknowledging the lesson in the obstacle and the opportunity for spiritual growth, observe with compassion and don't jump to conclusions.
Recognize that it takes more courage to use your inner sight and divine spark than it does to be reactive.
Use your patience, passion and persistence to grow your spiritual strength.
Know that you are more than capable of accessing your inner divine spark, and if need help on this, reach out to Gerry's turtle energy so that he can guide you.
Recognize that on your life's trail you will have many opportunities to grow spiritually especially when your trail coincides with that of others.
Hiking was one of the ways Gerry used to develop his spiritual strength, to be away from the busy-ness of life, to simply connect with Mother Earth and Heaven.
May you use your power to develop and grow your spiritual strength in hiking as well. With love.

[Speakeasy TN]

Thank you for the warm wishes Ironee. As proof that the world has a sense of balance ( and humor ), I will be doing the hike this Spring to reset from a divorce. And I just finished my first intro to Buddhism book. He'll be watching me for sure!

[Ironee]

A pleasure, Speakeasy. Hiking puts things into perspective. I don't know much about Buddhism, just what Gerry and I talked about over the years, and from yoga practice. Gerry will be there with you all the way - that's his character, his integrity and part of his turtle qualities. I'll be sharing more from his journals in future posts. Divorce is an opportunity for spiritual growth, to connect with yourself, allow for new beginnings, to know when the life trails are going in different directions, and to recognize and accept this with love and gratitude for the time that was spent together. Let the positive emotions resonate with your soul, like humor and compassion, to keep you on your path. With love.