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  1. #1

    Default 6-year-old Sebastopol girl breaks hiking record with family on Appalachian Trail - KG


  2. #2

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    This article is inaccurate. Buddy Backpacker thruhiked the trail and finished just after his 5th birthday.
    "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teacher & Snacktime View Post
    This article is inaccurate. Buddy Backpacker thruhiked the trail and finished just after his 5th birthday.
    The video said she is believed to be the youngest female to hike the entire trail. The written part describes her as both the youngest person, and in another place the youngest female, to hike the entire trail. Typical reporting.

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by gpburdelljr View Post
    The video said she is believed to be the youngest female to hike the entire trail. The written part describes her as both the youngest person, and in another place the youngest female, to hike the entire trail. Typical reporting.
    I submitted a correction, FWIW
    "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Teacher & Snacktime View Post
    This article is inaccurate. Buddy Backpacker thruhiked the trail and finished just after his 5th birthday.
    illegally? if no one under 6 above tree line on K

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    Quote Originally Posted by George View Post
    illegally? if no one under 6 above tree line on K
    I believe they went as far as was allowed then turned back. Would make sense that would qualify, similar to any other situation where a section of the trail is not available (weather, bridge closure) is not held against the hiker.

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    Buddy Backpacker summited Katahdin. There are plenty of pics on the net. And the 6 years old above tree line rule dates back to at least the 1970's I believe, so it was in effect when he did so.

    article-2493372-194B572C00000578-343_634x727.jpg

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    Buddy Backpacker's parents got a permit from Baxter SP to legally was there.

    However if the trail is closed, as Katahdin is to younger children, the thru hike ends at the closed section (and would pick up at the other side if there was one). So still a thru hiker. During the wildfires 2-3 years ago the ATC ended SOBo's thru hike at Hot Springs.

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    so any kid underage can go above tree line as long as they have a permit?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    so any kid underage can go above tree line as long as they have a permit?
    and to get that you need to suck up to the officials?

    although it may have more to do with pre/ or post Jurek

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    Quote Originally Posted by George View Post
    and to get that you need to suck up to the officials?

    although it may have more to do with pre/ or post Jurek
    it's not like the kid walked from ga-me with a full pack. they did a bunch of skippin' around and slackin'

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    so any kid underage can go above tree line as long as they have a permit?
    If you have a permit you can visit the aliens in area 51, getting one is the issue .

    (So yes to your question)

    But really the permit was granted for Buddy Backpacker after the parents demonstrated his ability to the satisfaction to the powers that be in Baxter. However later, and with a regime change in Baxter's administration, another young thru hiker applied with similar ability as Buddy Backpacker but was denied. The family ended their thru at treeline which was as far as the young one could travel legally. So the permit is not assured and it seems like the current administration is harsher in that respect.

  13. #13
    Registered User 4eyedbuzzard's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Starchild View Post
    ... it seems like the current administration is harsher in that respect.
    Probably a good thing. BSP has had its share of problems with publicity seeking guests in recent history. I can see why they want to discourage people from making the park the setting for media worthy and/or publicity events. Keep making exceptions and next it will be the 4 year-old thru-hiker, then the 3 year-old the next year. Where does it all end? Conceived on Springer - born on Katahdin - next Maury!

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by BillyGr View Post
    I believe they went as far as was allowed then turned back. Would make sense that would qualify, similar to any other situation where a section of the trail is not available (weather, bridge closure) is not held against the hiker.
    They were stopped by weather 2 miles from the top, but a few days later they tried again and got to the top. There is a picture of the girl at the sign at the top in the linked article in post 1.

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by George View Post
    illegally? if no one under 6 above tree line on K
    It's up to the Ranger's discretion. They allowed him to, and he summitted at 4 years old. He finished the hike just after he turned 5 in Shenandoah (delayed because of Govt shutdown) but still made the thru in the year allowed.
    "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lone Wolf View Post
    it's not like the kid walked from ga-me with a full pack. they did a bunch of skippin' around and slackin'
    Like they say, Wolf...HYOH. He did it, regardless of whether or not you like the way he did. I'm sure you'll think mine doesn't mean anything either as I've slacked, and dayhiked, and done whatever I could to get my miles. But hey, it's not up to you to decide what is and isn't a legitimate hike.

    Christian is a special kid. You met him, you helped him, be happy for him or at least leave him alone.
    "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."

  17. #17
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    I believe "Backpacking Buddy" posed at treeline with a replica sign, didn't summit after permission was denied.
    Let's head for the roundhouse; they can't corner us there!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Last Call View Post
    I believe "Backpacking Buddy" posed at treeline with a replica sign, didn't summit after permission was denied.
    I dunno, sure looks like the summit to me. What was reported is that they made one attempt and were turned around by rangers due to weather on their first attempt, but two days later summited under better weather conditions.

    article-2493372-194B572C00000578-343_634x727.jpg

  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by Last Call View Post
    I believe "Backpacking Buddy" posed at treeline with a replica sign, didn't summit after permission was denied.
    No, that was the family that hiked last year. Because the toddler was not allowed to summit, the family stopped at treeline. Hudson from Bearded Woods Hostel made a mini sign for the family to get their "summit" pics and carried it up ahead of them as a surprise. This occured 2018.

    Buddy Backpacker SUMMITTED in 2014. Google it....it's all over the place. (Backpacker magazine for one, a website for another, etc.)
    "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."

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    Quote Originally Posted by Teacher & Snacktime View Post
    I'm sure you'll think mine doesn't mean anything either as I've slacked, and dayhiked, and done whatever I could to get my miles.
    How close to completing are you? Or have you completed yours? Furlough/Harry
    "Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L’Amour

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