Bob Peoples is on the original list. And he was the subject of the funniest AT graffiti I've seen. In 2016, Vandeventer Shelter proclaimed that Peoples had counted to infinity. Twice.
Bob Peoples is on the original list. And he was the subject of the funniest AT graffiti I've seen. In 2016, Vandeventer Shelter proclaimed that Peoples had counted to infinity. Twice.
Here are a few names of people who had an impact on the trail. Jean Cashin, Bob Proudman, Dave Startzell, Pam Underhill. Jean was one of the first paid employees of the then Appalachian Trail Conference and started the custom of taking a photo of thru hikers. Bob had a long career with AMC and ATC building trails. Dave served as executive director of the ATC for 25 years. Pam was superintendent of AT for NPS.
More walking, less talking.
How about Jeff Hanson? Back in the day, Jeff Hanson helped many Northbound hikers shave weight with their oversize packs. He ran a hostel at Neel Gap. Jeff was also one of the most knowledgeable hikers out there. He was also one of the lightest backpackers back in the 1990s - I believe he carried a 12-base weight.
Wolf
Jim,I know something that is not talked about much and may be interesting to your readers is UL and SUL backpackers back in the 1990s. Jeff Hanson, Warren Doyle, WingFoot, and even myself were featured in a hiking video Lightweight Backpacking Secret Revealed. I was the only SUL (under 5 pounds base weight) but there were others that had light backpacks as well. With so many current hikers pushing UL backpacking, it might be interesting to point out it was done 30 years ago.
Lightweight Backpacking SECRETS REVEALED - YouTube
Wolf
Rambunny--3 x entire trail back to back
When was this? I know the Ward Leonard has done it three times back-to-back in eight months in 1990. I saw him doing it. The Traveler, who claims he hiked it back-to-back five times in 1988 - 1990 (there is a debate about that one). I believe there was one other who did it before my time but I'm not aware of anyone else.
Wolf
Seems like dropping a whole lot of names for a book.
Great list. Might consider Craig Mains “Hawk” 7 times thru hiker north south flip flop and yo yo. Total purist in the finest sense. Doesn’t skip trail passed up a ride from me on Pinhoti to get by aggressive dogs.
Also I enjoyed Bill Walker book “Skywalker:close encounters on the Appalachian Trail”. Easily as entertaining as Bryson’s book.
I crossed paths with Rambunny too many times to count around 99 and 00 and or 01.
Seemed like every flip or turn was Rambunny, Warren and his van, Lone Wolf, or chewing the fat over a cigarette on a steep incline with Baltimore, and exchanging stories with the blister sisters. Anyone seen qp or one of the redheads from that Era lately?
"Redbeards" not redheads,,,,, well, same difference I guess.
2nd Logo The Blackalachian is a great dude