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."
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.
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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.
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.
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!
"Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."
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."
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!
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.
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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."