Date: 2007-09-13
From: Rocky Mountain Shelters

To: MD 17 (Wolfsville Rd)
Miles today: 24.9

I decided NOT to do the 4 state challenge -- just couldn't get fired up about it after having successfully completed the Connecticut Challenge (53 miles over tougher terrain). Funny thing is, technically, I did all 4 states in a single 24 hr period, but slept in a hostel between two sections (see tomorrow's journal). But, in my mind that's not fair to the intent (i.e., a CONTINUOUS 40 odd mile hike in 24 hours). Consequently I make no claim to the Quad state challenge and offer a hearty, sincere congratulations to those who did complete it!! Certainly no small task there.Having got that out of the way, I decided to take it easy with 25 miles under my belt and check out the Free State hostel. Nice set-up, nice people. Dad said he had followed "Bone Pac" on his NOBO thru-hike last year, and continued to follow the trials and tribulations he went through to get his hostel started. Hope everything goes well for the Free State. Good grief, the guy can't try any harder to please. Btw, Bone Pac was another fast hiker, so I feel I am in good company.Speaking of fast hikers, ¢¦ ever heard of David Horton or Brian Robinson, better know as "Flying Brian"? Yeah thought maybe you had, but how 'bout 46 year old (at the time) Pete Palmer? Ummm. Well, these guys and many others make me look like a wuss, a very slooooow moving wuss.OK, most AT types know that David set the bar, and set it high, in the early nineties (91?) for AT speedsters by completing the trail in 52 days, 9 hrs and 41 minutes. He had lots of support, but so what. He's the one out there pounding out the miles. Many others have tried and failed to match or beat his record, but no one succeeded until, ¢¦ ole man Pete came along.Yep, in 1999, Pete, an experienced ultrarunner, finished 2160.2 miles in 48 days, 20 hours and 11 minutes! That's like 44 miles per day on average -- every day. Good grief. I've heard that Pete's record has since been broken, and by quite a bit, but as of this writing the only collaboration I could come up with is from Wingfoot's book (page 22, 2006 edition I think). Do we need go there?Now I certainly understand that there's many AT purists out there who genuinely believe that the AT should never be considered a race track. Sorry folks, that's the human condition. Humans always try to break records, even records that aren't recorded nor sanctified nor anything. But know that someone will attempt it, shout out to the world about it, then someone else will try to better it, whatever 'it' is. And if a record is impossible to do, guess what, that's like holding out a red flag. Which brings us at last to Brian.The man of the hiking century in my mind is none other than Flying Brian. He did something that others had documented and "proven" could NOT be done due to weather considerations, geography, the human frailty, and on and on and on. Don't you just love it when the experts prove unconditionally that (1) a man can't run a 4 minute mile, (2) no one will EVER be able to walk the entire AT in one continuous hike (btw this was declared at an AT conference in 1948 even as Earl S was accomplishing the task), and of course, (3) no one person could possibly hike ALL THREE of North America's long distance trails in one calendar year, i.e., the PCT, the CDT, and the AT. Forget it. Don't even go there. Can't be done. And best of all, why submit yourself to that kind of torture?All that aside Brian decides he will do it. Plans for several years, and then, by golly (who needs a stinking year?), he hikes all three in roughly 10 months. Stop. Think about that.   On Oct 27, 2001, he completed 7,371 miles in 300 days. That's 24.57 miles per day for 300 days on average including zeroes and travel time between trails.AND, he did the approach trail to Springer, ¢¦ even though it didn't count.I hope everyone is having a great day and,Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: Today's post script will be a little different. Instead of a final thought, I wanted to give a SHOUT-OUT of THANKS and GRATITUDE to all those who have supported this journal by signing the guest book. I know, in the beginning I said I would not solicit entries, but I have to admit that when I see the words of encouragement from so many people, it speaks volumes about the true nature of the AT spirit. Friends, family, and TOTAL strangers have wished me well and it touches the heart.So, for the average journal reader, I placed this section as a trailer so you will not miss anything 'profound' if you decide to skip this part. Handlebar GA-ME 06 - thanks for chiming in, its especially good to hear from folks who have actually walked the walk.kspirit - as usual, good advice and you are right on the money (I actually have managed to pass a few bars lately, kinda)Jo P - good questions, I intend to talk about journaling tomorrow.Tom - thanks for tuning in, I'm so glad that others like yourself enjoy my ramblings.Woody - hope it works out some how that we meet againEden Express - thanks for signing in, I get pleasure out of reading your journals (try to speed up or, heaven forbid, skip ahead)Mama birdstar - thanks as usual for the words of encouragementJack P - haven't heard from you for a while, but hope you're still aroundGayle W - hope the Gimp is doing well and did what he came out to dofire works mom - same for fire works. don't think he'll catch up, but with your help he'll get what he wants out of the trailAngela S - THANKS, I needed that. Sometimes I wonder if I should just conform and write about mileage and bugs and blisters and oatmeal. Naaa. I'll stick with what I perceive to be the truth.Paolina S - hope you found my earlier journal which addressed my thoughts on the NOBO vrs SOBO thing. If not, let me know.Tom M - the people in NYC were great. Just too many at one time after being accustomed to the quiet of the woodsJason A - yeah, gonna go to SpringerTeri A - been sleeping good lately (20-30 miles will do it) thanks for the concernGarius H - wish we could have hooked up in NYC, then at least one of us would remember what happened (that's a joke) thanks for the good wordsMargaret - sorry I missed the striped cows in NY. My loss I'm sure, thanks for writingChrishenry - tell me more. A friend from Ga is a friend indeedDave C - hope you and Troop 566 are still following along. I think about you guys quite often (plenty of time to do that when you're in the woods 20 hrs per day). Give my best to Bob, Kevin, Charlie S, and of course Billy. Too many others to acknowledge. Maybe I'll hook up with you when I'm closer to NC-Tenn. THAT would be awesome!Hunter S - yep, did the Connecticut Challenge and no doubt it will provide me with bragging rights for quite some time. Thanks for your push to do it.Becki - what can I say? If you want something bad enough, you find a way. You may find that doing pieces of the trail over a long period of time is better. Tough decisions, been there. Good luck.Nancy - hope your son Chris is doing well. Don't think I've run into him. If he's close let me know and I'll look out for him.Deep Blue Sea Aquatica - yes indeedy, I used 'proverbial' and it expresses exactly what I wanted to say at the time. Probably could have explained the duality blah blah blah, but didn't. Sorry.Alan K - thanks muchJim M - yep, good observation of the AMC businessLyle B - thanks for the encouragementThanks people. Sorry if I missed some of you. I didn't list other personal friends and relatives since I've been talking with most of you fairly often. But I definitely appreciate everyone's support.