Date: 2007-09-27
From: U.S. 3/Lincoln

To: U.S. 3/Lincoln
Miles today: 0.0

Three zeros at Chet's; by far the most I've taken in one place on this trip. Chet is a great guy. Once in the planning stages of his own thru-hike, Chet was testing a MSR Whisperlite stove when it blew up in his face, burning his lungs and his body to an extent that makes it virtually impossible for him to stage a thru-hike. He's a gracious person though, never complaining about his condition and often expressing his thanks that he can give back to the trail community in whatever way he can. He was testing a whisperlite stove one day when it blew up in his face; he inhaled the burning liquid and a large part of his body was burned in the accident. He has an article from the local newspaper that shows him on a gurney being wheeled out by EMT folks. He says the only reason he is still alive is because he smoked quite a bit as a younger fellow and that he had no life insurance. Since he smoked for quite a few years, when the burning liquid entered his lungs, they were charred to the point that he was able to handle the burning sensation much better than someone with virgin lungs. He was in a coma for a number of days and if he had medical insurance, the provider would have surely pulled the plug because he was considered a non-savable case. Since he had no insurance, however, he stayed on life support and eventually pulled out of the coma a few months later. Chet was restricted to a wheelchair after that, most likely forever loosing his chance to attempt a thru-hike. I feel bad for the man because he has quite a bit of photography from around the area in New Hampshire area that he took himself. He'll never be able to reach those areas on his own again, but in the time that I spent at Chet's place, I never once heard complain about his situation. He seems genuinely interested in helping thru-hikers accomplish their goals and he doesn't charge a fee for staying at his place, only asking that each hiker give a donation based on their ability to do so. I spent three zero days at Chet's, resupplying for a day and mostly hanging out the other two. I only intended to stay two, but on the third day, the forecast was for rain and at some point in the afternoon, the clouds rolled in and a light rain began to fall. Chet, of course, was gracious enough to allow Spyder, Ragnar, and myself to stay. He said he knew we weren't trying to take advantage of his hospitality and he said we could stay another night. What a gracious host. If Chet's circumstances had happened to myself, I'm not sure I could have faced the same adversity with the same graciousness that Chet always represented himself with. I would have been pissed off at MSR for designing such a shitty stove. But perhaps difficult circumstances happen to those that are strong enough to not only handle them, but to overcome them and make themselves stronger through such a challenge. Chet is a truly giving person and I hope he lives as well as possible for the remainder of his time on this green earth. If I can only face the world regardless of the circumstance with such a positive outlook as I perceived Chet to do, then I will be a fortunate person indeed.During the course of my time there, a few hikers that Spyder and the flip-flop crew knew rolled in; Reese's Cup, Olympian, Mismatch, and some other dude whose name escapes me. It was a good three zero days, chilling with good people, talking to Chet, and just relaxing for a good period of time. Wicked took off during my second zero day as well as Highlife, and I was determined not to take advantage of Chet's hospitality. Hopefully the weather can hold so I can take off with a clear mind tomorrow.