HIIIII EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike and I are sitting in the little tiny Hiawassee, Georgia library in the children's section, updating our blog so you can see what we have seen on our quest for Pennsylvania.
We made it to River Forks Campgrounds on April 24th. It was an interesting place. The Army Corps of Engineers flooded a huge valley in Gainesville to create a water reservoir - the campsite was overlooking the man made lake. After talking with Mr. Suites, the ranger/caretaker and his wife, we discovered that the ACE flooded the valley with churches, farmsteads and even a race track which are now all under water. A man (extremely racist) we met told us that his "diddy" - southern talk for "daddy" used to row food out to the ACE workers when he was young and he tells stories of church steeples sticking out of the lake. The beaches are also dark red and look something like you would imagine from mars. Apparently, Congress just approved a project that will pump (according to Mr. Suites - this sounded incredible to Mike and I) billions of gallons of water a day to Florida and Atlanta. Why? To use for the fish and muscle farms in Florida and for drinking water for the city of Atlanta. They don't have a stopping point either, so the lake will be pumped until it's dry. The floating docks were already grounded when we were there. The dogwoods were incredibly beautiful though and we got a taxi to ship us to Springer early in the morning.
Day 1: 17 miles Springer to "Devil's Kitchen" campground that runs through Justus Creek
Mike and I could spend hours making up stories to go along with those names. We were astonished that we were capable of so many miles, but also decided that we would NOT repeat so long a distance. If you are travelling so quickly and determinedly that you don't have time to appreciate everythind the forest has to offer, then it isn't worth it. We met the only through hiker we've seen so far during the whole trip. Graig (Poseidon), an ex-Navy dude, older 30's. He had a very kind face and heart to match.
Day 2: 13 miles from Devils Kitchen to Woods Hole Shelter
Whew! The blisters on my feet are so huge and gross even Frankenstein would puke. My thighs are giving out and I have a sunburn - but my oh my, the Chatahoochie National Forest is heaven on earth and we get to walk the expanse of it to take in every Mountain Laurel, violet, trillium, False Helioborus, iris, warbler, vireo, hawk, owl, turkey, bear and poplar the forest has to offer. We've already started talking about what we can mail home from our packs. I brought too many t-shirts. It's easier and efficient to pack two, wear one and wash another in a mountain stream (with vegetable-based soap, of course - Dr. Bronner's has turned out to be indespensable) then let it dry off your pack while you walk. Weather has been high of 80 and low of 50 at night. It's incredible to hear the breeze at night when you are camping high in the mountains. The howl starts low in the valley then works its way slowly up the mountains until it streams over the tent in a gush.
Day 3: 10 miles Woods Hole Shelter to Whitley Gap Shepter
Climbed Blood Mountain today - highest peak in Georgia at 4,470 feet. Met some 19-20 year old guys who were hilarious and made comments about which mountain peak might be Mordor in the distance. I swear you can see to the Gray Havens anyhow - Middle Earth talk. Mike painted some beautiful watercolors on top and I did handstands for the yoga gods on tall rocks. Mike was able to record some warblers. There seem to be so many species of them and they are all so small and beautiful with trilling songs that last all day - we are surrounded by a symphony of forest sounds all day and night. It's the night sounds that we have to get used to. Although we haven't seen any bears (and neither had anyone else we've talked to), bear warnings were in effect for a 6 mile portion of our walk today through which no camping was allowed. It's easy to see why though, especially near gaps (where a road - either forest service road or highway cuts through the trail) trash is prevalent. It baffles me how anyone could throw their Cheeto bag away in heaven... Mike and I spent this night wide awake and shaking in our tents. Forest night noises take a lot of time to get used to and animals ALWAYS come by the tent to sniff - they have every night. Sometimes you can tell they are big, sometimes it's just little mice. The shelters are infested with them - they crawl all over you. Normally I would think this was fun but if you are desperately trying to fall asleep, it's hard to do it with mice sniffing around your hair. Mike and I will opt for the tent, thank you very much. We also had a Barred Owl visit us this night (Tehnyat - weird coincidence - they've been following us, I think!). Their wings are designed for soundless flight but it was flying so low around our tent that we could hear the leaves whoosh up under the huge wings that were flapping just inches above the ground so it's talons could scoop up mice - it sounded so strange and incredible to hear, all night, the flight of an owl above and around your head mixed with the valley winds and creaking of the trees...
Day 4: 12 miles Whitley Gap Shelter to Blue Mountain Shelter
We have basically run out of food. I've never been so hungry, tired, and sore but seeing how my muscles are growing, lungs are getting stronger, determination is becoming more hardened and my fear of the unknown is evaporating. I know they are called Power Bars, but I've never experienced their true powers. After hiking 10 miles, almost all up a rocky mountain path and you have only eated a little Cream of Wheat for breakfast and some instant potatoes for lunch, I almost passed out on the trail. I became light headed and woozie so Mike stopped and handed me a Power Bar, our last, but I needed something to keep going. After I ate it (an apricot Cliff Bar) I was albe to walk another two miles, super speed, while laughing and joking and taking pictures of waterfalls. My body responds so much more quickly and efficiently to food, water, sleep and companionship on this trail than ever. We met a bunch of people tonight at the shelter: Cool Breeze (knows the guy who hiked the AT with his cat - 37 confirmed shelter-mice kills in one night), Tiger Lilly, Ink (tatoo artist), Mayday, Llama Legs (long hairy legs), and some other people without trail names. Mike gave me a trail name today: RAMPS. Ramps are the famous North American onion/leek that are celebrated in festivals throughout the Appalachians and Candada. I've been obsessed with finding them to the point of jumping on all fours and digging up the roots of leek-looking plants to sniff them to see if they taste yummy. I talk about adding them to our potatoes all the time. So far, no Ramps, but the False Helioborus tricks me every time. The onion is so popular in Canada, it's been banned to pick. Mike still doesn't have a name...it's coming though!@
Day 5: Blue Mountain Shelter to Hiawassee via Unicoi Gap
More to come - I'm getting kicked off the computer!!!
Love you all - pictures won't download here - they will come soon though!!!!!!
lisa
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
THANK YOU AND GOODBYE
Now that you all have my blog address, I want to take this opportunity to thank and re-thank everyone, CMA co-workers, family, and others (Maura, Bridget, Maria, Craig, Brooke, Chris, etc.) who were so generous and amazingly supportive of me and Mike's endeavor to take on this huge distance of forest, hill, mountain, glade, and town via the strength of body, mind and soul. I love you all and your support has helped us more than any of you can know. Like I've said before, the real trailhead was in Cleveland, Ohio...
Much love to you all and we'll be thinking of you all every step of the way.
Lisa and Mike (trail names to come...). My dad suggested Cereal Killer for me and Mike is thinking of "The Great Aurobindo" but we'll probably go with something else...
Mail Drops
Mike and I are fortunate enough to have great mom's who will send us 'mail drops' along our path so that we can be sure to have enough of the appropriate supplies to nourish our muscles to work well enough to escape from bears and bobcats.
Here is an example of a most energizing food, beloved of hikers everywhere:
The following is a list of locations that they will send the packages to, as well as daily supply of food in each and the date we anticipate picking them up (averaging a 10-15 mile a day schedule). Post offices don't accept Fed Ex or UPS, only USPS. All packages will read 'Hold for AT Hiker' and the date we expect to pick up the package. If the package contains a fuel canister, it must read 'ORM-D, Consumer Commodity' or 'Surface Mail Only' or both. Our mom's will have to mail parcels about a week and a half in advance of our arrival. They'll ship food enough for two, in its original packaging and when we get the package, we'll re-house most of the food in plastic bags to make it lighter and easier to smash into our packs. This list is considering a mid-point destination for the hike. Pending everything we'll consider hiking to Katahdin and this list will grow.
Here is the mail drop we picked up in Fontana Village. We spread it all out on the ground and then divide the food up into days to determine how much we need and how much we can carry. There are 'hiker boxes' at every hostel and hotel along the trail. If people have too much food they can lighten the load by putting it in the hiker box and can be assured that a hiker in need will pick it up along the way. Almost everyone experiences both situations along the trail - having too much food or too little.
Here is a link with a good list of mail drop sites and food amounts. We are not planning on living entirely off drops, so we're not sticking to a comprehensive list like this, but it's a nice way to see the possibilites:
http://www.hike-usa.com/a-mail.htm
Here is an example of a most energizing food, beloved of hikers everywhere:
The following is a list of locations that they will send the packages to, as well as daily supply of food in each and the date we anticipate picking them up (averaging a 10-15 mile a day schedule). Post offices don't accept Fed Ex or UPS, only USPS. All packages will read 'Hold for AT Hiker' and the date we expect to pick up the package. If the package contains a fuel canister, it must read 'ORM-D, Consumer Commodity' or 'Surface Mail Only' or both. Our mom's will have to mail parcels about a week and a half in advance of our arrival. They'll ship food enough for two, in its original packaging and when we get the package, we'll re-house most of the food in plastic bags to make it lighter and easier to smash into our packs. This list is considering a mid-point destination for the hike. Pending everything we'll consider hiking to Katahdin and this list will grow.
Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, GA
7 day supply, pickup May 2
- We found out that Blueberry Patch was closing the day after we arrived in Hiawassee, so we stayed at the Hiawassee Inn and the owners of the Blueberry Patch were kind enough to drop off our package to us on the way to church
We resupply in Nantahala Outdoor Center for 7 day supply around May 9
Fontana Village Resort (we won't be staying at the resort itself, unfortunately), Fontana Dam, NC
3 day supply, pickup May 12Here is the mail drop we picked up in Fontana Village. We spread it all out on the ground and then divide the food up into days to determine how much we need and how much we can carry. There are 'hiker boxes' at every hostel and hotel along the trail. If people have too much food they can lighten the load by putting it in the hiker box and can be assured that a hiker in need will pick it up along the way. Almost everyone experiences both situations along the trail - having too much food or too little.
Mountain Mama's Kuntry Store and Bunkhouse, Newport, TN
4 day food supply, pickup May 16
We found out that Mountain Mama's had closed, so we stayed at a nearby hostel called Standing Bear that was VERY fun. Luckily the Newport P.O. had been getting enough hiker mail to know to drop off the packages at Standing Bear that were addressed to Standing Bear.
Hotsprings, NC Post Office
9 day food supply, pickup May 19
Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel, Erwin, TN
7 day food supply, pickup May 26
Here is a link with a good list of mail drop sites and food amounts. We are not planning on living entirely off drops, so we're not sticking to a comprehensive list like this, but it's a nice way to see the possibilites:
http://www.hike-usa.com/a-mail.htm
Getting to Springer
Mike and I have rented a car, Hertz economy size, to pickup in Rockville, MD today, Thursday, April 23. We will drive down to Gainesville, GA, leaving tomorrow morning around 5am in order to get there (10 hour drive) before 6pm so we don't have to pay for an extra rental day. Hertz will drop us off, free of charge, 2 miles away at at River Forks Park campground. We'll pay $15 for a site, pitch tent, play banjo and recite lines from the RYME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER, go to sleep, and then wake up bright and early to be picked up by UNITAXI, which offers services to the Springer Mtn. trailhead for $65. We hope to be on the trailhead before noon on April 25th.
Tent set up in River Forks Campground
Tent set up in River Forks Campground
Distance from Rockville to Gainesville: about 10 hours
Distance from Gainesville to Springer Mountain: about 1 hour
There are many other ways to get to the trailhead, including flying to Atlanta, spending the night and then taking a bus to Gainesville and then a UNITAXI to the trailhead. Or, we could drive to Dahlonega, GA, stay at a hiker hostel and get a taxi to the trailhead from there. Our way, as far as we could figure, was the cheapest and easiest.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
GPS - Where in the world is...
Follow this link to find us via our hand-held GPS unit:
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/gogl.jsp?glId=0xcF6fDRt1WuSEb0rJlLhVL1JVMXmuarR
We'll be checking in every morning!
Friday, April 17, 2009
The AT Conservancy
The Mission of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy:
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to the preservation and management of the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources associated with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in order to provide primitive outdoor-recreation and educational opportunities for Trail visitors.
Their website: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805859/k.BFA3/Home.htm
Check this site for trail updates, an interactive trail map, trail history, AT merchandise, conservation updates, state by state trail details, staff blogs, ways to volunteer, job listings, etc. It was a great place for Mike and I to get started acquainting ourselves with what will be our new home for a time.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to the preservation and management of the natural, scenic, historic, and cultural resources associated with the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in order to provide primitive outdoor-recreation and educational opportunities for Trail visitors.
Their website: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805859/k.BFA3/Home.htm
Check this site for trail updates, an interactive trail map, trail history, AT merchandise, conservation updates, state by state trail details, staff blogs, ways to volunteer, job listings, etc. It was a great place for Mike and I to get started acquainting ourselves with what will be our new home for a time.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Why
I was lost in an old car assembly plant that was the new home of young artists with skinny jeans. The hallways were long and there were many studio spaces decked out with everything from illustrations of vampires to clothes sewn together with trash picked out of dumpsters. Interesting stuff, but none of it was of the stock created by the particular skinny artist I was searching out. We weren't actually 'going steady' yet so I was a bit nervous to impose upon his art domain, but I was also excited. After wandering around looking for his studio without much success, I finally heard lilting banjo music emitting from a distant studio space; a dead give away. I followed the old time music and discovered a small square covered in birds, trees, boxes, books, paintbrushes, a dodo bird head sculpture, a crocodile and a Mike. Yup, this was exactly what I expected - the natural world reconstructed in an old car assembly plant. Before interrupting Mike who was busy hunched over a goauche piece, scratching his head with one hand and pulling up his tight (art-guy) pants up with the other I noticed a large poster hung up directly in front of his drawing desk. The poster was of 'The Great Eastern Trail' that stretched from Springer Mt., GA to Mt. Katahdin, ME, or vice versa whichever way you want to look at it. "Howdy", I said, startling Mike out of his meticulous drawing of a king salmon. "Hey!" Mike said, eyes lighting up, smile stretching from Georgia to Maine - mine might have been farther, maybe to Labrador. "I'm going to hike that trail someday," I said, matter of factly. "Oh man, me too." Mike said with excitement, I've already hiked parts of it, but doing the whole thing would be incredible." "We should do it someday," I said, "Together." "That would be awesome," Mike said.
That was more than two years ago. I had never stated out loud my desire to hike the AT and actually suprised myself by saying it and knowing that I meant it. It's hard for me to express the reasons for wanting to hike the trail, I always feel that when people ask "why?" I choose an answer that the person asking would most understand and I usually end up with faces showing confusion, concern, or a conspirational wink. I could start broad and spiritual and say I'm looking for an inner quiet, the stillness within that many great cultures believe is the piece of you that continues through the ages while your different bodies give way to their cycles of life. The Buddah teaches that his great mistake was believing that this quest for inner light (some say this is God which exists in all of us) was only possible as a "quest", a journey all over the world, when he could have found it within himself anywhere, even in an office cubicle. Ok, I get it, however, he only realized this AFTER he had embarked upon his own great journey, I think my own revelation has to come during or after a similar quest of my own. I know that beyond a one hour yoga class, the natural world is the only place where my mind will be able to connect with my soul and my body. I cannot see any other way I can find any twinkling of sprituality without using my body, whether it be moving through yoga poses or up and down mountains.
Then, there is the question of things dissapearing. Bobwhite quail, Elms, Oaks, Ash, Chestnuts, Wolves, species of frog and toad, even the very tops of mountains are being blasted into oblivion by mountain top removal mining. Whether these irreplaceable wonders are being collected by the gods to re-model their back yards or whether they will be forever gone is a hard guess. Either way, I'd like to see them and say I've seen them - I want to really SEE WHAT I SEE. After the emerald ash borer has mashed its ugly head into the living flesh of the last Ash tree, people will say, "You've seen one, a live Ash, not in an arboretum?" And I will solemly nod my head yes, like I do when I say I saw the resting place of Bernini in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. After all, the great buttresses and columns of ancient churches were meant to emulate the magestic trees in the old growth forests of our ancestors. I do not want to live my life knowing I only experienced the seasons through window panes or short walks to the mailbox. As Thoreau said, "Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." Grow with Spring, up through the Appalachian ridgeline, through Georgia and into NC/Tennessee, sweat with Summer through Virginia and Pennsylvania and if I'm lucky, I'll change my colors with Fall up through the northlands. Re-connect. I don't have a house, a mortgage, a baby (excepting a small cat that my sister and husband are (better be) snuggling with right now). I want to spend four months out of my life simply existing and being amazed at the fact I exist and that my body works like it does and that nature works the way it does and that they are the same. I know it's not all going to be idealistic with gorgeous weather and birds alighting on my spork when I eat oatmeal in the morning. I'm in it for the downpours, the mud, the mosquitos, the lightning, the creepy dudes, the shelter-mice and the LOVE.
Of course there are MANY more reasons than that, but it will take me too long to type them...
That was more than two years ago. I had never stated out loud my desire to hike the AT and actually suprised myself by saying it and knowing that I meant it. It's hard for me to express the reasons for wanting to hike the trail, I always feel that when people ask "why?" I choose an answer that the person asking would most understand and I usually end up with faces showing confusion, concern, or a conspirational wink. I could start broad and spiritual and say I'm looking for an inner quiet, the stillness within that many great cultures believe is the piece of you that continues through the ages while your different bodies give way to their cycles of life. The Buddah teaches that his great mistake was believing that this quest for inner light (some say this is God which exists in all of us) was only possible as a "quest", a journey all over the world, when he could have found it within himself anywhere, even in an office cubicle. Ok, I get it, however, he only realized this AFTER he had embarked upon his own great journey, I think my own revelation has to come during or after a similar quest of my own. I know that beyond a one hour yoga class, the natural world is the only place where my mind will be able to connect with my soul and my body. I cannot see any other way I can find any twinkling of sprituality without using my body, whether it be moving through yoga poses or up and down mountains.
Then, there is the question of things dissapearing. Bobwhite quail, Elms, Oaks, Ash, Chestnuts, Wolves, species of frog and toad, even the very tops of mountains are being blasted into oblivion by mountain top removal mining. Whether these irreplaceable wonders are being collected by the gods to re-model their back yards or whether they will be forever gone is a hard guess. Either way, I'd like to see them and say I've seen them - I want to really SEE WHAT I SEE. After the emerald ash borer has mashed its ugly head into the living flesh of the last Ash tree, people will say, "You've seen one, a live Ash, not in an arboretum?" And I will solemly nod my head yes, like I do when I say I saw the resting place of Bernini in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. After all, the great buttresses and columns of ancient churches were meant to emulate the magestic trees in the old growth forests of our ancestors. I do not want to live my life knowing I only experienced the seasons through window panes or short walks to the mailbox. As Thoreau said, "Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." Grow with Spring, up through the Appalachian ridgeline, through Georgia and into NC/Tennessee, sweat with Summer through Virginia and Pennsylvania and if I'm lucky, I'll change my colors with Fall up through the northlands. Re-connect. I don't have a house, a mortgage, a baby (excepting a small cat that my sister and husband are (better be) snuggling with right now). I want to spend four months out of my life simply existing and being amazed at the fact I exist and that my body works like it does and that nature works the way it does and that they are the same. I know it's not all going to be idealistic with gorgeous weather and birds alighting on my spork when I eat oatmeal in the morning. I'm in it for the downpours, the mud, the mosquitos, the lightning, the creepy dudes, the shelter-mice and the LOVE.
Of course there are MANY more reasons than that, but it will take me too long to type them...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Hopes of an Amateur Ornithologist
The following is the result of an interview I conducted of a famous amateur ornitholoigst and professional boyfriend, Mr. Mike Marks. The interview resulted in the following list of birds that Mr. Marks would like to see along the trail (and two I would like to see). Various reasons for our choices are included as well as some interesting facts (thanks to Wiki and All About Birds.
1. Northern Bobwhite Quail
Lisa: Why do you want to see one of those, Mike?
Mike - Becuase they are small and plump (mike loves anything that fits that description). They are also one of the few quail species that consistently inhabit an entire region - Ohio included. I've never seen one, though. There's also some interesting conservation issues that have recently come up involving these guys. They are endangered of becoming extinct in the wild.
Lisa: Why do you want to see one of those, Mike?
Mike - Becuase they are small and plump (mike loves anything that fits that description). They are also one of the few quail species that consistently inhabit an entire region - Ohio included. I've never seen one, though. There's also some interesting conservation issues that have recently come up involving these guys. They are endangered of becoming extinct in the wild.
Interesting Facts: The bobwhite's mottled coloring serves a protective purpose. When the bird is threatened or alarmed, it often "freezes," allowing its camouflage coloring to blend into its surroundings. A stout beak and powerful claws are excellent adaptations for finding and eating seeds and fruits. Their name comes from the sound of their whistle which sounds like, "Booobbb Whhhitiittee". It is becoming increasingly popular to raise Bobwhite quail for release in hunting or conservation areas and for sale to the gourmet food market. Bobwhite quail are the most popular game birds in the southeastern United States, and some farmers raise them for sport or additional income. They are also number one on Audobon's endangered bird list.
2. Eastern Screech Owl
Mike: These birds are adorable."
Lisa: Are they loud for their small size? Do they really screetch?"
Mike: No, they whinney.
Lisa: Um. So they are whinneying, tiny, adorable owls? I see why you want to get a look at one.
Mike: Yeah. They aren't threatened but they are uncommon to see.
Mike: These birds are adorable."
Lisa: Are they loud for their small size? Do they really screetch?"
Mike: No, they whinney.
Lisa: Um. So they are whinneying, tiny, adorable owls? I see why you want to get a look at one.
Mike: Yeah. They aren't threatened but they are uncommon to see.
Interesting Facts: The Eastern Screech-Owl is found in nearly every habitat throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. It is common in urban as well as rural areas and readily nests in nest boxes, although the little buggers are notoriously hard to spot, mostly because of their excellent camoflauge. The commonly eat 1/3 of their body weight each night, not so bad when you know they weigh an average of 4.5 ounces. The Eastern Screech-Owl is known to eat a variety of songbirds, including the European Starling. Despite this fact, the starling regularly displaces the owl from nesting sites and takes over the hole to raise its own brood.
3. Loggerhead Shrike
Lisa: Do you want to see one because they are part turtle?
Mike: Their beaks kind of look like heads, but I dunno if that's where the name comes from. I find them interesting becuase of their feeding habits. Their legs are too weak to rip at their prey so they impale it on thorns or barbed wire, stuff like that.
Lisa: COOL!
Lisa: Do you want to see one because they are part turtle?
Mike: Their beaks kind of look like heads, but I dunno if that's where the name comes from. I find them interesting becuase of their feeding habits. Their legs are too weak to rip at their prey so they impale it on thorns or barbed wire, stuff like that.
Lisa: COOL!
Interesting Facts: These birds regularly rip to shreds, insects, amphibians, small reptiles, small mammals, and birds. Scans for food from perches. Kills by biting prey in back of neck, cutting the spinal cord. Impales prey on thorns so that it can be torn apart. These birds were once abundant, but declined drastically through last half of 20th century. Essentially gone from northeastern part of range and they are continually declining throughout their range. The subspecies on San Clemente Island in California is listed as endangered on the federal list. We'll be lucky to see one of these guys; I hope we do!
4. Pileated Woodpecker
This is one of my choices. These birds are the biggest woodpecker species in the world and they make the funniest sounds, their call is likened to a wild laugh and their drumming is very loud, like a hammer striking a tree. Their tongues wrap all the way around the back of their skull to absorb the shock of their beak slamming into wood all day. I've only seen two - a pair flying low together over my head at Jackson Field MetroPark. I want to see more!
Interesting facts - The only birds from North America with similar plumage and size are the Ivory Billed Woodpecker who's range is the SE US and Cuba (now thought to be extinct), and the Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico (extremely endangered). They are known in the south as an Indian Hen.
5. Golden Crowned Kinglet
5. Golden Crowned Kinglet
Lisa: Why them?
Mike: They are hilarious little balls that fly through the air with little orange caps on. There is a permanent population in northeast Ohio, but there are gaps all around the area with no kinglets. However, there is a line running through the Appalachians that they inhabit because of the trees they prefer, spruce and other conifers.
Lisa: You wanna see your flying ball friends in the mountains too, huh?
Mike: Yeah.
Interesting Facts: These birds are almost as small as hummingbirds, but they winter in Alaska and Canada. They are becoming rare in the West, but interestingly, their populations are increasing in the East. The female of the species feeds her babies only on the first day they hatch. After that, she lays another batch of eggs and sits on them while the male feeds the first babies, himself and occasionally the female. The total amount of young averages around 9. These little flying balls (seriously they are almost spherical) have a single, tiny feather covering each nostril.
6. Blackburnian Warbler
Mike: These guys have a summer range in the Appalachians. They are incredibly long-distance migration birds that belong to a large family with lots of variation which is why it's always such a challenge for me to identify them. I feel like I never see them so I'm picking this one, it's a beautiful bird, and I'll try to spot some individuals along the trail.
Mike: These guys have a summer range in the Appalachians. They are incredibly long-distance migration birds that belong to a large family with lots of variation which is why it's always such a challenge for me to identify them. I feel like I never see them so I'm picking this one, it's a beautiful bird, and I'll try to spot some individuals along the trail.
Interesting Facts: These birds are brilliantly colored, especially during the mating season with neon orange and dark black feathers. These birds will join foraging flocks of chickadees, kinglets and nuthatches after its young fledge. Its winter range extends into the Andes and it breeds through the Appalachians down into Georgia.
7. Baltimore Oriole
Mike: Even though the first time I saw one of these was in Ohio, they remind me of Maryland
Lisa: Remember when I saw one of these in a tree when we were camping by Ithaca, NY for Ned's graduation? I started screaming that someones pet parrot had escaped and then you started laughing and told me I'd seen my first oriole.
Mike: Yeah, hehehe.
Mike: Even though the first time I saw one of these was in Ohio, they remind me of Maryland
Lisa: Remember when I saw one of these in a tree when we were camping by Ithaca, NY for Ned's graduation? I started screaming that someones pet parrot had escaped and then you started laughing and told me I'd seen my first oriole.
Mike: Yeah, hehehe.
Interesting Facts: Mike must like orange and black birds, because the Baltimore Oriole has the similar neon orange and black plumage like the Blackburnian Warbler. This bird received its name from the fact that the male's colors resemble those on the coat-of-arms of Lord Baltimore. These birds migrate in flocks to southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America. Some birds may remain near feeders in winter. Baltimore Orioles forage in trees and shrubs, also making short flights to catch insects. They mainly eat insects, berries and nectar, and are often seen sipping at hummingbird feeders.
8. Peregrin Falcon
The Peregrine's breeding range includes land regions from the Arctic tundra to the Tropics. It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, excepting extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most tropical rainforests; the only major ice-free landmass from which it is entirely absent is New Zealand. This makes it the world's most widespread bird of prey. Both the English and scientific names of this species mean "wandering falcon", referring to the migratory habits of many northern populations.
While its diet consists almost exclusively of medium-sized birds, the Peregrine will occasionally hunt small mammals, small reptiles or even insects. It reaches sexual maturity at one year, and mates for life. It nests in a scrape, normally on cliff edges or, in recent times, on tall human-made structures. The Peregrine Falcon became an endangered species in many areas due to the use of pesticides, especially DDT. Since the ban on DDT from the beginning of the 1970s onwards, the populations recovered, supported by large scale protection of nesting places and releases to the wild
9. Wild Turkey
My choice. They are awesome and the males have a carbuncle. Also, male turkey's don't have penises, just a cloacha. Wild Turkeys are surprisingly agile fliers and very cunning, unlike their domestic counterparts. Turkeys are very cautious birds and will fly or run at the first sign of danger. In flight they can reach a speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). They usually fly close to the ground for no more than a quarter mile (400 m). Turkeys have many vocalizations: "gobbles," "clucks," "putts," "purrs," "yelps," "cutts," "whines," "cackles," and "kee-kees." In early spring, male turkeys, also called gobblers or toms, gobble to announce their presence to females and competing males. The gobble can carry for up to a mile. Males also emit a low-pitched drumming sound. Hens "yelp" to let gobblers know their location. Gobblers often yelp in the manner of females, and hens can gobble, though they rarely do so. Immature males, called jakes, yelp often. Turkeys are omnivorous. They mostly contain mast, but are also occasionally known to consume small vertebrates like snakes, frogs or salamanders.
8. Peregrin Falcon
The Peregrine's breeding range includes land regions from the Arctic tundra to the Tropics. It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, excepting extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most tropical rainforests; the only major ice-free landmass from which it is entirely absent is New Zealand. This makes it the world's most widespread bird of prey. Both the English and scientific names of this species mean "wandering falcon", referring to the migratory habits of many northern populations.
While its diet consists almost exclusively of medium-sized birds, the Peregrine will occasionally hunt small mammals, small reptiles or even insects. It reaches sexual maturity at one year, and mates for life. It nests in a scrape, normally on cliff edges or, in recent times, on tall human-made structures. The Peregrine Falcon became an endangered species in many areas due to the use of pesticides, especially DDT. Since the ban on DDT from the beginning of the 1970s onwards, the populations recovered, supported by large scale protection of nesting places and releases to the wild
9. Wild Turkey
My choice. They are awesome and the males have a carbuncle. Also, male turkey's don't have penises, just a cloacha. Wild Turkeys are surprisingly agile fliers and very cunning, unlike their domestic counterparts. Turkeys are very cautious birds and will fly or run at the first sign of danger. In flight they can reach a speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). They usually fly close to the ground for no more than a quarter mile (400 m). Turkeys have many vocalizations: "gobbles," "clucks," "putts," "purrs," "yelps," "cutts," "whines," "cackles," and "kee-kees." In early spring, male turkeys, also called gobblers or toms, gobble to announce their presence to females and competing males. The gobble can carry for up to a mile. Males also emit a low-pitched drumming sound. Hens "yelp" to let gobblers know their location. Gobblers often yelp in the manner of females, and hens can gobble, though they rarely do so. Immature males, called jakes, yelp often. Turkeys are omnivorous. They mostly contain mast, but are also occasionally known to consume small vertebrates like snakes, frogs or salamanders.
Pennsylvania Stats
Trail Miles: 232
Trail Maintenance: Cumberland Valley AT Management Assoc., York Hiking Club, Susquehana AT Club, Brandywine Valley Outing Club, Blue Mt. Eagle Climbing Club, Allentown Hiking Club, Philadelphia Trail Club, Appalachian Mt. Club, Batona Hiking Club, Wilmington Trail Club
Highest Point: Big Pine Flat Ridge, 2,080 ft
Parks/preserves: Caledonia State Park (Hey Angelo!), Michaux State Forest, Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Halfway point - will we stay or will we go?), Swatara State Park, Hawk Mt. Sanctuary
Trail Towns: Boiling Springs, Duncannon, Port Clinton, Delaware Water Gap
Trail Maintenance: Cumberland Valley AT Management Assoc., York Hiking Club, Susquehana AT Club, Brandywine Valley Outing Club, Blue Mt. Eagle Climbing Club, Allentown Hiking Club, Philadelphia Trail Club, Appalachian Mt. Club, Batona Hiking Club, Wilmington Trail Club
Highest Point: Big Pine Flat Ridge, 2,080 ft
Parks/preserves: Caledonia State Park (Hey Angelo!), Michaux State Forest, Pine Grove Furnace State Park (Halfway point - will we stay or will we go?), Swatara State Park, Hawk Mt. Sanctuary
Trail Towns: Boiling Springs, Duncannon, Port Clinton, Delaware Water Gap
West Virginia Stats
Trail Miles: 2.4 in West Virginia, shortest one-state distance on AT, within 23-24 miles sharing the border with Virginia in two places
Trail Maintenance: Potomac AT Club, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
HIghest Point: Peter's Mt., 3.484 ft
Parks/preserves: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Trail town: Harpers Ferry (AT Headquarters)
Trail Maintenance: Potomac AT Club, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
HIghest Point: Peter's Mt., 3.484 ft
Parks/preserves: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Trail town: Harpers Ferry (AT Headquarters)
Virginia Stats
Trail Miles: 544.6 (including about 21.5 miles on WV border) or about 25% of the entire AT, the longest section is Virginia
Trail Maintenance: Mt. Rogers AT Club, Virginia Tech Outing Club, Roanoke AT Club, Kanawha Trail Club, Natural Bridge AT Club, Tridewater AT Club, Potomac AT Club
Highest Point: Mt. Rogers, 5.729 ft (trail bypasses summit)
Parks/preserves: Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, Grayson Highlands State Park, Jefferson National Forst, George Washington National Forest, Shenandoah National Park, Sky Meadows State Park
Trail Towns: Damascus (home of Trail Days Festival for AT!), Troutdale, Pearisburg, Troutville (wonder what fish is good here?), Waynesboro, Front Royal, Linden
Trail Maintenance: Mt. Rogers AT Club, Virginia Tech Outing Club, Roanoke AT Club, Kanawha Trail Club, Natural Bridge AT Club, Tridewater AT Club, Potomac AT Club
Highest Point: Mt. Rogers, 5.729 ft (trail bypasses summit)
Parks/preserves: Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, Grayson Highlands State Park, Jefferson National Forst, George Washington National Forest, Shenandoah National Park, Sky Meadows State Park
Trail Towns: Damascus (home of Trail Days Festival for AT!), Troutdale, Pearisburg, Troutville (wonder what fish is good here?), Waynesboro, Front Royal, Linden
Tennessee Stats
Trail Miles: 69.5 in Tennessee, 207.7 shared with NC
Trail Maintenance: Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club
Highest Point: Roan Mt. , 6,285 ft
Parks/preserves: Great Smoky Mtns National Park, Cherokee National Forest, Roan Mt. State Park
Trail Towns: Erwin, Roan Mountain, Hampton
Trail Maintenance: Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club
Highest Point: Roan Mt. , 6,285 ft
Parks/preserves: Great Smoky Mtns National Park, Cherokee National Forest, Roan Mt. State Park
Trail Towns: Erwin, Roan Mountain, Hampton
North Carolina Stats
Trail Miles: 95.6 in NC/207.7 shared with Tennessee
Trail Maintenance: Nantahala Hiking Club, National Park Service and Smoky Mts Hiking Club (in GSMNP), Carolina Mt. Club
Highest Point: Clingmans Dome, 6,643ft (Highest point on AT)
Parks/preserves: Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest, Cherokee National Forest
Trail Towns: Franklin, Wesser (Nantahala Outdoor Center), Fontana Dam (biggets dam in eastern US), Hot Springs
Trail Maintenance: Nantahala Hiking Club, National Park Service and Smoky Mts Hiking Club (in GSMNP), Carolina Mt. Club
Highest Point: Clingmans Dome, 6,643ft (Highest point on AT)
Parks/preserves: Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest, Cherokee National Forest
Trail Towns: Franklin, Wesser (Nantahala Outdoor Center), Fontana Dam (biggets dam in eastern US), Hot Springs
Georgia Stats
Trail Miles: 75.4
Trail Maintenance: Georgia AT Club
Highest Point: Blood Mt. 4,461 ft
Parks/Reserves: Amicalola Falls State Park, Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel State Park
Trail Towns: Suches, Dahlonega, Helen, Hiawasee
Trail Maintenance: Georgia AT Club
Highest Point: Blood Mt. 4,461 ft
Parks/Reserves: Amicalola Falls State Park, Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel State Park
Trail Towns: Suches, Dahlonega, Helen, Hiawasee
A Bottle of Electrically Conductive Media
My doctor told me that I needed to bring powdered Gatoraide on the trail in order to replenish my electrolytes. I said "Oh, of COURSE, I will replenish my electrolytes. What would I do without them? I won't let them get away!" Of course, I was thinking that electrolytes were some sort of crystaline structure within my brain that increased my chances of gaining telepathic abilitites later in life. But, just in case, I decided to double check what they were anyway. I was close, kinda.
Scientifically speaking, an electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium.
Turns out electrolyte drinks must contain sodium and potassium salts. They are used to replenish the body's water and electrolyte levels after intense excersize or dehydration caused by diarrhea, vomiting, intoxication, and starving - all states I anticipate experiencing on the trail. Also turns out that I could concoct my own oral rehydration therapy system by mixing correct proportions of sugar, salt, and water. But, I'd rather let Gatoraide do it for me with their "Ultimate Ice Warrior" and "Super Mega Explosion Muscle Craze" flavors.
Doctors recommend drinking sports drinks if you are anticipating engaging in extreme exercising conditions over 5 or 6 hours (like climbing up huge mountains all day). If some sort of sports drink isn't embibed, one runs the risk of hyponatremia. WHAT! That is possible? Yes. It is an electrolyte disturbance of the blood which lowers sodium levels to an extreme and can make your brain swell and explode. Don't want that! So, we'll be taking powdered Gatoraide to sprinkle in our freshly UV filtered water...
Scientifically speaking, an electrolyte is any substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium.
Turns out electrolyte drinks must contain sodium and potassium salts. They are used to replenish the body's water and electrolyte levels after intense excersize or dehydration caused by diarrhea, vomiting, intoxication, and starving - all states I anticipate experiencing on the trail. Also turns out that I could concoct my own oral rehydration therapy system by mixing correct proportions of sugar, salt, and water. But, I'd rather let Gatoraide do it for me with their "Ultimate Ice Warrior" and "Super Mega Explosion Muscle Craze" flavors.
Doctors recommend drinking sports drinks if you are anticipating engaging in extreme exercising conditions over 5 or 6 hours (like climbing up huge mountains all day). If some sort of sports drink isn't embibed, one runs the risk of hyponatremia. WHAT! That is possible? Yes. It is an electrolyte disturbance of the blood which lowers sodium levels to an extreme and can make your brain swell and explode. Don't want that! So, we'll be taking powdered Gatoraide to sprinkle in our freshly UV filtered water...
The Balds
My mother's father's mother's maiden name is Ballard which means bald men in some language, I forget which one. Indeed, all of my mom's brothers are very bald. Most of the mountains we'll be hiking are also Ballards, but unlike my uncles' conditions, the mountain 'balds' cannot be explained by modern science. A hiker will have been trapsing through dense trees for days and then all of a sudden, angels sing and they will stumble out onto an opening that graces the hiker with an awe-inspiring view. How did this forest curtain open and why? Botanists think that the balds are bare of trees because there have been no seeds to reforest them. In the wake of the last glacial epoch there existed a warming period that nearly eliminated spruce and fir from the lower summits of the southern Appalachians. When the climate cooled again, spruce did not recover on these summits because of the absence of a nearby source of seeds. Severe attacks by wind, ice and insects didn't help their chances, either. But these are all just theories and no one really knows why the mountains loose their green hair in certain spots. One bald in particular that Mike and I will be excited to hang out at and air our stinky feet is Gregory Bald Mountain along the AT on the TN/NC border in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The mountain is known as a grassy bald because unlike most of the Appalachian Mountains, its top is covered in thick wild grasses, not trees. The mountain is naturally de-treed, for reasons unknown but in this particular time and climate, the National Park Service has to struggle to keep the area free of trees which is an unusual situation, usually it's the other way around. Gregory Bald's grasses grow on the mountain 5000 meters above sea level. The Cherokee called it Tsistuyi, the rabbit place, because the sly and trickey king of the rabbits ruled there on this grassy heaven, he his called The Great Rabbit, naturally. I hope we meet him. The Cherokee who inhabited this area in America's early history had a name for balds more generally, it is udawagunta. They believed that long ago, hornet like monsters called ulagus swept down and snatched up unwary children travelling in the mountains with their families. The Cherokee people called a meeting and prayed to the Great Spirit to help rid them of these beasts. He acknowledged their cries and sent a huge bolt of lightning to shear off the cliffside when a host of ulagu were gathered on it, destroying them. The Great Spirit decreed that the summits would remain deforested so that the people could station sentinels to keep lookout for other ulagus.
Trail Food
Highest amount of calories and least amount of weight. The calories have to be in the form of carbs to be of use b/c we will need to replenish the 3000-4000 calories/day (about 300/hr) we'll be burning. We'll have to eat roughly 2 lb of food a day if we hike about 15 miles. We'll stock up in towns for about a weeks worth of food at a time and pick up 'trail drops' of food Carol and Mary Ellen will ship us at strategic post offices.
GORP - Good Old Raisin and Peanuts or as Mike says Granola Oats Raisin and Peanuts
Rice and Pasta - Lipton's instant rice and pasta meals (backpackers swear allegiance to them)
Mac and Cheese (venerable)
Ramen (the Ra part means it was given by the sun god himself for use among weary hikers)
Instant dried soups of various sorts
Power Bars of various types, preferrably without the word muscle or intense in the name
Dehydrated Milk - to mix with cream of wheat, oatmeal, and mac and cheese (added calcium)
Dehydrated potatoes (sweet and regular)
Sweet potato pancake mix - the preferred breakfast of Jesus Christ
Peanut butter - lots of it
Jelly - experiment with how long it stays good
Powdered Gatoraide or Pedialite for electrolytes
Bread
Granola
Buffalo Jerkey, Tofu Jerkey
Dried Fruit
Dried Veggies
Cheese - Kraft slices we ate when we were kids works best b/c it is processed and virtually immune to outdoor temperatures
Drink Mixes - Gatoraide and Poweraid or Emergen-C drink powders for electrolites (whatever the hell those are)
GORP - Good Old Raisin and Peanuts or as Mike says Granola Oats Raisin and Peanuts
Rice and Pasta - Lipton's instant rice and pasta meals (backpackers swear allegiance to them)
Mac and Cheese (venerable)
Ramen (the Ra part means it was given by the sun god himself for use among weary hikers)
Instant dried soups of various sorts
Power Bars of various types, preferrably without the word muscle or intense in the name
Dehydrated Milk - to mix with cream of wheat, oatmeal, and mac and cheese (added calcium)
Dehydrated potatoes (sweet and regular)
Sweet potato pancake mix - the preferred breakfast of Jesus Christ
Peanut butter - lots of it
Jelly - experiment with how long it stays good
Powdered Gatoraide or Pedialite for electrolytes
Bread
Granola
Buffalo Jerkey, Tofu Jerkey
Dried Fruit
Dried Veggies
Cheese - Kraft slices we ate when we were kids works best b/c it is processed and virtually immune to outdoor temperatures
Drink Mixes - Gatoraide and Poweraid or Emergen-C drink powders for electrolites (whatever the hell those are)
Drying Food
When thinking about ways to reduce food weight, an important factor is how much water it contains. Water is the heaviest item that takes up space in your pack. The idea is, since we'll be drinking tons of water anyway, there's no need to carry it within our food.
Fresh fruit meets many of the criteria of good ultralight food - high nutritional content, good taste, easy to prepare, and cheap. But fruit has a high water content, which means it's heavy. This is where dehydrated fruit comes into play. All of the fruit's nutritional content remains intact, making dried fruit as close to a perfect ultralight food as you'll find. I've discovered that many hard core backpackers use dehydration machines to suck water out of everything they bring. This immediately brough to mind the Dark Crystal and sucking the water/essence out of those muppets with the big purple crystal. Then, I stopped thinking about that and realized that in order to be a really 'hardcore' backpacker, I had to buy my own fruit vampire device and it wasn't going to be Bunnicula. SO, I ordered a dehydrator. Every day I feel like I'm undertaking a middle school science experiment. It's really awesome. I choose a fruit or veggie, either parboil it or dunk it in lemon juice (to prevent browning), cut it up, arrange the pieces in nice geometric designs on the circular drying racks, turn on the switch, go to bed, wake up, smell the inense flavor of whatever is being water vampired and then VOILA! Little shriveled remnants of the once glorious fruit or veggie that weigh almost nothing and can be put in little plastic baggies. The only problem is, I can't stop munching on these dried goodies and so I've succeeded in saving about 10 pieces of dehydrated food-stuff out of the countless things I've shriveled. I've got to make myself stop eating all of it before the trail! Hopefully I can bribe my mom into dehydrating food while we're gone to pack in our mail drops...I LOVE YOU MOM!!!
Fresh fruit meets many of the criteria of good ultralight food - high nutritional content, good taste, easy to prepare, and cheap. But fruit has a high water content, which means it's heavy. This is where dehydrated fruit comes into play. All of the fruit's nutritional content remains intact, making dried fruit as close to a perfect ultralight food as you'll find. I've discovered that many hard core backpackers use dehydration machines to suck water out of everything they bring. This immediately brough to mind the Dark Crystal and sucking the water/essence out of those muppets with the big purple crystal. Then, I stopped thinking about that and realized that in order to be a really 'hardcore' backpacker, I had to buy my own fruit vampire device and it wasn't going to be Bunnicula. SO, I ordered a dehydrator. Every day I feel like I'm undertaking a middle school science experiment. It's really awesome. I choose a fruit or veggie, either parboil it or dunk it in lemon juice (to prevent browning), cut it up, arrange the pieces in nice geometric designs on the circular drying racks, turn on the switch, go to bed, wake up, smell the inense flavor of whatever is being water vampired and then VOILA! Little shriveled remnants of the once glorious fruit or veggie that weigh almost nothing and can be put in little plastic baggies. The only problem is, I can't stop munching on these dried goodies and so I've succeeded in saving about 10 pieces of dehydrated food-stuff out of the countless things I've shriveled. I've got to make myself stop eating all of it before the trail! Hopefully I can bribe my mom into dehydrating food while we're gone to pack in our mail drops...I LOVE YOU MOM!!!
Whats a hillbilly
We all know that ordinary rural Appalachian suffers from deprecating stereotypes, as in "THe Beverly Hillbillies," "Hee-Haw, " "Lil-Abner", and "Snuffy Smith". Of course, it's not the "hillbillies" themselves who see the profit of these stereotypes.
According to Wikipedia "The origins of the term "hillbilly" are obscure. According to Anthony Harkins in Hillbilly: A Cultural History of an American Icon, the term first appeared in print in a 1900 New York Journal article, with the definition: "a Hill-Billie is a free and untrammeled white citizen of Alabama, who lives in the hills, has no means to speak of, dresses as he can, talks as he pleases, drinks whiskey when he gets it, and fires off his revolver as the fancy takes him." The site goes on to explain, "The Appalachian region was largely settled in the 1700s by the Scotch-Irish, the majority of whom originated in the lowlands of Scotland. Harkins believes the most credible theory of the term's origin is that it derives from the linkage of two older Scottish expressions, "hill-folk" and "billie" which was a synonym for "fellow", similar to "guy" or "bloke"."
Beyond stereotypes, regional historians have assigned four regional characteristics of the Apalachian people: Individualism, Traditionalism, Fatalism, and Fundamentalism.
In 1996, a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission enabled the Center for Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State and the UT Press to create an Encyclopedia of Appalachia, the goal of which was to fight stereotypes and to reveal the true complex and revealing nature of the region: http://utpress.org/Appalachia/
Check it out for more info...I gotta go fill up my coffee.
According to Wikipedia "The origins of the term "hillbilly" are obscure. According to Anthony Harkins in Hillbilly: A Cultural History of an American Icon, the term first appeared in print in a 1900 New York Journal article, with the definition: "a Hill-Billie is a free and untrammeled white citizen of Alabama, who lives in the hills, has no means to speak of, dresses as he can, talks as he pleases, drinks whiskey when he gets it, and fires off his revolver as the fancy takes him." The site goes on to explain, "The Appalachian region was largely settled in the 1700s by the Scotch-Irish, the majority of whom originated in the lowlands of Scotland. Harkins believes the most credible theory of the term's origin is that it derives from the linkage of two older Scottish expressions, "hill-folk" and "billie" which was a synonym for "fellow", similar to "guy" or "bloke"."
Beyond stereotypes, regional historians have assigned four regional characteristics of the Apalachian people: Individualism, Traditionalism, Fatalism, and Fundamentalism.
In 1996, a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission enabled the Center for Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State and the UT Press to create an Encyclopedia of Appalachia, the goal of which was to fight stereotypes and to reveal the true complex and revealing nature of the region: http://utpress.org/Appalachia/
Check it out for more info...I gotta go fill up my coffee.
Aniyunwiya (Cherokee)
Clear archaeological scholarship traces Cherokee beginnings back at least to the beginning of the Mississippian Period, or to about A.D. 1000. By 1650, the Cherokee economy had developed on a varied agricultural base and had a sophisticated trade system that dealt with Europeans and a wide variety of Indian nations - some very distant, like the Iroquois Nation to the north.
When Europeans came into these mountains, the Cherokee dominated the Southern Appalachians by means of a loose confederacy held together by ties of language, kinship, trade, and custom. The Cherokee were surrounded by hostile groups that shared a common temple mound culture, but belonged to different language families, the Creeks, Catawba, and Chickasaws. In fact, Cherokee is Creek for 'people who speak another language" although they call themselves Aniyunwiya, meaning "the principle people". After 1600, until about 1780, the Cherokee were the dominant power in the Southern Appalachians.
For most of the period of their major influence, the Cherokee were situated in some 70 towns, with a total population of around 20,000, though some estimates exceed ten times that population before European contact. The Indians that de Soto encountered when his expedition of 1540 came through to do the usual, look for gold and utterly destroy native peoples in the name of god, they undoubtedly encountered hosts of Cherokee. Probably, they had moved their southern home from the north, where they had been part of the powerful Iroquois people. The Cherokee speak an Iroquoian language, and linguists believed they separated thousands of years ago. The Cherokee believe that their original principal town in the south was Kituwah in Swain County , NC.
Theodore Roosevelt described the Cherokee as, "a bright, intellegent race, better fitted to follow the 'white man's road' than any other Indians." This was intended as a compliment, but regardless of their supposed ease of acculturation, they were still ultimately forced off their ancestral homeland in the southern Appalachians, the very land Mike and I will be walking, to make room for the cows, pigs and god of the white man. Of course, when the whites first made a treaty with the Cherokee in 1798, the Indians surrendered a part of their land to the Government, who pledged to 'guarantee the remainder of the country forever' into the Indians' keeping. "Forever" to the US government meant about 5 years when dealing with Native Americans.
During the War of 1812, the Cherokee helped the US government defeat the Creeks. Even after their assistance in battle, the land-hungry white men would not let the Cherokee live in peace, forcing them to yield almost 6,000 square miles of forest in the heart of the Smokies (1/4 of what was left to them) to the government in 1819.
In order to keep up with the US, the Cherokee established a Christian religion and a republican form of government with a court system, bicameral legislature and of course a constitution. This government was headed by their President, John Ross, son of a Scottish immigrant and Cherokee mother who herself was half white. John Ross defended the cause of the Cherokee until they were forcibly removed from the government.
Now the Aniyunwiya had a US-style government, religious system, and had adopted agriculture, all they needed was a written language. This was supplied by a man, then obscure, but now famous to history, Sequoyah, who developed a writing system between 1809 and 1821. Emblidge says, "He used characters in an old English spelling book, which he could not read, German printed characters and letters out of a Bible, placing them right side up, upside down, adding a few strokes, curlicues, and symbols of his own invention." Soon all the nation learned his language and adopted the Sequoyan print. A Cherokee newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix was printed in Sequoyan. Cherokee Sequoyan alphabet:
Of course, all these accomplishments and attemps on behalf of the Cherokee to relate to the US government meant nothing and the Southern whites demanded rights to the last bit of land that belonged to the Cherokee nation. They recieved $5,000,000 for their seven million acres and were forced to move to the Western US, where they could keep the land there "forever". Cherokee people were forced by the US military to walk West across the Mississippi to Oklahoma in the dead of winter after their houses had been ransacked and livestock stolen by the white soldiers. Many hundreds died on this Trail of Tears. Emblidge says that President Martin Van Buren, advised Congress that , "all had gone well, the Indians having moved to their new homes unreluctantly. The whole movement was having the happiest of effects."
When Europeans came into these mountains, the Cherokee dominated the Southern Appalachians by means of a loose confederacy held together by ties of language, kinship, trade, and custom. The Cherokee were surrounded by hostile groups that shared a common temple mound culture, but belonged to different language families, the Creeks, Catawba, and Chickasaws. In fact, Cherokee is Creek for 'people who speak another language" although they call themselves Aniyunwiya, meaning "the principle people". After 1600, until about 1780, the Cherokee were the dominant power in the Southern Appalachians.
For most of the period of their major influence, the Cherokee were situated in some 70 towns, with a total population of around 20,000, though some estimates exceed ten times that population before European contact. The Indians that de Soto encountered when his expedition of 1540 came through to do the usual, look for gold and utterly destroy native peoples in the name of god, they undoubtedly encountered hosts of Cherokee. Probably, they had moved their southern home from the north, where they had been part of the powerful Iroquois people. The Cherokee speak an Iroquoian language, and linguists believed they separated thousands of years ago. The Cherokee believe that their original principal town in the south was Kituwah in Swain County , NC.
Theodore Roosevelt described the Cherokee as, "a bright, intellegent race, better fitted to follow the 'white man's road' than any other Indians." This was intended as a compliment, but regardless of their supposed ease of acculturation, they were still ultimately forced off their ancestral homeland in the southern Appalachians, the very land Mike and I will be walking, to make room for the cows, pigs and god of the white man. Of course, when the whites first made a treaty with the Cherokee in 1798, the Indians surrendered a part of their land to the Government, who pledged to 'guarantee the remainder of the country forever' into the Indians' keeping. "Forever" to the US government meant about 5 years when dealing with Native Americans.
During the War of 1812, the Cherokee helped the US government defeat the Creeks. Even after their assistance in battle, the land-hungry white men would not let the Cherokee live in peace, forcing them to yield almost 6,000 square miles of forest in the heart of the Smokies (1/4 of what was left to them) to the government in 1819.
In order to keep up with the US, the Cherokee established a Christian religion and a republican form of government with a court system, bicameral legislature and of course a constitution. This government was headed by their President, John Ross, son of a Scottish immigrant and Cherokee mother who herself was half white. John Ross defended the cause of the Cherokee until they were forcibly removed from the government.
Now the Aniyunwiya had a US-style government, religious system, and had adopted agriculture, all they needed was a written language. This was supplied by a man, then obscure, but now famous to history, Sequoyah, who developed a writing system between 1809 and 1821. Emblidge says, "He used characters in an old English spelling book, which he could not read, German printed characters and letters out of a Bible, placing them right side up, upside down, adding a few strokes, curlicues, and symbols of his own invention." Soon all the nation learned his language and adopted the Sequoyan print. A Cherokee newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix was printed in Sequoyan. Cherokee Sequoyan alphabet:
Of course, all these accomplishments and attemps on behalf of the Cherokee to relate to the US government meant nothing and the Southern whites demanded rights to the last bit of land that belonged to the Cherokee nation. They recieved $5,000,000 for their seven million acres and were forced to move to the Western US, where they could keep the land there "forever". Cherokee people were forced by the US military to walk West across the Mississippi to Oklahoma in the dead of winter after their houses had been ransacked and livestock stolen by the white soldiers. Many hundreds died on this Trail of Tears. Emblidge says that President Martin Van Buren, advised Congress that , "all had gone well, the Indians having moved to their new homes unreluctantly. The whole movement was having the happiest of effects."
The People on the Other Side
The Appalache people were one of the principal native inhabitants of what is today Florida. Their primary towns were centered in contemporary Tallahasse and St. Marks. The origin of the name Appalache is uncertain, but it is believed to be a Choctaw word for 'people on the other side'; the Appalache language is linguistically related to that of the Choctaw. The Apalachee were visited by DeSoto in 1539; he set up his winter headquarters on their country because of the rich natural resources. Some believe that DeSoto himself, because he was the first to explore the southern Appalachians, and because he wintered close to the Apalachee, coined the term Appalachian to refer to the mountains he 'discovered' stretching north from Florida. The Spanish chronicles of this winter included comments about the Apalachee's industriousness, agricultural abundance, and fierce fighting abilities. These fearless warriors frequently raided neighboring groups and eventually turned against the Spanish themselves who wanted Florida for their own. The Appalache resisted their Spanish conquerors for a long time, but finally aorund 1600 they were subdued and Christianized, their numbers dwindled due to war and disease and the few Apalachee that remained lived on Spanish missionary posts. Then, when the English decided they wanted Florida, they attached mercilessly destroying Spanish and native settlements alike along with Spanish missions on which many of the Appalache lived. The remnants of the tribe fled for Mobile and many merged with the Creeks to the west.
Trail Prep Bibliography
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers Companion, 16th edition, 2009 - will bring on trail
Bryson, Bill. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. New York: Broadway Books, 1997.
Chazin, Daniel. Appalachian Trail Data Book, 2009. Will bring on trail.
Drake, Richard. A History of Appalachia. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 2001.
Emblidge, David, ed. The Appalachian Trail Reader. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Jenkins, Peter. Walk Across America. Harper Collins Press, 1975.
Kestenbaum, Ryel. The Ultralight Backpacker. Ragged Mountain Press, 2001.
Luxenburg, Larry. Walking the Appalachian Trail.
Mueser, Roland. Long-Distance Hiking: Lessons from the Appalachian Trail. Camden, ME: Ragged Mountain Press, 1998.
Bryson, Bill. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. New York: Broadway Books, 1997.
Chazin, Daniel. Appalachian Trail Data Book, 2009. Will bring on trail.
Drake, Richard. A History of Appalachia. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 2001.
Emblidge, David, ed. The Appalachian Trail Reader. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Jenkins, Peter. Walk Across America. Harper Collins Press, 1975.
Kestenbaum, Ryel. The Ultralight Backpacker. Ragged Mountain Press, 2001.
Luxenburg, Larry. Walking the Appalachian Trail.
Mueser, Roland. Long-Distance Hiking: Lessons from the Appalachian Trail. Camden, ME: Ragged Mountain Press, 1998.
Supply List Extravaganza
The Following is a list of all of the whoozits and whatsits and thingamabob's Mike and I will have in our packs.
Lisa
Backpack - Mountainsmith Titan (I WISH that could be my trailname)
Backpack Cover - Camp Inn, x-tra large, waterproof, not awesome proof
Platypus Water Bladder, 2L
Sleeping Bag - Mountain Hardware, Ultralamina 15, 2lbs, 14 ozm Mummy cut, synthetic down
Z-Light Thermarest Closed-Cell Mattress (14 oz, 410 g)
Spork - Light My Fire brand made by Swedish people so you know its good and its also a beautiful gray 'civilized' color as the tag states
Headlamp - Princeton Tech Scout, 16 lumens, 45g, 80hr battery, water resistant - for hiking at night and attracting aliens and big moths or big moth aliens
Eagle Creek Compression Sacks - small, medium, large to squish the air out of my stuff to make it small and easy to find in my pack
Dr. Bronnen's Magic Soap - 8 oz bottle for washing hair, body, dishes, clothes, soul (the magic part), with tea tree oil
Ben's Deet spray, 1.25 fl oz.
Eagle Creek Travel Bottle Set to contain liquids and vitamins, pills, etc.
waterproof matches kept in a container provided by a wise astrologer and curator (but first and foremost, a friend) - container complete with a whistle, flint strip and compass so I can find my way to coffee icecream!
Toothbrush
BlisterMedic blister aid kit
A special note from Faye - for inspiration
Clothes
Nike Fit Dry shorty running shorts, they weigh -5 oz
4 pairs of Smart Wool Socks
Underarmour skin tight black leggings, a very warm underlayer, also wicking fabric
Lisa
Backpack - Mountainsmith Titan (I WISH that could be my trailname)
Backpack Cover - Camp Inn, x-tra large, waterproof, not awesome proof
Platypus Water Bladder, 2L
Sleeping Bag - Mountain Hardware, Ultralamina 15, 2lbs, 14 ozm Mummy cut, synthetic down
Z-Light Thermarest Closed-Cell Mattress (14 oz, 410 g)
Spork - Light My Fire brand made by Swedish people so you know its good and its also a beautiful gray 'civilized' color as the tag states
Headlamp - Princeton Tech Scout, 16 lumens, 45g, 80hr battery, water resistant - for hiking at night and attracting aliens and big moths or big moth aliens
Eagle Creek Compression Sacks - small, medium, large to squish the air out of my stuff to make it small and easy to find in my pack
Dr. Bronnen's Magic Soap - 8 oz bottle for washing hair, body, dishes, clothes, soul (the magic part), with tea tree oil
Ben's Deet spray, 1.25 fl oz.
Eagle Creek Travel Bottle Set to contain liquids and vitamins, pills, etc.
waterproof matches kept in a container provided by a wise astrologer and curator (but first and foremost, a friend) - container complete with a whistle, flint strip and compass so I can find my way to coffee icecream!
Toothbrush
BlisterMedic blister aid kit
A special note from Faye - for inspiration
Clothes
Nike Fit Dry shorty running shorts, they weigh -5 oz
4 pairs of Smart Wool Socks
Underarmour skin tight black leggings, a very warm underlayer, also wicking fabric
Underarmour t-shirt
"The Hulk" sleeveless t-shirt
North Face long sleeved lightweight black shirt
North Face (very super warm) fleece
North Face light waterproof jacket with hood
Mike
Backpack - Gregory Palisade
Backpack cover - Camp Inn, x-tra large waterproof
Tent - Eureka One-Man OR Mountain Hardware two person (we'll decide before we leave)
Camel Pack - 2 liters
H2 Zoom Handy Recorder (for birds and stories)
Nikon Trailblazer, all terrain binoculars 10x25, waterproof
Eagle Creek Compression Sacks - SML
Spork - like mine but red like danger
Dr. Bronnen's Magic Soap, Hemp Tea Tree (x-tra natural astringent and x-tra hippy)
Waterproof matches
Utilitarian Knife
Toothbrush
Clothes
Nike Fit Dry shorty running shorts - nice legs need short shorts
4 pairs Smart Wool socks
Skibbies top and bottom
AND:
Lifeline First Aid Kit - Adventure 65 piece
2 mini rolls of duct tape for tent/backpack repairs
Mes-kit - pot, bowl, 2 plates, handle that attaches to each implement for heating, 2 cups
Backpacking stove - Crux, lightweight
2 can MSR Iso Pro fuel for stove
Steripen - for water bugs, critters, and evil invisibles
Eagle Creek compression sacks - S, M, L
Knee length Saucony running pant things
All Who Wander Are Not Lost t-shirt from my fellow CA's
Beautiful African bracelet from Kimberly, my good luck charm
Skibbies top and bottom
Bandanna from '05 with gel to keep me cool
Eastern Mountain Sports Polartec gloves
Ball cap
All Who Wander Are Not Lost t-shirt from my fellow CA's
Beautiful African bracelet from Kimberly, my good luck charm
Skibbies top and bottom
Bandanna from '05 with gel to keep me cool
Eastern Mountain Sports Polartec gloves
Ball cap
super light Running shorts (will wear these most of the time)
Merrell Women's Hiking Boots
Keen waterproof sandals - each pound on your feet is like 5 pounds on your back
Mike
Backpack - Gregory Palisade
Backpack cover - Camp Inn, x-tra large waterproof
Tent - Eureka One-Man OR Mountain Hardware two person (we'll decide before we leave)
Camel Pack - 2 liters
H2 Zoom Handy Recorder (for birds and stories)
Nikon Trailblazer, all terrain binoculars 10x25, waterproof
Eagle Creek Compression Sacks - SML
Spork - like mine but red like danger
Dr. Bronnen's Magic Soap, Hemp Tea Tree (x-tra natural astringent and x-tra hippy)
Waterproof matches
Utilitarian Knife
Toothbrush
Clothes
Nike Fit Dry shorty running shorts - nice legs need short shorts
4 pairs Smart Wool socks
Skibbies top and bottom
Underarmour tight black pants
Fleece
AND:
Lifeline First Aid Kit - Adventure 65 piece
2 mini rolls of duct tape for tent/backpack repairs
Mes-kit - pot, bowl, 2 plates, handle that attaches to each implement for heating, 2 cups
Backpacking stove - Crux, lightweight
2 can MSR Iso Pro fuel for stove
Steripen - for water bugs, critters, and evil invisibles
Eagle Creek compression sacks - S, M, L
Sunscreen
Lip Balm
Small Towels
Zippered plastic bags
Packing directions (From bottom up)
Every item must earn its place in your pack. Judge the necessity of each item against its weight, then decide whether you really need to bring it.
1. sleeping bag
2. shelter
3. clothes in stuff sack
4. water bladder between clothing stuff sack and back, upside down so gravity works better
5. Fuel bottles and canisters
6. Food and mes kit
7. Rain gear above food if forecast is for rain
8. Packs top pocket - plastic bag with toiletries, maps, cord, first aid, knife, snack
9. External - sleeping pad
Small Towels
Zippered plastic bags
Packing directions (From bottom up)
Every item must earn its place in your pack. Judge the necessity of each item against its weight, then decide whether you really need to bring it.
1. sleeping bag
2. shelter
3. clothes in stuff sack
4. water bladder between clothing stuff sack and back, upside down so gravity works better
5. Fuel bottles and canisters
6. Food and mes kit
7. Rain gear above food if forecast is for rain
8. Packs top pocket - plastic bag with toiletries, maps, cord, first aid, knife, snack
9. External - sleeping pad
Spearfinger
The following is a Cherokee legend about an evil witch who inhabits the forests of the southern Appalachians.
Whiteside Mountain, at 4,950 feet, boasts the highest exposed rock cliff in the eastern US. It is also the the dwelling place of an evil witch, known to the Cherokee, that eats the livers of unsuspecting children. The area is littered with rocks and a jutting formation on the east side of Whiteside Mountain is known as the Devil's Courthouse, while a large boulder about halfway up the formation is known as Satan's throne.
A regular visitor to the courthouse and throne of the devil was a witch known as Spearfinger who could change shape into any natural element at will. The only way she was noticable in this guise was by the long spear-shaped finger that jutted out of the element she was emulating. Her natural form was a withered old hag, but her skin was yellow and as ancient as the rocks she called her home; she smelled like rotting flesh. Like Ludo, the hairy guy from the Labyrinth, Spearfinger had the power to control rocks and could move huge boulders with her powers and send them flying through the air at any unsuspecting Cherokee warrior who wandered too close.
Although she revelled in the destruction of any human, the witch particularly enjoyed killing children and eating their livers. She would sit in a guise as a sweet old lady by a berry patch and softly call to 'grand children', promising to braid their hair or give them some chocolate covered grasshoppers. When the kids got too close, she would lull them to sleep by singing softly and then quick as lighting, pierce their skin with her spear finger and scoop out their yummy livers.
After so many kids had been snatched away by Spearfinger, all the village warriors decided that something needed to be done. They dug a deep pit around the Devils Throne and covered it in brush and twigs to hide it. Along came a little old lady who looked so innocent and cute that the warriors were doubtful whether it could be Spearfinger. Some warriors were about to jump out and warn the peaceful old Cherokee grandmother about the hole but wild turkey ran by their hiding place, destracting them so for just enough time for the litte old lady to fall into the pit and BEHOLD it was Spearfinger! She screamed and stank and screamed some more, sending her legions of flies to attack the eyes of the warriors so they could'nt dodge the rocks she was flinging all over with her mind. The warriors threw spears and axes and nothing could pierce the hard flesh of the witch. She gnashed her rocky teeth and spit acid at them out of the pit and with every scream she would try to haul herself out of her cage with her spear finger. After hours of battle, the Cherokee warriors were becoming worried that they would be defeated. They were exhuasted and nothing they did would wound the witch. Their arrows broke and snapped like twigs around her. Spearfinger saw that she was winning and taunted them saying she would climb out the pit and tear them limb from limb. A small bird the Cherokee call tsi-kilili, the Carolina chickadee, watched all of this from a nearby spruce branch and began to sing to the warriors ."Here, here, here." The chicadee bravely alighted upon the yellow witch's deadly finger and Spearfinger could not shake the little bird loose. The warriors understood that tsi-kilili was instructing them to shoot arrows at her spear finger. They did it and the witch screamed terribly, bleeding profusely and died in the pit. The chickadee lifted in flight as the old witch died. The witch was buried where she lay, at the bottom of the pit. Some believe she turned herself into one of the rocks in the pitfall and lives to stalk today. It is still considered a foreboding of bad luck when a fly is found bussing around a rock in the Nantahala National Forest in autumn and it is always considered good-luck to greet the wise and helpful chickadee's flitting around the forest canopy.
Whiteside Mountain, at 4,950 feet, boasts the highest exposed rock cliff in the eastern US. It is also the the dwelling place of an evil witch, known to the Cherokee, that eats the livers of unsuspecting children. The area is littered with rocks and a jutting formation on the east side of Whiteside Mountain is known as the Devil's Courthouse, while a large boulder about halfway up the formation is known as Satan's throne.
A regular visitor to the courthouse and throne of the devil was a witch known as Spearfinger who could change shape into any natural element at will. The only way she was noticable in this guise was by the long spear-shaped finger that jutted out of the element she was emulating. Her natural form was a withered old hag, but her skin was yellow and as ancient as the rocks she called her home; she smelled like rotting flesh. Like Ludo, the hairy guy from the Labyrinth, Spearfinger had the power to control rocks and could move huge boulders with her powers and send them flying through the air at any unsuspecting Cherokee warrior who wandered too close.
Although she revelled in the destruction of any human, the witch particularly enjoyed killing children and eating their livers. She would sit in a guise as a sweet old lady by a berry patch and softly call to 'grand children', promising to braid their hair or give them some chocolate covered grasshoppers. When the kids got too close, she would lull them to sleep by singing softly and then quick as lighting, pierce their skin with her spear finger and scoop out their yummy livers.
After so many kids had been snatched away by Spearfinger, all the village warriors decided that something needed to be done. They dug a deep pit around the Devils Throne and covered it in brush and twigs to hide it. Along came a little old lady who looked so innocent and cute that the warriors were doubtful whether it could be Spearfinger. Some warriors were about to jump out and warn the peaceful old Cherokee grandmother about the hole but wild turkey ran by their hiding place, destracting them so for just enough time for the litte old lady to fall into the pit and BEHOLD it was Spearfinger! She screamed and stank and screamed some more, sending her legions of flies to attack the eyes of the warriors so they could'nt dodge the rocks she was flinging all over with her mind. The warriors threw spears and axes and nothing could pierce the hard flesh of the witch. She gnashed her rocky teeth and spit acid at them out of the pit and with every scream she would try to haul herself out of her cage with her spear finger. After hours of battle, the Cherokee warriors were becoming worried that they would be defeated. They were exhuasted and nothing they did would wound the witch. Their arrows broke and snapped like twigs around her. Spearfinger saw that she was winning and taunted them saying she would climb out the pit and tear them limb from limb. A small bird the Cherokee call tsi-kilili, the Carolina chickadee, watched all of this from a nearby spruce branch and began to sing to the warriors ."Here, here, here." The chicadee bravely alighted upon the yellow witch's deadly finger and Spearfinger could not shake the little bird loose. The warriors understood that tsi-kilili was instructing them to shoot arrows at her spear finger. They did it and the witch screamed terribly, bleeding profusely and died in the pit. The chickadee lifted in flight as the old witch died. The witch was buried where she lay, at the bottom of the pit. Some believe she turned herself into one of the rocks in the pitfall and lives to stalk today. It is still considered a foreboding of bad luck when a fly is found bussing around a rock in the Nantahala National Forest in autumn and it is always considered good-luck to greet the wise and helpful chickadee's flitting around the forest canopy.
Tenants of MacKaye's Seminal AT Essay
The following lists the four main tenants of MacKayes seminal essay on the Appalachian Trail, published in the October 1921 issue of The Journal of the American Institute of Architects.
The Trail
Walking trails had already been carved out by groups in the east, such as the Appalachian Mountain Club in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Green Mountain Club in Vermont. The Appalachian Trail would eventually form a cohesive trail, cared for by individual trail groups in each state that it passed through. MacKaye first envisioned the trail to stretch from the highest point in the north, Mount Washington, to the highest point in the south, Mount Mitchell. Blazing the trail, MacKaye stated, would be done by volunteers because, "...after all, volunteer 'work' is really 'play'." This wonderful/crazy outlook on life shows that MacKaye was probably not invited to many parties in college. He foresaw the whole AT project as a non-profit endeavor, that would harness the free time of 40,000 Americans a year who would hack away wilderness to form a trail instead of going to the beach for their 2-week a year vacations. This may give the reader a clue to why the AT today is not the one envisioned by MacKaye in the 1920s.
Shelter Camps
MacKayes essay described shelter camps that would hold equipment for use along the trail and would be located about a days walk apart for maximum convenience. He described them as Swiss-chalet type structures that would enable the weary traveler to rest and eat.
Community Camps
MacKaye believed that community camps would grow naturally out of shelter camps. They would be used for non-industrial community recreation, recuperation and study (field schools for colleges, etc.). The community camps would also serve a higher need, according to MacKaye, as a battle line against fire, flood and even disease.
Food and Farm Camps
Naturally supplementing the community camps, the food and farm camps would grow in adjacent valleys and would provide jobs for many Americans dissolusioned from their current positions as professional sitters in offices in tall rectuangular buildings. These camps would also harvest timber to provide fuel and building materials for the other camps.
The Trail
Walking trails had already been carved out by groups in the east, such as the Appalachian Mountain Club in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Green Mountain Club in Vermont. The Appalachian Trail would eventually form a cohesive trail, cared for by individual trail groups in each state that it passed through. MacKaye first envisioned the trail to stretch from the highest point in the north, Mount Washington, to the highest point in the south, Mount Mitchell. Blazing the trail, MacKaye stated, would be done by volunteers because, "...after all, volunteer 'work' is really 'play'." This wonderful/crazy outlook on life shows that MacKaye was probably not invited to many parties in college. He foresaw the whole AT project as a non-profit endeavor, that would harness the free time of 40,000 Americans a year who would hack away wilderness to form a trail instead of going to the beach for their 2-week a year vacations. This may give the reader a clue to why the AT today is not the one envisioned by MacKaye in the 1920s.
Shelter Camps
MacKayes essay described shelter camps that would hold equipment for use along the trail and would be located about a days walk apart for maximum convenience. He described them as Swiss-chalet type structures that would enable the weary traveler to rest and eat.
Community Camps
MacKaye believed that community camps would grow naturally out of shelter camps. They would be used for non-industrial community recreation, recuperation and study (field schools for colleges, etc.). The community camps would also serve a higher need, according to MacKaye, as a battle line against fire, flood and even disease.
Food and Farm Camps
Naturally supplementing the community camps, the food and farm camps would grow in adjacent valleys and would provide jobs for many Americans dissolusioned from their current positions as professional sitters in offices in tall rectuangular buildings. These camps would also harvest timber to provide fuel and building materials for the other camps.
Trail Fathers
The following describes three men who most nurtured the trail in its infancy.
Benton MacKaye
Born in Connecticut in 1897, Benton MacKaye's childhood involved wandering around the forests surrounding his home with his boyhood friends. Their days were consumed with scouting, hacking out trails, and generally carrying around large amounts of frogs in their pockets. Such a childhood makes one 78% more likely to harbor a love of the natural world in ones heart throughout a lifetime. Benton pursued his childhood interests into college and graduated from Harvard in 1905 with a degree in Forestry the same year that Gifford Pinchot organized the US Forest Service. Pinchot hired MacKaye fresh out of college, still dripping in his Harvard-ness, wrung him out, slapped some hiking boots on him and set him to work surveying and mapping the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire. MacKaye developed an interest in community planning and combined it with his degree in Forestry to create idealistic plans of forming utopian societies along the Appalachian ridgeline that would protect the great forests from the wildfires of industrialization and modernism. MacKaye has been described as, "A 19th century New England reformer strayed into the Jazz Age. His political radicalism partook of pre-Marxist utopian socialisms, bucolic and spiritual, rather than the urban, gritty, proletarianism of this century." MacKaye first published his idealistic essay on his grand plan of an Appalachian Trail in the Oct. 1921 issue of the Journal of the American Institute of Architects.
Judge Arthur Perkins
Judge Perkins, also from Connecticut, had climbed the Matterhorn in his youth, but otherwise devoted himself to a law career until the late 50s. After MacKaye's article had been published and word had spread about the AT idea, Perkins set out to scout possible trail routes in Connecticut in 1925. By 1928, he had become chariman of the second AT conference and roamed up and down the AT corridor enlisting workers, forming clubs and plotting routes. Emblidge exclaims that AT was built from the bottom up by men who took a section of 50 miles and got the job done. The leader who, more than any other found and motivated them was Judge Perkins.
Myron Avery
One of the trail clubs that Perkins was influential in forming was the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club in Maryland, founded in 1927. A key figure in this club was Myron Avery, who took advantage of the rule at this time that people could become important maritime lawyers when they were 27. Perkins was impressed by Avery and his 27 year old lawyerness and enlisted him to become his personal assistant, destined to become the AT chairman after Perkins death. The old judge imparted his pragmatic, no-nonsense, non-pipesmoking characteristics upon the young lawyer. Not suprisingly, Avery did not agree with MacKayes rambling utopian visions and the two men were constantly at odds and didn't speak to each other for years after a particularly viscous argument after an ATC meeting.
Benton MacKaye
Born in Connecticut in 1897, Benton MacKaye's childhood involved wandering around the forests surrounding his home with his boyhood friends. Their days were consumed with scouting, hacking out trails, and generally carrying around large amounts of frogs in their pockets. Such a childhood makes one 78% more likely to harbor a love of the natural world in ones heart throughout a lifetime. Benton pursued his childhood interests into college and graduated from Harvard in 1905 with a degree in Forestry the same year that Gifford Pinchot organized the US Forest Service. Pinchot hired MacKaye fresh out of college, still dripping in his Harvard-ness, wrung him out, slapped some hiking boots on him and set him to work surveying and mapping the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire. MacKaye developed an interest in community planning and combined it with his degree in Forestry to create idealistic plans of forming utopian societies along the Appalachian ridgeline that would protect the great forests from the wildfires of industrialization and modernism. MacKaye has been described as, "A 19th century New England reformer strayed into the Jazz Age. His political radicalism partook of pre-Marxist utopian socialisms, bucolic and spiritual, rather than the urban, gritty, proletarianism of this century." MacKaye first published his idealistic essay on his grand plan of an Appalachian Trail in the Oct. 1921 issue of the Journal of the American Institute of Architects.
Judge Arthur Perkins
Judge Perkins, also from Connecticut, had climbed the Matterhorn in his youth, but otherwise devoted himself to a law career until the late 50s. After MacKaye's article had been published and word had spread about the AT idea, Perkins set out to scout possible trail routes in Connecticut in 1925. By 1928, he had become chariman of the second AT conference and roamed up and down the AT corridor enlisting workers, forming clubs and plotting routes. Emblidge exclaims that AT was built from the bottom up by men who took a section of 50 miles and got the job done. The leader who, more than any other found and motivated them was Judge Perkins.
Myron Avery
One of the trail clubs that Perkins was influential in forming was the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club in Maryland, founded in 1927. A key figure in this club was Myron Avery, who took advantage of the rule at this time that people could become important maritime lawyers when they were 27. Perkins was impressed by Avery and his 27 year old lawyerness and enlisted him to become his personal assistant, destined to become the AT chairman after Perkins death. The old judge imparted his pragmatic, no-nonsense, non-pipesmoking characteristics upon the young lawyer. Not suprisingly, Avery did not agree with MacKayes rambling utopian visions and the two men were constantly at odds and didn't speak to each other for years after a particularly viscous argument after an ATC meeting.
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