AT RR 2020 Season

April 22, 2020
Hello folks:

After 16 Seasons, I am still ridgerunning and, as this updated photo depicts, standing at the Fontana Trailhead, but no longer accessible due to COVID19.  I have done 2 weeks patrols this season and have been sheltering in place off Trail in Fontana Village, tasking for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy; since the virus has dominated our lives.  I am appreciative of the ATC for its continued concern and commitment to all who tread the Trail while the ATC continues working hard to preserve and protect the AT for future generations to come.
    I often think as I work off trail, how difficult it was for this seasons thru hikers to leave the trail after committing so much time in preparing for "their hike of a lifetime".  I look back on my preparations for my own AT thru hike and cringe at the thought. I reared a family, and retired before I could realize that dream I had when I first realized what that White Blaze I was seeing on the trees was about.  I knew it was a trail marker as I day hiked north from Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains.  It was The Trail, It goes to Maine my buddy said and I was hooked right then. I had a dream; I did realize my dream and hope the same for you..
    A thankful old 1999 thru hiker/Ridgerunner, Carl, AKA Greybeard.
Keep hiking.
     

My Grandson

June 11, 2015
     Hiking has been a major part of my life in recent years, both due to Spring Ridgerunning Season for the past 12 years, as well as endeavoring to keep in shape during the 9 months between Seasons.
     I could provide a long list of rewards associated with working in the 'Park' (GSMNP), not the least of which is better health, enjoying one of the National Park System's "Crown" jewels and being a small part of it. It's awesome!
     I finished my 2015 Spring Season on the 25th of May then took my 9 year old grandson, Matthew, for a short loop in the Smokies a week later.
     We spent a night in the Cades Cove Campground and started our loop out of the Cove on Anthony Creek Trail the next morning headed for a night at Russell Field Shelter.  Determined not to overburden "Matthew", I kept his pack weight minimal only to follow him up to Russell Field like he was 'rolling down hill' with a tailwind.  On the way up, his vocal chords showed no lack for oxygen either.
     Matt's enthusiasm for the entire trip seemed the equivalent of my embarking on my thru-hikes, both the AT and PCT together.  He did not see 'Smoky Bear', only a doe wandering through the woods and Spence Field's resident Gobbler strutting around, but he headed home talking about doing the "whole" Smokies next time.
     Never have I enjoyed being called a "hiker" more than the day after returning home, while walking through Home Depot at a brisk pace with Matt right beside me, when 9-year-old Matthew looked up at me and said:  "People are watching us and they're saying they are hikers."
     I am so blessed!

Peering over AT Sign 

Shelter 

To Rocky Top

 
 Rhododendron

Spence Field

Water fall on Anthony Creek Trail

APPALACHIAN SPRING

The Beauty of Spring Wildflowers
     Posting some of the beautiful wildflowers that are now in full bloom on the AT.  There are many more throughout the Great Smoky Mountains but the photos here are some of the ones on my section between Fontana Dam Trailhead and Spence Field.


Yellow Trillium

Pink Lady Slippers

Phacelia and Violets

Painted Trillium

Fringed Phacelia

Dwarf Iris

Wild Geranium

Large Flower (White) Trillium

Enjoy & Keep Hiking,
Carl Goodman, ATRR
aka KY Greybeard
GA/ME '99
PCT 2008



PRINCESS OF THE WOODS

5/12/2015
     Flowers in the Smokies are varied and plentiful.  I am often asked about different flowers by hikers.  I look forward all the varieties but especially the LADY SLIPPERS which are poking out of the ground and some days from full bloom.
     I have found several locations for the Pink ones, with 50 or more in one particular area, 100 feet north of the "Throne" and about halfway to Shuckstack from Fontana Trailhead.
     The larger, showier YELLOW Slippers I have found are in only one place and never more than 2 blooms.  The YELLOW ones are about 1 week later than the Pink and should be in bloom with two weeks.

 

Ah!  May 10, 2015. 

It is 15" tall, and in all it's glory -

PRINCESS OF THE WOODS

Our one lone

 YELLOW Lady Slipper



 

"WARRANTIES"

5/11/2015
LEKI Trekking Poles
     Many years ago, I replaced my old "ski poles" with Leki Trekking Poles. My current pair of Titanium poles have been the length of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and thousands of miles on the Appalachian Trail (AT) while working as a Ridgerunner in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Recently, I noticed split sections made collapsing the poles difficult.
     I contacted Leki via the Leki website and, after receiving new middle and lower sections, I am pleased to be using my poles again just like they were brand new.
     I recall on my AT thru-hike in '99, a fellow hiker bent a pole in a stream and after reaching Leki Company by phone, he had a replacement pole at the next local Post Office.
      I appreciate excellent gear and companies who stand by their product warranties.
"MY NEW DIRTY GIRLS"
     With the weather warming up, I wanted to replace my 'heavy' gaiters with lighter weight ones.  So I decided to order a set of "DIRTY GIRLS".  Now, I purchased an Olive Green pair, but the colors and patterns are endless.
     I am even more pleased with them than I expected and after several trips, they are better than anything I have used.  The Velcro strip has adhered perfectly to my Merrill's, both pair.  I am not sure it was necessary, but I cut the Velcro one-half inch longer than the part sewed to the Gaiters and there is plenty left over for additional shoes.
     The quick response I got when I needed them was so helpful since I am on the trail daily.  No wonder so many thru-hikers are wearing DIRTY GIRL GAITERS.
Keep hiking,
Carl Goodman, aka KY Greybeard
GA/ME '99, PCT '08
ATC RR

    

The Dam Trail

4/29/2015
     Fontana Dam has been closed to vehicular traffic for the entire season, although it may yet be opened before the end of May.  It has never, in twelve seasons, been closed this long.  Many section, weekend and day hikers are disappointed as am I; and for me, it means walking that extra 3/4 mile 2 to 4 times every week.
     Oh well!  It just makes me arrive about thirty minutes later at my destination and does not affect the thru-hikers.  And Maintenance is actually what keeps the wheels turning.
     This is a photo of the Dam this past Sunday morning around 0700 when I walked across on my way to the trailhead.
Keep hiking,
Carl, ATC Ridgerunner
aka KY Greybeard
GAME '99
PCT 2008

    

LEAVE NO TRACE - "REALLY"

4/17/2015  I love to meet folk who show or talk about trash and litter they have picked up along the trail or at Shelters they have passed from Springer; people who must look ahead to a time when sons and daughters, or grandchildren will come to our wild lands to discover this 'treasure' we know, and love, as the Appalachian Trail. 
    Today, I met two young thru-hikers, Seth Orme, (Cap) and Joe Dehnert (Loose), at Spence Field, who have dedicated themselves to gathering what 'unthinking' others have left behind.  These two are weighing and logging poundage as they deposit their collection at points along the way.  They had carried a bag of tent poles weighing 6 lbs., (among other trash and litter), from south of Mollies to drop off at Clingman's.
    "Cap" and "Loose" represent the epitome of all LNT practitioners.  www.PackingItOut.blogspot.com.  By the way, I offered to carry out the tent poles to lighten their load since, I am sure, they would be adding to their cache between Mollies and the "Dome".
Keep hiking,
Carl, aka KY Greybeard
AT RR
GAME '99
PCT 2008

"SAR" - Search & Rescue

4/20/2015
     I took part in a SAR on 4/4 this year and, as is sometimes the case, an individual just needs rest or provisions and a little assistance, and is not actually injured or lost.  Such was the case on the 4th of April when 3 hikers over extended themselves. 
     On Monday, the 20th, I was reminded of a SAR several years ago when I ran in to Amy Allen.  She was heading North and I was heading South, finishing up another RR week in the Smokies.  I had met Amy at about this time 10 years ago, "or more", when she had twisted her ankle and was stuck at Russell Field Shelter.  Other hikers had contacted Park officials who contacted me requesting I evaluate and assist is possible.  Together, we determined Amy just could not safely hike down to Cades Cove carrying her pack.
     I left my pack at Russell, locked up in the Maintainer Box, took her pack, and walked her down to Cades.  She thanked me, I returned her pack, and I hiked back to Russell.
     On this encounter, Amy let me know that she was the individual I had helped hike out and that 8 days later she recovered, got back on the trail and eventually completed her thru-hike.  Then she informed me that she had written a book and said,"You're in it."
     I am looking forward to getting a copy of "Summoning the Mountains" by Amy Allen.  Also, I was not surprised to learn she and I have a mutual friend in legendary long distance hiker, Nimblewill "Nomad" whom I hiked with in 2008 on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).  I was honored, encouraged and hold memories, not so different from Amy's on THAT PCT thru-hike.
     I am blessed, and pleased to know I have, on occasion, literally helped someone have a better day!
Keep hiking,
Carl Goodman, aka KY Greybeard
GAME '99
PCT '2008

"Animal" Passed thru-hiking Again

4/15/2015
I missed 'Animal' this year.  He is one of my perennial favorites.  He carries all his food in a 5 gallon bucket which he has carried to Katahdin several times.  He is one tough individual.  This photo is his 2012 thru-hiker.
  Welcome back 'Animal'.  Sorry I missed you.
Keep hiking,
Carl, aka KY Greybeard
GAME 1999
PCT 2008

A FAMILY GREETING

3/16/2015
  I met a young man of Korean decent, Eric, I think was his name.  We talked as we hiked down the trail.  I found myself remembering and relating experiences I had with several young Korean men whom I got to know through a Korean Airman I met while stationed at Kunsan Air Force Base - 1964.  I had so many good times there.
  I related to Eric a family welcome at a Korean home like no other.  I received a "greeting" (verbally and with a bow) from every member of the family in traditional dress; about 15 family members in all. 
  The encounter began with the smallest little girl through the grandmama-san, repeated with the males, ending with the grandpapa-san in splendid white attire complete with very high, white stovepipe hat and snow white Fu manchu beard.
  The experience was a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience I will never forget.
Keep hiking,
Carl, aka KY Greybeard
GAME 1999
PCT 2008