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