End of March '08 Report

Closing out March with a count of 300+ thru-hikers from almost all 50 states. The weather has been good overall. The April hikers are coming through now and the numbers are picking up. I will be on the AT until April 21st. After that I will be packing up to leave for the PCT. The folks at Fontana Village Resort have graciously accommodated the ridgerunners again this year and we appreciate their support of the Ridgerunner/Caretaker program.

Attached are a couple of photos of interest. Photo 1 shows the beautiful hoar frost. Photo 2 is an evening at Mollies Ridge. Photo 3 is the trail repaired after a downed tree roots created a hole in the middle of the trail.

It has been a pleasure meeting all the March 2008 thru-hikers.

Keep hiking,
Greybeard

FIRST FULL WEEK 2008 RR SEASON

March 17th closes out the first full week maintaining the AT from Fontana to Mollies Ridge Shelter and up to Spence Field and back. I usually hike out on Thursday morning and come off the trail on Monday afternoon. Tuesday and Wednesday I am based at Fontana Village. The folks at Fontana graciously provide a cabin for the RRs off days.

Also happy to report that everyone we speak to about my upcoming PCT hike are very supportive and especially about the fact that I am hiking for the Home of the Innocents . We have a total of 5 colorful posters on display at Fontana and in Gatlinburg.

There have been several NOBO thru hikers so far this year and I even met one SOBO hiker. Great group of hikers. Attached are several photos for your enjoyment.

Keep hiking,
Greybeard

Arrive at GSMNP Headquarters

After a great send off reception at my church on Sunday night, I have arrived in the Smoky Mountains to begin the 2008 Ridgerunner (RR) Season. The next couple of days I will be meeting with the other RRs to get up to speed on any new equipment, rules, etc. I look forward to hiking and maintaining the trail from Fontana to Mollies Ridge. Especially eager to meet this year's thru-hikers. Keep hiking,

Greybeard

2007 AT Ridgerunner Season

How to Contribute to the Home of the Innocents

The best way to contribute toward the Home of the Innocent's Capitol fund and sponsor Greybeard's long distance trek is to visit http://www.homeoftheinnocents.org/ web site. Enter the site via the "enter" icon. When you scroll down you will see Carl's blog link. However, don't click there. On the sidebar of the 1st page of the Home's web site you will see a "How You Can Help" link. Arrow over to "Make a Gift Today". That will take you directly to the secure form to contribute via Visa or MasterCard. Your contribution will go directly to the Home's Capitol fund. Or, if you'd rather mail in your pledge, you can download the form and mail it directly to the Home.
Shirley
shirleygoodman@insightbb.com

In training

Just a quick update on my PCT training. I've been hiking 8 to 9 miles 5 days a week wearing a 20 lb vest and carrying a 20 lb day pack. It has been cold and snowy the last few days but all the best for getting the old bones prepared for what lies ahead. I leave for the Smokys March 4th for my seasonal Appalachian Trail ridgerunner job. Passing on information to hikers and assisting them when needed is my main function and I do some trail maintenance such as cleaning out water bars and clearing blowdowns from the trail. This year my work for the Smoky Mountain Park Service and The Appalachian Trail Conservancy will double as my final physical preparation for the PCT starting April 28. Keep hiking.
Greybeard

kygreybeard on the PCT

Bookmark this BLOG to stay up to date on the progress of my long distance hike on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) (http://www.pcta.org/) in the spring 2008.

My name is Carl Goodman from Louisville, KY. I am married to Shirley, my wife of 45 years. Together we have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. I am an avid long distance hiker. Also, for three months each year I am a ridgerunner for the southern most section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Greybeard is my trail name. I thru-hiked the AT in 1999 at age 58. The AT (www.appalachiantrail.org ) is a continuous marked footpath that goes from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, a distance of about 2160 miles. This year, I plan to hike another one of the jewels in the triple-crown of America’s scenic trails, the PCT. It spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through three western states.

My plan is to use this adventure as a fund raiser for the Home of the Innocents, an organization in my home town that provides services to abused, neglected or medically fragile children. The Home is the community's open arms to children and families in crises. I have arranged with the Home an opportunity for those who are interested to contribute to the Home through their web site, http://www.homeoftheinnocents.org/.

Through the Home's web site and a link from this BLOG you can track where I am on the PCT and if you would like to support this worthwhile organization, you may pledge per mile or per hundred miles or any amount of money directly to the Home. Specific details on how to contribute will be posted soon.

Greybeard
carlgoodman@insightbb.com