Spring 2011 Thoughts

Spring hiking season 2011 has gone well to this point. I have cleared all old blowdowns on my section of the past winter from Fontana Dam trailhead to Spence Field in the Smoky Mountains National Park.
I have worked this section for nine seasons now with an occasional week in the northern end of the Park. I have come to regard the section out of Fontana as my own and get a lot of satisfaction when I often hear from the hikers how good the trails are here and so clear of debris.
This past week I went north of Spence Field to Derrick Knob Shelter to clear the blowdowns across the trail in that section. So many downed trees slow and drain the hikers of energy.
This season I have been collecting plastic bottles from shelters and along the trail which I fill with all sorts of paper, plastic and cans which I smash and stuff into the empty plastic bottles picked up. I plan to eventually post a photo of them to remind hikers of the need for LNT (Leave No Trace) practices in the backcountry. Each bottle will hold 10 times or more what could be put in a plastic bag and takes up much less room in a backpack; and the mice can't get to the trash.
I meet so many, interesting people including "Chef Dave" who looks to be carrying more than most. I took his picture and asked if he objected to me posting it. He agreed (see older post) and told me his pack weight was down to about 90 lbs. I was astonished. Then he then said he left Springer with about 120 lbs. All I can say is 'whatever floats your boat'.
You gotta love the hiker community.
Keep hiking,
Carl (aka KY Greybeard)

On the Trail Again

On Saturday 4/16/11 I came on a Northbounder I had seen in 2009 (see older 2009 post). Cimarron is a source of encouragement to all of us on the "long trails" of this land. He is now 88 years young, soon to be 89. I tried to picture myself at that age. To reach that point and to still be vertical would be a feat in itself. I certainly share his lifestyle - don't smoke, don't drink and stay active. In my opinion, it has served him well. Cimarron is not a person of physical stature but we all look up to him. Where we be at age 88, encouraging others or simply 'pushing up daisies'?
Keep hiking,
Carl, aka KY Greybeard

TRAIL WORK

Photos of blowdowns I cleared making it more pleasant to hike the beautiful AT trails through the GSMNP.

Met a 2008 PCT thru-hiker at Fontana Trailhead

I was surprised and delighted to see a 2008 PCT thru-hiker, trail name "Moonpie", my first week on the job. She was parked at the Fontana Dam trailhead greeting AT thru-hikers with trail magic. We talked about our PCT hiking experience. Great to hear that she is doing well. Stay in touch "Moonpie".

Keep hiking,

Carl (aka KY Greybeard)

Weather turns cold!

Wow! We had great (even hot) weather all last week. Not so this week. It got down right chilly last night. Lots of thru-hikers though. Must have talked with 30 or more while I was cleaning the waterbars on the trail. Here is a photo of ChefBigDave - met him last week. Requesting other hikers to email me a copy of your Katadin photo and I will post it here on my blog. My email address is carlgoodman@insightbb.com.

Keep hiking,

Carl (aka KY Greybeard)

A great crew!

2011 AT Ridgerunner Season Begins

2011 AT RR Season

begins with a week of special Wilderness First-Aid Training. The ATC brought in Phil Hart from the Wilderness Medicine Institute of the National Outdoor Leadership School. The training was exceptional and included (to name a few) classes on surveying a backcountry accident scene, establishing responsiveness of the injured and how to make an evacuation decision. Here are a few photos to enjoy.
Keep hiking,

Carl (aka KY Greybeard)

Photo friendly tree on the AT near Gregory Bald.

This also a great place to stop for a quick nap and a bite to eat.

Keep hiking

Carl "KY Greybeard" Goodman

Repeat AT thru-hikers are Welcomed

One of the perks for me as a seasonal ATC Ridge Runner in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) is meeting and greeting AT thru-hikers who are ‘repeaters’ - those who hike the trail year after year.

Recently, I met Friz, a repeat thru-hiker and old ‘friend’, on the trail. Friz and I met at Spence Field years ago and since then, I have grown to appreciate him. His love of the Smokys and Leave No Trace practices are never verbalized but always ‘heard’ loud and clear as evidenced by his personal trail practices.

Barbara (trail name Wild Poodle)(center spot in photo) came up to Mollies with Calm and Cindy. The three ladies make a great group of hikers. I met Wild Poodle when she hiked through the Smoky section in 2006. She said she had to get off the trail that year, as many do; but, I believe the camaraderie of this trio, as they support each other, will carry them all the way to Katahdin this year.

Baltimore Jack passed me as I was coming down for the week. It was good to talk to him again. He has thru-hiked many times and is another friendly face one could encounter treading north during a thru-hiker season. Clearly, meeting up with repeat thru-hikers is one of the highlights of the annual AT Ridge Runner season.

Keep hiking,

Carl (aka KY Greybeard)

Bear Action on the AT

The bears are active in the Smokys this April, particularly causing problems at Tri-Corner Knob early spring. After many hiker reports of bears between Fontana and Mollies, Sunday, April 25th, those of us at Mollies Ridge Shelter got our first day time bear visitors. They remained on the perimeter of the shelter, in no hurry to leave, content to forge around. The bear provided many Kodak moments for Mollies Ridge campers.
My arrival at Birch Spring campground Sunday afternoon was no exception. I first saw a bear stretched out, napping 30 feet off the trail. It also foraged on the ridge above Campground 113, lazily taking its time moving around the slopes above. The bears are a delight to see, but must be left alone and enjoyed from a distance.

Keep hiking,

Carl (aka KY Greybeard)