Be a part of History

[scooterdogma]

Hi Ladies, we are looking for females to hike the Sheltowee Trace in an attempt to publicize the trail.

To our knowledge, no female has ever thru-hiked the Sheltowee Trace, "Kentucky's Long Trail". The Sheltowee Trace (ST) is a 280 mile trail. The trail begins in Pickett State Park and travels North. You will pass through Big South Fork National Recreation Area, Cumberland Falls State Park, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Red River Gorge,and the entire length of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

We have a Facebook page, just put Sheltowee Trace in your Facebook search box. Go to "Discussions" and join us in planning for a group of women to hike the ST.

We are beginning to throw out dates and we are flexible at this point. We will go with the date that puts the most feet on the trail. This is an excellent way to get ready to hike the AT. It is similar in that you would never carry more than 5 days of food as you travel through the towns along the trail. The climbs on the ST are not very long but they are steep. You will see natural arches, caves, rock climbing areas, lakes, waterfalls and numerous streams. This invitation is open to all female hikers, regardless of experience. You will be hiking with a experienced group. Come join us and be part of history.


More info/


http://sheltoweetrace.org (http://sheltoweetrace.org/)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=100397517759

[Bati]

I'm not in favor of keeping records as I believe backpacking is about doing your own thing and each person experiences different conditions each time they hike. But if you do want to keep records, please try to make sure they are accurate. More than one woman has thru-hike the Sheltowee trace. In fact, more than one woman has given campfire talks/slide shows for the Forest Service about thru-hiking the Sheltowee Trace.

Here's a link to some information on the trail from a hike taken before they cleared the major blowdowns between Big Limestone and US 60, when the most recent maps were from 1983. Or would that not count as a thru-hike, since that stretch of the trail was officially closed at the time?

http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-hiking-kentucky-sidwcmdev_068953.html

Kentucky as a fantastic trail here, but it should be hiked because you want to hike, not because you want to make history.

[traildust]

I'm not in favor of keeping records as I believe backpacking is about doing your own thing and each person experiences different conditions each time they hike. But if you do want to keep records, please try to make sure they are accurate. More than one woman has thru-hike the Sheltowee trace. In fact, more than one woman has given campfire talks/slide shows for the Forest Service about thru-hiking the Sheltowee Trace.

Here's a link to some information on the trail from a hike taken before they cleared the major blowdowns between Big Limestone and US 60, when the most recent maps were from 1983. Or would that not count as a thru-hike, since that stretch of the trail was officially closed at the time?

http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-hiking-kentucky-sidwcmdev_068953.html

Kentucky as a fantastic trail here, but it should be hiked because you want to hike, not because you want to make history.


Bati,
As scooterdogma reference, the information we have suggest no woman has completed the entire 280 miles of the Sheltowee. The Forest Service has no historic record. If a female has completed this journey, PLEASE IF YOU ARE OUT THERE, let us know.

I would beg to differ about being the first. American's are all about being first and hiking adventures are no different. This board is always talking about the first to do the AT. We want to honor those who are first in life at all things. scooterdogma and other ladies are attempting to inspire other ladies and young ladies to get out and backpack long distances and I am sure if someone came forward today and said they did it in 1990 well that's ok and we honor them. So if you know of someone who has completed the Sheltowee all 280 miles as a thruhike have them get in touch with us. We would love to have them come to our annual meeting and share their story. Do it quick before we extend the trail another 35 miles to the Ohio River and then someone will have the opportunity to be the first to hike the ST, all 315 miles of it.

Steve Traildust Barbour
Ex Director
Sheltowee Trace Association

[scooterdogma]

No disrespect meant by the posting. If you are a female thru hiker of the ST please contact Steve or myself. The idea for a group of women to thru hike the ST came about as a way to promote the Sheltowee Trail. Steve and his very merry band of volunteers have done an amazing job of clearing trails and maintaining shelters and bridges. We need more hikers on the ST to aid in keeping the path from becoming overgrown. We hope to make the ST as well known as the Long Trail in Vermont and as well traveled.

So Ladies, the offer still stands. Come help us promote the scenic wonder of Kentucky and have a bit of adventure along the way. I love to hike and I love the awe inspiring landscape of our trails and I would enjoy sharing the land of arches with you and others.

[Captain Blue]

Verna Soule claims to have thru hike the Sheltowee Trace.

In between her section hikes, she also added thru-hikes of the Sheltowee Trace from Kentucky to Tennessee, the Finger Lakes Trail in New York, the Grand Canyon Trail in Arizona and the Long Trail in Vermont, which she thru-hiked in 1989 and again in 1990.

Check out her obituary here: http://www.aldha.org/soule07.htm

[Captain Blue]

Check out this post: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=26216

Verna Soule has hiked these trails which are listed in the ALDHA membership directory:

Appalachian Trail 1987
Long Trail 1989, 1990
Michigan Shore-To-Shore Trail 1980 & 1989
Sheltowee Trace KY Trail 1985
Grand Canyon 1980, 1984, 1986
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail FL 1991
Finger Lakes Trail 1996
Superior Hiking Trail 1999

[scooterdogma]

Thanks Captn! I've sent an e-mail to her son, we sure would like to have more info about her accomplishments. :sun

[Captain Blue]

Please keep us posted on what you find out Scooterdogma!

[Blissful]

Well the trail looks fantastic, I must admit. Will have to keep it mind. You should be represented at Trail Days and do a talk about it with pictures of it. I'd come :)

[traildust]

Blissful,
A visit to Trail Days is a possibility. Thanks

[scooterdogma]

Ok women, it looks like we have 3 women, possibly 4, interested in doing the hike. We are leaning toward September of this year. Any other takers?

Grandma Soule's daughter is going through her journals and has promised to share the info and pictures with The Sheltowee Trace Association. The romantic in me kinda hopes she was the first because her story is so awe inspiring. But, we want the truth and if an other woman did it before Grandma, that would be awe inspiring too!

[Pete Moss]

Why is this a women's only thing? If it's about getting the trail out there to people, why would this trek not be open to all to join?

[scooterdogma]

Why is this a women's only thing? If it's about getting the trail out there to people, why would this trek not be open to all to join?


Hi Pete, the answer is an all woman hike would be a bigger hook to snag a newspaper article. We want the newspaper article to advertise the Sheltowee Trace. It is a great trail and has the potential to be well known and used if we can get the word out to people outside of Whiteblaze.