Very impressive. The AT is obviously going to be only one of many of her accomplishments.Originally Posted by Pedaling Fool
Yeah, when I think of how I was when I was 15...Let's just say her parents would be smart to keep her away from 15-year old punks like myself
...she says something very interesting at 9:28 bravo! on that point.
Oops...@ 8:00 min.
Definitely worth the watch to hear that.
Thanks Chipmunk!
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Could not agree more.
Everything is in Walking Distance
Semantics, contests, and the like are something I want to get away from when hiking. They seem to be the tools of the anti nature and outdoor lover. I shutter when I think how many trail related assets of clubs and the ATC get wasted on such matters. Almost makes my interest and love of trails lesson. What is this a trail forum or a courtroom ?
I don't think the ATC or their affiliates/associated clubs waste much (or any) effort to promote competitive activities on the trail. They're aware of their mission, and promoting competition is most definitely not part of their mission.
As far as Chipmunk's hike goes, I don't believe ATC had anything to do with it. Nor am I remotely concerned about the words used by any particular newspaper article to describe her effort or motivation. But I'll tell you what, she certainly was the youngest thru-hiker represented at the Gathering this last weekend. Seems like a fine young woman who deserves pride in her accomplishment -- and who's done her parents proud as well.
She hiked her own hike. Isn't that what you guys are always advocating??
I find it funny how people are bashing the parents for following along in an RV and keeping tabs with a GPS. She is 15 years old! If they would have drop her off at Springer with all the right equipment, a cell phone and a credit card and said,"call us if you have a problem, if not we will you pick you up in Katahdin." those parents would be bashed in the media and put up on child endangerment charges if anything happened to her. Also I think in this day and age a unaccompanied minor would have harder time going it alone. She would have a tough time getting a room at a hotel or hostel. Spitting a room with other hikers...would any adult male want their name on that registry??? Also you need to be 18 to use credit card, carry a pocket knife or pepper spray, or be out pass curfew in most towns.
Also there is a big difference between 15 year olds in the 1960's, 70's, 80's and today teens. At 15 I was wandering round much more freely an was doing more things on my own then kids today do. I'm am unfortunately guilty of being a helicopter parent. I think most 15 year old kids today would go into the fetal position, if they were dropped off alone at a trail head and told tto hike 15 miles down trail alone.
Great video. Still many will discount what she achieved.
If your daughter looked like chipmunk and was 15 years old would you let her sleep on the trail with a bunch of horny(5 guys to 1 girl on the trail) drunk, stoned, 20 to 24 year old college kids?
Just saying….
Last edited by JohnnySnook; 10-15-2014 at 04:43.
I'm not sure thats a real accurate portrayal of who is on the trail, though it may fit some. Those I have run into don't seem to fit that description outside of a few stumble bums that wander in to a shelter poorly placed too close to a road.
Well - I'm glad to here the stories about the use of drugs, booze, and sex by the younger crowd on the trail is not true.
To bad in the rest of society that is far from the case. From the pictures I've seen young people smoking joints and carrying cases of beer or bottles of hard liquor around seem to be the norm. In many cases water bottles seem to be drained of water and filled with a magical trail liquid?
I mean no upstanding senior in high school or 19 year old frat boy would think about getting a freshman girl intoxicated?
No matter how clean and great a student a young girl can be there will always be a guy that makes her heart stop and get the butterflies going. Hormones are something no one can control. I guess a sober pitstop at high attitude with a great view could be just as good for the right guy.
I'm of the middle aged crowd so I hope what we did in our youth hasn't been lost and I meet a nice woman my age to share a fine cocktail, wild mushroom soup, and a few smokes for a zero or nero and maybe some tent magic. Does this ever happen???
Just saying….
Last edited by JohnnySnook; 10-16-2014 at 00:32.
True, I think for the most part every AT shelter is not a scene from Animal House. However as a 40ish hiker who has a Teen daughter of his own would, I would not want to be alone in a small lean to shelter with some 15 year old girl. She would have the shelter to herself, and I would pitch my hammock just outside and I will be up all night making sure he is OK and no 2 or 4 legged animal messed with her. I give the parents credit, I would no let my kid hike it alone at that age.
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NLeager thanks so much for this post! You reveal aspects of Chipmunk's experience that I would never otherwise have known. I respect her even more now reading what you have written about her!
Yes , I talked with her and Tammy and Jay at the Gathering , this past 10 / 11 . She is VERY bright , well - spoken and mature . Would never skip an inch of the trail : if the trails to - and - from
a sheter were not co - located , she would go back and do every bit ! In college we engineers , ( maybe everyone ) had to take a course in public - speaking . [ Speech 101 ? ! ] Anyway , a lot
of guys and gals would break down in tears when asked to speak to the class. Here , she gave a seminar to folks all older people , etc . , and by her own admission only missed one of her topic - cards.
When I mentioned that I started the first Sky - Diving club in the Air Force and was a Glider Flight Intructor , she said she would like to try both , as tasks on her " Buket - List " . However ,
her parents weren't too keen on the Sky - Diving ! They are eager for her to learn to fly . [ To late to solo on her 14th birthday ; the youngest the FAA will let you ! ] I have collected some
material on Soaring . Some from the SSA ( The Soaring Society of America ) , some from my local soaring club , some from Tom Knauff - one of the most highly regarded instructors / authors
in the country , and some of my own . I would like to mail it all to Neva , but neglected to get their address ! Does anyone know it ? Or , even an E - Mail or phone number where they can be
reached ? If someone DOES know the address , but doesn't want to post it on Whirte - Blaze , they can E - Mail me at : [email protected] , or phone me at : 610 - 467 - 1410 , or
write me at : David V. Webber , 410 Oxford Road , Oxford , PA 19363 - 4213 .
Thanks in advance , David V. Webber , one of two with the trail name : " Ice Cream " !!
What a pitiful, outlandishly sexist comment, that females are uncontrollabe victims of their hormones about guys.
Rain Man
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[I]ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: ... Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit....[/I]. Numbers 35
[url]www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker[/url]
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I have been wondering ?? What about all the Thru Hikers who stay at a Motel / Hotel / Hostel every time they get near a town ,
with a Queen - Sized Bed , Fancy Restaurant , Laundry , Shower and a local Grocery Store . Can THEY be called " True " Thru Hikers ?
Neva's parent's truck was WAY crude in comparrison , and sometimes cold and wet due to having the A / C scraped off the roof !
David V. Webber " Ice Cream "
So proud of her!!!
Wow Chipmunk way to go! Ignore the naysayers, you've already accomplished more than many of them can dream of doing themselves.
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