thank you! I don't think we always realize the worry and anxiety our loved ones have when we are away. I sent the link to my wife and thanked her for always supporting me. I've not posted in this thread until now, but Gerry and her family have been and will continue to be in my prayers. My heart aches for them - no other way to say it.
Biggie
Yes, HikerMom, I'm so glad you posted this link. Jennifer shares so beautifully from her heart.
Very disheartening
I have to agree, something seems not right now.
When an acorn falls, it lands under the tree.
There is always the possibility of getting adled, and wandering far off trail. It just doesnt seem likely.
Hopefully she will just walk out if the woods soon and wonder why everyone is making such a big fuss. But to us at least foul play is probable and I think Lone Wolf nailed it. Btw my better half told me someone from law often checks in on pages like this as sometimes sickos who commit crimes like to interact with the story as it unfolds. I wonder if that is talking place here, and which department.
It can't hurt for all of us to hold the good thoughts. Perhaps it will help...
LE and SAR personnel received information from other hikers that indicated she hadn't even reached Spaulding Mt LT which means she didn't descend the back of Sugarloaf or come close to Caribou Valley Rd. Lone Mt area was apparently last known sighting.
QH Showoman: it's the only driveable road in the section from Rte 4 to 27 that crosses the Trail.
AT02, LT 03-04, BMT05, NPT06, Haute Route07, Abol Ridgerunner 07/08, EBC Nepal trek 10
It is possibly they are wrong, but every authority I met between 27 and Piazza Rock stated that they did not believe she made it to Spaulding. I kept suggesting that if she made it to Sugarloaf, there were many places a hiker could fall and end up far from the trail in very dense fir trees. I was interrupted almost every time with a "we don't believe she made it that far". Caribou Valley Road comes after Sugarloaf.
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln
Well if she never made it to Spaulding Mnt Lean-to, as the phantom caller to the Stratton motel suggested, she got lost on the trail, which more than likely leaves an abduction out.
Moments like this should give us all pause. As I pray for Gerry and most especially her friends and family, I think of the times I have taken to the trail without thought of the concern and worry I give to others. It does not mean that I will give up hiking, but it does mean that I will heed their concern and use every caution I can so as to allay the fears of those I love and who love me.
Agreed. This is a teachable moment. The concerns my wife had made me hike safer than I would have if she did not have those concerns. Her concerns and my sister's concerns were the reason I hiked with my brother-in-law. Neither wanted us to hike alone and we would have had a big battle if either of us decided to ignore those concerns.
In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln
This is an intriguing story. I hope she is found and safe. I hope this thread stays open as it has been very informative and allows hikers with first hand experience of the area to share.
at this point, i think prayer may be all that is left. where ever inchworm is, i pray G_d is walking with her.
The more miles, the merrier!
NH4K: 21/48; N.E.4K: 25/67; NEHH: 28/100; Northeast 4K: 27/115; AT: 124/2191
When will more news come out from the authorities?
Does anyone know if Inchworm posted a trail journal? I believe I met her down south last year at a shelter and offered her a ride into town, but she told me her husband was meeting her at the trail head. Her picture looks like the lady I met. Very sweet and friendly.
The road is Perham Stream Road. Here are the directions. I felt lost just driving it.
1) From intersection of ME 16/27/142 in Kingfield take ME 142 southwest 12.7 miles.
2) Look for East Madrid Road (signed & paved) on right. Sign there is for (Hot Mix Plant).
3) 1.0 miles from there pavement ends & 1.9 miles pavement resumes.
4) 2.1 4-way intersection (crossroad) continue straight. Junction with Bray Hill Road.
5) 3.0 pavement ends again.
6) 4.5 cross bridge near houses. Just beyond, road becomes a little rough going up hill to left.
7) 5.3 cross roads with fences on far side of intersection. (plenty of posted signs at intersection) - make right. Rough narrow road from here.
8) 5.7 rotted bridge and I was not sure I could trust it but asked around and they assured me the bridge was OK and safe to cross.
9) 6.9 green gate on right
10) 7.5 bridge over stream. Make immediate left at fork after bridge. Many snowmobile trail signs at intersection
11) 7.7 & 7.8 cross rough gullys
12) 8.0 another fork after another bridge - bear left.
13) 8.3 junction on left - stay straight
14) 9.2 fork again - stay left.
15) 10.7 cross AT, Perham Stream bridge & parking on left.
www.postholer.com/Turtle Feet
Follow me as I crawl the A.T.
Life is an adventure or nothing at all ~ Hellen Keller