Is my trail name 'taken'

[RITBlake]

When I grew my beard out this fall my little brother called me Abe Lincoln because I can't grow a moustache but I can grow a nice full beard. Is AL taken as a trail name

[A-Train]

if it is, how bout Chinstrap?

[mdionne]

use any name you'd like to. some names are repeated year to year. it's what reflects your personality the best or what you like. it shouldn't matter whether some had that name in 1975 or 2005. go with whatever pleases you.

[Tha Wookie]

When I grew my beard out this fall my little brother called me Abe Lincoln because I can't grow a moustache but I can grow a nice full beard. Is AL taken as a trail name

I knew an AL ('01). Everyone called him Weird Al. Nice guy, but a little weird.

[Lion King]

I was hiking around Springer this year in November meeting up with Some SObos I had meet in New hampshire earlier in the year and they were like "Dude, there was a Lion King about two days ahead of you going North"...I have been LionKing since 98, but I dont care if someone else has the name, as long as they arent complete a--holes and tarnish the name or do evil things.

Most people who know me out here and around the Trail towns know me, so I aint sweatin it, nor should you.

If You Hike, the Name will come.

[A-Train]

A lot of names are repeated every yr. So many people on the AT these days, its kinda hard to avoid it. There were a couple other A-Trains in 03' and there seem to be one or two every yr. Yogi, Walking Wounded, bramble, rambler, litefoot, poptart, nameless, anything having to do with a bear or a wolf etc.. I could go on forever there are so many popular trail names that get recycled yearly. As eveyrone has said, don't sweat just enjoy your name and thats all you can ask for.

[hacksaw]

THE Lion King brings pizza and beer!

[Glee]

I was hiking around Springer this year in November meeting up with Some SObos I had meet in New hampshire earlier in the year and they were like "Dude, there was a Lion King about two days ahead of you going North"...
If You Hike, the Name will come.

I was in Maine coming down one steep mountain and Dude was coming up. Needless to say, it only took a few minutes to see why and how he got his name... "Hey dude, so this is one tough hill dude. So dude how long you been out dude?" He was a nice guy and I really needed someone to talk with at the time but if is name was Bob, Joe or whatever I would never have remembered his name...
On the other hand, if he didn’t have a trail name I probably would have just said, “I met this dude on the trail who……”

[Jaybird]

When I grew my beard out this fall my little brother called me Abe Lincoln because I can't grow a moustache but I can grow a nice full beard. Is AL taken as a trail name

like has been said before....some "popular" trail names repeat from year to year...i dont think i've ever heard of ABE LINCOLN being used....


example: i met "Pinky" (of "Pinky & the Brain" class of 2001) this past weekend in Blowing Rock,NC,...he told me he has met several other "Pinky" hikers since.

good luck with your hike!

p.s. i've heard of a couple other "Jaybird"s ....but, of course,...i'm the original! hehehehehe

[UCONNMike]

How about "Veggies!"

[Lion King]

THE Lion King brings pizza and beer!

...and dont forget...I throw things at snorers HEHEHe!

[oldfivetango]

Is it OK to go by your own nickname until other
hikers give you your AT Trailname?What if they never do?
Thanks,
Oldfivetango

[Footslogger]

When I grew my beard out this fall my little brother called me Abe Lincoln because I can't grow a moustache but I can grow a nice full beard. Is AL taken as a trail name

============================
Don't recall any Abe Lincolns in 2003 but if it's a name you like ...run with it.

Only suggestion is that you choose something you can live with once your thru-hike is over. Yes ...trail names stick with you !!

'Slogger
AT 2003

[stickman]

I'd say your trail name is "Taken" judging from your post. Nice to meet you, Taken.

Stickman

[Brushy Sage]

I have met several hikers named Sarge, at least two named Moses, the point being if you have a name that fits you, go with it. You have the option of changing it anywhere along the way, and this does happen.

[SiuWonfung]

in response to your question Mr. RITBlake, yes.

[Jack Tarlin]

Personally, I think that "Abe Lincoln" is a perfectly fine Trail Name, if that's what you like.

However, in that something like 1150 miles of the Trail is below the Mason-Dixon line, there may be a few folks you encounter who feel differently; in certain places, even to this day, he's not exactly popular.

If you REALLY wanna keep 'em guessing, call yourself "Abe Lincoln" but put a Stars and Bars patch on your backpack.

That way, you'll either satisfy or completely offend just about everyone you encounter.

In any case, if you take a sidetrip to Washington, you might wanna pass on visiting Ford's Theater.

[RITBlake]

However, in that something like 1150 miles of the Trail is below the Mason-Dixon line, there may be a few folks you encounter who feel differently; in certain places, even to this day, he's not exactly popular.

ha, that is pretty funny/sad....people who get upset about a war they lost over a hundred years ago. This summer we visited a plantation in S.C. and they refused to call it the civil war, they call it the 'war of northern agression'
lol, come on! I actually have respect for the confederate soldiers that fought in the CW, but they are long gone, as are any Union soldier who fought. Time to move on!

[dp the wonder dog]

and they refused to call it the civil war, they call it the 'war of northern agression'

Actually, properly defined, a 'civil' war is 2 factions fighting for control of a single government. The South wasn't trying to take over the Federal (union) government, they were fighting for the right to secede from the Union and form their own separate goverment. In mixed company (true Southerners, and yankee trash), I prefer to use the term "the War between the states".

[Mags]

Actually, properly defined, a 'civil' war is 2 factions fighting for control of a single government. The South wasn't trying to take over the Federal (union) government, they were fighting for the right to secede from the Union and form their own separate goverment. In mixed company (true Southerners, and yankee trash), I prefer to use the term "the War between the states".

If you get the chance, read CONFEDEREATES IN THE ATTIC by Tony Horwitz. A look at how the modern "South" views the The Civil War and how this conflict is still very much part of their daily lives. Interesting look. Growing up in the Northeast, the Civil War was something we studied in school. Many people living there (myself included) had their ancestors come over well after the conflict ended. It is a war that is far removed from their "gut".

For many people below the Mason-Dixon line, the Civil War is almost living history. Stories of their great-x grandfather who fought in this war, pictures and journals still around, battlefields down the road, etc. It is a conflict that resonates still.


Good read in any case. Maybe I'll read it again soon.