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Sly
12-09-2005, 13:32
In case not everyone is aware, Squeaky is attempting a calender year Triple Crown. Self-supported and backpacking the entire distance, he expects to finish on Springer by Christmas. Incredibly, he'll be taking nearly two months off Flyin' Brian's "record".

Lifted from the cdt-l.


From: Robert Ellinwood [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 10:50 AM
To: Robert Ellinwood
Subject: Conversation with Squeaky (very long)

David Horton and I had planned on trying to make contact with Squeaky (Mat
Hazley) when he came by on the AT in our area of Virginia. Weathercarrot's
excellent report on Squeaky, as he passed Blackburn Trail Center, was a
reminder to get out our Data Books and figure where we could intercept him.
Like many of you, I had met Squeaky on the PCT this summer, as he breezed
by. First, David and a friend, Josh Yoeman, met Squeaky coming down off
Three Ridges and made plans for us to meet him, with pizza, that night at
Saltlog Gap (north) and take him to David's house in Lynchburg. The next
morning, David and Josh hiked with him over Tar Jacket, Cold Mountain, and
Bald Knob while I drove around and waited for them at Rt 60. Watching them
stride off from Saltlog Gap, I was struck by Squeaky's fast, choppy,
piston-like strides, which I hadn't noticed in May. David Horton later
said: "Squeaky was walking so fast it was very hard keeping up with him on
the uphills. Going downhill, I couldn't keep up with his walking speed and
it was easier for me to keep up by running." That night, we then met
Squeaky at Petite's Gap on the south side of the James (with more pizza) and
he spent the night at my house in Bedford. He was meeting lots of bear
hunters and their dogs on the trail and I gave him some blaze orange to
wear. In PA, he had heard shots "every 3 to 5 minutes. The bullets had to
be going somewhere. It sounded like a firing range." The next night, after
calling me from Buchanan where he had digressed to make a series of phone
calls, Squeaky again spent the night at my house and in the morning got
going again from Bearwallow Gap. He is very careful about connecting with
his own snowy footprints from the previous day. He is still trying to keep
up a 14 hr per day, 4 mph pace, as snow/ice allows. Here in December, he's
hiking almost 2 hrs in both morning and evening, using headlamp. During all
the car rides, I kept a tape recorder going, with Squeaky's permission. To
me, he seems straightforward, very bright, tenacious, incredibly focused,
possessing a really practical and realistic perspective about himself and
his project, and a naturally gifted hiker. Being familiar with all 3
trails, I was particularly struck by Squeaky's incredible recall of place
names and mileage numbers, after having compressed 7,000-plus miles into
such a short period. It quickly became apparent that he cared deeply about
doing this calendar Triple Crown the hard way, starting May 4th with the PCT
in a bad snow year (rather than the AT in early spring), hiking each trail
continuously without break, and challenging himself by trying to finish by
Christmas, in less than 8 months, and with hiking... no running. Aged 25,
this is his 3rd year of long-distance hiking. His base pack weight is 12.5
lbs and today (Dec 7th) his pack weighed 25 lbs (with Power Bars, Pop
Tarts, and Frito-Lay Munchies) . The following represents less than a
quarter of the taping.

Dr Bob: Where does "Squeaky" come from?

S: "When I did the AT in '03, I had a cup held on the back of my pack with a
carabiner and as it swung from side to side it made an annoying a squeaky
sound which got on the nerves of others."

David Horton had brought him some ice cream as Squeaky came down off Three
Ridges.

S: "I was nearly hallucinating going up The Priest after eating that ice
cream. I started rushing up the hill and started having all these mad sugar
rushes."

Dr Bob: Ever run out of food?

S: "In the Sierra, I had to ration. I didn't take enough from Kennedy
Meadows and by the time I got to V V R, I was losing 2 pounds of body weight
a day at least. I lost about a stone in weight, about 14 lbs. When I started
at Campo, I weighed 160 and the lowest I got down to was at V V R at 135. I
should have been eating about 6,500 calories a day through there, with the
postholing through snow, and I was eating between 3000 and 3500 calories.
Also, I lost a day on Forester Pass. It would have taken me 7 days to get
the 175 miles to V V R. I saw no one for those 8 days."

Dr Bob: Were you an athlete in High School?

S: "No, no... I started hiking in '03 on the AT, never having hiked before.
I was over here with a friend, the Flying Scotsman, staying with his aunt in
CT and we decided to come and hike the AT. It was something he had wanted to do for years and I was up for a good adventure, so I decided to tag
along. I lasted only 50 miles and my knee blew out and I had to go home. I
then came back to do it."

Dr Bob: You've spent an awful lot of time alone. Does it ever get to you?

S: "No, except for those 8 days in the Sierra when I saw no one, you always
pass people... you're always next to a road, always hearing things... in
and out of town. When I was a kid (laughing) I was always made to sit
alone in class, 'cause I was always messin' around, getting in trouble. I
learned at an early age how to do things on my own."

Dr Bob: What made you think you could do this?

S: "I like to answer...What makes you think I can't? I just got it in my
mind last October that I'd like to do the Triple Crown and came out in May
and just went for it. I had done the AT and the PCT before. The first PCT
was 'recreational'... 100 days, which included about 2 weeks of zeros. I
didn't know what I was doing. About halfway through I decided to go for the
speed record, so started averaging 40 miles a day. Then I got sick at
Crater Lake from something I ate and started hanging out with other hikers."

Dr Bob: If you had done the AT and PCT before, then there were few
surprises for you on those two trails?

S: "There were a lot of surprises... the snow in the Sierra... and the
Nor'easter that hit me in Maine and NH. I should be nearly finished by
now. I went from needing to do 28 mpd to finish to needing to do 35, just
from one snow storm. I lost 2 weeks up there. After that storm, I'm not
even taking the time for my log or to take pictures, which is a real shame
because some of the mountains up in Maine and NH, and the views of Mt
Washington, were spectacular with all the snow on them."

Dr Bob: How much snow was there when you went through Mahoosuc Notch?

S: "About a foot. All through there all the trees had leaves still on them
and they were all - and the pine trees - weighed down with such wet, heavy
snow overhanging the trail. There were places where it had accumulated,
like in the saddle between the two Baldpates, before I got snowshoes, where
I was dropping in up to my chest. In the trees, at around 4000 ft, there
was 3-4 feet of new snow. I got the snowshoes in Andover. After the
Nor'easter hit, I got 4 days of warm weather and I didn't need snowshoes
after Mt Washington, which was awesome. I lost a day waiting at Osgood Ridge
tentsite (between Pinkham and Mt Madison) for the wind to drop on Mt
Washington...it was sustained 60-plus mph winds, with gusts over 100 mph.
Across the top of Washington it was solid ice. There were 2 ft of rime ice
horizontally off the back of the Mt Washington summit sign. On the Crawford
Path in the Southern Presidentials there was no visibility."

Dr Bob: Need any gear right now?

S: "No. I bought a new Black Diamond tent and I'm not happy with it. It's
made from Epic fabric, supposedly highly breathable, but I was sleeping in a
blanket of frost from a lot of condensation. I nearly froze... my sleeping
bag froze. I'm getting my WM Flight Jacket and stove in Pearisburg. What I
really need is a winter jacket. I'll get one of those in Damascus."

Dr Bob: What kind of sleeping bag do you have?

S: " It's a zero degree from Feathered Friends, 2 lbs 14 oz. It's
expensive, but it's worth the money."

Dr Bob: Your pad?

S: "A full-length Thermarest, a Prolite 3. It's all about the comfort... I
won't compromise on my sleep, no way. There are times I get only 6-7 hours
sleep, so I need to be comfortable and get quality sleep."

Dr Bob: I see you're using a Kelty Redwing pack.

S: "Yes, I started with a Golite Speed and will change back to that at
Pearisburg... a little more room. I used a Granite Gear pack for about
4,000 miles. I started the AT with a Gregory Z pack, which was horrible.
The strap adjustments on it... it was really badly balanced... the pack
wasn't organized - you couldn't get to anything without taking the pack
off."

Dr Bob: On a typical day now, how many hours are you going?

S: "About 15. My average for the whole trip has been 14 hours. I'm going
through a lot of batteries...I just spent $10 on Lithium batteries."

Dr Bob: Are you cooking at night or eating all cold food?

S: "The only time I cooked was in the Sierra. I was actually looking
forward to cooking a Lipton as I hiked all day through the first day of the
Nor'easter in Maine. As I got up nearly to the summit of East Baldpate, I
had to turn back as I didn't have enough time. But I got back to the
shelter and just got in my sleeping bag, ate a bag of munchies and went to
sleep. Generally, if I'm cooking, I'm not hiking or sleeping. I'd rather be
sleeping than cooking."

Dr Bob: Where are you getting your calories?

S: "3 packages of Pop Tarts in the morning (6 Pop Tarts) which is 1200
calories. Today I ate 15 Powerbars, usually I've been eating 12 a day.
I've done that since May. That's 3000 calories. Then a bag of Frito-Lay
Munchies, which is 1120. I found them to be really good when it was hot,
because there's a lot of salt in them. I eat them about 2/3 of the way
through the day. All they are is complex carbohydrates, salt, and dietary
fat. Then Protein Power Bars for dinner, for recovery."

Dr Bob: If I may, how are you financing your hike?

S: "I was working as a hod carrier at building sites (carrying bricks up
and down ladders) to save up for the trip. While it strengthened my legs and
back, I injured my back trying to do too much. This year was too important
to me, so I decided to take a loan out instead and spent 3 months training
before coming out here."

Dr Bob: How did you train? I notice on the very 1st day on the PCT this
year you wrote: "wasn't really trying to push myself. kept going all morning
without stopping only to get some powerbars out of my pack, carried on and
reached 'Lake Moreno', I thought that I was going at an easy pace but when I
looked at my watch I had arrived at 'Lake Moreno in 5 hours which means I
kept up a 4 mile an hour pace all morning."

S: "I did a lot of running inside on a track with a 27 lb backpack. It was
awkward, bouncing around. 25k was my longest, taking me about 2 hours. One day while I was working, I loaded out about 4,000 bricks and 2,000
cinderblocks and then came home and ran 30k. That was insane. I also did
lots of fast training walks with my Mum, who's a good walker. Without a
pack, we would do 25 miles in 4 ½ hours."

Dr Bob: How did the daily mileage the 1st time you did the AT compare to
what you're doing now?

S: "I never took a zero day. My shortest day was 0.7 and my longest day
was 72 miles in the Smokies in 22 hours. I wanted to prove I could hike it
- not run it - in one day with a full pack. (David Horton: "Good
gracious.") The reason I decided to do the Smokies in a day is that my 2nd
day hiking the first northbounder came charging up to the shelter and he was
all full of himself and was carrying on that he had just done 48 miles.
That's all the southbounders would talk about was this guy who'd done 48
miles. I said, 'Right, I'm going to do the Smokies in a day,' and everyone
said I was full of s--- and that it was impossible. I said, 'No, you mark
my words, once I get down to the Smokies I'm going to hike them in a day. I
got to Clingman's Dome, about 39 miles from Davenport Gap, in 11 hours with
a full pack."

Dr Bob: Did altitude bother you much?

S: "Even at 13,000 ft I was able to maintain my pace on the climbs, as long
as the trail was well-graded. As soon as I started stepping over rocks and
it became almost like climbing, then I could start to notice it."

Dr Bob: With this snow and ice on all the rocks and sticks here now in
upper 20's temps, I worry about a twisted knee or something slowing you
down. How to hike defensively, but still make 40-plus miles a day...?

S: "Oh, I've done it the whole trip. I've been cautious over everything
like that."

Dr Bob: I heard Brian Robinson give a talk on how to hike 30 miles a day,
with some very interesting pointers. Do I correctly understand that you've
been hiking 40 mpd throughout this whole Triple Crown?

S: "When I'm not going to town and the trail is clear, if I'm not hiking 40
miles a day I'm disappointed. I said to Weathercarrot the other day that
hiking 40 miles a day now is like walking to the shops. It's gotten to the
point where 40 mpd has just become routine."

Dr Bob: So what would you say to someone: "If you want to hike 40 mpd, this is what you should do?"

S: "Just don't limit yourself mentally. The worst thing people do is limit
their mind as to what their body can do. If you can free your mind, then
your body is capable of extreme achievements. Because I haven't done any
long-distance endurance before this, the hardest thing I've found was
learning how far I could push myself and having to limit myself each day
until I learned. I'm still learning how far I can push myself. I feel now,
even though I'm cruising 40-plus miles days on the AT, I'm not fulfilling my
potential. But I don't want to risk finding my limit now with so much at
stake. So, I'm finding that I'm hiking 40-plus miles a day and it doesn't
feel enough, but I've got to limit myself because I know it's enough to get
me there. Then next year, I'll maybe build and see how far I can take it.
I don't stop... I eat while I walk. The thing is, people limit themselves...
Just go and enjoy yourself. Much depends on what frame of mind you're in as
you approach things. Makes a huge difference."

Dr Bob: Are you going to write a book?

S: " I'd love to, but I've gotta get finished first (laughing). Nobody's
going to want to hear about the guy who finished January 2nd."

Dr Bob: But it would still be within 12 months.

S: "It doesn't matter to me. It has to be within the calendar year. It's
what I set out to do."

Dr Bob: You started so late (May 4th).

S: "Yeah, the reason I started with the PCT - Freebird asked me why I
started with the PCT when I could have had the AT done already - doing the
AT first is the easy way out. It's the easiest way to do the Triple Crown in
the calendar year. I didn't think it was challenging enough, so I started
on the PCT to limit my time... to make me have to push. If you start the AT
on Jan 1st and cruise up until May 15th gives you 4 ½ months when you're not pushing and it didn't seem like a challenge. You're only pushing yourself
on 2 of the 3 trails, rather than on all 3. I personally did not want to
jump around from trail to trail to avoid snow. I wanted to take on the
seasons and the challenges the trails throw at you. It sounds stupid, but I
tried to minimize my chances of success. Starting when I did... and ending
in winter. I didn't want to find the easy way to do it. When I reached the
end of the PCT and my Mum said I should be proud of having beat the speed
record in spite of the snow, I said it's not what I set out to do this year.
So, until I complete all three trails, then I can be proud of what I've
done, but until I get to Springer I haven't achieved anything. I can't
afford to get complacent. But I know now when I succeed that it couldn't
have been any tougher and I did it."

Dr Bob: You got to Kennedy Meadows on May 24th? So you didn't have to deal with the snow-melt as much as those later?

S: "Actually, I think I had it easier than David and Michelle (Toms) who
came through a week later. They would have had more rotten snow and the
streams were apparently terrible."

Dr Bob: Tell me about the chute at Forester Pass. Were the switchbacks on
the rock face totally snowed in?

S: "There were 2 clear at the top. I had to climb up to them on rocks,
using my ice axe to reach handholds I couldn't reach. It was pretty scary.
I got up there onto the 2 exposed switchbacks, which took me to the snow
chute. I started trying to traverse across and I looked straight up and
thought, "I can do that," and climbed straight up to within 20 feet below
the pass, where it really started to get steep. This was the day I only did
2 miles. It got so hot that the snow on the other side got so soft that I
got to a point where I couldn't go on. My digital thermometer was saying
85°."

Dr Bob: Why did you take the washed-out west side of Glacier Peak - the
permanent PCT - instead of the temporary relo?

S: "Last year on my first PCT, my partner, Trauma, and I... our eyes lit up
when we heard how dangerous it was supposed to be and we loved a challenge. Everyone says things are impossible, but it's best to go in and try for yourself. You never know. You can always turn back. This year, at the
White Chuck River where the bridge is washed out, I went downstream and
there were bunches of trees everywhere to cross. At the Suiattle, I went
downstream and there was a huge tree that I could cross on. It was a
morning crossing when the water was down about a foot. Last year, Trauma
and I went upstream to a fallen tree and there were boulders going past
underneath us in the water and it sounded like thunder. We ended up having
to camp on the island overnight to let the water drop."

Dr Bob: Was there anything about the CDT that surprised you?

S: "Not pre-hiking that one was my biggest mistake, because I lost - at the
very least - a week just getting lost with navigation problems. Where? The
whole trail in general. But I saw that as an extra challenge. Not
difficult, just time-consuming. To be honest, my time on the CDT was slow,
'cause the navigation problems made a huge difference. I would have done
the trail faster and then missed that Nor'easter in Maine and NH. I
followed Jonathan Ley's maps, apart from where there were cut-offs. I
decided to do the trail as fully as possible."

Dr Bob: Since you had done the PCT before, you had no navigation problems
there?

S: "Only past Tuolumne Meadows when the trail was in the trees. It was still
snow-covered and you could get no visual reference between the trees. I was pretty much living by the GPS through there. From there to Sonora, there
were places in there that were so steep with snow, I had to slide down on my
bum and use my ice-axe as a brake. It was the only way I could get down
those hills."

Dr Bob: Talk about your transitions from trail to trail.

S: "Well, for one thing I gained 10 lbs eating multiple meals at once as I
went from the PCT to the CDT. My first dinner, I ate 3 meals and for
breakfast the next morning I ate 4 breakfasts. Each meal, I'd order 3 or 4
meals. I had knee trouble for the last 900 miles of the PCT - lots of
ibuprofen - and the 4 days between trails gave me time to rest it. Been fine
ever since. Also, it's quite a shock to go from 80°, jeep trails, and roads
in New Mexico to Maine in October and in the 100-mile Wilderness - no, the
100-mile ford - wade through ice cold water all day long. Due to all that
rain, the trail was about 70 miles under water. Some of the AT stream
crossings in Maine were like Class 3 rapids. Then came the climate shock
with that Nor'easter and all that fresh snow in the northeast."

Dr Bob: Which trail have you enjoyed the most, and what were your favorite
spots?

S: "The Pacific Crest. It's just an incredible, magnificent trail. It's
mind-blowing from start to finish. It goes through just about every type of
climate and ecosystem in the country. The scenery just seems to get better
and it's so diverse. You're standing on 10' of snow looking at the Mojave
Desert. Favorites? The JMT, the Goat Rocks, Glacier Peak, the Trinity
Alps, the Marbles, the Sisters. In the Cascades, you could see the next
white-capped mountain in the distance and it was a buzz to get to the next
one that same day, 'cause they were about 40 miles apart. I think Shasta is
the most spectacular mountain I've ever seen anywhere."

Dr Bob: In 1985, I saw 2 mountain lions at once on the PCT in S CA. I
notice on your website that you did also.

S: "In Oregon, I was coming around Mt Jefferson and at a stream crossing
with steep sides, I found myself 100 feet away from the 2 mountain lions,
sitting right in the trail at the edge of the stream. They could have
gotten to me in about 3 seconds. The big male was huge. It leapt across
the stream from one boulder to the next, effortlessly gliding, arcing,
across an 8 ft gap. You could see all its muscles through its fur. The
other one followed it. The big one looked up and I made eye contact. They
calmly trotted off up the mountain behind me. I tied my hiking poles up
over the back of my rucksack and picked up 2 rocks that were heavy enough to use as weapons. But nothing came of it."

Dr Bob: Were you scared?

S: "No, I think if you get scared in those situations you don't think
properly. I was certainly pumped up with adrenaline, but I was thinking
clearly. I got stalked in '04 just coming out of Mojave at nighttime, just
before the climb. This year I was walking along, daydreaming, just before
Seiad Valley and there was a bear coming along, daydreaming, and we nearly
walked into each other. It was funny. I didn't see any grizzlies in
Glacier... nor have I seen any rattlesnakes at all on all 3 trails! None!
The moose I saw on the CDT seemed smaller, by 50%, not much bigger than elk, than the moose I saw in Maine."

Dr Bob: Did you ever bear-bag?

S: "I started to up north, then I decided to just sleep with my food, except
in Glacier. I saw 8-10 bears on the PCT and just saw 3 in Shenandoah.
Can't remember any bears on the CDT, but south of Yellowstone, every soft
piece of ground or mud on the trail had a grizzly footprint in it. In Goat
Rocks, I saw a distant white object that was moving like a bear. I bumped
into Freebird later and he said he saw an albino bear, as well."

Dr Bob: What has evolved for you, what changed for you, what are you doing significantly differently now as opposed to when you started at Campo this year?

S: "I haven't really made any great changes. I probably could have gone
lighter at the beginning. I wouldn't call myself an ultralight backpacker,
by any means. I always take what I think is going to be necessary. I've
tried to stick to a routine of doing 14 hours a day. I've stuck with
Powerbars the whole time. To be honest, I need them. I used to eat candy
bars, but the sugar carbs just burn straight through you and by the end of
the day you'd start to feel woozy. I don't get that with the more complex
carbs of the Powerbars. I eat at least 12 a day. They also have more
protein."

Dr Bob: Any problems with blisters?

S: "No, just sort of got calluses on the back of my heels now. When cracks
develop. I just tape them up and carry on. I used duct tape, but now am
using Transpore tape. It's stickier and breathable, more of a mesh.
Doesn't sweat off."

Dr Bob: What's been the most unusual thing you've seen?

S: "Seeing you and David at that parking lot! (Big laugh.) I couldn't
build my hopes up."

Dr Bob: When you've been helped so many times, over the miles, it's a joy
to help out somebody on the trail who appreciates it and can use it.

S: "And can have the heater on my feet! (another laugh) Most unusual? I
could never figure out why there were 2 ski mountaineers in the Sierra whose
tracks would be in between the passes but there wouldn't be any tracks over
the passes. Just ski tracks down the valleys."

Dr Bob: You've been so focused on doing what's necessary to get through,
what in particular has given you pleasure in all of this?

S: "Everything gives me pleasure. Even the worst dire moments, I see as a
challenge. It's pleasurable to be in that situation and get through it,
especially all the challenges I've never dealt with before. Just doing it.
Anyway, it's never forever, is it? You're always going to get through the
bad stuff to the good stuff on the other side. It just boils down to
determination. "

Dr. Bob: What do you have in mind for your next challenge?

S: "Oh, I haven't decided what it will be. I may come back and do the John
Muir Trail next summer with my Mum, maybe in August. On my first PCT, just
after Agua Dulce there was a 100-mile endurance horse race going on. One
plan I've been trying to hatch is to race a horse on the PCT. I think
that hiking, in the long term, is a quicker way to cover distance than
running. (David Horton: "Warren Doyle always thought the same thing.") If
I was hiking with a crew and not carrying any pack, I could keep a 4 mph
pace up all day. The fact that my body's so used to doing 14 hr days and
not even feeling tired I'm pretty convinced that on any of these trails I
could average over 60 miles a day, hiking with a crew. I haven't decided
whether that's the sort of thing I would do, after finishing this. I've
even thought about crossing Antarctica, the South Pole, unsupported, pulling
a sled. One challenge I'm seriously thinking about is going for the
outright AT speed record, but doing it unsupported. My longest distance on
the AT this time has been 47 miles and my longest day about 15 hours. My
longest distance this time on the PCT was 48, which says I've been limiting
myself, keeping to a routine of 14 hours. I'm feeling fresh by getting
enough sleep and still covering decent miles."

Dr Bob: What is "enough sleep?"

S: "I don't know what's an appropriate amount of sleep, as I haven't done
this before and I'm learning as I go, but I find 7 hrs a night is
sufficient. I've found that if I start dropping it to 6 and feeling tired,
I'm afraid that my body will fatigue and I will pick up an injury. I don't
want to find that out now. I only started hiking two years ago so I'm still
finding out. The thing I like most about my hike is that a) everyone says
it's impossible and b) the fact that I've had no experience with anything
that I've faced. It's just been a learning curve with everything. I've had
no experience with endurance, no experience in the snow, no experience
with crampons, ice-axe, or snowshoes. It's just to show people that things
aren't impossible if you're prepared to try. Doing summer hikes of the AT
and PCT before gave me experience in backpacking, but doing a 450-mile
traverse of the Sierra in the snow was like going to school."

Dr Bob: What do folks back home in England think about your hike?

S: "I've kept everything low-key. The only people that know about it are
by word of mouth and people who use the internet or trail journals. I
didn't do any press releases or anything like that. I haven't done any
newspaper interviews. I haven't wanted anything to interfere with what I
was doing. I didn't want to approach sponsors. I just wanted to go and do
it. I didn't want to rely on anyone for anything. I have no idea what
response there will be. When I get home, I might buy myself a Lazy-boy (big
smile)."
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Dr Bob: As of 5:00 a.m. on December 7th, starting over ice in the dark at
Bearwallow Gap in 27°, Squeaky had roughly 730 miles to complete in 18 days,
if he is to meet his folks at Springer on Christmas Eve. That's 40.5 miles
per day, including re-supply and probable bad weather.

Lone Wolf
12-09-2005, 13:40
This guy could blow away the supported AT record with no problem. Guaranfrigginteed!

K-Man
12-09-2005, 14:29
What is the link to his website?

gumby
12-09-2005, 14:30
This is cool, he doing it but not bragging about it like some. Hail Squeaky, Long live Squeaky.:clap

gumby

rickb
12-09-2005, 14:44
Now that is cool. Great questions, too. Smart to get all that down on tape!

Nean
12-09-2005, 14:49
Brings back wonderful memories of Dr Bob helping me out years ago.
Not every "record" holder has my respect as I try to look at people for who they are instead of what they've done. Squeaky sounds like a good man with a great attitude from what I read. I hope he can stay here or at least catch a quick meal. If not, I'll understand. WOW! GO Squeaky

the goat
12-09-2005, 15:22
... the Goat Rocks....

thanks squeaky, i think you rock too.:D

Tha Wookie
12-09-2005, 15:51
That is impressive. I take it he didn't take the Wolf route in New Mexico, but rather the road? Not to get purist or anything..... incredible and very inspiring!

Sly
12-09-2005, 16:46
What is the link to his website?

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=2337

He started out with an amazing detailed journal on the PCT and it's dropped to just updates. Hopefully once he gets home he'll finish it.

Sly
12-09-2005, 17:51
That is impressive. I take it he didn't take the Wolf route in New Mexico, but rather the road? Not to get purist or anything..... incredible and very inspiring!

One of the beauties of the CDT is that there are so many different routes there really is no such thing as a purist. There are 3 or 4 starting or ending points in NM and two at the Canadian border with lots of alternatives in-between. Squeaky took none of the common cut-offs and did the RMNP loop which very few, if any, thru-hikers take.

The Solemates
12-09-2005, 18:50
Wow. Im speechless.

fiddlehead
12-09-2005, 18:55
That's AWESOME! Thanks a lot Dr. Bob for typing all that. Very awesome.

fiddlehead
12-09-2005, 18:57
I didn't think anyone would do the triple crown faster than FLyin Brian and here goes his record after only 4 years. Incredible.

Whistler
12-09-2005, 19:44
Great read. Thanks for taping, and especially for typing it all up and sharing it here.
-Mark

Squeaky 2
12-09-2005, 20:00
Cheers for that, I am sitting at home in England and I am very proud to say that is MY SON, tears in my eyes and so very very proud indeed. Keep going Son and we will see you on Springer, and you will have made what too others seemed impossibe very possible indeed.
We always had so much faith in you its so fantasic and mind blowing to read it all.
Not long now.

GO SQUEAKY GO !!!!!!!!:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

Burn
12-09-2005, 20:07
there is always the Florida Trail....Jaws has anyone done that too?

Moxie00
12-09-2005, 20:39
What a wonderful story. I am as slow as Squeaky is fast, Also, Horton, you are a wonderful guy., I remember how Horton came up to support his friends Bearbag and Sweetpea when they finished their thru. He climbed Kathadin in a blizzard where a polar bear would have turned back and was the only one on Baxter peak that day.

Lone Wolf
12-09-2005, 20:44
If Squeaky ever wants to do a supported AT speed hike, I'll help support him. I've supported others. horton knows me well. He'll vouch for me.

Nean
12-09-2005, 23:12
The CDT is a purist nightmare:clap The Wolf route? :confused: Please.
I'll bet he did 500 more than your boy out west;) Cut-off indeed. :bse
This kid could do the triple in one summer with proper support; but that sounds too easy for him. Maybe when he gets older:D

Youngblood
12-10-2005, 09:08
What would really be neat (at least for me!) was if he finished on NYE and camped that night with the NYE group at Springer... talk about a finish and a small group of folks on hand to celibrate with him. How many folks do you think would be on hand at Springer on NYE if that was in the works?

Youngblood

Squeaky 2
12-10-2005, 09:44
What is the NYE, sorry new to all this , just curious.

Stef , Squeaky's mum

jlb2012
12-10-2005, 09:53
New Year's Eve (NYE)

Youngblood
12-10-2005, 09:59
Sorry about that, NYE is New Year's Eve. It is becoming a tradition for near by hikers (particularly AT Thru hikers and other long distance hikers) to met at Springer Mountain in Georgia at the southern terminus of the AT for NYE. It has only been going on for a few years that I know of and is low keyed, no fireworks and you bring your on stuff for the most part, of course a few folks usually bring an item or two to share but you can't really count on that, you need to bring your own. The amount of campfire time and socializing is greatly dependent on the weather, or course and if it is brutally cold and nasty I'm not sure how many would last the night. Last year I thing we had one or two Southbound AT thru hikers finishing their hike and had one or two there that were going to start their Northbound AT thru hike on New Year's Day, maybe 20 or 30 people and the weather was pretty mild, don't recall it getting below freezing.

It is kind of special and it kind of isn't... if you know what I mean... it is pretty much what each individual wants it to be or makes it.

Youngblood

Squeaky 2
12-10-2005, 11:44
I now feel stupid. :o lol,, I am only getting used to some of the sayings since trying to keep up to date for Squeaky on the web sites.
Oh to be young again.
ha ha
:D :D

stef

Mags
12-10-2005, 11:59
The CDT is a purist nightmare:clap
Let's hope it stay that way. The CDT is great for grumpy liberterian minded people like me. ;)

Somone claimed the speed record this past year for the CDT. The general consensus was .".***??!?! A speed record on the CDT?!?!?! Ptthh!" :)

But..I am going off on a tangent... The really important thing:


Way to go to Sqeaky.. Awesome, just awesome. :clap

rainmaker
12-11-2005, 00:09
Squeaky2,
My hat is off to your son not just for his physical and mental accomplishmets but also for enduring those d---able Power Bars. After he finishes, may I suggest a quiet repast at Rick's in Dahlonega. It is a wonderful place with excellent food, a modest selection of wine and superb service .

max patch
12-11-2005, 13:48
Squeaky2,
My hat is off to your son not just for his physical and mental accomplishmets but also for enduring those d---able Power Bars. After he finishes, may I suggest a quiet repast at Rick's in Dahlonega. It is a wonderful place with excellent food, a modest selection of wine and superb service .

Respectfully disagree. After what Squeaky has done he deserves to put on the feedbag at The Smith House.

Sly
12-11-2005, 16:47
I pity the AYCE's he goes to, probably singlehandedly loses them money for the day!

Squeaky 2
12-11-2005, 17:28
I think the First Stop is to get him to the Barbers and get the BEARD off, although probably he will be thinking off his stomach first and wanting a Pizza.

Somewhere special he can choose.


Stef:)

Dances with Mice
12-11-2005, 18:37
Respectfully disagree. After what Squeaky has done he deserves to put on the feedbag at The Smith House.I second the Smith House suggestion. Ask anyone in Dahlonega for directions.

smokymtnsteve
12-11-2005, 18:46
I second the Smith House suggestion. Ask anyone in Dahlonega for directions.

I third that suggestion...

Sly
12-11-2005, 21:02
An interesting sideline that may affect Squeaky's hike is a friend of mine who has lots of experience hiking the AT in winter and is heading south to Springer has bailed at Newfound Gap and is now in Cherokee. It appears the trail was too icy to traverse.

Squeaky may want to invest in some crampons before he reaches the highlands of the southern Appalachians.

warren doyle
12-11-2005, 21:17
The task: 620 miles in 21 days to finish by Dec. 31st - about 30 mpd.
The obstacles: snow,ice, and windchill factor along Chestnut Ridge, Grayson Highlands, Whitetop, Roan Highlands, Big Bald, Max Patch, the Smokies, and Standing Indian.
Will Squeaky's mind, body, spirit and soul be able to overcome the physical obstacles and the timeline he has set for himself?
It should be an interesting three weeks in the annals of long distance trail endurance walking.
It has been a good year for the endurance walkers/hikers/runners of lond distance trails.
Congrats to David Horton, Andrew Thompson and hopefully Squeaky!

Lone Wolf
12-11-2005, 23:49
Yes Warren. This s**t rocks!

Nean
12-12-2005, 00:38
Heald left Newfound today, said everything is coated in an inch of ice, but he's still going. Crampons might help.

Nightwalker
12-12-2005, 00:51
Heald left Newfound today, said everything is coated in an inch of ice, but he's still going. Crampons might help.
I'm just carrying my Yak-Tracks and hoping for the best...

Nean
12-12-2005, 01:15
What are Yak-tracks? Those little crampons??

Nightwalker
12-12-2005, 01:55
What are Yak-tracks? Those little crampons??
Yeah, they slip on over shoes, even trail-runners. However, I won't be wearing my trail runners this time of year...

smokymtnsteve
12-12-2005, 01:57
yea but they slip off your boots easy and then the dogs eat them..

Youngblood
12-12-2005, 09:06
It will be a lot more work and will slow him down. Hope he makes it and whether he does or doesn't I hope he stays healthy and keeps things in perspective.

Nean
12-12-2005, 11:17
Sorry, different thread, same subject.
Hikers would need an a * if they took the ferry? How 'bout that little trail called the *C*D*T*? The only * that gets applied to records is supported and unsupported and as pointed out before, unsupported is open to interpretation. BR didn't take the Creede short-cut, but did take the others. Think Scott Williamsons PCT yo-yo was Pure? My guess is that Squeaky has already done as many miles as BR.

max patch
12-12-2005, 11:29
and as pointed out before, unsupported is open to interpretation.

Not trying to start a fight or anything, but "unsupported" seems pretty clear to me. Could you give a few examples?

Nean
12-12-2005, 11:47
Seems pretty clear to me too Max. I wish I could find the Aldha-west artical of Brain Robinsons unsuccesful attempt of the JMT. In it he stated his opinions/rules of support. I laughed so hard I had to change drawers.:jump

Squeaky 2
12-12-2005, 12:48
I really appreciate all your comments guys, I always re- lay all on to Squeaky when he rings. He is rarely by a computer and it is good I can give him all sorts of important info.
He does know what lies ahead in the Southern Appalachians and that is why he has quoted, "For so few miles he has left , it is a hell of a long way, mentally he is anxious with being so close and yet so far away". This last stretch will be a killer if the snows set in.
If the next week on the weather chart shows he is on the edge of the bad weather then it gives him a good week to set some heavy miles, so lets hope he does get some on his side.
Its hard sitting here and not really knowing what is happening over there with the weather, so again I do thank all of you for you information.

Stef

Squeaky 2
12-12-2005, 12:53
It will be a lot more work and will slow him down. Hope he makes it and whether he does or doesn't I hope he stays healthy and keeps things in perspective.

I truly agree, I keep saying too Squeaky even if you finish early Jan you still have knocked 60 or so days of BR time, but too him that is not good enough, he clearly stated in a Calendar Year and that is what he wants to do.
So I do hope he makes it, but to me his health and saftey is more important as a mum.

Stef

Mags
12-12-2005, 12:53
Seems pretty clear to me too Max. I wish I could find the Aldha-west artical of Brain Robinsons unsuccesful attempt of the JMT. In it he stated his opinions/rules of support. I laughed so hard I had to change drawers.:jump


Remember...when all is said and done it is just hiking. It is a lifestyle that is rather simple. I am glad for that!

The only rule is "Are you glad you are on the journey?"

Anyway, maybe we should move this discussion to a different thread? I don't neccessarily disagree wth you Nean, but I'd hate to take away the spotlight from Squeaky.

Said it before: way to go Squeaky!

Nean
12-12-2005, 13:58
I could not agree with you more Mags.
I'm so pleased with this young mans attitude and the way he has gone about it. It is totally different from the other guy, which was the point and to reaffirm * is for *!;) Its all so silly; I love it

Nightwalker
12-12-2005, 14:03
yea but they slip off your boots easy and then the dogs eat them..
They don't slip offa my big ol' size 13s, or at least not yet. And iffa doggie starts eating my equipment, I may end up wif doggie stew. Not that anya your doggies would taste any good, 'cause you probably feed 'em slunks and scraps. teeheehee.

:bse

Tha Wookie
12-12-2005, 16:27
I could not agree with you more Mags.
I'm so pleased with this young mans attitude and the way he has gone about it. It is totally different from the other guy, which was the point and to reaffirm * is for *!;) Its all so silly; I love it

Silly? I think people hiking their heart out for personal goals, whether you admire them or not, is seriously cool.

Not to mention, as far as I know, Brian Robinson conceived the idea, or at least brought it into practical reality.

Both of them have a high degree of my respect, regardless of their own personal way of doing things. I'm sure they took different routes, so really a contest to see who did "it" longer or shorter is moot, because "it" is a different path. But their intrapersonal achievements are true success, just as much as the guy who takes a lifetime to hike all three.

What will really impress me is when people start doing the fourple crown, including the American West Coast Trail. ;)

rickb
12-12-2005, 16:41
I think that at one time Squeaky planned to include the American Discovery Trail in his year-long quest.

Way to go Squeaky!

ed bell
12-12-2005, 17:28
An interesting sideline that may affect Squeaky's hike is a friend of mine who has lots of experience hiking the AT in winter and is heading south to Springer has bailed at Newfound Gap and is now in Cherokee. It appears the trail was too icy to traverse.

Squeaky may want to invest in some crampons before he reaches the highlands of the southern Appalachians.


Weather looks kinda dicey for now though Thursday. Latest NWS Statement is calling for a an ice storm effecting us down here in Greenville, S.C. I dont know where Squeaky is now, but hopefully the weather doesn't turn too nasty on him. No telling what Mother Nature has in store for the big peaks down here. I'll go check Ray's Weather for Boone for an update.:sun

Squeaky 2
12-12-2005, 18:37
I think that at one time Squeaky planned to include the American Discovery Trail in his year-long quest.

Way to go Squeaky!

Yep, he sure did, but time and money got in the way and he decided to go for the Triple this year, not sure what is next on the list but I bet it will be exciting.

He has a few ideas....:-? :-?

Squeaky 2
12-12-2005, 18:39
Weather looks kinda dicey for now though Thursday. Latest NWS Statement is calling for a an ice storm effecting us down here in Greenville, S.C. I dont know where Squeaky is now, but hopefully the weather doesn't turn too nasty on him. No telling what Mother Nature has in store for the big peaks down here. I'll go check Ray's Weather for Boone for an update.:sun

He was in Pearisburg on Saturday and hoping to be in Damascus in 4days.

warren doyle
12-12-2005, 22:08
At a Gathering evening program at Concord College, the year after his Triple Crown, Brian Robinson, on his own accord, mentioned that he had to miss sections of the AT due to snow depth in southern New England. He said he wouldn't mind having an asterisk next to his name concerning this.
The AT is the most continuously marked footpath with only one official, obvious white-blazed route - unlike the PCT and certainly not like the CDT. Of the three trails, the AT is the only one that you can, or cannot say, you walked the ENTIRE trail.
It appears that this is important to Squeaky and I admire that.
Whether you ford the Kennebec or canoe across it, is how important that is to the person in the mirror? I feel it takes a teeny-weeny bit of luster off a remarkable achievement if an endurance athlete chooses to have someone paddle them across a river rather than fording it on their own foot power.
I would like to see someone walk the AT four times continuously within one calendar year, with or without support. What an achievement that would be!

lobster
12-12-2005, 22:28
There is not a clear line between what "supported" and "unsupported" hikes are. Even without a "support" team, I would assume the "unsupported" hiker may mention that he/she is going for a record and thus other hikers and townspeople might make special effort to go out of the way to help them not have to wait around or have to do extra things besides their daily mileage.

Can't you see an "unsupported" speed hiker begging for a ride out of town:

"I'm on a speedhike. Please give me a ride back to the AT. I'd like to put in another 20 miles before dark."

A 100% unsupported speed hike would be one where nobody knows you are attempting a speed hike and thus treats you no differently than any other hiker! Thus, no extra trail magic!

Sly
12-12-2005, 22:59
A 100% unsupported speed hike would be one where nobody knows you are attempting a speed hike and thus treats you no differently than any other hiker! Thus, no extra trail magic!

A 100% totally unsupported "thru-hike" would need the same criteria and rare indeed.

In my mind, being "unsupported" means not being met at trailheads with food and/or gear to continue hiking without taking the time to normally resupply.

Just about everyone, record setter or thru-hiker, gets an asterick when you really think about it.

Sly
12-12-2005, 23:09
At a Gathering evening program at Concord College, the year after his Triple Crown, Brian Robinson, on his own accord, mentioned that he had to miss sections of the AT due to snow depth in southern New England. He said he wouldn't mind having an asterisk next to his name concerning this.


He may have missed part of the whiteblazed trail due to snowpack and bushwacked, but I believe his hike was continuous as far as "hiking" from Georgia to Maine. If you read "Walking with Spring" closely even Earl bushwacked on his thru-hike which imo, set the standard regardless of official rules.

YMMV

Nean
12-13-2005, 02:59
Sorry Wook, You grabed the ball and ran the wrong way for a touchdown. Nice effort, but I'm afraid you missed my point. Splittng hairs over * is silly. Thanks Sly.
BTW, that AWCT really isn't a trail, more of a stunt hike don't you think:D ;) And while I'm thinking of it, a guy named Hannibal, from England! no less, conceived the idea back in the mid 90s.
GO SQUEAKY!!!

Teatime
12-13-2005, 09:07
I had the priveledge of meeting Squeeky's folks on top of Springer in Sept. 2003 as I was starting my section hike. I had a nice conversation with htem and thhey were kind enough to take my picture next to the Southern Terminus plaque. The following evening as I lay half asleep at the Gooch Mtn. Shelter, here comes Squeeky himself. It was after 8 PM and he was hiking by headlamp. I was a little startled at first, being half asleep, but he quickly put me at ease. We had a pleasant little conversation and then he went and set up his tent. I think all he had was a bag liner at that point and needed the tent for the extra warmth. Both he and his folks left a very positive impression on me. Best wishes and God speed to Squeeky as he completes his odyssey.

Tha Wookie
12-13-2005, 14:57
Sorry Wook, You grabed the ball and ran the wrong way for a touchdown. Nice effort, but I'm afraid you missed my point. Splittng hairs over * is silly. Thanks Sly.
BTW, that AWCT really isn't a trail, more of a stunt hike don't you think:D ;) And while I'm thinking of it, a guy named Hannibal, from England! no less, conceived the idea back in the mid 90s.
GO SQUEAKY!!!

Actually, the AWCT is a concept concieved by the National Coast Trail Association, back in the eighties. We never even knew about it until we already planned on hiking the coast. A month before we started we decided to join the effort in helping them publicize, since informed us we would be the first continuous hikers of it.

It is supported by California, Orgegon, and Washington State Park systems, to link all the existing coastal trails to make a fourth designated north-south national scenic trail in the National Trails Scenic System, and an important natural buffer along the entire Pacific coast.

You see, there is a greater purpose beyond my personal goals of going for a long walk in a naturally spectacular area. We were glad to join the effort.

It was refreshing to step outside of the same old circuit for four moons.

With the help of other hikers and public opinion, it will become the fourth jewel. We just need a new congress first.

Then squeaky and Brian can expand their admirable speedhikes!

GO SQUEAKY!

Sly
12-13-2005, 15:15
With the help of other hikers and public opinion, it will become the fourth jewel. We just need a new congress first.


The Quadruple Crown? Lacks appeal and imagination. While I agree any long trail, especially a National Scenic Trail, is a "jewel" let's not revise history.

Tha Wookie
12-13-2005, 17:38
The Quadruple Crown? Lacks appeal and imagination. While I agree any long trail, especially a National Scenic Trail, is a "jewel" let's not revise history.

Yeah, I suppose you're right. There's an anonymous hiker who coined the term "Forple" Crown.

I agree about history. Let's work on the future instead.

Maybe this could warrent another thread. I like to talk more, but....


GO SQUEAKY! :sun

rickb
12-13-2005, 17:47
Not that it matters in the least, and perhaps its just me, but I really like the idea that a guy who is clearly as tough as nails, stronger than an ox and with the heart of a lion, decide to hang on the trail name of Squeaky.

Go Squeaky! :banana

A-Train
12-13-2005, 22:31
I can't believe some of you even are disputing what qualifies as a real hike or a full supported or unsupported hike. I was a purist on the AT, but who cares?! I thought this thread was about the great achievement and endurance of one guy this year. Why not celebrate his hike and others like him who are out there doing the same thing we all love. Go Squeaky!

Sly
12-14-2005, 02:35
I thought this thread was about the great achievement and endurance of one guy this year. Why not celebrate his hike

It is, we have, but all threads morph a bit.

Heater
12-14-2005, 03:33
It is supported by California, Orgegon

Orgegon? Isn't that where the Klingons come from?
...or was that Uranus? I can't remember. :o

The >>>:o <<< was out of embarassment that I used that old used up joke.

I can't halp it. :datz

Nean
12-15-2005, 03:06
A hiker in the mid eighties coined the term Triple Crown, his name was Wizard. GO SQUEAKY!!!

fiddlehead
12-15-2005, 08:52
S
BTW, that AWCT really isn't a trail, more of a stunt hike don't you think:D ;) And while I'm thinking of it, a guy named Hannibal, from England! no less, conceived the idea back in the mid 90s.
GO SQUEAKY!!!
I first met Hannibal on the PCT in 96 when he: started the AT NOBO, hiked to Harper's Ferry, got bored as there was no one to talk to, then he started again at springer NOBO just to walk with people up to I believe Rusty's and THEN, he came out and hiked the whole PCT that year.
We were very impressed and yes, he first gave me the idea of hiking the triple crown in one year also.
He was an elephant trainer/feeder at a zoo in England, hence the trail name:
"Hannibal"
As for adding a 4th trail to the triple crown? nah. none compare to the present 3.

Lone Wolf
12-15-2005, 12:27
A hiker in the mid eighties coined the term Triple Crown, his name was Wizard. GO SQUEAKY!!!
Wizard hiked in the 90s starting with the AT in 1990.

Miss Janet
12-15-2005, 12:55
So, where is Squeaky today? I am afraid that if I blink, I might miss him!!

Lone Wolf
12-15-2005, 13:08
Somewhere south of Damascus. I missed him last night. Unless your house falls in his mileage plan you may miss him.

sliderule
12-15-2005, 13:33
Sounds like Squeaky is not spending his time carving his initials in shelters!!!

Nean
12-15-2005, 14:33
LW, ya think it possible that thar might be more than one Wizard??;) :) I do know of the Wizard you speak of, he's done the 3 trails too.
The snow we got last night has melted, still a little windy, 40 degrees. I don't think its nearly enough to slow Squeaky down.

Tha Wookie
12-15-2005, 16:00
As for adding a 4th trail to the triple crown? nah. none compare to the present 3.

Not true. Maybe not in mileage (the AWCT is 1800 miles boder to border), which I could understand an arguement being made against it, but the AWCT is certainly on par or above par in scenery and difficulty with the AT or the PCT. From the 300 miles of the CDT I have done (all in Colorado), it is also on par with it.

I saw more wildlife on the Washington coast alone than the AT and PCT combined (including bears).

GO SQUEAKY!

Nean
12-15-2005, 16:37
Up the COast, YO down the PCT, or YO up and COast down, a YOCO, oh no!
What?
To tell the truth;) , I think the AWCT sounds like a great hike, thanks be to Wook:)

Teatime
12-15-2005, 16:44
Hope Squeaky is managing okay in the bad weather up there. Any word on his progress? When should he make it to Kincora Hostel or has he already been there? Inquiring minds want to know. Go Squeaky, go!

Tha Wookie
12-15-2005, 17:08
Up the COast, YO down the PCT, or YO up and COast down, a YOCO, oh no!
What?
To tell the truth;) , I think the AWCT sounds like a great hike, thanks be to Wook:)

Nean, now you're talking. If you see my book when it comes out next fall, you'll see how that is possible, and much more actually, all on trails.

Until then I'll have to hold you in suspense ;) You'll like it.....

I appreciate the thanks, but Al Lepage concieved the AWCT, not me (although I did change the name from what they wanted to use, by adding American, to distinguish from Canada's WCT).

the first AWCT segment (The Oregon Coast Trail) was pioneered by Samuel Dicken in the 70's. His book, Pioneer Trails of the Oregon Coast, is simply amazing.

bfitz
12-15-2005, 17:15
:clap :clap

Lone Wolf
12-15-2005, 17:20
Hope Squeaky is managing okay in the bad weather up there. Any word on his progress? When should he make it to Kincora Hostel or has he already been there? Inquiring minds want to know. Go Squeaky, go!
Kincora tomorrow I think.

Squeaky 2
12-15-2005, 18:28
So, where is Squeaky today? I am afraid that if I blink, I might miss him!!

He has to re-supply in your town so he will be calling to see you and probably going to his favourite eatery that he took his dad and I too when we where there.
Might see you again this time, depends on what Squeaky wants to do when he finishes.

Stef

Wonder
12-21-2005, 01:19
I have just returned from attending the Appalachian Trail Institute that Warren Doyle hosts(Can't give it enough praise, but that's for another thread) He drove a few of us down to meet Squeeky before he took of for his day. All I can say, is that Squeeky is a very modest, kind, and sweet man; but above all, driven. I hope that we have a chance to speak again after he finishes. He is a TRUE inspiration to me, and I will keep him in mind every day of my thru hike next year and beyond. On a personal note, just standing there yesterday morning with two trail legends was a very distinct honor. THe presence of greatness was overwelming. GO SQUEEKY!!!!

Nightwalker
12-22-2005, 19:50
I would like to see someone walk the AT four times continuously within one calendar year, with or without support. What an achievement that would be!
Go for it.

Miss Janet
12-22-2005, 22:50
What happened to the posts from the past week on this thread?? They did a dissappearing act!

Youngblood
12-23-2005, 09:44
What happened to the posts from the past week on this thread?? They did a dissappearing act!
There's two threads, try this one: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11644 .