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ldsailor
04-29-2018, 13:48
I read somewhere about a month ago that an 86 year old hiker is trying to break Grey Beard's record hike of 2017. That was the last I heard of the hiker. Anyone know about the guy? What's his trail name and where is he in his hike? If you are familiar with him, I would also like to know of any web site, Facebook page or web based journal that might be following him.

Thanks!

ADK Walker
04-29-2018, 14:13
Was Pappy his trail name? Not sure where he is.

ldsailor
04-29-2018, 15:01
Was Pappy his trail name? Not sure where he is.

Yes! I did a search on that and found a reference to him, but I still don't know where he is on the trail.

Venchka
04-29-2018, 15:33
By definition he isn’t a Thru Hiker this year. Not yet.
Wayne

Deacon
04-29-2018, 16:05
As an aside, does anyone remember Cimmaron, the 88 year old who attempted the AT back in 2011? He made it all the way from Georgia, but just couldn’t get up those near vertical climbs on Katahdin.

I hope Pappy makes it.


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KCNC
04-29-2018, 16:28
Pappy is hitting Damascus today. For the record, he's already a Triple-Crowner (all after age 66, I believe) and has checked off several other trails. Just found out he now lives in Myrtle Beach, SC. His real name is Victor Kubilius and he has a FB page. It appears he's benefitting from some Dumbledore-level Trail Magic with people refusing to let him stay in hostels and insisting that he stay in their homes. (Where he gets fed righteously as well.)

My son had dinner with him in Hot Springs a couple of weeks ago and has crossed paths with him several times. I've read that he tweaked his knee at some point but took a few days to rest and kept on walking. I hope that if I make it to 88 I'm in good enough shape to consider this level of activity.

ldsailor
04-30-2018, 11:14
By definition he isn’t a Thru Hiker this year. Not yet.

Actually, as I understand it and I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, not only has he through hiked the AT but has also done so on the PCT and CDT.

As for this year, yes, I agree that nobody is a thru-hiker for the year until they do all 2,190 miles

capehiker
04-30-2018, 13:31
It appears he's benefitting from some Dumbledore-level Trail Magic with people refusing to let him stay in hostels and insisting that he stay in their homes. (Where he gets fed righteously as well.).

Just had to quote the above so it doesn’t get lost. That’s one of the best descriptions of trail magic I’ve ever read. Awesome!

JC13
04-30-2018, 14:30
Additionally, he has lost his WWII veteran hat somewhere around Erwin, TN and is looking for it.

MuddyWaters
04-30-2018, 15:54
Additionally, he has lost his WWII veteran hat somewhere around Erwin, TN and is looking for it.

86=born 1932
There were a few 16-17 yr olds that snuck in
Not sure about 13 or under

KCNC
04-30-2018, 20:49
Additionally, he has lost his WWII veteran hat somewhere around Erwin, TN and is looking for it.

*Korean War

My son is just behind him (Roan) and told him to help spread the word.

JC13
05-01-2018, 08:59
86=born 1932
There were a few 16-17 yr olds that snuck in
Not sure about 13 or underLol, sorry about that, I couldn't recall which war off the top of my head and assumed WWII without checking.

KCNC
05-01-2018, 19:48
His hat has been found - a shuttle driver in Erwin undertook a search of the town and tracked it down.

shelb
05-02-2018, 21:18
Actually, as I understand it and I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, not only has he through hiked the AT but has also done so on the PCT and CDT.


Great article on Pappy (https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/87-year-old-pappy-attempting-become-oldest-appalachian-trail-thru-hiker/) here. (The Trek has many cool articles... FYI)

Feral Bill
05-02-2018, 21:38
I am now officially out of excuses.

black chucks
08-26-2018, 16:23
Victor Kubilius. 87 years old.

https://www.facebook.com/kubilius1

Looks like he's in Maine headed south on his flip-flop, hoping to finish his 2018 thru in December.

More... (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFlVH-I1sN8_lP4vRL0CV1CrxoXlg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=dvhoW6DvD8vkqgL3lJTIBg&url=http://www.wabi.tv/content/news/Veteran-attempting-to-become-oldest-person-to-hike-Appalachian-Trail-490197711.html)

Venchka
08-26-2018, 17:02
Actually, as I understand it and I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, not only has he through hiked the AT but has also done so on the PCT and CDT.

As for this year, yes, I agree that nobody is a thru-hiker for the year until they do all 2,190 miles
Thanks. When I wrote that I wasn’t aware of his prior exploits.
Good luck to him!
Wayne

George
08-26-2018, 17:28
Should be in the whites, his daughter hired a finished nobo to help him - met the 82 yo from last year, grey beard was a lot more with it and fit than pappy - but I could still only hope to be in that condition in my 80's

jgillam
08-26-2018, 19:30
We all are.
I am now officially out of excuses.

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Deacon
09-19-2018, 11:06
Any word on the whereabouts of Pappy? Did he finish?

At 87 years young, he would set a new record.


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capehiker
09-19-2018, 11:25
Any word on the whereabouts of Pappy? Did he finish?

At 87 years young, he would set a new record.


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My friend who’s currently thru hiking just posted a picture of him with Pappy while in Andover, ME. This was 2-3 days ago.

Last Call
09-19-2018, 15:09
Isn't he supposed to be Southbound on a flip-flop? Regardless, another record about to be broken....just imagine what the Trail would be without these record-setting thru hikers....they deserve all the accolades they get, and then some!

RockDoc
09-19-2018, 16:23
Yes, we met Cimmaron in the southern Appalachians, NC I believe. He was moving pretty slow when we saw him, but he was movin. He had a lady called dream catcher or something helping him out.

These oldsters are not to be underestimated. I met Attilla the Hun in Maine back in 2007. He was old, weak, and ill, and took a lot of medicine but I believe he did finish. We met him several times because he would shuttle his car and then walk back (south) to it. Whatta guy.

Southeast
09-19-2018, 16:30
There’s an Instagram account with some details and photos:
PappyOnTheAT

And folks sometimes are using #GoPappyGo in their pics with Pappy.

Southeast
09-21-2018, 19:14
Mahoosic Notch in the rain per Instagram... heading southbound (part of his flip flop)

T.S.Kobzol
10-06-2018, 15:43
Look who we ran into today [emoji846][emoji106]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181006/ecc50fbce6047a5da596d91a2bdd82bd.jpg


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T.S.Kobzol
10-06-2018, 15:56
Pappy was hiking down from Carters...next range is the Presidential Range


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ldsailor
11-13-2018, 11:06
I was curious about Pappy's progress. He is the 87 year old hiker attempting a thru-hike. Well, I went to his Facebook page and it appears he cut his leg pretty bad. It looks like he is off the trail and if that is true, that's it for the year as weather closes in. I think he stopped in New Hampshire.

Anyone know any more? I could be assuming too much here and I'm just wondering if anyone has the facts. It does look like Grey Beards record of last year will stand, though.

Southeast
11-13-2018, 11:48
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181113/199261e40fb7b4ac523ec4d60e2b86b2.jpg

Southeast
11-13-2018, 11:50
You can watch that video on Facebook for more info.
He hiked 1500 miles total until an old knee injury slowed him so much he wouldn’t have been able to finish his flip-flop.

ldsailor
11-13-2018, 12:48
He hiked 1500 miles total until an old knee injury slowed him so much he wouldn’t have been able to finish his flip-flop.

Wow! It's still a great accomplishment. I was trying to finish the trail this year but only got 595 miles to Gorham, NH (I'm a LASHer). The Whites killed me. I'm going back next year and I'm really apprehensive about Maine. This thing with Pappy does not instill confidence.

BradMT
12-09-2018, 17:03
Pappy is Bad-Ass... period, full stop.

tiptoe
12-09-2018, 17:40
I'm really apprehensive about Maine...

I hiked Gorham to Katahdin in my 70s, and you can do it too. I did it in chunks (Gorham to Caratunk, Caratunk to base of Katahdin, and last summer, Katahdin summit. I took my time, doing maybe 6-7 mpd for most of it and 10 mpd after Whiteface. Just take your time, and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Astro
12-09-2018, 19:49
When I first heard/read that when you get to NH (NoBo) you have done 80% of the AT distance but only 20% of the effort, I thought it was a little over the top.
Now I know first hand it is true, and still plan to finish those last 340 miles this coming summer. :)

ldsailor
12-10-2018, 11:55
I hiked Gorham to Katahdin in my 70s, and you can do it too. I did it in chunks (Gorham to Caratunk, Caratunk to base of Katahdin, and last summer, Katahdin summit. I took my time, doing maybe 6-7 mpd for most of it and 10 mpd after Whiteface. Just take your time, and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

I really wanted to finish this year, 2018. It would have been a little over a 900 mile section to finish the entire trail in three years. Now I'm thinking I may split the last 315 miles into two years. I'll see how things go when I get back on the trail toward the end of June. Thanks for the motivation, tiptoe. I know I can finish especially if Pappy can get through Maine and you did it in your 70's. I'll be 70 when I finish.