PDA

View Full Version : One Leg needs help



Jim Obermeyer
04-20-2004, 05:54
I've been following his trek via his journal on his website. He's had some problems with the leg but he seems to be doing alright. He was entering the Smokies at his last posting.

At his last posting he said his money was running out and he's asking for donations. It's not only him, he's also has his wife and six kids following in a camper.

He has a page on his website http://www.onelegwonder.com/ just click on the contact button to make donations.

Thanks...and there's nothing in this for me. One Leg does not know I made this post.

Blue Jay
04-20-2004, 07:27
He could sell the camper, save a lot of gas money.

Lone Wolf
04-20-2004, 07:32
Obviously he didn't plan well at all if he's broke by the Smokies. His whole "hike" is a circus. No money from me.

Aesop
04-20-2004, 07:58
I think I'll send him something because what he will learn if he suceeds is more important than what he will lose if he fails. Hike on Scott!!

chris
04-20-2004, 08:41
You always learn more from failure than from success. Broke by the Smokys? Yeah, Wolf is right on this one. What would that cost? About $60 is about right for me.

warren doyle
04-20-2004, 08:47
Out of funds by the Smokies?
First time I ever heard of that.
I'll be following 'the rest of the story'.

Jack Tarlin
04-20-2004, 09:05
I met and spoke with Scott and his family a few days ago in Hot Springs. He didn't mention money problems, nor was he actively soliciting donations.

The people who are making unkind comments about this matter without having first-hand knowledge are doing Scott a dis-service. He has made no secret of the fact that folks are welcome to donate to his hike---if they choose to do so. People that want to help him achieve his dream are free to do so; people who aren't interested in helping him are likewise free to do what they wish. But for folks to make comments about him and his family, without knowing the man, his motives, or character---well this to me seems kind of mean-spitited. Surely we have worthier things to discuss.

SGT Rock
04-20-2004, 09:06
Did you check out the financial dislosure, basically if he lost the RV he would have an extra $1,025 instead of a $12,000 deficit. I don't know if he "needs" the RV and 7 person trail support team despite his handicap, I guess that is for him to decide. But with $10,000 collected to date and the fact that he is already running out of funds by the Smokies leads me to belive that the financial end of this trip isn't worked out very well.

By the way, I am not downing this guys hike or anything, it just seems like there could be a better way. I hope he does makes it.

Lone Wolf
04-20-2004, 09:09
Hey Jack, remember a few years back you and Wingfoot slammed "The Family" without ever meeting them? Practice what you preach.

clyde
04-20-2004, 09:10
broke by the smokies...? good times.

he might be the first to do something afterall.

i think blue jay hit the nail on the head. the RV and road crew has got to eat away at the funds pretty quickly.

i wish him the best. maybe i'll kick in a few bucks so the family can eat.

smokymtnsteve
04-20-2004, 09:47
i think blue jay hit the nail on the head.


the BLUE JAY always hits the nail on the head and drives it home .....



"The sneakiest form of literary subtlety, in a corrupt society, is to speak the plain truth. The critics will not understand you; the public will not believe you; your fellow writers will shake their heads. Laughter, praise, honors, money, and the love of beautiful girls will be your only reward."

the words of Edward Abbey

Blue Jay
04-20-2004, 10:08
I also hope he continues.

Tha Wookie
04-20-2004, 10:37
Just wondering... does anyone know if the first guy who did it had his whole family to go with him?

Wolf raised a good point - "the Family" did it all together on the trail, with everyone walking, even the little ones (whom I met, and they were incredible children far above par). If it is so important that they all go as to require donations, why don't they walk? I mean hell, if their dad can do it with one leg....

If not, then maybe he should try another year when they can afford it (or give up the bus). Maine is a long way from Tennessee.

chris
04-20-2004, 10:44
I don't think it matters what his motives are or how nice his family is: To be low on cash by the Smokys is just plain funny. Then again, I met (in 02) someone who was broke by NOC, so OneLeg can't claim a record there.

Jaybird
04-20-2004, 11:41
I've been following his trek via his journal on his website. He's had some problems with the leg but he seems to be doing alright. He was entering the Smokies at his last posting.

At his last posting he said his money was running out and he's asking for donations. It's not only him, he's also has his wife and six kids following in a camper. He has a page on his website http://www.onelegwonder.com/ just click on the contact button to make donations.Thanks...and there's nothing in this for me. One Leg does not know I made this post.


Thanks for posting this J.O.!
here's "OneLeg"'s last trail journal entry:

04/17/04

Just a quick note to let all that I am well & still on the trail. I do not have the time right now to post journals, as I am on a time-limited computer. I have made it 160 miles thus far, the Fontana Dam area. I will enter the Smokies tomorrow morning. Journals will be posted as soon as I am able to get to a computer where I am not time-limited. Know that I am well & still hiking. We're also still in need of financial sponsors. When we started, we had funds available for 6 weeks on the trail. We're at 4 weeks, and funds are depleted, but I'm still walking by faith. Anyway, I'm gone for now. Look for the journals to be posted within a week or so.

-Scott



i hope some of you...will contribute knowing that his motives are genuine.
hindsight being what it is...he probably didnt financially plan as well as he shouldve...but thats past now. Thanks for the positive comments Jack! :)

attroll
04-20-2004, 11:44
I have talked to Scott and he seems like a real nice guy. I really hope him well and want him to succeed. But Having a family follow yu in an RV for 6 months or more is not cheap. I know he wanted to include his family in on this hike. But when you start out a 6 month vacation driving around in an RV with children you have to realize that it is not only going to cost money for just the gas.

Like Rock said I am not downing the guy. I have high hopes for him. He just needs to make a decision on what to do now. If this is truly the case.

icemanat95
04-20-2004, 12:22
Not a great plan. Started with only enough money for 6 weeks? He went out of the gate with the expectation that others would fund his trip either A. out of pity, or B. out of an interest in seeing of a leg proesthetic can be made to do the trip. I'm not sure I can rally behind this. Sounds to me like perhaps he needed to get his funding in order before he stepped out the front door.

Granted I've got a real narrow picture of things here, but I'm just not that big on thru-hikes that depend upon the kindness of others for the majority of their support. Independence, self-reliance, personal responsibility are all things that are important to me. This seems to run counter to all of them.

Jim Obermeyer
04-20-2004, 12:50
First of all I met One Leg just before he started his hike. I know his experience with the AT was really limited. I've hiked some of the other trails he has hiked like Cumberland Gap and it's nothing like the AT. His determination was inspiring so I sent him a few bucks, it didn't kill me.
If you don't want to send him any money that's fine but JUST SHUT UP.

Blue Jay
04-20-2004, 13:50
First of all I met One Leg just before he started his hike. I know his experience with the AT was really limited. I've hiked some of the other trails he has hiked like Cumberland Gap and it's nothing like the AT. His determination was inspiring so I sent him a few bucks, it didn't kill me.
If you don't want to send him any money that's fine but JUST SHUT UP.

Now wait just a gosh dang minute. First you ask us to give money then you tell us to Shut Up. Even I, an ass, would not be so rude. :banana

MedicineMan
04-20-2004, 14:04
met 2 E.R. docs at Curley Maple Gap Shelter yesterday, noticed the female doc (the duo is called Roman Noodles) is already in an ankle brace....i took the photo of the shelter to post here and then noticed their packs...Arcteryx Bora 80's obviously packed to the gills, in front of the shelter was her 'lounger' which she said weighed only 12oz.......I asked how the ankle was doing and she replied that it was funny that she had never had ankle pain before..as we walked away we thought it interesting a doc had not made the connection between the ankle and the 45 pound bora.
point is, here are 2 who have the cha-ching, who are obviously intelligent but will not make it for weight reasons. One-Leg may fail due to financial reasons, regardless people either fail or succed for one reason or another. I think it is almost always the individual's choices that lead to either.
Should I have given the docs a lecture on pack weight reduction? is that lecture the same as sending money to One-Leg?
Should someone tell him to send the welcome wagon home and put the contribution money to use on food,shuttles,whatever?
I dont think any biped here would not wish to see him victorious despite not being the first but how much do you wish to share in his victory?

TJ aka Teej
04-20-2004, 14:05
This 'bionic leg' device - is it available to our troops who have lost legs in Iraq and Afghanistan?

chris
04-20-2004, 14:11
His determination was inspiring so I sent him a few bucks, it didn't kill me.
If you don't want to send him any money that's fine but JUST SHUT UP.

How liberal of you.

Blue Jay
04-20-2004, 14:38
This 'bionic leg' device - is it available to our troops who have lost legs in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Yes if they pay for it out of their own pocket. The VA certainly is not handing them out. With all of the Bush cut backs to Vet programs they are lucky to get crutches. The only reason the Democrats are not screaming about that is that they hate Vets just as much.

smokymtnsteve
04-20-2004, 15:32
I have a REALLY serious medical condition myself....my son uses my ford escort wagon as our support vehicle....I am back in atlanta today for a doc appointment after walking to Trailfest in Hot Springs....send donations to

SMOKYMTNSTEVE
C/O THE BLUE JAY
POSTENKIL, NY

THANK YOU ;)

flyfisher
04-20-2004, 15:47
Thanks for posting this J.O.!
here's "OneLeg"'s last trail journal entry:

04/17/04

When we started, we had funds available for 6 weeks on the trail. We're at 4 weeks, and funds are depleted, but I'm still walking by faith. Anyway, I'm gone for now. Look for the journals to be posted within a week or so.

-Scott



First, all the best to Scott in his journey.

When I read his post on TrailJournals, the 6 week similarity to Bill Bryson's hike struck me right away. It struck me that he had planned for 6 weeks of finances on the trail, and Bryson had planned for 6 weeks of time off for his hike. Bryson made it to Gatlinburg before yellow blazing to middle Virginia. I will be following Scott's story to see how it unfolds.

Oh, though my opinion is not even fully formed, why would a supporter of Scott's ask me and others to shut up? :confused: I'll take it as a moment regretted, in charity.

Walk well!

Jersey Bob
04-20-2004, 16:16
at least 10 characters

tribes
04-20-2004, 18:08
I agree. It would scare the hell out of me if my funds were depleted and I had a family to worry about. I can't fault Scott in asking for financial sponsors and I hope he makes it. Definitely decision time!

One can hike the trail for a couple thousand dollars and live pretty nicely from what I have been told by Weathercarrot, Heald, and Jersey Joe. The right decision if he is out of money is to support his family, which means getting a job and not hiking. I am not sure if it is "one leg" or his supporters pleading for donations but I think I will pass on this one. This is an open forum so I will not "shut up" as someone else has suggested. I think it is irresponsible to plan a six month hike, drag the family along to act as support in an RV, run out of cash, then ask for help with funds from the trail community. If he had two legs we would all probably tell him to "go to hell". I appreciate his endeavor but I cannot sympathize with a poorly thought out plan.

MOWGLI
04-20-2004, 20:53
...point is, here are 2 who have the cha-ching, who are obviously intelligent but will not make it for weight reasons.

That's awfully presumptuous of you Medicineman. You have no idea whether they'll make it or not, unless they told you that they were quitting the trail. Believe it or not, 45 pounds is not an unreasonable weight to carry on the AT. Especially during April in the mountains.

Little Bear GA-ME 2000

Happy
04-20-2004, 22:35
That's awfully presumptuous of you Medicineman. You have no idea whether they'll make it or not, unless they told you that they were quitting the trail. Believe it or not, 45 pounds is not an unreasonable weight to carry on the AT. Especially during April in the mountains.

Little Bear GA-ME 2000

Many have made it with MUCH more weight but like in investments and poker I would go with the knowledge, research and odds with my MONEY!!! :)

Allen66
04-20-2004, 23:48
Given the fact that I had a "stroke" at 29, One Leg's prosthesis probably functions as good or better than my right leg does. I plan on thru-hiking in 2005, so if someone would like to fund my hike, I'll accept donations from any suckers out there who are willing. (A little sarcasm for ya!) Give me a break, did he really think he could depend on donations to supply an RV and support team for 6 months. Just the cost of the gas will be off the charts.

Lugnut
04-21-2004, 00:10
Yes if they pay for it out of their own pocket. The VA certainly is not handing them out. With all of the Bush cut backs to Vet programs they are lucky to get crutches. The only reason the Democrats are not screaming about that is that they hate Vets just as much.


Cheap shot Blue Jay. My son is a 100% disabled vet and I've got nothing but praise for the VA. They have treated him very well; and he's even a right wing Republican.

attroll
04-21-2004, 00:22
Yes if they pay for it out of their own pocket. The VA certainly is not handing them out. With all of the Bush cut backs to Vet programs they are lucky to get crutches. The only reason the Democrats are not screaming about that is that they hate Vets just as much.
Yes Blue Jay you lost me on this one. I am also a disable Vet but I think you need to research some of what you just said.

Mountain Dew
04-21-2004, 03:34
Iceman made a very good entry. Solid comments !

If somebody wants to thru-hike then they should work and save their money in order to do so just like the rest of us. When you run out of money then you go home or borrow from friends. Before I began my 2003 thru-hike I worked three jobs for a year or more. Asking for money on a website ? I'm not sure what to think about that. I guess it is his website. It's not like he is asking people along the trail....... now that would be a different thing. Personally I would never do that, but I'm not him. I wonder if people would send him money if he wasn't handicapped. I dare say nobody would. Remember......these are my opinions

Ramble~On
04-21-2004, 05:15
Helping to support a Thru hiker is one thing...Helping to support a Thru Hiker and Support that Thru hikers Support team is another.
If as people say...this guy is low on funds by the Smokies and needs financial support now...if people give that support:-? ?? It'd take a whole lot of it.
Sounds like a little better planning and maybe using this year to get sponsors would have made for a better attempt next year.
Kudo's to him for the attempt and Kudos to everyone that helps him.

Blue Jay
04-21-2004, 07:50
Yes Blue Jay you lost me on this one. I am also a disable Vet but I think you need to research some of what you just said.

I do not need research, I am a vet and know many very well. I have a very good friend who lost his leg in Korea, long ago when that was the "IN" war. He applied for one of those special prosthetics and was flat out denied. Maybe you and others on this forum have not been affected by the VA cutbacks of the past decade, but others, maybe older than you, have been. Consider yourself very fortunate. In my opinion, the treatment of Vets in this country is an abomination.

Smoky the money is just pouring in (NOT).

Chappy
04-21-2004, 07:55
Yes if they pay for it out of their own pocket. The VA certainly is not handing them out. With all of the Bush cut backs to Vet programs they are lucky to get crutches. The only reason the Democrats are not screaming about that is that they hate Vets just as much.

You're a beaut! So...Prez Bush AND the Democrats hate Vets! And your statement is based on what? Superior knowledge or your usual knowledge?

icemanat95
04-21-2004, 08:23
I'm tempted to weigh in on the VA issue, but I won't, it is WAAAY off topic and prone to create arguments that don't need to be fought here.


I find it amazing that hikers today think that someone cannot make the trip with a 45 pound pack. You all would have been taking bets on when I dropped dead if you saw me at the beginning of my hike. I walked out of Amicolola carrying 73 pounds or more, and didn't get my pack down to around 50 pounds or so full up until Pearisburg. The only physical problems I had were some knee strain around Erwin that went away by Damascus.

In the Army our combat load (the light load we had to be able to move and fight with) was in the 50 pound range including clothing, body armor, helmet, boots, weapon and ammo, water, grenades, protective mask, and a few other items. A marching load WOULD exceed 100 pounds more often than not. You toughen up to it eventually.

Most hikers on the AT in 1995 carried loads in the 35-55 pound range and the percentage of finishers was not too different from today. It ain't in the legs, it's in the head and heart.

Blue Jay
04-21-2004, 09:01
You're a beaut! So...Prez Bush AND the Democrats hate Vets! And your statement is based on what? Superior knowledge or your usual knowledge?

It's not like it's a big secret. Veterans benefits peaked in the 50s after WW2. Nixon, in the 70s possibly due to guilt over continuing Nam just to get reelected, reinstated some of the benefits that had been eroded by congress since then. Reagan, Clinton and Bush (and their congressional minions) have all slashed at the VA budget. There were some protests by Veterans Groups but like hikers and the ATC, most veterans do not seem to remain aware of what is going on. Clearly this forums tends to back that opinion. I don't really blame you, I wish I didn't know. I hope I am wrong and you will check on the budgetary figures and protest this travesty. Our troops deserve decent prosthetics, like the one One Leg is supposed to have (I haven't seen which one it is).

Iceman is correct this has gotten way off topic.

MOWGLI
04-21-2004, 09:02
Many have made it with MUCH more weight but like in investments and poker I would go with the knowledge, research and odds with my MONEY!!! :)

The question is, whose knowledge, whose research, and what odds? I have met plenty of people who have dispensed information with an air of authority, both on & off the trail, who did not complete what they set out to do. I have also met light weight backpacking enthusiasts freezing their tails off in shelters. (Before Youngblood calls me out on this one - I too froze my tail off in a 55 degree fleece bag for about two weeks - we all make mistakes. Thank goodness for friends.).

I agree 100% with the Iceman. It's what's in the heart & head. Not what's in the pack. I'm sure there wasn't a soul who met me in Georgia who thought I'd make it as far as the Smokys. I guess I surprised even myself by reaching Katahdin. Just goes to show ya...

Some of the best advice that I ever received (and it was from Wingfoot in late '99) was to take advice from people who have done what I was seeking to do. In other words, I wanted to complete the entire AT in one continuous journey, so I paid particular attention to those folks who had done exactly that.

That's not to say that section hikers don't have anything to contribute. In fact, I admire the stick-to-it-ivness of section hikers much more than I admire the thru hiker.

Little Bear GA-ME 2000

max patch
04-21-2004, 09:49
point is, here are 2 who have the cha-ching, who are obviously intelligent but will not make it for weight reasons

45 pounds is not unusual and was the norm when I thru'd.

SGT Rock
04-21-2004, 09:53
45 pounds isn't a bad weight either. I used to think 60 was the norm. But you could go lighter.

Brushy Sage
04-21-2004, 11:49
(From Smoky Mtn Steve): .I am back in atlanta today

I left a message for your friends in Spokane.

Brushy Sage

A-Train
04-21-2004, 13:11
Past thru-hikers seem to have pride about how much they carried before the days of leightweight gear. Maybe the Trail was harder for you, but I don't see any reason wrong with making things easier. For me its not cheating, its just smart.

SGT Rock
04-21-2004, 13:30
Good point. I guess the trail could also be hiked in the days of hobnail boots, canvas packs, and cotton clothing, but why do that now.

max patch
04-21-2004, 13:32
Past thru-hikers seem to have pride about how much they carried before the days of leightweight gear. Maybe the Trail was harder for you, but I don't see any reason wrong with making things easier. For me its not cheating, its just smart.

You're missing the point. No one has said that carrying less weight is cheating and I think that everone would agree that making things easier is better than otherwise. We are just pointing out the fact that it is just plain wrong to say that someone "isn't going to make it" because their 45 pounds pack is "too heavy" in the viewpoint of the author when scores of people have successfully thru'd in all decades carrying 45 pounds and more.

Don't know if its true -- after all I read it on the internet -- but even in todays era of the lighter weight the better Baltimore Jack has somehow managed to complete 7 or so thru hikes carrying an average pack weight in the neighborhood of 50 pounds.

MOWGLI
04-21-2004, 14:33
I guess the trail could also be hiked in the days of hobnail boots, canvas packs, and cotton clothing, but why do that now.

SGT Rock. You make a good point. I am not presently an ultra-light backpacker, but I am also not getting any younger either. I struggled this past weekend to walk 30 miles over 2.5 days on the Pine Mountain Trail in Eastern Kentcky with a 40 pound pack. Yeah, 10 of those miles was bushwhacking through briars and climbing mountains where there was no trail, but just the same, it would have been nicer with less weight.

For some of us it is a financial issue. My Dana Designs pack does the job. A replacement pack will cost at least $100, and probably closer to $200. I need a pack with a waist belt because of a problem with one of my shoulders. I'd like to replace my synthetic sleeping bag with a down bag, but I don't have $200 to drop. Yeah, I carried a whisperlite stove on my thru and this , and I could easily make an alcohol stove. Maybe I'll start taking those easy steps for my next hike.

My point is this. No one should make judgements about whether someone will accomplish their goal of competing a thru-hike solely based on pack weight or gear selection. It has absolutely nothing to do with someone's success rate. In 2000, one fellow did a Sobo thru-hike carrying a 30 pound tuba! To suggest that someone won't complete the trail because they carry things like heavy boots, more than one pot, a fishing rod, binoculars and field guides, or a thermarest chair is just plain silly.

If people want to finish the trail badly enough, they'll either send stuff home, or suck it up and keep going with heavier gear. At any rate, someone carrying 45 pounds in Mid-April will undoubtedly be carrying less after Trail Days. The hotter weather is on the way.

I don't want to belabor this point. Perhaps I already have.

Oh yeah, welcome home Sarge! Thank you for your service.

Little Bear GA-ME 2000

smokymtnsteve
04-21-2004, 14:41
(From Smoky Mtn Steve): .I am back in atlanta today

I left a message for your friends in Spokane.

Brushy Sage


thanks ..I listened to "WAYS THAT ARE DARK" as I was coming back out of fontana 2 weeks ago....ans stopped and meditated at the Hazel creek over look and then took my group up and we visitied Horace grave in Bryson city.....slipped ole Horace a little sip ...as he is a thirsty boy...went by the Calhoun House also where horace used to stay..and where he meet the "snake stick man" as the Public library was closed we didn't get to play with an original snakesstick but if you ask they will let you touch it...dan and mary and I danced with it.


just back from trail fest...and will be back in Hot springs at elmers friday night and then NOBO again...


I "rescued" a young lady in fontana....follow our adventures at


http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=1871


and that includes you too...BLUE JAY>>>>SEND MONEY....

THANKS AND NEVER SHUT UP

MOWGLI
04-21-2004, 14:52
Past thru-hikers seem to have pride about how much they carried before the days of lightweight gear. Maybe the Trail was harder for you, but I don't see any reason wrong with making things easier. For me its not cheating, its just smart.

I don't have any pride issues regarding my heavy pack A-Train. It makes sense to carry less weight. I did run into a number of obnoxious hikers in 2000 who lectured me and others about the benefits of carrying less weight. Some folks (not all) seem to take on an elitist attitude about pack weight. Most of them seemed to be Jardine disciples.

My point is, HYOH.

Little Bear

SGT Rock
04-21-2004, 15:34
It is true that there are lightweight backpackers out there that try to tell people how they should hike and what they should and shouldn't carry. Same thing the other way too.

I agree about hiking your own hike a great deal. But I think Medicine Man's original post was about how sometimes people create their own problems and never see what may have caused it or the way out. My teenage daughter almost lives like that LOL.

Sure a lot of us can carry 45 pound packs, some even more, but not everyone can do that without hurting themselves. A hiker that is hurting her ankle from a possibly overloaded pack that has obvios luxuries (I would consider a 12 ounce longer a BIG luxury) would be an example, as would a freezing hiker who is only using a 24 ounce fleece blanket because they are trying to shave too much weight in the way. I think it was a valid illustration when comparing it to someone that cannot finance a hike past the Smokies yet has gotten close to $10,000.

Again, I hope he makes it, but maybe he will have to re-evaluate the need to bring the entire family with him.

Chef2000
04-21-2004, 15:53
well this thread went from soliciting donations to heavy packs. Seeing as I always carry a heavy pack Im staying out that part..however..donations are a different story.

When I "ran out" of money, meaning cash available. The first Thing I did was borrow 2000 against my life Insurance Annuity, when that was gone I tapped the Equity in my home.

I know everyone does not have these things available to them, I just think that not working for a year or six months so you can go hike and then asking for donations when you run out is wrong.

If you can hike on the AT, regardless of your physical disability, you can hold a job. In my case two years before my hike I got a second job to help pay for my trip and still ran out of money. I live a HIGH life.

Ill give mine to the trail before I would support somelse on the trail, cept maybe RAMBUNNY.

rickb
04-21-2004, 16:44
I don't know One-leg, but I suspect part of his master plan is to use this experience to help others who have been through similar difficult times.

That makes his hike a bit different from most, IMO. If I am right about that, inviting others to help play (and pay) a part in that is all good, IMHO. He could not be any more upfront about where he would be spending any money he collects.

One thing is for sure, I wouldn't bet against One-Leg finding a way to move up the trail. I don't think its fair to draw too many conclusions from two hastily written sentence on the web. Planning has many dimensions, and I suspect that he may well have options and alternatives we know nothing about. I don't think we will learn that he quit for lack of money.

In any case, he is a hiker first and formost. I just wanted to write something as part of the silent majority who is cheering him on without reservation, and who thinks asking for a bit of help (in the way he seems to be going about it) is OK in my book.

Rick B

MOWGLI
04-21-2004, 16:52
Sure a lot of us can carry 45 pound packs, some even more, but not everyone can do that without hurting themselves.


I agree Sarge. If a woman weighing 98 pounds tried to carry a 45 pound pack, she's probably setting herself up for failure. I'm not picking on the ladies. Just giving one example. The same human weight to pack weigh issue applies to all hikers regardless of gender. You probably shouldn't exceed 20% - 25% of your body weight with your pack weight. Unfortunately, I'm still safe with a 45 pound pack. Drat!

Moon Monster
04-21-2004, 19:42
I don't think its fair to draw too many conclusions from two hastily written sentence on the web. Planning has many dimensions, and I suspect that he may well have options and alternatives we know nothing about.

Rick B

Yes Yes. There is too much speculating here based on too little info in his journal.

Hammock Hanger
04-21-2004, 21:56
I agree Sarge. If a woman weighing 98 pounds tried to carry a 45 pound pack, she's probably setting herself up for failure. I'm not picking on the ladies. Just giving one example. The same human weight to pack weigh issue applies to all hikers regardless of gender. You probably shouldn't exceed 20% - 25% of your body weight with your pack weight. Unfortunately, I'm still safe with a 45 pound pack. Drat!
Remember that is 20-25% of your ideal weight not your actual weight if you are overweight!! -- If you are overweight you are already carrying x-tra pounds.

I hiked pretty darn good with a 55 pound pack. Do I like hiking better with a 30 pound pack sure, but it took a lot of miles to get there. Everyone has there own time and way of lightening up.

Little Bear I have a nice pic of you on the Suwannee River, if you email me I will send it to you.

Sue/HH

Hammock Hanger
04-21-2004, 21:57
I agree Sarge. If a woman weighing 98 pounds tried to carry a 45 pound pack, she's probably setting herself up for failure. I'm not picking on the ladies. Just giving one example. The same human weight to pack weigh issue applies to all hikers regardless of gender. You probably shouldn't exceed 20% - 25% of your body weight with your pack weight. Unfortunately, I'm still safe with a 45 pound pack. Drat!
Remember that it should be 20-25% of your ideal body weight, not your actual weight. If you are overweight you are already carrying x-tra weight.

Little Bear: I have nice pic of you on the Suwanne River if you email me I will send it your way. Sue/HH

Jaybird
04-26-2004, 20:25
this report on "One Leg" from my bud: "Papa Smurf"




I saw One-Leg in the Smokeys this week. He broke his super-leg. The computer went out near Derricks Knob and was like a gate hinge. He put a splint on it and tried to get off the mountain and fell numerous times. I saw him again at Standing Bear Hostel, he and his wife were delivering a dog to another hiker (dogs are not allowed in the Smokeys). He said the parts for his leg were on there way and he should be back on the trail by Sunday. He seems to be have a great time. He told me he fell about 30 feet on Albert Mt.
He fed and shuttled about 40 hikers this last week from Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg, Standing Bear and the Post Office. Only had one hiker quite and go home at Gatlinburg.

We found the young man from our hometown that we talk to before his hike. His trail name is "Ice Breaker." He is having a great hike!

If you are near the Trail, get out and help some hikers with rides. Happy Trails

Papa Smurf


4/26/04 9:35 AM