Clark Fork
10-21-2004, 23:29
Is there a list on-line of all hikers who have completed the AT? I am looking for two that finished in 1982.
I last went to the top of Katahdin in 1982. I returned after a long absence having been to the top 5 times in the sixties when I was at Bates. It was a nostalgic trip. So much had changed. In the sixties, Chimney Pond was a wonderful place to camp with many shelters, paths and yes, there was even a dump. When I returned in 1982, the shelters were mostly gone. The dump had long been closed. The lean-tos had been burned back in 1963, when a search party had been on the scene looking for Ranger Ralph Heath and two hikers he had tried to save. Ralph Heath was an authentic Maine humorist. One night in the sixties I wandered down near the dump only to spy a bear. Alarmed, I ran to tell the Ranger. He laughed and looked at his watch and said, "Yup, he is right on time."
In 1982 the Ranger there then, not quite an eco-nazis but certainly a eco-puritan, had dragged dead trees over what paths were left. It was an effort to bring back the "wild" to Chimney Pond. I thought Chimney Pond looked terrible from the days when I spent many hours there. On the trail journals, I never see it mentioned since the approach is from the other side. My whole orientation is towards climbing up from Chimney Pond.
At the summit that weekend in October of 1982, I met two thru hikers. The other night I was going over some old notes and came across two post cards I received from them. I had given them a ride to Orono. Their names were Ed McCarthy and Scott Hackman. I have often wondered what happened to those fine young men. I was curious if they had registered their trip back in 1982. I would like to see if they are on the list. Is there a list on-line?
One last story about Ralph. When he told a story, it always highlighted a "New Yawker", people from New York, apparently being the bane of his existence. I asked him once if there were any fish in Chimney Pond. He laughed and told me that some weeks before, a "New Yawker" had been fishing in Chimney Pond. Ralph recounted how he had asked the gentleman if he was using worms or flies. The fellow replied he was using flies. Ralph said, "Well, we sure don't want no worms in the drinking water." At nearly the end of the day, the tired "New Yawker," came by the ranger cabin and asked indignantly, "Are there any fish at all in Chimney Pond?" Ralph replied, "Nary a one, it is too cold, don't cha know." Well, the fellow became really angry, remonstrating Ralph, saying "Why didn't you tell me when you came by this morning." Ralph, as only he could say it, said, "Ya didn't ask.." He was great guy and it was a tragic loss when he lost his life in an early snow storm in 1963. I wouldn't imagine there would be anyone around who remembers him now but I will never forget his wit, charm and helpfulness.
Thanks,
Clark Fork in Western Montana
I last went to the top of Katahdin in 1982. I returned after a long absence having been to the top 5 times in the sixties when I was at Bates. It was a nostalgic trip. So much had changed. In the sixties, Chimney Pond was a wonderful place to camp with many shelters, paths and yes, there was even a dump. When I returned in 1982, the shelters were mostly gone. The dump had long been closed. The lean-tos had been burned back in 1963, when a search party had been on the scene looking for Ranger Ralph Heath and two hikers he had tried to save. Ralph Heath was an authentic Maine humorist. One night in the sixties I wandered down near the dump only to spy a bear. Alarmed, I ran to tell the Ranger. He laughed and looked at his watch and said, "Yup, he is right on time."
In 1982 the Ranger there then, not quite an eco-nazis but certainly a eco-puritan, had dragged dead trees over what paths were left. It was an effort to bring back the "wild" to Chimney Pond. I thought Chimney Pond looked terrible from the days when I spent many hours there. On the trail journals, I never see it mentioned since the approach is from the other side. My whole orientation is towards climbing up from Chimney Pond.
At the summit that weekend in October of 1982, I met two thru hikers. The other night I was going over some old notes and came across two post cards I received from them. I had given them a ride to Orono. Their names were Ed McCarthy and Scott Hackman. I have often wondered what happened to those fine young men. I was curious if they had registered their trip back in 1982. I would like to see if they are on the list. Is there a list on-line?
One last story about Ralph. When he told a story, it always highlighted a "New Yawker", people from New York, apparently being the bane of his existence. I asked him once if there were any fish in Chimney Pond. He laughed and told me that some weeks before, a "New Yawker" had been fishing in Chimney Pond. Ralph recounted how he had asked the gentleman if he was using worms or flies. The fellow replied he was using flies. Ralph said, "Well, we sure don't want no worms in the drinking water." At nearly the end of the day, the tired "New Yawker," came by the ranger cabin and asked indignantly, "Are there any fish at all in Chimney Pond?" Ralph replied, "Nary a one, it is too cold, don't cha know." Well, the fellow became really angry, remonstrating Ralph, saying "Why didn't you tell me when you came by this morning." Ralph, as only he could say it, said, "Ya didn't ask.." He was great guy and it was a tragic loss when he lost his life in an early snow storm in 1963. I wouldn't imagine there would be anyone around who remembers him now but I will never forget his wit, charm and helpfulness.
Thanks,
Clark Fork in Western Montana