View Full Version : sad news - AT hiker death
karoberts
12-20-2011, 12:45
John Wayne
http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/features/x435675881/LAST-TRAIL-Friends-family-mourn-loss-of-local-hiker-Frank-Madeiros#axzz1h5m2czOE
So he was a THRUHIKER who died AFTER he did the trail.
Still, sad to hear.
Creek Dancer
12-20-2011, 13:09
Much too young.
SwitchbackVT
12-21-2011, 00:34
This is tragic. My heart goes out to his family this holiday season.
The last time I saw John Wayne was the morning after the Bruins won Game 7 of the Stanley Cup, in the lobby of the Microtel Inn in Hamburg, PA. He was wearing his weathered Bruins shirt which he brought with him on the trail, and he was ecstatic about the Bruins win. A bunch of hikers had hitched into town for the game. I think John Wayne watched the game in the hotel room he shared with his hiking buddies, while myself and some hikers watched the game at the hotel bar. I didn't know him very well because our hiking was always a few days apart, but I know he was a very funny guy, and a lot of fun to be around. The next morning I congratulated him on the big win, while we both had breakfast before heading back to the trail. I remember he had a huge smile, and was absolutely beaming with happiness.
MikeGoingToMaine
12-21-2011, 10:31
Wow, brutal. 80 foot fall?
I am so sorry to hear this. Bad time of the year as well.
atmilkman
12-21-2011, 10:53
I think I know the area this gentleman and his friends were at that the article is referring to. It's just outside of Sand Rock, Alabama. The locals call it Cherokee Rock Village. Lots of repelling, climbing, camping etc. We always called it Shinbone Ridge. It's a beautiful area. It overlooks some of Lake Weiss and it's backwaters. The man died in a beautiful place doing what he loved. May he rest in peace and my sympathy goes out to his family and friends.
The article said the family didn't know how he obtained the trail name of "John Wayne". That would be nice for them to know.
Anyone have a clue????
Here is a photo of John Wayne at Green Mountain House Hostel July 28th wearing his beloved Bruins shirt.
http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=627794
I hiked with "John Wayne" for a month in northern VA. He was a great guy, I first began talking to him because he was wearing an Auburn University ball cap, I graduated from the University of Alabama, and I thought it ironic that he was a big Auburn fan and lived in Boston. He said that he just loved the Auburn Tigers and was an enthusiastic fan. I began calling him Cam(Cam Newton) after that. He was personable and great fun to be around. I am sad to learn of his death and in my home state. All of my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
very sad to hear about this......
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k812hoNrRoo
very sad to hear about this......
www.youtube.com/watch?v=k812hoNrRoo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k812hoNrRoo)
Can't watch that and not come to tears. Sigh. ... I'm glad the made it thru the Trail and glad he enjoyed his short life. Good for him, too bad one who loved life so well lived so short a life.
Very sad - we lost a good one.
I think I might have met this man on the AT this year.
It was in the Smokey's at a shelter. The shelter was full and it was in the mid twenties outside with snow flurries.
Inside the shelter there was a lighthearted argument going on about "who would win in a fight between an Aligator and a Moose?".
I remember drifting off to sleep the conversation wound down.
Someone asked: "Who would win a fight between Bambi and an Aligator?"
Then this hiker with a strong Boston accent and the trail name John Wayne spoke up:
"Bambi would win.."
Someone laughed and asked why..
John Wayne said: "He would win his heart".
I am not sure if it's the same John Wayne but either way I am saddened by the loss.
mick2360
12-21-2011, 21:25
Sounds like a wonderful young man. Prayers for his soul and his family. I will think of him when I next set foot on the trail. Rest In Peace, unmet friend.
Wow, Frank was from my hometown. I only know one other thru-hiker from Plymouth. Here's the point on the Youtube video where his hike starts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=k812hoNrRoo#t=1010s
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=k812hoNrRoo#t=1010s)
Alligator
12-21-2011, 22:19
My condolences to his family. Frank was also a WB member he changed his username to JFW from Figgsy13126.
wornoutboots
12-21-2011, 22:48
Prayers go out to his friends, family & Loved Ones!!
Condolences to Frank's family. This is especially saddening to me since I had the pleasure of sharing a few beers and watching two Stanley Cup finals games with him, first in Boiling Springs and then two nights later at the Doyle after camping with him at Darlington Springs. Each night he talked about how much he was looking forward to wearing his David Krejci jersey when he reach Katahdin. In the few short days I knew him he impressed me as someone who really embraced the spirit of the trail.
Thoreau-going
01-13-2012, 17:35
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2012/01/11/life_lessons_learned_hiking_the_appalachian_trail. aspx
Plodderman
01-13-2012, 17:51
Prayers, hate to hear these things.
27 - like a lot of great musicians, too young to leave this world -my sympathy goes out to his family and friends..
I have always believed that one should celebrate the life rather than feeling sorrow at the parting but at such a young age, both are natural emotions.
May his spirit live on!