View Full Version : Letter found on AT in NY
pawlinghiker
11-08-2013, 07:51
I was hiking last weekend by the NY CT border and came across an interesting letter posted on a info board.
The letter was taped on the glass with camo gorilla tape, and was put there recently.
I photographed the letter and wanted to know more about this guy and the story behind the letter.
Please have a look at the photos below.
Obviously I do not want to start any trouble, I was just kinda taken back by the letter.
Im not the police, just a Dad who hikes with his kids...
Thanks for looking
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x339/cpc12/CE913105-0DB0-4BC4-9CC5-2EFEDB9D48A9-409-0000002741C1CBC3_zps7327c33c.jpg (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/cpc12/media/CE913105-0DB0-4BC4-9CC5-2EFEDB9D48A9-409-0000002741C1CBC3_zps7327c33c.jpg.html)
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x339/cpc12/2B83A247-8631-4198-AA3F-4092755E9042-409-0000002734C1C675_zpsabe53a11.jpg (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/cpc12/media/2B83A247-8631-4198-AA3F-4092755E9042-409-0000002734C1C675_zpsabe53a11.jpg.html)
My head hurts. Shouldn't have attempted to read before copious amounts of coffee.
mrcoffeect
11-08-2013, 08:10
it takes all kinds, I guess. rant your own rant.
I dont give much concern to these types of things. Bad people are everywhere, which is why I trust my safety in my own hands, not those of the police or others. By doing so I am free to enjoy life on the trail and elsewhere on my terms without stressing over what might happen. Cops are reactive, not proactive.
Now...back to my coffee.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk 2
Tri-Pod Bob
11-08-2013, 08:14
I'm on my 2nd 16oz. cup & after reading it, the head hurts anyway!
Pedaling Fool
11-08-2013, 08:28
I think Charles Krauthammer has correctly identified the problem...crazy people. We use to admit them, now that's pretty much impossible until something bad happens. He's not saying we should go back to the same policies, but we need to address this, but the answer will probably involve invasion of someone's civil liberties. So yes, a little going back to the old policies, but who knows how much without seriously addressing this issue.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/charles-krauthammer-the-real-navy-yard-scandal/2013/09/19/ddfde26a-2162-11e3-a358-1144dee636dd_story.html
Or we can just let things continue as they are...
ams212001
11-08-2013, 08:44
Soooo is he saying was the murderer.....? Or, is he like the murdering version of Robinhood and protecting the poor? Either way. I wish him well.
jburgasser
11-08-2013, 08:45
[QUOTE=Pedaling Fool;1815026 but we need to address this...[/QUOTE]
huh?...Address what? What is this Wolfman guy talking about? It sounds like he is admitting to the crime but the police are ignoring him??
Pedaling Fool
11-08-2013, 08:48
huh?...Address what? What is this Wolfman guy talking about? It sounds like he is admitting to the crime but the police are ignoring him??If you read my post, I'm talking about the larger picture. However, it seems like the author of this note might be part of that population. Or it could just be a joke. If the author is serious and true then he's just not very smart.
HikerMom58
11-08-2013, 08:53
I'm never hiking in the woods by myself.... I live in VA... :mad: The ATC should be notified about this, ASAP!
Pedaling Fool
11-08-2013, 08:57
I'm never hiking in the woods by myself.... I live in VA... :mad: The ATC should be notified about this, ASAP!Ha, Ha...what are they going to do about it? Even if the author came forward, what is anyone going to do?
That's the point of Charles Krauthammer's article. We don't do anything with mentally disturbed people anymore, all in the name of civil liberties.
There are crazy people everywhere in the city and I'll still go for walks. It is much less of a problem on trails than in any big city.
WingedMonkey
11-08-2013, 09:05
He is obviously a trail angel we should all be grateful for.
Starchild
11-08-2013, 09:07
IDK the person but I do understand the spiritual take that letter is expressing. Some of his points are somewhat valid, the world has such power structures of oppression that can sometimes only be realized and understood spiritually. But he is seems to be in a state of fear, even terror, which normally does not work well with spirituality.
Wise Old Owl
11-08-2013, 09:08
What's to know? it's a letter from a Sociopath, left there to scare the bejesus out of the rest of us... Who are ya gonna call?
hikerboy57
11-08-2013, 09:14
I'm never hiking in the woods by myself.... I live in VA... :mad: The ATC should be notified about this, ASAP! so go ahead notify them
HikerMom58
11-08-2013, 09:15
Ha, Ha...what are they going to do about it? Even if the author came forward, what is anyone going to do?
That's the point of Charles Krauthammer's article. We don't do anything with mentally disturbed people anymore, all in the name of civil liberties.
Well, you have made some good points, PF .... there's not a darn thing anyone can do about it until he harms himself or someone else.
The ATC still wants to know about all these people out there. For them, knowledge is power. It is for me as well. I'm not going in the woods by myself & when I go hiking I will be on high alert at all times. I will consider all things in regards to protecting myself and those hiking with me. :)
Wise Old Owl
11-08-2013, 09:25
Attn: Note to self-wait till page two before mentioning Crazies, Nazi's, & guns on the trail. Oh my........:confused: Right Shmaybix?
Pedaling Fool
11-08-2013, 09:30
Well, you have made some good points, PF .... there's not a darn thing anyone can do about it until he harms himself or someone else.
The ATC still wants to know about all these people out there. For them, knowledge is power. It is for me as well. I'm not going in the woods by myself & when I go hiking I will be on high alert at all times. I will consider all things in regards to protecting myself and those hiking with me. :)In addition to the ATC, maybe you should contact the Virginia Center for Reverential Coexistence and let them know that one of their minions has escaped, if you can't find the organization then notify the Va. SCC; I'm sure they will point you in the right direction:D;)
HikerMom58
11-08-2013, 09:34
Attn: Note to self-wait till page two before mentioning Crazies, Nazi's, & guns on the trail. Oh my........:confused: Right Shmaybix?
Right WOO... ;) FYI...I wouldn't consider a g_ _ for protection. That's just me. I fine with everyone else. Let's think positive & believe that everyone will read the post, take it for what it was meant for & move on. That's all I was sayin... I'm really glad that pawlinghiker posted this info. You know me when it comes to the good ole "heads up" posts, I'm a huge fan! :)
Wise Old Owl
11-08-2013, 09:47
As I chuckle here and drink my Tea, hiking in New York always appeared to have a different set of rules... sort of like driving thru Camden NJ.
Looks like the author of the letter has a web site.
http://vk.com/id223825691
Wise Old Owl
11-08-2013, 09:52
IDK the person but I do understand the spiritual take that letter is expressing. Some of his points are somewhat valid, the world has such power structures of oppression that can sometimes only be realized and understood spiritually. But he is seems to be in a state of fear, even terror, which normally does not work well with spirituality.
Wait, how do you see validity in a letter like that?
Wise Old Owl
11-08-2013, 09:54
Looks like the author of the letter has a web site.
http://vk.com/id223825691
link doesn't work. and I just lost my ability to edit.
link doesn't work. and I just lost my ability to edit.
It works for me, I just click on your quote and it took me right to it?
Try this, it's the same link through tinyurl: http://tinyurl.com/kp884hz
Wise Old Owl
11-08-2013, 10:01
Yea that worked!
http://cs413517.vk.me/v413517691/2466/UN2PENDCpqs.jpg
Another Kevin
11-08-2013, 12:28
As I chuckle here and drink my Tea, hiking in New York always appeared to have a different set of rules... sort of like driving thru Camden NJ.
It's not NY. It's suburbia. Come farther north and hiking turns into hiking again. If the A-T is all you see of NY hiking you'll get a weird impression.
MDSection12
11-08-2013, 12:36
Sounds delusional. All the typical ones too...
pawlinghiker
11-08-2013, 19:14
thanks for the input. the letter seemed strange so I figured I would see what you guys thought of this.
I dont know if he was involved but it kinda sounds that way.
I have never lived in fear and dont plan to start..
happy hiking !!!
jimmyjam
11-08-2013, 19:48
Huh??? Makes me rethink about carrying when I hike.
hikerboy57
11-08-2013, 19:51
Huh??? Makes me rethink about carrying when I hike.
i dont feel at all threatened. he may be delusional and paranoid, but it seems he has no beef with hikers, just the govt.
jimmyjam
11-08-2013, 19:54
He's delusional enough to think we are all federal agents.
Teacher & Snacktime
11-08-2013, 20:02
As I chuckle here and drink my Tea, hiking in New York always appeared to have a different set of rules... sort of like driving thru Camden NJ.
Have you driven through Camden lately? They've really cleaned it up.....some of it anyway.
i dont feel at all threatened. he may be delusional and paranoid, but it seems he has no beef with hikers, just the govt.
Apparently he had a beef with someone in 2005 in Prince William County.
Some weird synergy going on here, 2005 is when Darrell Rice cut a plea deal to malicious wounding in Prince William county. Darrell Rice is normally known as "Appalachia's most notorious murder suspect".
I am not saying there is any connection at all, just very strange choice of words and time line. I would think most folks would do everything they can to disassociate themselves with anything like that, not post public letters calling it out.
HikerMom58
11-08-2013, 22:01
thanks for the input. the letter seemed strange so I figured I would see what you guys thought of this.
I dont know if he was involved but it kinda sounds that way.
I have never lived in fear and dont plan to start..
happy hiking !!!
I'm not living in fear either. I'm not sitting on the couch.
Thanks for posting the letter. I let Lauriep ,with the ATC, know about this thread. She has forwarded the info, from this thread, to someone else connected with the Scott Lilly investigation. This guy is already on someone's radar. The ATC is good about keeping up with these things. This is the second person, that I know of, that's been reported to them & they already knew about them. That's good! "We" are eyes and ears on the trail. We all need to do exactly what pawlinghiker has done here.
HB... don't find comfort in the fact that this person doesn't have a beef with hikers. If this person is delusional, out of touch with reality etc... he isn't well. I feel very bad for him. I wish he could get help.
He may never "act out". I pray he never does. But you can't know he won't, until he does.
Sounds as though the case is closed then. We can now return to our regularly scheduled trail outings :-)
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk 2
Sheriff Cougar
11-08-2013, 23:57
Coocoo for cocoa puffs!
chiefiepoo
11-09-2013, 00:02
As I chuckle here and drink my Tea, hiking in New York always appeared to have a different set of rules... sort of like driving thru Camden NJ.
I don't always walk through Camden. But when I do, I make sure to wear bright clothes and stand out as if I'm a police decoy trolling for a mugging attempt.
This is kinda crazy
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=567064723314910
Wise Old Owl
11-09-2013, 10:14
I don't always walk through Camden. But when I do, I make sure to wear bright clothes and stand out as if I'm a police decoy trolling for a mugging attempt.
As a ham radio operator - I had big car with ten antennas on it a few years back. I pulled up to a street corner where about 10-15 individuals were hanging out. I looked at them sternly and turned my eyes to the right to negotiate the turn - I looked left and they had all vanished! Never forgot it. :cool:
Yea our letter writer is odd at best.
Hill Ape
11-09-2013, 10:38
oh wow, i think i know that dude, i remember lobo. wait until he finds out we're talking about him, he'll have a full blown episode. notice all the replies to his posts, he's talking to himself.
that man needs treatment
WingedMonkey
11-09-2013, 11:43
oh wow, i think i know that dude, i remember lobo. wait until he finds out we're talking about him, he'll have a full blown episode. notice all the replies to his posts, he's talking to himself.
that man needs treatment
The Lobo the man is talking about is Scott Lilly that was killed on the AT. I don't think he will know we are talking about him.
johnnybgood
11-09-2013, 12:32
I don't think he will know we are talking about him.
The voices inside his head will tell him.
imscotty
11-09-2013, 12:58
The Lobo the man is talking about is Scott Lilly that was killed on the AT. I don't think he will know we are talking about him.
Scott Lilly's trail name was Stonewall. The person who wrote this letter (Richard Donahue) appears to have an interest in Wolves, Wolf/Dog hybrids. Lobo was an amazing wolf who was trapped and killed in New Mexico in the 1890's. I think the 'Lobo' Richard Donahue is asking us to remember is actually the historic wolf.
His self purported links to Scott Lilly and the language used (as Bfayer pointed out) referencing Darrell Rice are beyond disturbing. I hope the authorities are aware of his letter and Facebook posts. With all these warning signs I would not feel safe sharing a shelter with this individual. I hope he gets the help he needs and gets off the trail.
WingedMonkey
11-09-2013, 15:21
Scott Lilly's trail name was Stonewall.
My mistake.
pawlinghiker
11-09-2013, 17:26
i posted this photo with hopes of some clarification... but to no avail , Im more confused than before...
I think.... this guy is upset with authorities not campers, I dont think he did it, I just think he was close by ?
As I said Im confused and my kids are becoming leary of the AT, not where I was hoping this would lead..
Makes me wonder why he was at the Appalachian trail MTA train stop ? Is he local ....or was he passing through, what was the meaning of posting the letter ?
Does he want the investigation to continue ?
Sorry for so many questions, just never came across a letter like this..
Whatever... Im Hiking tomorrow ....
Starchild
11-09-2013, 19:08
Wait, how do you see validity in a letter like that?
Google search 'gaslighting' It is a view of reality from a forced different perspective, but that does not negate the view. Some of his points are valid, such as people in power can make some people's lives a living hell, and oppression and exploitation of the poor.
imscotty
11-09-2013, 19:38
PaulingHiker,
I am not sure rational thinking applies in this case and I am not sure it is worth the effort to try to understand that letter. He is from Virginia (Front Royal = Helltown), there is a photo on his Facebook page from June that looks like looks he has an encampment in a culvert somewhere in the woods. It is wise to always be aware of your surroundings and prepared for the unexpected, but we cannot let fear rule our lives. I wish you happy trails tomorrow and every day.
I'm pretty sure at times the Unibomber had some valid points as well. As he sat huddled in his shack, in the woods, filling pipes with wires and putty, pecking away on a 60 yr old typewriter.
ams212001
11-09-2013, 21:29
Most people with mental illness are harmless. They are more of a danger to themselves than others. I hope this person finds help or peace. I don't think too much more can be surmised from the note other than be vigilant and continue to hike.
Wise Old Owl
11-09-2013, 22:01
RC Bear - good valid point... AMS - one still has to be weary. Much of the demographics of sociopaths is written by professors in academia. Our prisons are full. I agree with your perspective as I work in areas with mentally handicapped.
Dude is Bat ***** CRAZY (BSC - pronounced Bessie) and still out there. We were just doing a section in Rocksylvania outside Port Clinton Just this week and he comes into the shelter near dark with the dog. We exchanged pleasantries and he hinted that he was low on food and dog food. We commented that we were also low on food and retired to your tents across the road. An uneasy feeling of anger exuded from this guy, (but his dog seems cool). Of course we slept uneasy that night as my partner said he ranted most of the night in the shelter alone with his dog. At around 2:50am I see him walking around with his red light and he approaches our site and stops then heads back down the road to the trail. Heading SOBO thankfully as we were headed North. In the a.m. I found a ziploc with one of his manifestos in it saying pretty much the same stuff on the OP pictures. As we headed North, we would find his meaningless rants in a lot of the shelter registers along the way. Weird thing is we also saw two full cans of dog food and some dog snacks sitting right in the middle of the trail two days later. Not sure if there was a correlation. Some people raise a warning flag. This guy runs it up the pole so quick, it snaps off the end...
Hot Flash
09-26-2014, 11:26
Looks like the ravings of just another religious lunatic to me. Seriously, people should keep their irrational supernatural beliefs to themselves.
Looks like the ravings of just another religious lunatic to me. Seriously, people should keep their irrational supernatural beliefs to themselves.
Hot Flash, you may want to tread lightly when it comes to people's personal beliefs. Calling something a set of "irrational supernatural beliefs" is just flame bait.
And I am saying this as an atheist. :)
Thanks!
rikkitikkitavi
09-26-2014, 12:02
I have seen this guys luridly psychotic register entries since Connecticut. I ran into him today (09/26) at the pavillion in Port Clinton. He had written a large bill board sign using a sharpie and tacked it up inside the pavillion. I spoke with him briefly, and got out of there fast.
I was hiking last weekend by the NY CT border and came across an interesting letter posted on a info board.
The letter was taped on the glass with camo gorilla tape, and was put there recently.
I photographed the letter and wanted to know more about this guy and the story behind the letter.
Please have a look at the photos below.
Obviously I do not want to start any trouble, I was just kinda taken back by the letter.
Im not the police, just a Dad who hikes with his kids...
Thanks for looking
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x339/cpc12/CE913105-0DB0-4BC4-9CC5-2EFEDB9D48A9-409-0000002741C1CBC3_zps7327c33c.jpg (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/cpc12/media/CE913105-0DB0-4BC4-9CC5-2EFEDB9D48A9-409-0000002741C1CBC3_zps7327c33c.jpg.html)
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x339/cpc12/2B83A247-8631-4198-AA3F-4092755E9042-409-0000002734C1C675_zpsabe53a11.jpg (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/cpc12/media/2B83A247-8631-4198-AA3F-4092755E9042-409-0000002734C1C675_zpsabe53a11.jpg.html)
rikkitikkitavi
09-26-2014, 12:05
He has posted alot of psychotic rants in registers at shelters. I have seen the same basic screed interspersed with paranoid rantings. He is now hiking south from Port Clinton (09/26/14). He is traveling with a dog named Lucas.
rikkitikkitavi
09-26-2014, 12:07
This guy seems to have psychosis or paranoid sczophrenia. I have read MANY of his luridly psychotic, paranoid register entries.
saltysack
09-26-2014, 12:08
The trail and it's wildlife are safe....idiots like this concern me...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
rikkitikkitavi
10-05-2014, 22:40
A fellow hiker found and photographed a warning someone left about this guy. According to the note, the Wolfman accosts people at lean-tos and asks them for food. If the victim refuses, the Wolfman launches into a vitriolic rant loosely based on some sort of evangelical christianity (and narcissistic hatred of anyone who has things he wants). The Wolf,an then waits until his victims are asleep and then leaves handwritten notes on the sleeping victim's sleeping bag. The notes he leaves include fabrications about how the Wolfman has "killed hikers in the past". While I doubt that he has every commited homicide, I believe that his actions could be construed as terroristic thrats (use of threats to i cause fear). His actions seem to go beyond mere annoyance, and are criminal. By pure coincidence, I stayed with a section hiker who had met the same Wolf,an of Helltown while she was hiking for a few days with a group of other female friends. She and her group decided to cut their trip short because they were concerned about this man. Please note that language which is calculated to instill fear in another person can be a crime. The writing and speech of the Wolfman of Helltown which cause fear are in no ways protected speech under the 1st amendment.
rikkitikkitavi
10-05-2014, 22:45
He lists his name on his website as Richard Donahue.
Ground Control
10-06-2014, 09:52
A fellow hiker found and photographed a warning someone left about this guy. According to the note, the Wolfman accosts people at lean-tos and asks them for food. If the victim refuses, the Wolfman launches into a vitriolic rant loosely based on some sort of evangelical christianity (and narcissistic hatred of anyone who has things he wants). The Wolf,an then waits until his victims are asleep and then leaves handwritten notes on the sleeping victim's sleeping bag. The notes he leaves include fabrications about how the Wolfman has "killed hikers in the past". While I doubt that he has every commited homicide, I believe that his actions could be construed as terroristic thrats (use of threats to i cause fear). His actions seem to go beyond mere annoyance, and are criminal. By pure coincidence, I stayed with a section hiker who had met the same Wolf,an of Helltown while she was hiking for a few days with a group of other female friends. She and her group decided to cut their trip short because they were concerned about this man. Please note that language which is calculated to instill fear in another person can be a crime. The writing and speech of the Wolfman of Helltown which cause fear are in no ways protected speech under the 1st amendment.
Thank you for posting. This information should be shared directly with authorities. What they do with it is what they do with it, but it should be reported to multiple places.
Amherst VA sherrif dept: (434) 946-9300
FBI tip line for Scott Lilly: (800) 261-1044
? AT authorities 10 day hike south of Port Clinton
Sounds like there are artifacts & writings that, at the very least, demonstrate criminal (threatening) behavior. Probably it is nothing other than a man that needs some help, but the authorities can decide that.
the register at Limestone spring had this guy all over it, one was a 3-page "entry"...
bamboo bob
10-06-2014, 15:39
We used to have people with white coats who would literally "snap a net over him" and take them away. Crazy people have a civil right to not take their medicine. This was a mistake. They should be confined so that can't hurt people. We need modern 21st century asylums to protect ourselves. Orphanages too. Modern 21st century instead of reading about children abused in foster homes.
it takes all kinds to make up the AT community, but this guy needs a mental institution for a nice long while.
Old Grouse
10-06-2014, 15:57
He doesn't seem to like Kent. That does it!
rocketsocks
10-06-2014, 17:11
it takes all kinds to make up the AT community, but this guy needs a mental institution for a nice long while.
No doubt, there's enough there to pull him off the trail for a 72 hour psyc evaluation, if not incarceration.
I had the pleasure of making this man's acquaintance last Tuesday morning. He was standing over a fire pit and trying to light some newspaper. I had heard stories about this guy from a few thru hikers the day before. He immediately went into some rant about how the government was trying to make hikers look bad by leaving trash in fire pits and by pooping at road crossings. He assured me that this was all real because he recently had a long-term psychological evaluation. He also said that he has a clear conscience but a lot of others out there don’t.
After a few minutes, I told him to have a nice day and I kept walking. Overall, he seemed delusional, but nonthreatening. Now, if I had seen him at the end of the day and he was camping near me, I would have probably been a bit more concerned. When I ran into some other thru hikers that afternoon and told them that I had seen him, they all seemed really excited about meeting him.