MinnesotaSmith Update

[neo]

No, I would say not; but after 1100 posts , his bail out on last years plans, his exhaustive posts on everything under the sun, and his claim to being used to very cold conditions, I imagine people are curious about his progress. Since he started early, and most people who drop out do so before they hit NC, I can see why we are getting the "play by play". Oh well. Like I said before: ain't scrutiny a bitch?

25 to 1 neo

[Dances with Mice]

25 to 1 neo

I keep seeing these odds...and I'll take them.

I'll put down a $10 donation to Whiteblaze if he makes it. I'll take on the first 4 to bet against him, I'll even let you pick the odds. Lone Wolf and Neo have already given theirs.

A potential $40 donation to Whiteblaze.net is in the balance, against donations of about $1000 if he kisses the Katahdin sign - unless the odds start getting lower when real dough's on the line.

Step right up, don't start getting shy now. Show me the money!

Who's first?

[Lone Wolf]

He'll yellow blaze.

[Dances with Mice]

He'll yellow blaze.

Yellow blaze, I lose. So you're in? 25-1?

[TOW]

hey lone wolf, what if blue blazes along with the yellow and an occasional whiteblaze..............you think that might count???????

[Jack Tarlin]

Hey guys, I realize that because of some of his posts, and sometimes his strident tone, that Smitty wasn't the most popular person here at Whiteblaze.

But am I the only one who thinks that openly betting on someone's chances of success or failure on the Trail is more than a little mean-spirited?

After all, say what you like about him, but at least he's out there, and in February, too. Whether he makes it to Maine or not, the very fact that he IS out there, while the rest of us are sitting somewhere warm and toasty in front of a computer, ought to score him some points, and maybe a little more respect.

Personally, I have no idea if he's gonna make it or not. But even if I did have some kind of insider knowledge or speculation, I'd probably keep it to myself.
Whether or not he stays the course is mainly up to him. For folks here at WB to be guessing---or betting---over his chances seems kind of unseemly, but maybe that's just me.

[neo]

He'll yellow blaze.

25 to 1 neo

[neo]

He'll yellow blaze.

maybe he will brown blaze with shank and quest
still 25 to 1. neo

[TOW]

Is he doing something special that we need an update every 10 miles as to his whereabouts?

yes, he is a scientist you know...........there are two types of people who will probably never do a complete thru and those are the thinkers and the ones who want to be totally recognized as this is the greatest adventure of my lifetime and "you need to know about it"........................

[Dances with Mice]

But am I the only one who thinks that openly betting on someone's chances of success or failure on the Trail is more than a little mean-spirited? ... Whether or not he stays the course is mainly up to him. For folks here at WB to be guessing---or betting---over his chances seems kind of unseemly, but maybe that's just me.

I agree, I was trying to make the point that talk is cheap. The bottom line is that as of this moment, despite the odds being thrown around, nobody is willing to bet against him.

[MOWGLI]

I hope he makes it and the experience is transformational.

[TOW]

Hey guys, I realize that because of some of his posts, and sometimes his strident tone, that Smitty wasn't the most popular person here at Whiteblaze.

But am I the only one who thinks that openly betting on someone's chances of success or failure on the Trail is more than a little mean-spirited?

After all, say what you like about him, but at least he's out there, and in February, too. Whether he makes it to Maine or not, the very fact that he IS out there, while the rest of us are sitting somewhere warm and toasty in front of a computer, ought to score him some points, and maybe a little more respect.

Personally, I have no idea if he's gonna make it or not. But even if I did have some kind of insider knowledge or speculation, I'd probably keep it to myself.
Whether or not he stays the course is mainly up to him. For folks here at WB to be guessing---or betting---over his chances seems kind of unseemly, but maybe that's just me.

your right bj, we shouldn't be pantering the guy..................you know though , i think he's gonna show 'em up........

[ed bell]

I hope he makes it and the experience is transformational.

I'll second that, and to me this is really the important part of his hike that has nothing to do with the bit of fun seen in this thread. Lets face it, its refreshing to get a few good natured jabs in at MS after all his 1100 posts. He's hiking, so we don't have to endure his long winded replies. As to laying odds? I imagine MS laughing about that. We reap what we sow.

[ed bell]

Oh, and good luck MS, I hope you have a great journey.

[Old Spice]

Like him or hate him... he's already out there... and I am stuck here with a month to go! Good luck MS.*** the naysayers.

[Fiddler]

25 to 1 neo

The bottom line is that as of this moment, despite the odds being thrown around, nobody is willing to bet against him.

I got 5 bucks says he don't. And I never even met him. Who am I betting with, L. Wolf or Neo?

[Dances with Mice]

I also want to throw out the thought that it's possible - only possible, mind you - that some people have signed onto Whiteblaze and created on-line personalities that bear little resemblence to their real-life pesonas. In other words, their on-line forum time was a performance art.

Trolling is another term for it.

Imagine the chagrin of the rubes suckered into that bit of play-acting!

This post may be completely off-topic.

Maybe. So, back on topic. $10 a shot here! Funny how many mouths are open until people are asked to stick money into them, isn't it?

[Dances with Mice]

I got 5 bucks says he don't. And I never even met him. Who am I betting with, L. Wolf or Neo?

You're betting me. So you want 0.5 to 1 odds? Not even willing to post even money? Boy, those odds against MS sure have have fallen fast! They've dropped 50-fold in one hour!

You're on. That's one. Three more slots available. Next?

[bigmac_in]

Hey guys, I realize that because of some of his posts, and sometimes his strident tone, that Smitty wasn't the most popular person here at Whiteblaze.

But am I the only one who thinks that openly betting on someone's chances of success or failure on the Trail is more than a little mean-spirited?

After all, say what you like about him, but at least he's out there, and in February, too. Whether he makes it to Maine or not, the very fact that he IS out there, while the rest of us are sitting somewhere warm and toasty in front of a computer, ought to score him some points, and maybe a little more respect.

Personally, I have no idea if he's gonna make it or not. But even if I did have some kind of insider knowledge or speculation, I'd probably keep it to myself.
Whether or not he stays the course is mainly up to him. For folks here at WB to be guessing---or betting---over his chances seems kind of unseemly, but maybe that's just me.

You're a good man, Jack, well said!

[max patch]

I'm not MS -- thank goodness for that -- but if I was MS and someone bet against me and I quit -- I believe I'd be sitting at home sitting in my lazyboy recliner with a beer in one hand and the Companion in the other and type "updates" until I "summitted."

And I won't even mention that about 99% of those who report their hike to the ATC haven't met the requirements for doing so.