WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 33
  1. #1
    ME => GA 19AT3 rickb's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-12-2002
    Location
    Marlboro, MA
    Posts
    7,145
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    1

    Default 20 Years of Whiteblaze — Happy (belated) Anniversary !

    Happy belated Anniversary to Whiteblaze!

    Hard to believe it started 20 years ago last month.

    At the time that other personality-driven site (now defunct) was just about the only on-line option, and many of the first participants here were refugees from it.

    It took me a few months to come on over, but so glad I did.

    As one who hiked alone and without the benefit of any trail friends (much less trail family) it has been great getting to know the community and learning about the trail here.

    For me Whiteblaze has been more than just casual entertainment or a great source of knowledge, but rather a source of connection to both the physical and social trail that I would have missed otherwise.

    While there are a lot more resources today, to my mind there will only be one Whiteblaze.

    Congrats on reaching your 20th anniversary.

    You did well (and good).

    RickB 19AT3

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-25-2012
    Location
    Lurkerville, East Tn
    Age
    64
    Posts
    3,719
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Wow, 20 years! Congrats WB!

  3. #3
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-23-2019
    Location
    Harpers ferry wv.
    Age
    60
    Posts
    2,087

    Default

    Happy birthday whiteblaze and thanks there's a ton and half of information here!

  4. #4

    Default

    I certainly have gotten a great deal from this site. Thanks to all those who keep it going.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-01-2011
    Location
    Hendricks Cty, Indiana
    Age
    69
    Posts
    1,005

    Default

    I have always enjoyed this site. Sometimes it has been entertaining. I have witnessed [and tried to stay out of] many verbal skirmishes on here in years past and have noticed that most of those who participated have moved on. The info I have gleaned here has been extremely valuable to me.
    Thank You and Happy Birthday!

  6. #6
    Registered User LittleRock's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-10-2014
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Age
    38
    Posts
    803
    Images
    24

    Default

    Well said, rickb! It's been great learning from people on this site and a few times meeting people who post here.

    Many thanks to Rick Towle (attroll) who's kept this site going, often at his own personal expense, for so long!
    It's all good in the woods.

  7. #7
    Garlic
    Join Date
    10-15-2008
    Location
    Golden CO
    Age
    66
    Posts
    5,615
    Images
    2

    Default

    That's impressive, coming from an almost-charter member.

  8. #8

    Default

    Congrats on 20 years, and thanks to Rickb for noting it!

    Took me a long time to become a donating member, but I'm glad I started several years ago.

  9. #9

    Default

    Happy 20!

    I was also one of the refugees from the other site. It was great to find this site where I received better information, better advice, and I was allowed to disagree without getting kicked off!
    The older I get, the faster I hiked.

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    04-21-2008
    Location
    Bangor, Maine
    Posts
    179

    Default

    I wish there could be a reunion, where Baltimore Jack could come back and go in circles with Warren D and Lone Wolf about just about anything. His resupply article was my #1 "guide" for my first attempt at a thru hike. I miss Weary's no-back-down push for conservation. I miss Miss Janet's insight on the pulse of the AT community, and Ron Haven's all-around friendliness. There were some great sagas: Minnesota Smith, the FKT's - there have been tremendous outpourings of support, and of course gossip and opinion. This place was my number one resource for news updates about trail-related tragedies like Meredith Emerson and Geraldine Largay. I think a lot of us scattered among "non-hikers" in "the real world" could come to Whiteblaze and feel a little sense of comfort interacting with others who get us, and understand things like why we are so bothered about the news of a stranger called Stronghold.

    I don't social media, but I suppose that's similar to Whiteblaze. Except this site never tried to sell me a damn thing through data-mined ads, or tried to sway my political opinion. It was about the purest interaction you could have with the trail community from away. Nowadays, it's a lot more like off-season hiking, when the early days were like being in the NOBO bubble. I still stop in occasionally and definitely revisit some of the old days by searching something like "Baltimore Jack Kennebec River" or "Gator Gump". And I'll still look at pictures from the good ole days when there were water balloon fights at Trail Days and lines for a payphone....and before my beard was completely gray. I definitely still enjoy seeing posts by some of the old faces like Lone Wolf, Tipi Walter, Teej, and Rickb just to name a few....but I do miss the heyday of this site.

  11. #11
    Registered User Kaptainkriz's Avatar
    Join Date
    06-28-2015
    Location
    Leonardtown, Maryland
    Age
    55
    Posts
    650
    Journal Entries
    57
    Images
    19

    Default

    Very cool, happy 20th!
    Plaid is fast! Ticks suck, literally... It’s ok, bologna hoses off…
    Follow my hiking adventures: https://www.youtube.com/user/KrizAkoni
    Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphagalhikes/

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    01-22-2008
    Location
    Kentucky
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,533
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    69

    Default

    Very Cool!! I've always enjoyed, learning, giving experienced input and putting out sticky food for thought over the years!! Keep it up WB!!
    Take Time to Watch the Trees Dance with The Wind........Then Join In........

  13. #13

  14. #14

    Default

    wooo HOOOO - - - WOW - yes, it has been twenty years.
    I migrated over in 2002 when "The Backpacker" started to dry up.
    Then, I got "caught up" in life and the pack just hung on the wall for several years. I got up to the GSM a couple of years ago and it was awesome just for a couple of days.
    I truly admire you young guys and gals that still keep the spirit alive.
    Trekker.jpg
    Trekker John
    Walk, Stumble, Fall Down - Walk, Stumble, Fall Down - Walk, Stumble, Fall Down - Repeat as many times as necessary until you get it right.

  15. #15
    Registered User Toolshed's Avatar
    Join Date
    06-13-2003
    Location
    Along the AT
    Posts
    3,419
    Images
    52

    Default

    20 years!!!! WooHoo!!! Hard to beleive. I think I made it in the first 1,000 members. I wonder what they are all doing now. Love this site. Thank you for all you do!
    .....Someday, like many others who joined WB in the early years, I may dry up and dissapear....

  16. #16

    Default

    Congratulations to Rick Towle for an incredible success with the WhiteBlaze website. The information and community here have helped so many hikers.

    And thanks to all those diligent and hard-working moderators over the years.

    Thanks too to Rickb for this post.

  17. #17
    Registered User Tim Rich's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-08-2003
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Age
    59
    Posts
    471
    Images
    6

    Default

    What a great service, thank you.

  18. #18
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-23-2019
    Location
    Harpers ferry wv.
    Age
    60
    Posts
    2,087

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Lauriep View Post
    Congratulations to Rick Towle for an incredible success with the WhiteBlaze website. The information and community here have helped so many hikers.

    And thanks to all those diligent and hard-working moderators over the years.

    Thanks too to Rickb for this post.
    Yeah what she said!
    One last raised glass and toast to Whiteblaze!
    Don't worry you'll be 21 next year and can join in....

  19. #19
    Registered User JNI64's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-23-2019
    Location
    Harpers ferry wv.
    Age
    60
    Posts
    2,087

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by putts View Post
    I wish there could be a reunion, where Baltimore Jack could come back and go in circles with Warren D and Lone Wolf about just about anything. His resupply article was my #1 "guide" for my first attempt at a thru hike. I miss Weary's no-back-down push for conservation. I miss Miss Janet's insight on the pulse of the AT community, and Ron Haven's all-around friendliness. There were some great sagas: Minnesota Smith, the FKT's - there have been tremendous outpourings of support, and of course gossip and opinion. This place was my number one resource for news updates about trail-related tragedies like Meredith Emerson and Geraldine Largay. I think a lot of us scattered among "non-hikers" in "the real world" could come to Whiteblaze and feel a little sense of comfort interacting with others who get us, and understand things like why we are so bothered about the news of a stranger called Stronghold.

    I don't social media, but I suppose that's similar to Whiteblaze. Except this site never tried to sell me a damn thing through data-mined ads, or tried to sway my political opinion. It was about the purest interaction you could have with the trail community from away. Nowadays, it's a lot more like off-season hiking, when the early days were like being in the NOBO bubble. I still stop in occasionally and definitely revisit some of the old days by searching something like "Baltimore Jack Kennebec River" or "Gator Gump". And I'll still look at pictures from the good ole days when there were water balloon fights at Trail Days and lines for a payphone....and before my beard was completely gray. I definitely still enjoy seeing posts by some of the old faces like Lone Wolf, Tipi Walter, Teej, and Rickb just to name a few....but I do miss the heyday of this site.
    That would be very cool a meet and greet camp.

  20. #20

    Default

    Congrats and Happy BD
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •