Ridgerunner Article (8/14/2006)

[c.coyle]

"Ridgerunners patrol Appalachian Trail to help those less experienced make their way"

[D'Artagnan]

I especially liked Gregoire's quote, "I looked around and there was Wal-Mart, and that just wasn't going to happen." That just about sums it up.

Thanks for posting the article. Ridgerunners sometimes catch a lot of flak, but I believe they serve an important purpose. I'm just glad there are qualified folks willing to take on the responsibility for $8/hour.

[wilconow]

On the job, ridgerunners meet "through-hikers," seasoned backpackers who dedicate months to trekking the entire trail.

"They have the scraggly beards, lots of equipment -- pots, maybe, hanging off a pack," Wright said. "You can often smell them coming."

[Ridge]

The part where the lost hikers where looking for a water fountain in the article that C.Coyle linked to, reminded me of a group asking me if the shelters had a pay phone. This was back before the Cell Phone explosion.

[gsingjane]

My Girl Scouts are uniformly shocked to discover that there are no restroom facilities (save privies) along the trail.

Jane in CT

p.s. Thanks for posting the article, I enjoyed it!

[StarLyte]

"Ridgerunners patrol Appalachian Trail to help those less experienced make their way"

Thanks for posting this C.Coyle (like yer new avatar)......

A very special ridgerunner helped me once.

I counted on a water source once and it was dried up so I continued hiking because I didn't want to set up camp and then wake up with no water. It led me into such anxiety. I met an AT Ridgerunner; he stated that all the water sources were dried up in the area and gave me his water. I had to blue blaze. I will never forget him.

I met a new AT Ridgerunner at Blackburn around Memorial Day weekend named Jim, I wonder how he is doing. Anybody seen him? He was a very quiet and gentle man, tall, beard, salt and pepper hair.

[mingo]

many ridgerunners are nice but there are a couple in the smokies who are real pains in the ass. boy scouts. take themselves way too seriously

[Rain Man]

I hiked the AT section through Great Smoky Mountain National Park last year. Met two Ridgerunners, one near Fontana and another close Tri-corner Knob Shelter. Very nice guys.

RainMan

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