Need an interview with experienced hiker

[sidereal]

Hello WhiteBlaze Community,

I am writing a documentary script for a course I am taking here at college, and my chosen topic is the Appalachian Trail, since I have decided to hike a section of it this summer. While this script will likely never be produced, part of the requirement is that I interview someone who is knowledgeable and experienced on the subject, and so I figure here is a good place to look.

I'm looking for someone who has hiked the trail several times and has at least a decent understanding of the history and conservation efforts of the trail. Please only respond if you are experienced with the AT, but you certainly don't have to be a master on the subject as I've done some research myself and you would not be the only source of information. It would be an e-mail interview consisting of 15-20 questions and I would need the responses- at the very latest - by the 21st of April. I assure you it will not be anything too difficult...many of the questions will simply be about why you hiked and what you got out of your experience, but I would like more than one sentence responses.

If you have any questions or, of course, if you are interested in doing this, let me know.

Thank you very much, and I hope someone would like to help me out here, it would be very much appreciated!

[bigmac_in]

Well - If you don't have to be a master on the subject, there should be plenty of people here who can help.

[Blissful]

Calling Jack. Warren. And of course, LW.

[Lone Wolf]

not interested

[minnesotasmith]

Calling Jack. Warren. And of course, LW.

One's not interested. Another can't grasp some of the most basic trail subjects, e.g. hiker ethics (e.g., not stealing or trespassing). That leaves Jack.

BTW, if you'll make it a phone interview., bet you'll have lots more takers. (Record and transcribe later.)

[sidereal]

Really? I would have thought that e-mail would be preferable as you can do it anytime you want...but I do see the merits of a phone interview and if anyone would prefer that I am open to do it over the phone as well.

Thanks for the replies.

[Bulldawg]

Jack is in Franklin at one of Ron's places and he was who I thought of immediately.

[Kirby]

Jack's who popped into my head.

Kirby

[Appalachian Tater]

.............

[swellbill]

Jack's who popped into my head.

Kirby

He popped into your head? I thought he was in Franklin at one of Ron's places

[Kerosene]

I'll volunteer if you're interested in a slightly different perspective from a long-time section hiker. E-mail preferred.

[Lilred]

I've been section hiking since 2003 if that counts for anything. I've only done 700 miles so far, but hope to have half the trail finished by the end of this summer. Maybe you could do a comparison/contrast in the differences b/w section and thru hikers. PM or email if I can help.

[warren doyle]

I would be willing to be interviewed.

[Cookerhiker]

He's hard to get ahold of because he's always out hiking or biking, but I suggest Stumpknocker. His latest journal (one of many on TrailJournals.com) has his e-mail address. I'm sure he'd be a great interview, especially on the subject of food.

[Skidsteer]

He's hard to get ahold of because he's always out hiking or biking, but I suggest Stumpknocker. His latest journal (one of many on TrailJournals.com) has his e-mail address. I'm sure he'd be a great interview, especially on the subject of food.

Excellent suggestion.

[minnesotasmith]

He's hard to get ahold of because he's always out hiking or biking, but I suggest Stumpknocker. His latest journal (one of many on TrailJournals.com) has his e-mail address. I'm sure he'd be a great interview, especially on the subject of food.

Why not Heald or Squeaky, also?

[weary]

Hello WhiteBlaze Community,

I am writing a documentary script for a course I am taking here at college, and my chosen topic is the Appalachian Trail, since I have decided to hike a section of it this summer. While this script will likely never be produced, part of the requirement is that I interview someone who is knowledgeable and experienced on the subject, and so I figure here is a good place to look.

I'm looking for someone who has hiked the trail several times and has at least a decent understanding of the history and conservation efforts of the trail. Please only respond if you are experienced with the AT, but you certainly don't have to be a master on the subject as I've done some research myself and you would not be the only source of information. It would be an e-mail interview consisting of 15-20 questions and I would need the responses- at the very latest - by the 21st of April. I assure you it will not be anything too difficult...many of the questions will simply be about why you hiked and what you got out of your experience, but I would like more than one sentence responses.

If you have any questions or, of course, if you are interested in doing this, let me know.

Thank you very much, and I hope someone would like to help me out here, it would be very much appreciated!

What do you mean by "hiking the trail several times?" Many have done many section hikes. Very few have hiked all the trail several times." Nor, if you are looking for a typical AT experience, are those your best source.

It certainly would make a great study if you could find why some give up the ordinary processes of life and just walk 2,000 miles again and again. I would certainly read or watch an account of why. I would do it myself, had I not more important things to do for and about the trail.

But equally interesting to at least a few, might be to hear from those who dream of hiking, attempt it, and either succeed or fail.

Weary GA-ME 1993. www.matlt.org

[Nean]

Not much of a hiker but I've probably read more books on the the subject than most, plus ++++ I know Squeaky AND Heald. Give me a call, let's chat.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

On the history and conservation end - Weary is a great resource. If you mean has hiker long portions of the trail several times in your criteria for hiking experience, Weary is is your man.

If you are looking more for a typical hiker's point of view, I would suggest interviewing a mother and son team who thru-hiker last year - Blissful and Paul Bunyan. Really nice, down-to-earth people who had a blast doing this.

If you want someone who has thru-hiked the trail multiple times, Jack Tarlin is likely the best choice (LW has already said no).

[Skidsteer]

Hello WhiteBlaze Community,

I am writing a documentary script for a course I am taking here at college, and my chosen topic is the Appalachian Trail, since I have decided to hike a section of it this summer. While this script will likely never be produced, part of the requirement is that I interview someone who is knowledgeable and experienced on the subject, and so I figure here is a good place to look.

I'm looking for someone who has hiked the trail several times and has at least a decent understanding of the history and conservation efforts of the trail. Please only respond if you are experienced with the AT, but you certainly don't have to be a master on the subject as I've done some research myself and you would not be the only source of information. It would be an e-mail interview consisting of 15-20 questions and I would need the responses- at the very latest - by the 21st of April. I assure you it will not be anything too difficult...many of the questions will simply be about why you hiked and what you got out of your experience, but I would like more than one sentence responses.

If you have any questions or, of course, if you are interested in doing this, let me know.

Thank you very much, and I hope someone would like to help me out here, it would be very much appreciated!

Not much of a hiker but I've probably read more books on the the subject than most, plus ++++ I know Squeaky AND Heald. Give me a call, let's chat.

Nean would be a good interview, IMO.