I just wanted to say Thank You to the White blaze community.
Through all the debates – guns vs. no guns, dogs-no dogs,
Bear bag – keep your food with you and all the rest, one thing
always came through, everyone’s passion for hiking.


The idea to hike a section of the AT just came out of nowhere
for me, but the more I learned here and a couple of other places,
the more important to me it became. Almost to become an obsession
the last couple of months.

So last Saturday 5-22 at 10:15 I made my first step on the approach trail.
By somewhere around 3, I was sitting on the rock at the top of Springer, with
half a dozen Cub/Boy scouts and their leaders, 4 girls hiking together, and
4 or 5 other guys and I was simply elated. By 6 I had my tent up and was getting
water boiling for supper. I will always hold that day in my heart right next to
my wedding day and the births of my daughters.

I’m not sure I would have fallowed through with the idea of this hike,
without this community.

For that, I thank you.

I did have to get off the trail at Unicoi due to an Ankle injury but not
before I had met some amazing people, saw some amazing things and
got at trail name “Fred.”

I am already planning to go back this fall sometime.
I want to pick up Jarrard Gap to Neel Gap. A couple of other guys and I hitched
to Neel. (just could not chance a bear encounter) Then go back to Unicoi and
get as far as my time then will allow.

Thank You

Fred