The Family from the North

[DLANOIE]

Holy cow! What a story, so you hated it huh? What else do you remember about the hike?

[TNjed]

Man!!! I was wondering what happened to ya'll, thats nuts. I read about your family in the Barefoot Sisters' book

[Driver8]

My Family was the Family from the North... my trail name was Shortcut.

Have you read what the Barefoot Sisters wrote about your and their hike together? They would love to hear from you, I'm sure. If you have access to Facebook, Jackrabbit can be found there - I traded a couple messages with her while I read the books. (If you need help finding her, you can PM me if you like.) It sounded like y'all were in awful peril in the big blizzard in the Grayson Highlands - I'm glad you made it through.

Just know that, to a lot of hikers, you and your family are legends. There's a lot of admirers of you and yours out there, a lot of doors open if you want them to be.

Best regards,

Driver 8

[Jack Tarlin]

I find it kind of interesting that many years ago, in discussing these people, here on Whiteblaze and elsewhere, certain folks posited on the wisdom of the hike, the preparedness of the participants, their concerns over the health and well-being of the children, etc. It was said on more than one occasion that based on eyewitness accounts and perceptions from people who actually hiked with these guys or spent time with them, there were some health/safety issues, and on many occasions, the children, who had no real say in their participation, were often indeed cold, wet, and miserable. Those of us who felt this way and spoke about it were essentially told we were wrong and to mind our own business; we were further told our perceptions were wrong and that our fears and concerns were groundless. Very interesting to discover that those of us who felt that the kids were hungry and exhausted during the day and cold and unhappy all night (See Post #19 above) have essentially been vindicated. That the participants in this trip may look back on it now in a positive light is fine. But were they happy at the time and was this a good place for such young children? The answer is pretty obviously no, and some of us saw this at the time.

[MuddyWaters]

Too many people in this world concern themselves with things they shouldnt. We have kids taken away from parents because they swat them on the behind when they act up in a store and it is caught on camera. I have a great respect for people that live their lives outside of our cookie-cutter norms. People that home-school their kids, raise them on boats while cruising the world, or even hiking the AT is to be applauded. There is danger in everything we do. Statistically, the most dangerous thing people do is get in a car and drive everyday. But no one jumps on everyone for taking kids for car rides, or spending too much time in the car. I have seen kids get seriously injured playing sports, fractured skulls, broken bones, even broken neck. No one wanted to take those kids away because even though highly hazardous, it is an accepted risk to most. Paradoxically, going hiking doesnt seem to be.

[nathan2]

I've resigned from the debating society on this one and those like it. To me they're just characters in a book. I've never met them in person, so I don't believe I have a right to play critic or supporter of their decisions. When they ask for my opinion, then I'll form one

[Carl in FL]

Has anyone validated the poster who claims to be part of "The Family from the North"?
The way things are today, the poster could be funning with us.

[birchy]

My Family was the Family from the North... my trail name was Shortcut. I hiked with my whole family mom dad baby sister two step brothers and step sister. I was only eight then so all the details are a little fuzzy but at the time I hated it however looking back now at 18 years of age I am proud to have hiked the AT thru. I am really wanting to get information on our family and the hike now that my parents are split we dont talk about it. If anyone has documents or articles about our family hike that would be great. And in respone to some of the upove comments us kids didnt have a say, we all hated it. We where hungry all day and during the winter we froze, the first cold night by boots actually froze and the next morning I had to wear them until they thawed. Their where times that felt like hell but like i said im glad that I have had that experience. And at some point would love to do some section hiking.

There it is straight from the horses mouth.

[zanagirl2271]

I am Zero; I am the mother of the Family from the North. I want to first of all thank every one who said positive things about us on this site. I also want to thank any one who helped us with our thru hike. The negative things that were said were by people who never met us. I as a mother look back on that experience and with mixed emotions. It was the hardest thing I have ever done; that's saying a lot because I have done some pretty hard things in my life! There were times during that hike that I wanted to run away from it; I wanted to escape the hell I felt we were in. I won't go into detail about what led us to that hike but it wasn't for fun; it was our only way out of a situation we were in due to someone else's beliefs and feelings. We hiked that trail to make a better life for our kids. You can believe what you want about us but know that we did what we did because we felt it was the best option. So many years later, we are none the worse for it either. All of the children are healthy and happy and well adjusted. The young lady above, Short Cut is indeed the girl who was seven at the time. She did hate it as did the rest of us. She is now 20; in her second year of college as a Dental Hygienist; has been employed and working hard since she was 14. She has travelled to London and plans another trip in the next year to Spain. The baby, Easy Rider, is now 14. She makes mostly all A's in middle school and is highly independant, social and happy. The oldest girl is now 22, a mother of a one and a half year old and is in her third year of college and studying Biology to become a teacher. The two older boys are working and living dependant, responsible lives. One in his birthplace of Hawaii and the other in the town he grew up in with his dad. We went on to have a baby boy who was born a year or so after completing the trail. He was born in Hawaii and is now almost 11. Bright and funny and smart; creative and sweet. I am a licensed daycare provider and have been for over 7 years. I am very dedicated to the health and well being of children in general. The father and I divorced years ago due to different opinions and beliefs. I say all of this because you never know what someone has to face or what battle they are going through. That hike made every one of us who we are today and I know in my heart, we helped those we came in contact with. I will forever remember that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to because I did that hike. When you judge us for what we did, you are casting negativity and that is never a good thing. Ask any questions you want but don't form opinions without facts. God judges and God sees and we answer only to Him.

[Grits]

I am Zero; I am the mother of the Family from the North. I want to first of all thank every one who said positive things about us on this site. I also want to thank any one who helped us with our thru hike. The negative things that were said were by people who never met us. I as a mother look back on that experience and with mixed emotions. It was the hardest thing I have ever done; that's saying a lot because I have done some pretty hard things in my life! There were times during that hike that I wanted to run away from it; I wanted to escape the hell I felt we were in. I won't go into detail about what led us to that hike but it wasn't for fun; it was our only way out of a situation we were in due to someone else's beliefs and feelings. We hiked that trail to make a better life for our kids. You can believe what you want about us but know that we did what we did because we felt it was the best option. So many years later, we are none the worse for it either. All of the children are healthy and happy and well adjusted. The young lady above, Short Cut is indeed the girl who was seven at the time. She did hate it as did the rest of us. She is now 20; in her second year of college as a Dental Hygienist; has been employed and working hard since she was 14. She has travelled to London and plans another trip in the next year to Spain. The baby, Easy Rider, is now 14. She makes mostly all A's in middle school and is highly independant, social and happy. The oldest girl is now 22, a mother of a one and a half year old and is in her third year of college and studying Biology to become a teacher. The two older boys are working and living dependant, responsible lives. One in his birthplace of Hawaii and the other in the town he grew up in with his dad. We went on to have a baby boy who was born a year or so after completing the trail. He was born in Hawaii and is now almost 11. Bright and funny and smart; creative and sweet. I am a licensed daycare provider and have been for over 7 years. I am very dedicated to the health and well being of children in general. The father and I divorced years ago due to different opinions and beliefs. I say all of this because you never know what someone has to face or what battle they are going through. That hike made every one of us who we are today and I know in my heart, we helped those we came in contact with. I will forever remember that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to because I did that hike. When you judge us for what we did, you are casting negativity and that is never a good thing. Ask any questions you want but don't form opinions without facts. God judges and God sees and we answer only to Him.

Congratulations on a job well done raising your children and it sounds like they are high energy can do people. I hope you are are considering writing a book of your hike?????

[Datto]

I talked more with Hope more than the other members of the Family From The North when I'd met up with them one night in Vermont, just south of Hanover, New Hampshire. Hope was a pretty impressive kid if you ask me. A great, positive attitude.

This is what I wrote the day I met the Family From The North on my AT thru-hike.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Destination: Happy Hill Shelter

Starting Location: Vermont Route 12

Today's Miles: 16.60

Trip Miles: 1728.10



September 3 - Happy Hill Shelter ... in Vermont-New Hampshire

Milepoint 1719.2, 147 days since start of hike, averaging 11.7 miles per day



"You gotta look forward to it. You can't think about the hills. You gotta think about something else. Next thing you know you're at the top of the hill!"



-- Hope, Age 9

-- Member of 'The Family From Up North'

-- A family of seven thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail southbound



I beat my own hitchhiking record this morning. I wasn't even out of the woods yet and as I approached the road ahead I put my thumb up above the height of the adjacent weeds. A driver saw my thumb, looked down the Trail at me as he passed and pulled over to the side of the road waiting for me to come out of the woods.



"You can't think about it. You just have to stick out your thumb and believe someone will be there. Next thing you know, there's a car waiting to give you a ride."



-- Datto

-- Chief of the Wet-Napster Tribe

-- Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail northbound



When I got into the car, the driver said he and his wife were heading out for their morning run when they saw my thumb. The driver then asked, "Where'd you start?"



Of course I said, "Georgia."



The driver turned to look at me and said, "Well you sure look fit!"



Ha, I guess I do at that.



So fit that I am going to eat 1100 calories of Chocolate Haagen-Daz at the General Store a mile down this road.



The return hitchhike after the Haagen-Dazs took two minutes to get a ride back to the Trail.



Later in the day I walked into the Trail town of West Hartford, Vermont. Along the road was a barn with painted words on the siding saying, "Leslie Marry Me!"



I investigated, asking a few of the locals about the proposal.



It seems no one knows what happened to the guy who painted his proposal on the side of that barn. Evidently the lucky woman never saw the proposal and the guy moved away. I guess they didn't believe enough.



Heading out of town, some locals told me, "Wicked hills coming up."

Does that mean right now or was he talking about The White Mountains ahead?



I guess he meant Happy Hill, with happy trees and happy southbound thru-hikers at the Happy Hill Shelter.



Well with all this happiness it was time for a meeting of The Spoons. An extra place was set for Cypress Knee and the southbounders agreed to carry on the tradition as they headed south.



Tonight I first heard of two southbounders from Indiana hiking the Appalachian Trail this year.



We are everywhere. Resistance is futile.



-Datto

[chiefduffy]

Zero, thank you for posting. I, and many others, have often wondered about and prayed for your family.
- Duffy

[illabelle]

Zero, thank you for posting. I, and many others, have often wondered about and prayed for your family.
- Duffy

Yes, thank you very much for the update! I am halfway through the second Barefoot Sisters book. The sisters have many times expressed their love and concern for your family, Zero. I wish the best for you.

I do have mixed feelings about the whole situation, but not because of the journey. I don't believe the trail itself is unsafe for children. And it's obvious the parents loved their children and made the decisions they felt were right. So good to hear that the children have done well!

However, I once knew a family who lived alternately in a tent and on a boat. The children were often hungry. I lost touch with them for 25 years, until one day I saw them in the news. Nine of them dead, the father arrested, very ugly story. The thing that makes me uneasy is the isolation of the children from the society they must one day join. Parents who isolate their children arouse my suspicions. If someone, especially a child, does not feel they can reach out for help, it can be very hard to escape.

[Odd Man Out]

...I do have mixed feelings about the whole situation, but not because of the journey.... The thing that makes me uneasy is the isolation of the children from the society they must one day join. Parents who isolate their children arouse my suspicions. If someone, especially a child, does not feel they can reach out for help, it can be very hard to escape.

I'm not sure. Watching Entertainment Tonight would lead me to believe that growing up rich, famous, and privileged is a much more effective way of messing up a childhood and creating a dysfunctional adult.

[zanagirl2271]

I wish I could remember all of the details of that journey. I did not keep a journal but sincerely wish I had!! I do not see a book in the future but I have read the Barefoot sister's books (actually have signed copies especially for us from them and I would welcome any and all accounts from hiker's who do have accurate details on file

[zanagirl2271]

I find this actually pretty funny; if you knew my children, you would never in a million years assume they didn't have whatever they needed at every phase of their childhood. They are amazing kids and I am extrememly proud of them.

[zanagirl2271]

Duffy, you are very welcome! Thank you so very much for your prayers. I am a strong believer in prayer and I know only by the Grace of God did we do what we did and still to this day we are protected by Faith

[zanagirl2271]

Grits, I am sorry to say, there will not be a book from me. I did not keep a journal and unfortunately do not recall many details from the hike. I do have special signed copies of the Barefoot sisters' books that are treasures. Thank you for your compliments and God Bless!!

Zero

[zanagirl2271]

illabelle,

You are welcome and thank you for your blessings. I feel extremely blessed and so loved and well taken care of. I agree with you regarding the safety of the trail for children and am sorry to hear about the family with nine kids. I know it is hard to not feel some aprehension when we see families behaving and living out of the norm. I will not defend the family you mentioned nor will I compare our family to them. Each family, just like each person, is different. The end result shows us what we need to know. I am happy to say that our end result was good and only by the grace of God and the generosity of other's. Our determination and our values lead us and God protected us. As a daycare provider, I work with children from every walk of life and believe me, it is not the ones isolated that are the only ones in danger. Kids in plain sight are also just as much in danger and need protection. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we all have a part in protecting children. I hope and pray that you will all do your part in whatever way God lays on your heart in providing kids with love, support, education, guidance and lead by example but do it with love in your heart and a true passion to see any child you come in contact with grow to be a fully functioning and productive person. Only then will you be able to look without judging and be a positive part of this whole of life.

[zanagirl2271]

Datto,

Thank you for such a wonderful account of Hope, Sisu 2's journey. She is a wonderful grown woman with a child of her own and is extememly dedicated and passionate about her college career, mother hood and life in general. I think she views life like she viewed the hike. She takes one day at a time and focuses on the end result. I, as her mother, could not be prouder of her; then and now, she continues to inspire me