I am not a thru hiker, only a section hiker and really new to the AT community, my first hike was in January of 2012, just a small hike up to Big Cedar mountain from Woody gap in Georgia. Since then I have hiked nearly 130 miles of the AT from day hikes to 4 day section hikes. I am planning on doing a thru hike in 2014 at age 42.
My trail name
I have a fear of bears and this summer alone I encountered 6 bears, I am no longer afraid of bears, my last test was this past October I did an overnight hike and at dusk sitting by my fire I saw a large bear walk about 30 yards from me heading right towards my food bag. I stood up and yelled, hey bear where are you going, don't think about trying to get my food, it is well hung, the PCT method you know, don't even waste your time. The bear froze in his tracks looked at me and swayed his head back and forth then ran off down the hill.
I went back to hanging out by my fire then eventually went to bed knowing that I am no longer afraid of black bears.
Spirit Bear is a rare white black bear that is only found in a remote section of British Columbia I believe. I was watching a show on National geographic about their top 10 photographs of 2012 and one of them were titled spirit bear. At that point my girlfriend said that's your trail name, spirit bear and it has stuck since.
National geographic photo of the white black bear known as Spirit bears...
Some other names that never stuck...
Credit Score (when asked why I am holding out on thru hiking I said I have to get my bills in order so someone suggested credit score
Suckerfish-I am a consultant who specializes in consulting financial advisors so a buddy gave me the name suckerfish one day after I was ranting about how meaningless my job is and how I suck off the sharks in the financial world just to survive.
The Boss-Someone said I looked like Bruce Springsteen one day on the trail; I had a red bandana on at the time.
How did you get your name?
I know some names are less of an interesting story than others but still would love to hear...