Of Moose and Men

My new book is now available at Barnes and Noble.

Of Moose and Men-Ridgerunning in Maine's Hundred Mile Wilderness is a non-fictional account of the summer I worked for the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. I taught Leave No Trace, monitored trail usage and assisted people from all walks of life enjoying the great outdoors.

Published in March 2015, I used Amazon.com exclusively for nine months. Now, I'm making it available for NOOK readers as well.

Some of the comments I've received in the reviews posted there I will now address.

Embedded in this book is a fictional story I wrote in my head as the months wore on. I spent a lot of time alone and the Appalachian Trail culture birthed a What-If scenario.
People have disappeared from the trail. What If I did, as well? The fictional account is short, but also gives insight into the amazing lifestyle long distance hikers adopt. Plus it shows how I coped with living off grid, alone, for five months.

Then, someone said it was 'creepy' that I was assessing every guy I met. I also assessed the women. Part of my job was to help people be prepared for what lay ahead and keep folks from getting over their heads. Most of that precautionary task dealt with day hikers, section hikers and south bounders. Some north bounders, just 83 miles from Katahdin, needed to retrace their steps to a hospital.

In a brutally honest fashion, I gave an inside look to my private musings, hopes and dreams. Not always pretty. I loved Maine and its people. They were friendly, fun and rugged. If you ever get a chance to hike the Appalachian Trail, or perhaps just do the Hundred Mile Wilderness, be prepared to spend some time nursing aching knees, and give my best to the folks in Millinocket at the AT Lodge.

Of Moose and Men

One would think being unemployed that I would have my new book published by now. For some reason, things have come in the way. But good news! The final proof reading of the final draft shall begin next week.

This nonfictional compilation of stories details last summer's job Ridge Running in the Hundred Mile Wilderness. Most of the names will be changed to protect the good, bad and ugly. However, some names deserve to be mentioned. You know who you are. Don't sue me. I'm broke. 

 

 

I'll talk about gear, both found and created, long distance hikers, backpackers not staying at site, thru hikers (south bounders and north bounders), day hikers, day hikers with kids, day hikers with dogs. I kept "body counts" as part of my job.

 

 

There are stories about wild animals, seen and unseen, things that went bump in the night, things I wanted to exterminate by day.

 

Billed as the Perfect Job by yours truly, I came to grips with several extenuating circumstances, mainly that hiking the same 8 mountains over and over while basically living as a hermit got old.

 

But, I had a blast! Met a ton of marvelous people. Wrote an AT Horror Story. Almost killed my

beloved Geo.

 

All is well.

The book will be released digitally and print on demand. There will be promotional days where the download is free.

I hope you will enjoy it, possibly learn some backpacking or survival tips and fall in love with the Appalachian Trail and its roving community as I did, again.

Leave No Trace for the Survivalist-Warning, Rant!

Leave No Trace is an important concept no matter where you travel. This link will take you to the Grand Canyon's website where erroneous modes of foot travel can disrupt centuries of growth and lead to erosion.

As a survivalist, Leave No Trace takes on new meaning. Being able to traverse land without leaving a sign of passage can mean life or death if being pursued by enemies.

By respecting the land, we leave plants and animals in their wildest states, allowing harvest as needed and building materials for the future.

Just recently, while working as an outdoor educator in Maine's Hundred Mile Wilderness, a small group of Appalachian Trail hikers decided they needed campfires.
Believe it or not, several fires were build right below pine trees, so close the exposed root systems actually formed the fire ring. The perpetrators walk away from their fires, not even taking time to douse them. I know. I put one out, excavating a 6 foot diameter hole, beneath a tree, checking it days later, verifying it was indeed out.

I know. Unbelievable. I would have bet my teeth no one was that stupid, but then I'd have lost and would be gumming my sweet roll to death instead of chomping away as I write this.

Amazingly, few know that duff can go several feet deep in such pine forests, and even if half of Maine seems to be a bog, these pine forests can erupt in flames weeks after the embers finally burst from their nest of fuel. The resulting wildfire can do untold damage to pristine forests and drive wildlife from their homes.
Campfires in Maine are illegal unless at a designated site. Don't argue. That's the law.

According to reliable resources, three hikers have been charged with setting such a fire near Rainbow Lake. I hope they throw the book at them and hard, setting an example for all who follow. Its time to stand up to the masses of unskilled navigating the woods.
And I don't even want to hear that's how your grandaddy did it back in his day.

Its Getting Cold!

With a little more than 4 weeks to go living and working in the Gulf Hagas location, I'm having conflicting emotions.

Its fun seeing and meeting bundled up hikers coming through, shrieking because of the numbing cold water crossing, asking about the weather, admitting their excitement to get it done.

Its getting cold in these here hills, by golly, yeah!
I summited Kahtadin on August 14 after a 5 mile successful thru hike. Bound and determined not to freeze to death, I ended up reaching the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail during a heat alert.

Imagine that! Yes, it gets hot in August, and we looked forward to the cool crisp days of autumn. Well, they have arrived.

Packs are heavier, food bags more substantial, but the miles will come.

By the time I meet northbounders, they are 4 days from their goal. I did meet one southbounder this week.
"Sorta late, isn't it?" I asked cheerfully.
"Just seeing how far I can get," he replied. Before what, I wanted to ask, but didn't

Some leave the trail with an excuse in mind. The knees hurt, the feet hurt, the family needs you.

But really, you don't need to make anything up. Its cold, wet and muddy out there. Just say you're sick of it. Most people don't know why you went at all.

Survivalists for Real

This week I met a combat veteran thru hiking with her mom, on the Appalachian Trail. Her pack had five names across the back, three of which were friends lost in battle, two post war suicides. To learn more about her journey and 20 years in the service, check out her blog:Post War Hike Blog


As we sat eating lunch at the West Pleasant River Crossing, there on the AT, in the Gulf Hagas, I couldn't help but think what a survivor she was. Afghanistan, Iraq, training as the only woman in a unit in the desert, it must have taken some mental fortitude to keep going.

And that's what we see with all the various hikers coming through, from the oldest, and 80 year old man who celebrated his birthday on the trail, to the young girl hiking with her family. No matter what the gear, or the menu, its all about mindset, sometimes just taking one mountain at a time.

Saturday we had jets flying over for the festival in Greenville. I couldn't see the military aircraft because of the cloud cover, but  a great sense of gratitude came over me. I am glad to be an American. 

High Tide and Waiting

I took this short video while waiting on the north side of the Gulf Hagas River Crossing. My radio to the Katahdin Iron Works gate had died and there's no cell service. Thankfully, I was able to get a message out before communications with the staff was impossible. The river is down, and peace and quiet have returned. Thru hikers, both north and south, abound. Happy Trails.

War on the Appalachian Trail

My base camp is well thought out. I can cook under protection of mosquito netting, with a double canopy protecting me from the Rain gods. 

Maine is not to be taken lightly.

Mud, mosquitoes, roots, boulders.

Yes, you'll be swamped by all this and more.

South-bounders are facing wetter than normal conditions, but most are still smiling.

The mosquitoes and I are killing each other. I've declared war. Every time I go out of my tent, I secure the area by killing at least 100, then proceed with my tasks.

What tasks, you might ask, from the comfort of your air-conditioned, carpeted home with WIFI and electricity? (Do you sense a little creature envy...?)

Well, I get water from a nearby creek. Seems the skeeters love this activity the best. Can't tell you how many times they've chawed through my pants as I squatted to fill my gallon jug.

Then, there's the tightening of guy lines. Seems when I reach up to snug them up, one skeeter will always seek safety inside my nose. Can't tell you how many I've swallowed.

Then there's the privy situation.  One is quite vulnerable heading uphill, off the grid, to unfasten the door and avail oneself of a dry cathole.

Humm, one may ask, and rightly so, why am I doing this to myself? 
Cause I love the outdoors and meeting the hikers has been outstanding, the humor, the suffering. One guy complained about the leaves on the trail. I told him that was actually a good sign the water bars were doing their jobs.
Another complained a particular shelter looked like "the Projects" because of so much abandoned gear.

Please, hikers, carry out your trash, broken gear and extras. No one wants them either. By doing so, you will certainly feel the weight loss next section, and learn not to carry so much STUFF!

Happy trails. See you out there.

Everything Except Corn Pasta-My New Book

My Garcia Bear Canister weighs 2 pounds 11 ounces, and can hold 7 days of food, if done right.

In my new book, I have a list and the method on how to do this. I've used one of these things in Montana. My hiking partner and I called them "the gorilla" because of how heavy they were and how hard to just strap one on to a pack. I ended up using my external frame and placing it inside the pack itself.

This is a photo of me crossing Lyle Creek on the Pacific Crest Trail. It's being used for the book cover. Even E-Books need Covers!
Today the book is being uploaded to Kindle at Amazon.com.
Everything Except Corn Pasta

In the book I've included lots of trail recipes, recipes for making goodies at home, and tricks for making delicious food while backpacking. I use economical ingredients and have a whole chapter on dehydrating everything from fruits to meats and making "leathers".

Also included are tons of trail stories, photos, and how to make your own backpackers cook set.
These and many more tips all come in handy for the survivalist because it builds on skills and knowledge the creative and thrifty person wants to learn.

The ISBN number for this e-book is: 0-9728154-1-4

Too Much Information-A Trail Story

I'd been hiking alone for awhile when I met some older gentlemen crossing a field up in New Jersey.

Contrary to what you'd think, the Appalachian Trail is not always crowded. Depends on how much rain there is and how close to roads.

It's nice to meet humans once in awhile, chat, share news.

Sometimes, though, if you've been alone awhile, you end up sharing a little too much information.

These guys wondered where I was going, how long I'd been on the trail and offered a bunch of unsolicited day-hiker type advice. Deferring to their age, feeling no threats, I assured them I would make it to Katahdin, later this summer, having hiked a good 1400 miles already.

They asked me how far I planned on heading this evening. I mentioned the next shelter's name as a possible campsite.

We said our goodbyes, I hiked on. After a couple miles, I crossed paths with another guy hiker. He knew all about me, and repeated several things I'd told the old guys. He had met them crossing the road.

Lesson learned, too much information.

Even if it seems harmless chit chat, my safety could have been jeopardized by my sharing so much with people I'd dismissed as harmless. In their continued sharing of my information with others, the wrong person could have been my camp mate.

I believe in a power I call Trailgods. They taught me a vital lesson that day.