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[at-l] Church Of the Holy Family Hostel status
We hiked near Eagle from around Tray Mountain to NOC in 1999. I recall many
instances where he was friendly and helpful to MA and I. We heard he left
the trail because he found it not to be the challenge he expected. It
suprises me that he was back last year.
Pa
----- Original Message -----
From: "Clark Wright" <icw39@ncfreedom.net>
To: "M&M" <mmatga2me99@trail-life.com>
Cc: "Backcountry AT-L" >; "Marielle & Paul" <hikers99@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2002 6:47 PM
Subject: Re: [at-l] Church Of the Holy Family Hostel status
> This is a very difficult e-mail for me to write, but I feel obligated to
> speak publicly. Even almost one year later to the day, I cannot begin
> to tell you how strongly I disagree with your assessment of "Eagle"
> [Real name, John Keller; yes, from Alaska]. Mr. Keller's actions
> towards me and those around me represent the only major, adverse
> experience I have ever had in over 35 years of hiking. Last March, at
> Fontana and on into the Smokies [and beyond] he repeatedly [and falsely]
> accused me and my hiking partner of theft, reported us to the park
> service, accused us again and again of theft as he walked northward,
> physically threatened me and my partner [and, in my opinion, created a
> dangerous situation that likely would have resulted in physical violence
> but for my "lawyering skills" right there in the Derrick Knob Shelter
> where he barred the chainlink doorway, thus trapping me and my two
> hiking friends inside]. Then, there are the lovely other tales, like
> the time he told an asthmatic section hiker he'd run across that the AT
> was for "women and sissies!" Mr. Keller mouthed off incessantly about
> his supposed wilderness guiding and hunting exploits in Alaska, and how
> far/fast he could hike. He also imposed his interesting propensity for
> nude hiking on many others, and just all around generally struck me as a
> class-A asshole. [Clark, how do you REALLY feel about this guy!]
>
> I am sure, as the poster I'm replying to expereinced, that he can be
> nice when he wants - but think about even the good things he did -
> weren't they all really about HIM? Like his little popcorn deal? Or
> his "the Eagle has landed - onward!! - upward!!" pseudo-cute little
> posts in the registers? [can you tell, I don't like the guy?!]
>
> By definition, my experiences were, of course, personal to me and my
> hiking friends this past summer. However, I also interviewed and spoke
> with over 20 other hikers who had similar, if less acute reactions to
> his presence on the Trail in 2001. To "balance things out," I have
> communicated in either person or via e-mail with two whole people who
> did not have a problem with him.
>
> Sorry for the bummer post; it will be my one and only such on this
> list. If anyone wants more details, or to offer another, personal point
> of view, feel free to e-mail me off-list.
>
> Clark Wright
> [Thru-Thinker]
>
> M&M wrote:
> >
> > I remember Eagle from way back in NOC. Even then he was a great asset
to
> > the trail community. If I remember correctly he was from Alaska
> >
> > "M&M" GA>ME AT99
> >
> > ICQ: 24455973
> > AOL/AIM: MMATGA2ME99
> >
> > www.trail-life.com Home of the Long Distance Backpacker. Discussion
> > groups, articles, stories, trail info, and trail news.
> >
> > www.ryangore.com Some good ole finger flickin
> >
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