[at-l] RE:17 Mile days(Was Something Else)

[Detour74@aol.com (Detour74@aol.com)]

I just happened to stay with "Chip",(Ward) at the Plumorchard Gap Shelter in
December of 2000.I didn't know who he was at the time,just chalked it up to
another interesting hiker along the trail.Although,he was more peculiar than
anybody I had met before.No stove,just ate peanut butter and tuna fish.He
said big cities were evil,although he did speak kindly about Hot Springs and
Erwin.

Then,he asked me if I ever thought about thru hiking.I replied that I hoped
to someday.To which he said"no thru hiker with ever respect you,until you've
done at least 1,000 miles." Shortly after my hike,I found out who he was and
the stories of his many thru hikes and speed hike.In retrospect,he was more
civilized towards me than other hikers,as I've heard he can be quite a
"character." And now,to date,I've hiked right at about 1,000 miles,so I
guess you all respect me now,eh?LOL.

Detour