[at-l] The Tradition of Trailnames

[spiriteagle99 at hotmail.com (Jim and/or Ginny Owen)]

Kelly wrote:

>I wonder about the tradition of trail names.  I know that I always wanted 
>to
>be "given" a name, and I've often thought that I would be "Christened" on 
>my
>AT thru-hike.  I also wanted some say so in the matter, at least a smidgen.
>Anyhoo, when the Boy and I went to Tennessee and were on one of the 
>numerous
>hiking trails in the area.  He says, "Well, GoVols, whaddyathink?"  He was 
>asking
>me about how I felt about the trip up to that point, but he called me 
>GoVols.
>(he's a lurker via me on the at-l) I like the name, and he did call me that
>on a trail.  Does this count?  Do I have a trail name?
>
>Jus' wonderin'


Kelly -
The "real" tradition of trail names started with Earl Shaffer.  His trail 
name for his first thruhike was "The Lone Expedition".   Later he became 
"The Crazy One".  Maybe his brother John has a better handle on it, but as I 
recall, both names were by his choice.

I'd say you have a trail name if "you" think you have one.

Walk softly,
Jim

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