[at-l] Longley helps keep hikers safe on trail

[lorac4491 at linkamerica.net (Coosa Donaldson)]

http://www.bangornews.com/editorialnews/article.cfm?ID=434288

'Ferryman' provides escort 


When Steve Longley commutes to work, it's a short ride in his pickup. The ride is less than a mile from his house in The Forks to the bank of the Kennebec River in Caratunk. Once there, he unlocks one of his Old Town canoes, drags it a few feet down the steep, gravel incline to the water's edge and begins his work day. Within minutes a northbound Appalachian Trail hiker is waving a red signal flag on the opposite shore much like someone hailing a cab. That's Longley's cue.

BIG BIG SNIPPET

If anyone thinks that it's just a glamour job, surrounded by beautiful scenery where every day is perfect, they just don't understand the nature of wild places or the demands of caring for human lives. Some people have never set foot in a canoe, let alone paddle one across current, which in May can run more than 10,000 cubic feet per second. One missed stroke or off-balanced passenger can send both occupants into the water with potentially deadly results. During the busy hiking season he often makes more than 50 river crossings. 


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