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| April 19 Paul The Haul While I was at home watching the Red Sox sweep the Devil Rays, the phone rang and the caller id displayed Virginia. It was a treat to get the call from the comfort of home. Paul was standing at a gas station pay phone in Damascus, VA, wearing only his rain pants, fleece jacket, and flip flops. He was doing his laundry. Damascus is similar to Hot Springs, a mountain town with one main strip, which has evolved to cater to AT hikers over the years. Damascus is home of Trail Days, a sort of homecoming which began in 1987 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the AT. Thru-hikers visit the town for a reunion, talent show, hiker parade, and other events in mid May every year. Paul has now hiked 454.7 miles from Springer, and is going to take a day off from the trail tomorrow. He will be sleeping in a bunk bed at The Place, a church operated hostel that consists of a large house with a bunch of rooms with bunk beds. Guests pay $3 using the honor system, and in return get a bed and shower. The weather has been cold, and Paul hiked during another snowfall this morning. On the ridges along the AT, there is a good 6 inches of snow on the ground, but should be gone when Paul returns Saturday. He was cold standing at the phone talking to me. After I spoke with Paul 2 days ago, he went to the Braemer Hostel and was there all alone, a lone guest. Then a retired Army guy in his 60s walked into the hostel, and told Paul that he heard a hiker was in there. Paul had met Sacko, who invited Paul to his apartment, which was on the other side of the hostel, for dinner. He then proceeded to make a french bread loaf with tomato, avacado and shrimp. While he prepared this meal, Paul learned of Sacko's extensive experience on the AT. Sacko had trekked some 30,000 miles on the AT, completing 12 thru-hikes during his tenure. Sacko shared a wealth of knowledge about the AT, and Paul is grateful of his kindness and wisdom. It appears that he had made the AT his home, doing work for the hostel until May, when he plans on getting back on the trail. Paul got an early start Wednesday morning, and was walking past a side trail which leads to a shelter, this was late morning. He heard some music, and knew that the characteristics of the tunes, and the nature of a late morning rise meant that The Athens Boys must be there. Paul decided to go down to the shelter, and there they were, just crawling out of their bags. Paul spent the rest of the day hiking with the Boys, and made it to Double Spring Shelter after a 23 mile day, Paul's longest yet. The Athen's boys never get up early, but travel at a faster pace than Paul would when his steps are alone. Their goal is to do the entire trail in 5 months. Paul's style is more of a leisurely trek, spending more time of each day walking. He says that it is easier on the body when he does not rush along. Another hiker on the trail, Grey Eagle, has another technique, he wakes up before the sun rises, and lies down before the sun sets. Grey Eagle is another retired millitary hiker, who makes it interesting when he shares the shelters. He complains when he is trying to get to sleep, and when he awakens with his flashlight, he receives the complaints back to him. When one of the Athens Boys referred to Paul as "Paul The Haul", he assumed he now has a trail name. He was first called this by the threesome, Surefoot, Peepdog & Bunylove, three eccentric hikers who have been along pace with Paul. These 3 guys, 2 from Pennsylvania, and one from Virginia are advanced hikers. Surefoot had been a Ranger in Yosemite, and one of the other guys has done long term climbing in Nepal, they all practice yoga. He is also keeping pace with Metro, another veteran hiker who has competed in long distance 50 mile marathons, and has gone across the country on a bicycle. Metro is a lawyer. There is another lawyer keeping pace, 40 year old Clarke from North Carolina, part of an unassuming twosome as he is hiking with Leaf, a tatooed 26 year old machinist from NYC. These two are slackpacking however, catching rides here and there. "Paul The Haul" can be proud of this assigned name, as it was derived from the fact that here is this joe schmo bartender from Massachusetts with virtually no hiking experience who said what the hell, I think I'll try hiking the AT, and as a novice, he is keeping pace with the veterans. It is clear that Paul is doing extremely well. Paul The Haul is ready for Virginia. He said he has already had a taste of what he he has been told to expect about the trail in Virginia, where the AT follows along the top of a ridge for days at a time, meaning less up and downs, and more just staying up. His spirits are high, and is showing no indications of stopping. He is excited for this new terrain, as he had not done as much research, and knows not what to expect. The Haul's next point of contact should come from Atkins, VA, about 80 miles away, or in around 6 days. I am proud of Paul and his perseverence. Big Brother |
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