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Missed this somehow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marshall Tucker
I love hiking Blood Mountain from the Lake Winfield Scott side up to the AT and then summit. Coming up the Flatrock Gap side is damned-near bouldering. Never heard this story but man it’s a sad one.
Was up that way a couple weeks ago for a day hike and man the AT was packed with people on their way north.
I guess the guy killed was a vet hiking the trail to help with his ptsd and depression.
Sad.
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damn sad
OP glad liberty missed the worst of it
ive been on the AT and the Philmont back in the day....deer dung fights, pee in bags thrown on fires, big rocks stuck in jerks packs, nvr root beer again, 1st urinal seen with TX state's outline painted in it, got in a metal trough of cold river water for a can of spam, pukd mex on side of bus while enroute, overall very memorable experiences...
article about the deceased.
https://www.outsideonline.com/239660...sMR7k5cskoTrp0
"When Ron Sanchez returned from his third tour in Iraq, he was in a self-described “dark place.” Growing up in Garden Grove, California, the 35-year-old combat engineer viewed the Army as a way to a better life. But while in Iraq, Sanchez suffered debilitating injuries to his knees and back. He witnessed casualties in his unit, including some of his close friends. Sanchez told the Oklahoman, for an October 2018 story about a VA recreational-therapy program, that he was discharged with PTSD and major depression in 2011, after 17 years in the military.
eacclimating to life in Oklahoma City proved harder than he could imagine. Sanchez worried about interacting with other people. Unexpected noises frightened him. He began holing up in his apartment for days at a stretch. The only time he’d go out was for groceries, and he’d do so just late at night, when there was less risk of having to interact with anyone.
...
Sanchez became an enthusiastic regular, leading trips and geeking out over gear with other members on their online forum. He’d alert them when he found good deals in local discount shops. If it seemed like a campground might fill up, he’d offer to head there a couple days early and claim a space. “He was one of the most wonderful, caring, helpful people out there,” says Megan Crocker, the group’s coordinator. “He was always positive and always the sweetest person to talk to—especially on a grueling hike. Ron was the one who always cheered the rest of us on.”
wow
Double wow.
Its a loss for all when someone like that is taken.
I only hope his friends and family can soldier on.
Terrible for anyone to meet their end like this, but for this guy? Already with those issues?
God is a joke.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SB
Well his sacrifice did finally put an end to this maniac's mayhem. He lived the life of a hero and died a hero.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cono Este
I do this too, but I like to go first thing in the morning.Quote:
Originally Posted by east or bust
Tears for this good guy lost.
Sucks that such a story of service, sacrifice, suffering, and endurance would end in a bizarre and needless way.
RIP
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I spent lots of time doing fire and forestry around Philmont and Vermejo (north of there) and surrounding wildlands. We had zero bear issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by warthog
Woke up once with mtn lion tracks everywhere, on the truck, next to my head (!)....that was chilling. We had a shitload of elk (or horses, I don't know) sprint through our camp in the middle of the night once. That was also scary.
No bear issues....our house in Valle Escondido on the other side of the Moreno valley from Philmont had constant issues with bears hanging around. It wasn't a big deal, because they're black bears, totally afraid of people and dogs.
There aren't supposed to be grizzly bears in that country, but on hwy 555 going up into Vermejo from Raton I saw what was either a grizzly bear or The Biggest Brownest black bear in the history of black bears. There's a lot of room back there, and it's healthy land, so if a few of those guys were having a go of it in there it wouldn't shock me.
A humble Scots offering for Engineer Sanchez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkLXOWimMY8
Yeah, I have to wonder if Grizzlies have made their way in there. That would be much different than the occasional Black Bear we saw.Quote:
Originally Posted by ill-advised strategy
One of our stops was a burro racing camp. We got to gear them up and do some sort of race. I can't really remember what it was. I do remember the hike in was mostly high desert after coming off a big elevation, so we were hot and tired, but still felt incredibly energetic due to the air down low.
Part of the camp event was letting us put the burro up for the night. After we got them all set, we were able to chill for a while on the upper deck. At some point near dusk, the rangers told us it was time to go. Right about that time, something like 5 or 6 large black bear came out of the woods heading our way. Apparently they came down every night to fuck with the burro. We got the hell out of there quickly.
Mtn lion were also never mentioned, that I remember, but this was probably 1990. Not sure they were much of an issue at that time. Again, we had a guy carrying a .40 or a 9mm- not sure what the FBI used in 1990, so maybe it was just never mentioned to us kids.
The guy who got killed was a 3 tour Iraq vet. I missed that the first time around. The story just got even sadder, if that's possible. If anyone was deserving of peace . . .
We’re psyched to get our daughter home. She flew in yesterday.
Family friends knew she was only 17 when all this went down. It was touchy there for a while on the legal side of things as she wa as minor alone. I envisioned the nightmare of having to explain this to some doughnut eater in the South, but never had to.
Solo hike AT @ 17: Check. She looks great and is super happy.
The murderer was found to be incompetent to stand trail.
Attachment 293298
Damn congrats
Badass.
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Cool s-I-j.
amazing
That is awesome! What an accomplishment @ 17.
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Well done
Impressive in more ways than one. Congrats!
Nice job Dad. :) And her too.
Wow. And with time to spare. Congrats all around.
Man, my oldest is 12 now. Not sure I could be as cool as you. Guess it depends on who she is at 17.
Yours must be incredibly mature and a total badass. Congrats.
what an accomplishment, thanks for bumping this with the good news and congrats.
Whoa, that is badass. Well done kid.
That’s really cool, SIJ.
She is ready to take on the world!
Wow, what an awesome achievement.
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Awesome and well done
Awesome!!
Glad she made it and is safe.
congratulations to your daughter. I hiked the AT when I was 17. Sorry she had to experience those horrible events. But it is important to get out in the world and I am sure she will grow from this experience.
Congratulations!
Really cool
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good stuff!
That's huge! was in several conversations yesterday about what a massive undertaking the AT is in it's entirety. Lotta people I know into it are instead doing 14? 15? state challenge where you hike/camp a section in each state, and even that's a helleva undertaking!
I think it's implied by most here that the mental fortitude by your daughter is more impressive than the physical side of a long hike. Regardless, both sides are incredibly impressive for such a young girl. :yourock:
Congrats to your daughter! I hiked the AT when I was 23 - one of the best things I ever did for myself. She will draw strength from this experience her whole life long.
Not to dredge up any bad memories, but I always wondered what happened to this guy and today this came across my feed. Not guilty by reason of insanity.
https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail...n-of-insanity/
Just senseless in a place where so many go to find peace, themselves and something new. Hope your daughter is still killing it SIJ.
he need never see the light of day again.Quote:
Originally Posted by BmillsSkier