Mapping the Sheltowee

I.B.Me · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:03 pm Post subject: I finally did it!

After section hiking the trail from 1998 through 2001 with my then young son, I finally through hiked it this year.

I left the Northern terminus on Saturday June 30th and reached the Southern terminus Wednesday July 11th. The twelve day trek felt a little rushed but I had a church canoe trip to lead on Friday 7/13 so I had to keep up a good pace to finish.

At 43 years old I was afraid if I put it off another few years that it would never happen do to health or ?

I had told a few freinds that I was going to hike a 280 mile trail and they thought I was nuts. I wore a gps unit on my hat the whole trip but do to foilage I still cannot verify the exact length ot the trail. The final gps reading was 273.5 miles. The trail is at least that long. The gps unit could not find satelites on many occasions and then when it did find them it only added the straight line distance from the last track.

This was a great trip. The weather was perfect except for a little rain. My only regret was that my loyal companion Jack (a yellow lab) was only able to do the first 106 miles due to foot trouble. I still think the first 14 miles starting a the Northern terminus is what done him in. That area really needs some work.

I took 200 photos and probably 15 hours of audio. I have not reviewed it all yet but it should make for great reminders of this fantastic trip.

Rick

Boyd · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 11:21 pm Post subject:

Rock on Rick!

That's a great pace you made...at least 20 miles a day. In a Ky summer, with a pack, and through some of the more nasty parts of trail, you've must have had an epic trip.

Sorry to hear about old Jack not keeping up, but I'm sure he loved every minute of the journey and would power on until he was walking on bloody stumps.

When you get time to decompress, we'd love to see some photos, and most definitely love to hear some audio.

congrats.

Chilton · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:48 pm Post subject:

Great job, I'd like to second boyd on wanting to see/hear what you brought back with you.

Trail Grazer 1 · cub Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm section hiking now, and yes, I too will do a through hike. I am soooo glad to see others our age on the trails, grazing away at the other foot paths.

I can't wait to see the photos.
Congratulations.

I.B.Me · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:25 am Post subject:

I am back from the canoe trip so I will try to add some pics on this one.

Pic 01 is Jack on the Holley Fork bridge.
Pic 02 is fresh blueberrys for my oatmeal. There were lots of blackberrys but the blueberrys were scarce.
Pic 03 is Me and Jack under an arch. (I'm still looking for the name)
Pic 04 is Bridge over Rockcastle River.
Pic 05 is Bear tracks in mud near Yamacraw.
Pic 06 is Dow with fawn nursing near Cumberland Falls.
Pic 07 is Laurel Lake in the morning.
Pic 08 is me at the Southern terminus.
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This doesn't seem to be working???

How do you add photos?

I.B.Me · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:45 am Post subject:

Jack on Triplett creek bridge

I.B.Me · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:46 am Post subject:

I am on dial up at home and its taking too long to post pics. I will get them up from work as soon as I can.

Rick

Chilton · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:28 pm Post subject:

Chilton · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject:

Rick, to add more than one photo just locate them individually with the browse button in the attachment box, put a little description in the box if you want then click add attachment, then repeat for each one.

I.B.Me · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:46 am Post subject:

the rest of the pics