[pct-l] Gottawalk Reply

[Stephen]

Hi Jason,
Passed through Escalante in October myself and have been there many times. 
Met a realnice family livingoutat Deer Creek off the Burr Trail. Nice folks 
out that way. You could not have picked a better spot.  And good on you for 
making the changes you have; feels good don't it?
Stephen
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jason moores" <jmmoores at hotmail.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 5:46 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Gottawalk Reply



"Are you currently living in UT? If so, where? Do you
work on the trails you mentioned?

Marcia
...GottaWalk"Hello Gottawalk,

Some years ago I was working as a chef in Las Vegas. I was 250 lbs.,an 
alcoholic and drug addict. Fed up with my life I took a one way bus ride out 
to the South Rim. My first real backcountry experience was hiking rim-to-rim 
(not advisable the third week of June,as I did). I had taken a job in Marble 
Canyon, just off the Kaibab at Lee's Ferry, and this was the cheapest way 
for me to get from point A to B. Working as the chef of Cliff Dwellers Lodge 
for three years left me with plenty of time to hike. I covered as much of 
the North Rim, Vermilion Cliffs and Paria area as someone without 
transportation can manage. I quit drinkin and druggin, and lost 70 lbs. 
sweating in the desert sun.

I then moved to Escalante Utah with my girlfriend Melissa. We moved there 
for the purpose of hiking and the pleasure of living in such a beautiful 
place. Again I covered as much terrain as time allowed.

Last year we decided to thru-hike the trail in '09. To save as much money as 
possible we decided to pursue seasonal work, since housing is often free or 
close to it. We gave up our house and moved from Utah in April '08. Spent 
the summer hiking the North Cascades and working in Stehekin. We're now 
wintering at Galena Lodge, just north of Ketchum/Sun Valley Idaho. 
Snowshoeing when we can and even managed a 12 mile road walk with packs 
yesterday,to test new shoes for the trail.

We were in Escalante again this fall for 6 weeks, from Oct. to Nov.. We 
spent our time in a similar way as I described in the previous post. Using 
Escanlante as a base we camped and hiked, and even spent a few days on the 
Aquarius helping a friend bring in wood for the winter. We are hoping to 
have time to stop for a hike in Utah in April before hitting the trail or 
possibly Grand Canyon for a week? If you or anyone else in the area is 
available for a hike around the 12th of April let me know.

jason






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