[pct-l] Johnny Olley

Thu Nov 15 18:29:49 CST 2012

Dr Bob,

This is a great story.   Thank you for sharing it and including Johnny's  poem.  

Much appreciated.
Gman
On Nov 15, 2012, at 12:04 PM, Bob wrote:

> Johnny Olley was a friend of mine...   an idol, actually.   When you got to
> know him, he was quite an inspirational person.   I don't believe he made it
> all the way that year.  Johnny passed away on October 3, 2007 at age 93.   I
> met him several times on the PCT over the years, including on that
> southbound hike you mention.  
> 
> If I may be allowed a personal story:   I was headed northbound that summer
> and, knowing that he was hiking southbound, wrote him a letter hoping that
> we could meet up again en route.  I mailed it to his P.O. Box in Dunsmuir,
> assuming it would be forwarded.  Weeks later, as I got my package at the PO
> in Sierra City, I turned to glance at the register and was stunned to see
> that Johnny Olley's name was the last entry... and dated that same day!  I
> whirled around and asked the lady postmaster how long ago he had been there.
> She said. "Oh, about an hour ago. He was going out to the picnic table out
> back before heading on."  I raced out back, but no one was there.  I looked
> all around, feeling pretty bad that.. oh, so close... I had just missed him.
> As I walked slowly back toward town, I came upon a figure, frumpy hat on
> with a huge backpack next to him, slumped down on some steps reading
> something.  I couldn't see the face, but knew Johnny prided himself in
> carrying a heavy pack.  "Johnny?" I asked.  The man looked up, but said
> nothing.  We'd corresponded, but it had been a few years since we'd seen
> each other.  "Johnny Olley?" I continued.   His eyes smiled.  "Johnny, I'm
> Bob Ellinwood."   He said, "Yes, I know.  I'm reading your letter right
> now!"   Talk about timing!   I bought him dinner that night and we had great
> conversation til quite late.
> 
> I should mention that, at an even older age, he hiked the entire A.T.
> Well, almost the entire A.T. except for less that 10 miles!   He was in his
> early 80's, I believe, and did the whole trail except the climb up South
> Kinsman, in N.H.  Those who've done the A.T. northbound will remember South
> Kinsman, often regarded as the toughest, steepest uphill of the trail.   At
> that age, he just couldn't get up it with his pack.  Wish I'd been there to
> help.  He got around it to N. Woodstock and continued to Katahdin.  He
> referred to that stiff uphill on South Kinsman as requiring "vegetable
> belays,"  grabbing plants and trees to help one up.  It has become part of
> my hiking vocabulary at appropriate moments.
> 
> Johnny volunteered at Castle Crags for several decades as a trail
> maintainer.  Lonely in later life, he occasionally shared with passing
> hikers a poem he had written:
> 
> Be My Companion
> 
> 
> I have stories to tell
> 
> But I listen, as well
> So won't you lend me your ear
> And talk to me, dear,
> While we walk?
> 
> 
> There are beautiful trails
> O'er mountains - through vales
> On granite and heather
> 
> While we talk.
> Come with me!                                 Johnny Olley, 1990
> 
> Thanks for mentioning his name.  Just thinking about this pretty special guy
> has given my day a lift.  
> 
> Dr Bob
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Devon Taig
> Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 10:04 AM
> To: dm at quixnet.net
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT stats
> 
> I met a south-boundwe many years ago near Castle Crags named Johnny Olley
> that at the time was 78.  This was mid-August, so I'd say he had a sporting
> chance of making it to Mexico. He'd be 100 now, so might not be with us
> anymore (anyone know of him?).
> This summer, I met a 73 year old woman in Southern Oregon in late march
> hiking north.
> 
> On Wed, Nov 14, 2012 at 9:00 PM, <dm at quixnet.net> wrote:
> 
>> I've been wondering about this, too.  If I complete my planned 
>> thru-hike next year, I'll be 73.  Does anyone know if an older person has
> thru-hiked?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Dwane Koppler
>> 
>> dwanekoppler at gmail.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Message: 8
>> 
>> Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2012 21:28:58 -0900 (AKST)
>> 
>> From: mkwart at gci.net
>> 
>> Subject: [pct-l] PCT hiker stats
>> 
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> 
>> Message-ID:
>> 
>> <2005143164.136684.1352096938812.JavaMail.mkwart at mail.gci.net>
>> 
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Does anyone know who is keeping track of the PCT records--such as the
>> 
>> youngest person to finish, the person with the most thrus, the longest
>> 
>> thru hike, etc. etc.
>> 
>> Thanks
>> 
>> --Fireweed
>> 
>> 
>> 
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