[pct-l] Re:Butch Wiggs

[hshires@jps.net (Henry Shires)]

I'm devastated by Butch's death.  I was a couple of days behind on my 
pct-l digests when I read Butch's Jan 24th appeal:

   You guys have been the most cherished friends with the highest values 
we've 
   ever had. And there are so many friends we just haven't met yet. Sorry 
to 
   sound so heavy, its just been a tuff time for this ole cowboy.
   I love you all
   Butch Wiggs

He died the next day and I see now that is was his way of saying goodbye. 
 I wrote him on the 27th and the mail never found him but I wanted to 
publish it here as a sort of tribute because I don't know what else to 
do: 

-------------------
Hi Butch,

Don't know if you remember me but I was the red-haired '99 thruhiker that 
came through early in the season after some hairy moments on the high 
passes (June 11th or so before the ferry was operating).  You took me in 
your boat out into the lake and we tried to get e-mail through your 
cel-phone connection but no luck.  Anyway I did manage to find the 
Canadian border on Sept 13th, 1999 and not a day goes by that I don't 
think about the trail.  Stopping at VVR (I also stopped there the 
previous year on my JMT hike) was a hilight of my walk and I always tell 
friends about the wonderful experience I had, especially my wife who will 
be coming there in August on her JMT hike.

I'm so very sorry to hear about you and Peggy.  I wont pry but I want you 
to know that I'm thinking of you and hoping that you two can reconcile.  
I wish there were something I could do to help.  Is there?  Can I write 
Peggy a letter telling her what a great guy you are?  I'm not in a 
position to buy the VVR (and NOBODY want to see that happen) but you came 
to the right place I'm sure.  You guys mean so much to the hiking 
community and to a great number of people whose lives you've touched.  
Please let me/us know if there's anything I/we can do.

Take care,

Henry Shires
Redwood City, CA
----------------------------------

I wish he had reached out sooner and I wish we had all been able to do 
something, anything, before it was too late.  Butch, you're a great man 
and you will be profoundly missed.  I hope you have found the peace that 
you so desperately sought.  We love you too.

>Message: 1
>Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2001 13:33:56 -0500
>From: "Elizabeth A. Foshion" <foshione@dteenergy.com>
>To: PCT <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
>Subject: [pct-l] Butch Wiggs died
>
>This is on the PCTA website:
>
>After the end of his 5th season running the Vermillion Valley Ranch,
>Wiggs died on January 25 from an apparent suicide.
>
>Over the last few years Butch has developed solid reputation among PCT
>thru-hikers. Many of whom looked forward to a few relaxing days off at
>VVR after hiking through the Sierra Mountains.
>
>His presence along the trail will be sorely missed by all who knew and
>loved him.
>
>More information can be found in an article in the The Fresno Bee By
>Bruce Farris.