[pct-l] AAAHHHHRRRRIIIIBBBBAAAAHHHH!

[ROYROBIN@aol.com (ROYROBIN@aol.com)]

In a message dated 10/15/01 8:30:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
lukeahoy@yahoo.com writes:

<< And finally, Flyin Brian is going to do it, and I will
 be the first to by the Wheaties with his  name on it.
 Anyone know of any publicity that may broadcast his
 completion on Katadin near the 23rd?  
 
 I don't mean to dowse his fire, but is anyone
 considering trying to "purist-like" thru-hike all
 three in the near future?  >>

Hey Amigo!  There's been some talk of some media coverage.  First, it looks 
like a finish, now, about Oct. 27.  If we are comparing trails, the northern 
AT isn't a trail, it's a rock-scramble where it isn't a creek.  Brian's been 
doing about 20 mpd but, hey, it is mid-October!  

Media possibilities?  Nothing for sure, everything depends on the weather and 
the whims of the Baxter State Park people who will call the shots about who 
climbs their mountain and when.  They are aware of Brian's hike.  I just hope 
they have figured out what the right kind of public exposure can do to 
promote and help Baxter State Park, the AT and all of the National Scenic 
Trails.  Media possibilities who have contacted us include Associated Press, 
ABC-TV, a local Maine TV station (an ABC affiliate), and the National 
Geographic Channel.  That's the "real time" people.  There are also newspaper 
and magazine articles in the works.  Public awareness CAN help the trails.    
    

BTW, Brian's self-imposed rules for this game are, hike every step of the way 
from end to end of each of the three trails, with pack, in one calendar year. 
 No sag wagon, no "slack-packing", no support that any other thru-hiker 
doesn't get on the trail. (Except that he hasn't been able to enjoy the 
company of many other hikers because of his schedule.)  He picks up his 
resupply boxes at post offices whenever our postal service manages to get 
them there on time.  He makes do when they don't.  He likes pizza at town 
stops.  He sincerely appreciates the help he gets from all those wonderful 
Trail Angels.  He has hiked the PCT.  He has hiked an accepted route of the 
CDT.  (There is no official route but, yes, there are longer alternatives.)  
He will shortly finish the AT, following the white blazes and having done no 
"yellow blazing."  

He has not told anyone else they have to do it his way, or at all.  He has 
not been able to do each trail, end-to-end, in turn because of the weather.  
Even so, he has been able to do what he has because of incredibly good luck, 
weatherwise and healthwise.  I just hope he has another 10 days of luck 
stowed somewhere in his pack.   

What is your definition of a "purist-like" thru-hike?