[pct-l] Lindy Watch

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (dsaufley@sprynet.com)]

Monte,

I don't know for certain, but when I was up in Kennedy Meadows a few weekends ago, hikers said Lindy got off the trail way down south.  He didn't stop at our place, but then, I figured he was blasting through and all.  I was quite surprised to hear the news.  May or may not be true.  

As for Scrambler, (Mary), the 10 year old out with her mom and dad, she was doing fantastic at mile 464, and the word was she was continuing to doing great north of Kennedy Meadows.  This little girl is a dyed-in-the-wool thru hiker.  She's been on long-distance outings since she was a baby, and did Section I with a pack when she was six.  She's completed the Tahoe Rim Trail (twice), and can converse with you on pack weights or trail conditions like she was 25.  

I have never met such an amazing child -- I'm certain there was an adult in that little body.  And not just any adult, but a thru-hiker -- the best kind.   Scrambler had some 20s under her belt already, and her mother admitted that they were fast approaching the point where her parents weren't going to be able to keep up with her (a big concern for them).

Interestingly, the impression I got wasn't that they were doing the trail so Mary would be the youngest ever (although I believe she will be), but because they feared that they as parents were getting older and wouldn't be able to do it with her.  It was quite touching, really.  Everyone should have parents like this.  

As long as I live, I will never forget my impressions of Mary.  I believe she is unique in this world, and I feel lucky to have met her and to call her my friend.  

-=Donna Saufley=-