Thanks for taking us along with you, Jonathan. You embody the notion that so much is possible. I look forward to any future posts and am so glad you didn't go face to face with the hurricane. All the best to you! Jill.
Thank you, Jill, for writing. I think I have to thank my wife Karen for me not going face-to-face with the hurricane--though my gut was warning me, as well, that what I planned to do was bordering on insanity. Hopefully my future posts will not reflect such crazy experiences. We'll see ,though, as I constantly find myself in the worst situations. Best regards, Jonathan
SO glad you were not out on the trail when the hurricane hit....I was worried about you! - and hoping you were safely at home that week. Have enjoyed reading your story and am sure you will finish the trail sometime--when it has been restored and such an amazing trek is again possible. Best wishes, Carmen
Thank you so much, Carmen. Hopefully, they will be able to restore the trail fairly quickly though that may be wishful thinking. Best regards, Jonathan
Hi Jonathan, I am very very glad that cool heads prevailed and that you did not get caught in the mountains during Helene. It still makes a great story and I am sure that at some point you will resume your hike. Helene's impact was devastating in a way that few storms have beeen. It's sobering to think that this is our future and that there's more to come. Warm regards, Julie
Hi Julie, thank you for your comments. I think you are right that there's more to come. This is indeed out future. I am glad you made it through the storm safely! Whew! Best regards, Jonathan
Jonathan, this hurricane has been heartbreaking! I'm in a very similar situation as you. I had plans on through hiking the Bartram Trail that week. The only reason I didn't is because the storm was supposed to directly hit my hometown of Athens GA. I didn't want to leave my family to face that and me unable to get back to help.
The hurricane missed us, but if I had been on the trail I would have been just east of Franklin NC as it came through!
All of my fall plans were upended as well. However, I'm finding that there are areas that were less affected that could provide alternative adventures in the meantime. Keep at it, and let me know if you want any suggestions!
Thanks Erik for writing and thank you so much for following along with my posts. I wish I was as disciplined as you and could get these narratives out on a weekly basis. I truly look forward to your Sunday posts and can only imagine the work you put in to get the photographs and stories and videos/films you make so beautifully and professionally done out so quickly.
I do think about what it must have been like to be out on a trail that Thursday when Helene hit. I saw a video by three women who were hiking the Appalachian Trail that day and they looked miserable, totally swamped, and thrilled to get out alive. I suspect I would have been like them.
I would welcome any suggestions you might for thru-hiking. I was thinking of your Foothills trek, but it looks like things are still pretty bad there. Of course, I could go back to Hanging Rock State Park in the NC Piedmont (which is open) and take on some of the other trails, besides the MTS, which could be fun. Hanging Rock has nice campgrounds and one could have a good weekend without having to rough it too much. Still, it feels a little tame. Hmmm... Thoughts?
Thanks Jonathan! Have you ever considered the Pinhoti Trail? It's one I'd like to do at some point. It runs from the highest peak in Alabama up into North Georgia for about 300 miles. All areas that weren't affected much by the hurricane.
I know you will complete your MST journey at some point. We don't call you the Camino Beast for nothing:) I am thankful that you didn't encounter the hurricane. I pray for all those impacted. Keep charging! ❤️ Marlene m
Thanks for taking us along with you, Jonathan. You embody the notion that so much is possible. I look forward to any future posts and am so glad you didn't go face to face with the hurricane. All the best to you! Jill.
Thank you, Jill, for writing. I think I have to thank my wife Karen for me not going face-to-face with the hurricane--though my gut was warning me, as well, that what I planned to do was bordering on insanity. Hopefully my future posts will not reflect such crazy experiences. We'll see ,though, as I constantly find myself in the worst situations. Best regards, Jonathan
SO glad you were not out on the trail when the hurricane hit....I was worried about you! - and hoping you were safely at home that week. Have enjoyed reading your story and am sure you will finish the trail sometime--when it has been restored and such an amazing trek is again possible. Best wishes, Carmen
Thank you so much, Carmen. Hopefully, they will be able to restore the trail fairly quickly though that may be wishful thinking. Best regards, Jonathan
Hi Jonathan, I am very very glad that cool heads prevailed and that you did not get caught in the mountains during Helene. It still makes a great story and I am sure that at some point you will resume your hike. Helene's impact was devastating in a way that few storms have beeen. It's sobering to think that this is our future and that there's more to come. Warm regards, Julie
Hi Julie, thank you for your comments. I think you are right that there's more to come. This is indeed out future. I am glad you made it through the storm safely! Whew! Best regards, Jonathan
Jonathan, this hurricane has been heartbreaking! I'm in a very similar situation as you. I had plans on through hiking the Bartram Trail that week. The only reason I didn't is because the storm was supposed to directly hit my hometown of Athens GA. I didn't want to leave my family to face that and me unable to get back to help.
The hurricane missed us, but if I had been on the trail I would have been just east of Franklin NC as it came through!
All of my fall plans were upended as well. However, I'm finding that there are areas that were less affected that could provide alternative adventures in the meantime. Keep at it, and let me know if you want any suggestions!
Thanks Erik for writing and thank you so much for following along with my posts. I wish I was as disciplined as you and could get these narratives out on a weekly basis. I truly look forward to your Sunday posts and can only imagine the work you put in to get the photographs and stories and videos/films you make so beautifully and professionally done out so quickly.
I do think about what it must have been like to be out on a trail that Thursday when Helene hit. I saw a video by three women who were hiking the Appalachian Trail that day and they looked miserable, totally swamped, and thrilled to get out alive. I suspect I would have been like them.
I would welcome any suggestions you might for thru-hiking. I was thinking of your Foothills trek, but it looks like things are still pretty bad there. Of course, I could go back to Hanging Rock State Park in the NC Piedmont (which is open) and take on some of the other trails, besides the MTS, which could be fun. Hanging Rock has nice campgrounds and one could have a good weekend without having to rough it too much. Still, it feels a little tame. Hmmm... Thoughts?
Very best regards, Jonathan
Thanks Jonathan! Have you ever considered the Pinhoti Trail? It's one I'd like to do at some point. It runs from the highest peak in Alabama up into North Georgia for about 300 miles. All areas that weren't affected much by the hurricane.
Jonathan,
I know you will complete your MST journey at some point. We don't call you the Camino Beast for nothing:) I am thankful that you didn't encounter the hurricane. I pray for all those impacted. Keep charging! ❤️ Marlene m