Ultramarathoner Scott Jurek's latest feat of running the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, all 2,189 miles of it, in just 46 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes has stirred quite a bit of controversy at this end of the trail. He touched the sign at the pinnacle on July 12th. The trail itself runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to the northern terminus at Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park. His run through BSP set the scene for another clash between commercial sports and wilderness preservation. At the summit, you see, Jurek was issued 3 summonses for rules broken at Baxter Peak. The 3 rules broken were: no consumption of alcoholic beverages, no groups in your hiking party should be more than 12 in number (Scott had a large support group with him all the way) and no filming within 500 feet of the top. I've climbed Katahdin 6 times. Three of the times I assisted in our Boys' Pathfinder program, leading a group of about 15 of so eighth grade boys to the top. So, our school group sort of broke that group rule. The other three times Elenka and I have summited the mountain, once with brother Marchin. Each time we reached the top we celebrated with (as I remember) a refreshing chug from a bottle of Boones's Farm Strawberry Hill wine.
There, a second rule infraction.
Ah... but so thirst quenching!
Hey, ya gotta celebrate, right?
A quite curious post! The image seems to show mostly wine bottles...
ReplyDeleteWell VP, I didn't sample all of these at the top. Cripes! I'd still be on the peak. haha
ReplyDeleteThat's quite an image you have here. Boone's Farm??? Seriously???
ReplyDeleteSad to say... Yes.
DeleteI've seen climbers and hikers like this. It sounds like the guy's an egomaniac- everything's him, himself, and his stroked self glorification. I'd call him something else, but hey, that involves swearing, and the Sisters Of Little Or No Mercy wouldn't like that.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Sister Mary Deloras would track me down.
DeleteI remember Boone's Farm from a million years ago, however I don't remember the summit because I was never brave enought or strong enough to climb it!
ReplyDeletei would. :)
ReplyDeleteI think a little toast is in order!
ReplyDeleteWhat about those Blue Jays?!
Go Jays!
DeleteCelebrate like there's no tomorrow I say.
ReplyDeleteShoot! If I had just finished running the AT, that celebration would have just been getting started. :-)
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Deservedly so!!
ReplyDeleteI can see the point of the rules, but, of course, rules are made to be broken.
ReplyDeletePeople and their rules...
ReplyDeleteFrom the picture I would say you were VERY thirsty or you REALLY celebrated.....party on dude. For a change up go for some Red Ripple wine....cheaper yet.
ReplyDeleteI used to be able to run up mountains but alas! no more. I've never walked any of the Appalachian Trail, other than in the company of the book by Bill Bryson. Love the picture of the glass to be recycled, and hooray for the chap that ran all the way, breaking a few rules is OK by me. I'm a rebel.
ReplyDeleteI used to be able to run up mountains but alas! no more. I've never walked any of the Appalachian Trail, other than in the company of the book by Bill Bryson. Love the picture of the glass to be recycled, and hooray for the chap that ran all the way, breaking a few rules is OK by me. I'm a rebel.
ReplyDeleteI've climbed Mt. Katahdin twice...but many, many years ago when I was much, much younger. I didn't know those rules, but I didn't break them either. ;)
ReplyDelete