Wait, why is he doing this?

Many thought Teddy was (and still is) crazy for wanting to "walk and live in the woods" for months at a time.  Back in 2001, Teddy walked the Appalachian Trail, which was 2,175 miles along the East coast, in one long, 4 1/2 month journey.  This opened his eyes and heart to the other two trails in the United States that hikers usually move on to complete.  For 10 years, he planned his Pacific Crest Trail journey, which spanned 2,650 miles on the West coast.  This too, was completed and there was no question that he would move on to complete the third and most difficult trail, the Continental Divide Trail, which spans 3,100 miles through the mid western parts of the U.S.

So many people have asked, "So, what will you get when you are done?"  There are several answers to this question.  Ted will have a major sense of accomplishment and hopefully pride for the achievement of the goals he set for himself.  He will receive the love and support of his family and friends because that is what we do.  And, he will receive recognition from an organization known as ALDHA - West, or the American Long Distance Hiking Association.  Here are some facts I found:

- total length of all three trails is about 7,900 miles
- vertical gain is more than 1,000,000 feet
- a total of 22 states are visited when all three trails are completed
- The American Long Distance Hiking Association - West is the only organization that recognizes this hiking feat.  At the ALDHA -West Gathering, held each fall, the Triple Crown Honorees are recognized and awarded plaques noting their achievement.
-As of October 2012, there have been 174 hikers awarded this honor of Triple Crowner

Yeah, so some may say, "Only a plaque?" For Scarecrow, it's so much more.  He will have a sense of achievement.  He will have clarity.  He will have one of the greatest accomplishments of his life.

We are routing for you Scarecrow, and we have a place all set and ready for your plaque!

Until next time,

The Thruhiker's Wife

A month from today...

A month from today, on April 17th, Teddy will step out onto the third and final trail that once completed, will give him the title of a "Triple Crown Hiker".  This journey has been talked about, researched and planned out for the past three years, and it is finally here!! I want to provide everyone with a little information about this trail, because what Scarecrow is about to take on is quite amazing!

So, what is the Continental Divide? The Continental Divide in the Americas is the line that divides the flow of water between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. Rain or snow that drains on the east side of the Continental Divide flows toward the Atlantic Ocean while precipitation on the west side drains and flows toward the Pacific Ocean.  Scarecrow will be walking along the trail following this line from Mexico to Canada, and is trying to complete this journey in 5 months time!
   

 
                               
Scarecrow is heading northbound beginning in New Mexico at the Crazy Cook monument and will walk 3,100 miles, through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, ending in Glacier National Park.  He will walk through the San Juan Mountains, Rocky Mountain Range, Rocky Mountain National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, with hopefully a side trip to Grand Tetons National Park.

A few things are different for this trip - Scarecrow is taking a GPS and the SPOT which will allow him to check in every night via a message sent to my phone and computer.  This will allow me to make sure he is not really sipping Corona's with his buddies in some Caribbean location!!

 I will continue to post information about his trip as the days get closer to his departure.  I also want to share the pictures and thanks to all of the wonderful friends and family who have contributed so generously to his hike.  Everyone has added to the excitement of this monumental achievement and we are so appreciative.

Until next time,

The Thruhiker's Wife