Now a lot of people assume that true spirit of camping and attachment to wild nature is slowly dying out. Perhaps urban dwellers who stuck in their routine never actually were interested in something connected with hiking or environmental issues. That’s not bad or good thing, it’s a fact.
But what if we are going to tell you something that could change your mind? Our team, who talked to a lot of people that love nature with their whole heart, found those two stories marvelous.
But what if we are going to tell you something that could change your mind? Our team, who talked to a lot of people that love nature with their whole heart, found those two stories marvelous.
Trail of life
Grandma Gatewood tale
Buddy Backpacker
Emma's attitude to ecological issues
Christian Thomas (Buddy Backpaker) his attitude to ecology
Grandma Gatewood tale
Emma Rowena "Grandma" Gatewood
Mostly every American heard story of Emma Gatewood. She had left her life in Ohio in May with the goal of hiking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one continuous hike, from Georgia to Maine, in a distance of 2,055 miles.
Up until her hike, only five people had done the entire trail since it was completed in 1937 – and they had all been men.
When the newspaper reporter asked her “Why?” Why did she do it?
She gave a variety of responses to this question:
“Just for the heck of it.” “Always wanted to take this hike.” “On a lark.” “Because it’s there.” The real answer was much sadder.
What she didn’t tell the reporters is that she was walking away from a life that had included decades of abuse at the hands of her husband. The woods had always been a source of comfort and escape for her. She told the reporters she was a widow.
Emma walked all of the trail about three times/ She was almost seventy years old the last time she completed the trail.
Emma died on 4th of July in 1973 but the story of woman who survived violence and walked through the dangerous trail by her own is still impressive.
Buddy Backpacker
Christian Thomas
Christian Thomas, also known as Buddy Backpacker, is the youngest thru hikeri, who completed one of the most difficult and longest treks – the Appalachian Trail. (It rolls through Shenandoah National Park).
A five-year-old boy from Long Island went through the 2,180 mile trail, which stretches from Maine to Georgia.
He started the trek on April 27, 2014.
Christian's travel companions were his parents – Dion Pagonis and Andrea Rego, who had gave up the office lifestyle in order to give the boy a taste of adventure. The family members supported each other throughout the trip. And his parents taught Buddy math, science and language skills along the way.
Dion's and Andrea's statements about this have been preserved during an interview with our colleague:
«Journalist: — It was Christian's first trail. Can you tell what did you feel about it? Did you worry that Buddy will be naughty on the way or he will get so tired that you will have to give up?
Dion: — Of course, I was worried. But when we arrived, I understood that I don't worry at all. I remember this picture for a long time: somehow amid the chaos in our jeep, this kid is tranquil, composed—put together. His brown hair is neatly parted. His manner is genial.He is placid.“I like fog,” he says in a high, fluty voice. “It’s cool! When you see a person, it’s like, wow, he magicked here.” These
words shook me to the depths of my soul. To tell the truth, it was very funny to know that the boy, who slept with his Pooh Bear every night, was out-hiked his mom…»
Christian and his parents managed to finish his continent traversing feat in less than a year: it took them about 8 months.
One Friday, the family reached the last station of the travel – Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Then they earned the name of 'thru hikers' and Christian beat out a 6-year-old who completed that trail in 1980.
i Thru hiker is a term used to differentiate between day hikers. Thru kilers are those people who attempt to go the distance and hike the entire trail in one fell swoop.
A five-year-old boy from Long Island went through the 2,180 mile trail, which stretches from Maine to Georgia.
He started the trek on April 27, 2014.
Christian's travel companions were his parents – Dion Pagonis and Andrea Rego, who had gave up the office lifestyle in order to give the boy a taste of adventure. The family members supported each other throughout the trip. And his parents taught Buddy math, science and language skills along the way.
Dion's and Andrea's statements about this have been preserved during an interview with our colleague:
«Journalist: — It was Christian's first trail. Can you tell what did you feel about it? Did you worry that Buddy will be naughty on the way or he will get so tired that you will have to give up?
Dion: — Of course, I was worried. But when we arrived, I understood that I don't worry at all. I remember this picture for a long time: somehow amid the chaos in our jeep, this kid is tranquil, composed—put together. His brown hair is neatly parted. His manner is genial.He is placid.“I like fog,” he says in a high, fluty voice. “It’s cool! When you see a person, it’s like, wow, he magicked here.” These
words shook me to the depths of my soul. To tell the truth, it was very funny to know that the boy, who slept with his Pooh Bear every night, was out-hiked his mom…»
Christian and his parents managed to finish his continent traversing feat in less than a year: it took them about 8 months.
One Friday, the family reached the last station of the travel – Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Then they earned the name of 'thru hikers' and Christian beat out a 6-year-old who completed that trail in 1980.
i Thru hiker is a term used to differentiate between day hikers. Thru kilers are those people who attempt to go the distance and hike the entire trail in one fell swoop.
In the next release you’ll find out Emma and Christian thoughts about ecology and environmental issues.
Ecological issues
The nature of America abounds with beautiful, picturesque views. This is a national treasure. Millions of people visit these areas.
Therefore, it is necessary to keep them clean for the next generations.
The United States government's National Park Service protects some areas in particular the Blue Ridge Mountains so that our descendants can enjoy it too.
Exhaust gases and other chemical waste negatively affect the state of nature in this regard, it is forbidden to enter some areas by car.
Recording to Faith Lapidus and Steve Ember, the National Park Service keeps records to show how many people visit all of the national parks. Each year about fourteen million people sleep in America's national parks for at least one night. About one million seven hundred thousand people visit what is called the "backcountry." The backcountry is far away from human activity. In some parks, vehicles are not permitted in the backcountry.
We are going to tell you how Emma Gatewood and Christian Tompson struggle with environmental issues.
Therefore, it is necessary to keep them clean for the next generations.
The United States government's National Park Service protects some areas in particular the Blue Ridge Mountains so that our descendants can enjoy it too.
Exhaust gases and other chemical waste negatively affect the state of nature in this regard, it is forbidden to enter some areas by car.
Recording to Faith Lapidus and Steve Ember, the National Park Service keeps records to show how many people visit all of the national parks. Each year about fourteen million people sleep in America's national parks for at least one night. About one million seven hundred thousand people visit what is called the "backcountry." The backcountry is far away from human activity. In some parks, vehicles are not permitted in the backcountry.
We are going to tell you how Emma Gatewood and Christian Tompson struggle with environmental issues.
As we said before Emma found woods as a comfort place for escape.
Of course she was interested in environmental preservation.
While being on the trail, Gatewood subsisted on raisins, nuts, chicken bouillon cubes, and other foods that could be eaten cold.
There is some of her famous phrases:
“No stove, no fuel canisters, no cook pot, no scrub pad, no coffee. No coffee! I’m dealing with it. The plan is to rehydrate dehydrated meals in a plastic jar as I stroll along happily munching on pemmican cakes”
“No tent. A tarp is lighter and packs easier. Tarps are a thinking man’s shelter … that part worries me. Tarp failure is ugly”
“No conventional sleeping bag. No bivy bag. No poncho. No space blanket”
Now it’s clear that she was slightly obsessed with natural ways of surviving. Some people found it ridiculous, as for us it’s impressive
Of course she was interested in environmental preservation.
While being on the trail, Gatewood subsisted on raisins, nuts, chicken bouillon cubes, and other foods that could be eaten cold.
There is some of her famous phrases:
“No stove, no fuel canisters, no cook pot, no scrub pad, no coffee. No coffee! I’m dealing with it. The plan is to rehydrate dehydrated meals in a plastic jar as I stroll along happily munching on pemmican cakes”
“No tent. A tarp is lighter and packs easier. Tarps are a thinking man’s shelter … that part worries me. Tarp failure is ugly”
“No conventional sleeping bag. No bivy bag. No poncho. No space blanket”
Now it’s clear that she was slightly obsessed with natural ways of surviving. Some people found it ridiculous, as for us it’s impressive
Emma Gatewood
Thanks to the influence of the youngest hiker's parents, Christian grew up as an active child and became a fan of the outdoors. Christian would regularly return to New York during the summer to visit his family and ride his bike (the most eco-friendly transport) to his grandfather’s fishing spot.
Some information from the interview.
The boy answered several interesting questions. For example, he was asked: «Where do you shower»? His answer was: «Backcountry rivers». It's very eco-friendly, isn't it?
Then the youngest hiker told about things that he usually carried: ordinary paper maps, backpack and etc. Christian slept in small camping spots along the trail.
What about food? The little boy answered how he got food: «There is a town every four to five days. Sometimes we mail ourselves packages».
He likes healthy food: green vegetables, fruits and berries.
Christian also likes various eco trails but he doesn't have favourite one. He says: «Every trail has its fun parts. Hard choice».
It is worth noting that the eco-program is an opportunity to visit protected areas where ordinary visitors and tourists are not allowed. It's possible to get to hard-to-reach places that are difficult to get to on your own. So, Christian could explore many unusual places. He set such world records:
Youngest Appalachian Trail Hiker
2013, 5 Years Old
Youngest Pacific Crest Trail Hiker
2014, 6 Years Old
Youngest Colorado Trail Hiker
2015, 7 Years Old
Youngest Continental Divide Trail Hiker
2017, 9 Years Old
Youngest Triple Crown of Hiking
2017, 9 Years Old
Youngest American on Camino de Santiago
2018, 10 Years Old
So, the young hero is really ready to be useful and get closer to nature. It remains to wish him only success in the field of ecology and travels!
Some information from the interview.
The boy answered several interesting questions. For example, he was asked: «Where do you shower»? His answer was: «Backcountry rivers». It's very eco-friendly, isn't it?
Then the youngest hiker told about things that he usually carried: ordinary paper maps, backpack and etc. Christian slept in small camping spots along the trail.
What about food? The little boy answered how he got food: «There is a town every four to five days. Sometimes we mail ourselves packages».
He likes healthy food: green vegetables, fruits and berries.
Christian also likes various eco trails but he doesn't have favourite one. He says: «Every trail has its fun parts. Hard choice».
It is worth noting that the eco-program is an opportunity to visit protected areas where ordinary visitors and tourists are not allowed. It's possible to get to hard-to-reach places that are difficult to get to on your own. So, Christian could explore many unusual places. He set such world records:
Youngest Appalachian Trail Hiker
2013, 5 Years Old
Youngest Pacific Crest Trail Hiker
2014, 6 Years Old
Youngest Colorado Trail Hiker
2015, 7 Years Old
Youngest Continental Divide Trail Hiker
2017, 9 Years Old
Youngest Triple Crown of Hiking
2017, 9 Years Old
Youngest American on Camino de Santiago
2018, 10 Years Old
So, the young hero is really ready to be useful and get closer to nature. It remains to wish him only success in the field of ecology and travels!
Christian Thomas
isn’t it Incredible?
And now please pay attention! Our team suggested that it would be important to hear not only famous people connected with environmental but average person experience too.
Please, e-mail us with your own stories. We’ll be happy to read it and publish.
Wait for your story in the next release and pay attention to the world around you!
And now please pay attention! Our team suggested that it would be important to hear not only famous people connected with environmental but average person experience too.
Please, e-mail us with your own stories. We’ll be happy to read it and publish.
Wait for your story in the next release and pay attention to the world around you!
