Hot-N-Sweaty, a 2005 AT Hiker, died suddenly on Sunday, while hiking in New Hamphsire. I should know when the funeral is by tomorrow and I will post that information. If anyone would like to send flowers or a card, I will also post that information tomorrow.
The article can be found here:
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Newsroom/News_2006/News_2006_Q2/Hiker_Leighton_Recovered_050506.htm
My thoughts and prayers go out to Don’s family.
Matthew “Spicy” McKinney
Sorry to hear about Hot n Sweaty. We hiked up through a lot of Virginia last year close together and he was at my 58th birthday party at Mom n Pops in Glasgow. He carried a big pack and hiked real hard .I hope that I can die hiking rather than dying hospitalized .I was lucky to get to walk with you my brother. Rest in Peace. muleskinner
Muleskinner
Life is fleeting, all the more reason to live it to the fullest each day. It sounds like Hot-N-Sweaty did. RIP.
Michele
The Concord Chronicle wrote a nice article on Hot n Sweaty today. Here is a link:
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/REPOSITORY/606060363
No information on time and location of the funeral yet or where to send flowers/cards. I will post that information when I find out.
Matthew “Spicy” McKinney
Hi All
Don’s body arrived back in Concord early this afternoon. Arrangements are pretty much ready. Calling hours are Thurs from 5 - 8 pm and the funeral is Friday at 11:oo am (not confirmed yet). The Bennett Funeral Home in Concord, NH is in charge of arrangements.
The family looks forward to seeing all of you.
Ginny Leighton
Julie A. caswell
Dear Hiking Friends of Don,
Don’s sister, Ginny, has asked me to share a request with you all. When
DOn began the AT she purchased maps so the family could track his
progress and also bought a poster of a backpacker reaching Katahdin,
She intended to have a party when he completed the AT and have all of
his hiking buddies sign the poster as a keep sake.
The poster will be on display during the calling hours and the family
would like everyone to come by and sign the poster in tribute to Don.
The poster’s caption reads: The End of the Journey.
Information about calling hours and services will be sent as soon as
available.
Jackie Perra
Julie A. caswell
Hi All
On Monday when Gloria had the Concord Monitor coming to do a story on my brother Don, I decided to get my AT stuff out. I had purchased AT maps for Don’s children, grandchildren and myself. I mapped Don’s whereabouts and dates on the AT map. While I was on the AT website I found a great poster of a hiker at the end of the AT. It was purchased because I planned to throw Don a big party when he finished the AT and have all his buddies sign the poster. The poster would later be framed and Don would have a great keepsake. I had not looked at the poster for a year, so I pulled it out Monday wondering what to do with it. I opened the poster and the hiker is draped over the Katadin sign and the caption is “The End of the Journey” - it made cry. Don’s journey has ended, although not as planned. Since I still want Don to have the poster it will be available at the calling hours, so his Buddies can sign it, write a message, or whatever. The poster will be rolled and sent with him on his final journey.
Some changes and additional info regarding his last journey. Bennett Funeral Home in Concord, calling hours Thurs from 5 pm to 8 pm. The services will be Friday at 1:30 pm at St Johns Church on So Main Street in Concord. Burial will be in Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord. After the services and burial (approx 3:30 p or so) Gloria is having a dinner buffet reception at the Cat and Fiddle Restaurant in Concord, NH.
Many of you have emailed and shared stories - THANK YOU so much for that.
I look forward to meeting many of you.
Ginny Leighton
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Julie A. caswell
“End Of The Journey” is an awesome poster, and it has made more than a few of us shed tears of joy. I can recall the first time I saw it on the wall at Mt. Rogers Outfitters in Damascus. Got so choked up I had to buy one. My (non-hiking) friends along with me didn’t get it. I bet many on this site would.
It’s now framed and hanging in my home. Before that, I made a miniature copy from a photo and carried it in my wallet for the remaining years of sectioning the AT. It was inspirational, and helped on those down days.
It’s a fitting accompaniment to Hot-N-Sweaty’s final journey. My condolences on y’all’s loss.
Skyline
If there is anyone who wants to car pool or needs a ride from near State College, Pennsylvania or somewhere between Pennsylvania and New Hampshire for the funeral, please give me a call on my cellular phone. (814)-404-5992.
Matthew “Spicy” McKinney
I have to agree with the skinner of mules, to die hiking is much better that suffering. I too am glad to have hiked with Hot-N-Sweaty a bit on my 05 thru-hike. You will be missed. Draggin
Draggin