Congratulations to two Southbounders!

imported
#1

Congratulations to Matt and Jenn who completed the AZT N-S yesterday. I picked them up at Montezuma Pass; we had lunch in Sierra Vista and then I dropped them at their car in Oracle.

At the Border Patrol check point north of Sierra Vista the dog “alerted” to my car and we were directed to pull over and get out. The guys on the line went thru their routine–how do you know each other, where have you been, etc. etc. The K-9 handler came back and when he learned they’d just come off the trail, he explained that the dog will often alert to climbers, hikers, or sweaty people in general. They put the dog in the car and, finding no one hidden in the back, we were sent on our way.

Shawn

#2

Shawn, both of these hikers are personal friends of mine and we have hiked together in the past. Thank you for treating them to the trail magic you provided. It isn’t often that such deeds are recorded (with an interesting border patrol story to boot!). Thanks for passing on the information. For what you have done, you have my deepest respect. Peace, WB

WB

#3

I believe another thru-hiker, Will Lady, also completed SOBO this fall (this is based on second-hand info and a bit of inference). He had hiked northbound the spring of 2010 as well (I met Will and his girlfriend in Patagonia), although I don’t know whether he’d continued all the way to Utah.

blisterfree