Does anyone know if and when EZ1, the 82 year old that bounced all over the trail, finished?
He started January 1st and hiked, usually, in 3 week increments, returning home for a week to do chores for his wife.
I met him twice. Once outside of Pearisburg and later in near in Vermont. I think he was going to summit Katahdin in August or there abouts and finish up in the South in November.
Anyone know? If he finishes within a year, he’ll be the oldest to thru. He is a cool dude.
Officer Taco
From the ATC site
Longtime ATC member Lee Barry of Shelby, N.C., this year took the title of oldest Appalachian Trail thru-hiker from the late Earl Shaffer, who made his third thru-hike in 1998, finishing just before his 80th birthday. Barry, a 1996 thru-hiker and three-time 2,000-Miler before that (in sections), completed his most unusual second thru-hike this year at age 81. He accomplished it by hiking in 16 pieces of a week to three weeks at a time, going home in between. Engineer Barry also designed much of his gear and, like a true modern hiker, has his pack weight down to about 13 pounds.
December 13, 2004
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/trailnews/index.html
Clark Fork in Western Montana
Clark Fork
I too met EZ1 about a mile into VT as we were completing sections of the LT. He is a true gentleman and facinating person. We stood and visited for about 40 minutes and I heard some great AT stories.
I am glad to hear he successfully completed this thru hike and is a man who deserves the recognition.
Swampyankee
I met EZ1 while doing a section south of Rockfish Gap in early October. Spending an evening with him Brown Mountain Creek Shelter was absolutly the highlight of the trip. He has been a tremendous inspiration to us “youngsters” – thanks, EZ1!
Dioko
Very cool guy - I met EZ1 less than a mile below the summit of Katahdin. He was still going up but very relaxed and confident. I didn’t want to make him stop and chat but it was so cool to meet him there after reading his register entries all the way up the trail!
Squish