Where Are the NCT Long Distance Hikers?

Nimblewill Nomad

from various sources

Nimblewill Nomad, Eb Eberhard, reached Crown Point, New York last week, returned to Michigan and participated in the Mackinac Bridge Walk.

He began the one missing portion of his NCT hike today. Returning to northern Minnesota he will complete the Border Route and Superior Hiking Trails. In the spring, he was hiking so early that after completing the Kek with much difficulty in the deep snow, he hop-scotched down to Duluth with the intent to come back in the fall. He's doing that now! He also plans a side trip down the very little used Grand Portage Trail as it extends east from the Border Route after its junction with the SHT.

Bonita Curtner

Meanwhile, Bonita, "Mother Goose," left off hiking after Pictured Rocks in the Upper Peninsula. She had hoped to be at the Bridge Walk as well, but was called home for some family business. She's resuming her hiking in Ohio, hoping to get in some more miles this fall. So it is presumed that her hike will be completed at next year's Bridge Walk.

She writes, "plans are for catching the train on Oct. 11th and picking up the trail at Battle Creek Mi. hiking south from there hopefully to make it to Pennsylvania before it gets to cold to go on. I may not be able to make it all the way as the daylight hours will be diminished to about 8. The planning of this has more to do with transportation connections then anything about milage."

Joan Young

Yours truly has an estimated 419 miles to go to complete the trail. I will be attending the Trail Junction Festival in Milford Ohio on Sept 26, and then will finish Ohio. After that, there are 56 miles to do in New York, and the remaining miles are all in Michigan.

My plan is to walk my final miles on August 4, 2010, at a location which will be announced soon. I plan to invite anyone who wishes to join me for those miles and a picnic. This is not as outrageous as it sounds, since NCT supporters will be en route to Ashland, Wisconsin, for next years annual conference. Stay tuned!

See Nimblewill's Journal
See Mother Goose's Journal
See Books Leaving Footprints for Joan Young's book and speaking schedule