Sam Gardner to Take on NCT and More in 2011

Sam Gardner (photo from his web site)

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from The Initiative

Sam Gardner will begin what he is calling "The All-In Initiative" on January 1, 2011. His plan is to hike the four longest National Scenic Trails, back to back. He will begin with the North Country Trail, and is hiking east to west. He will hike unassisted, going ultra-light, planning to finish in 14 months. This will set a new record if he succeeds.

He will also be only the second person to thru-hike the NCT in winter. The first was Andy Skurka in 2004-2005. After completing the NCT, he will hike the Pacific Crest Trail south to north, then north to south on the Continental Divide Trail. From there he will head for the north end of the Appalachian Trail and walk it south to Georgia. Connections between the trails will be made via train.

Gardner has spent his life facing physical challenges. Presently he has nearly complete hearing loss, and could lose the remainder and the ability to balance at any time. He has decided that this means that he must seize the opportunity to take on as many adventures as he can while he still is able.

You can read more at his web site.

See The Initiative

Sections of Southern Michigan in Winter

T-man by theBattle Creek Underground Railroad Statue (photo by T-man)

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a guest post by Todd T-Man Mcmahon

I really needed to go on a hike. I’ve spent the last few months going to College during the day and then working at night. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very thankful for having my job back, but this schedule was wearing me down. I needed to get into the outdoors.

puncheon in Fort Custer Cemetery (photo by Larry Pio)

I drove over to Battle Creek, Michigan where Ron Sootman of the Chief Noonday Chapter spotted me at the Kellogg Biological Station on Tuesday morning December 29. I hiked through KBS, the Kellogg Experiment Forest, the town of Augusta and Fort Custer National Cemetery on my first day of hiking. The Fort Custer National Cemetery section was different than I expected. I traveled through the woods and wetlands on the backside of the property, and traveled nowhere near the actual gravesites. I met up with Larry Pio who was doing some trail maintenance and Ron Sootman hiked in to meet me.

On Wednesday, Ron Sootman wanted to hike in Hillsdale County, so we started out at the Lake Baw Beese Recreation Area near the City of Hillsdale. We followed a railroad grade down to the town of Osseo. Then we hiked through the Lost Nation State Game Area, ending up at the Pittsford Road Trailhead. The Lost Nation State Game Area has some nice little lakes and creeks that the trail travels by. But, there are also some big hills to climb also.

On Thursday, December 31, Ron and I started at the Pittsford Road Trailhead and headed south. The NCT is a road walk here. We passed many farms and barren farm fields. The Milestone of the day was making down to the Territorial Road, which is the border of Michigan and Ohio. At that point I stepped into Ohio for the first time. We ended our hike in the cute little rural town of Waldron, Michigan. I enjoyed hiking with Ron Sootman. It was great getting to know him.

On New Year’s Day I was hiking by myself again. I started near Fort Custer National Cemetery, where I had left off on Tuesday. I traveled down River Road and connected with the Battle Creek Linear Park. The Linear Park is a paved multi-use trail that goes through the heart of Battle Creek. Along the Kalamazoo River I traveled over 5 miles into Downtown Battle Creek. I hiked by the headquarters of the Kellogg Cereal Company and the Cereal City Museum. But the most inspirational thing I hiked by was the Underground Railroad Statue. It is an excellent statue depicting slaves on their way to freedom.

After going through downtown, I hiked northeast along the Battle Creek River. I ended the hike on New Year’s Day at the Emmet Street Bridge in the suburb of Verona Park. Just a few blocks away from the bridge, I found the Idol Hour Bar & Grill where I had supper. When I was eating, I noticed a winter storm warning was being forecast on the television. I figured that it was time for me to head back to Wisconsin. But I had a great time hiking in Southern Michigan.

Todd McMahon

This segment is on NCTA map MI-02

See Chief Noonday Chapter of the NCTA

Andy Skurka to be in Marquette, MI Jan 19

Andy Skurka at the Grand Canyon (file photo provided by andrewskurka.com)

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from North Country Trail Hikers

North Country Trail Hikers Chapter General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19th beginning at 7:00 pm in Marquette, Michigan. The meeting will be at 102 Jamrich Hall on Northern Michigan University's Campus. We will hold the Business Meeting promptly at 7:00 pm to be followed at 7:30 pm with a presentation by Andrew Skurka, an accomplished 28-year-old outdoor adventurer who since 2002 has trekked over 23,000 miles.

NMU's Organization for Outdoor Recreation Professionals is co-hosting Andrew for his visit with us. They have worked hard to secure the funding to bring him to Marquette for this event.

Andrew will present "Far, Fast, and Light" at our joint meeting but earlier in the day, at 5:15 pm, he will present a "Lightweight Backpacking & Skills Clinic" in the Great Lakes Room of the University Center on NMU’s campus, specifically for NMU students but the public is more than welcome to attend as well. Both events are FREE of charge. Please share this announcement with everyone.

In 2004-2005 Skurka was the first person to hike the 7000-mile Sea-to-Sea Route which includes the entire North Country Trail.

This segment is on NCTA map MI-13

See North Country Trail Hikers Chapter of the NCTA

Note from Admin

I took a brief vacation from this blog-- just was getting somewhat burned out. Will try to stay on track for a while now. There is plenty of news, I just need to get it posted!

Winter Hiking in Yankee Springs

Paul Henry Thornapple/North Country Trail (photo from Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team)

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submitted by Pathfinder for the Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team

Members on this hike, Pathfinder, Vic, Papa, and Magellan. The Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team is a wilderness exploration group and educational institution. The team is open to everyone of all ages, regardless of skill level or ability. The Team is on a quest to hike the North Country Trail in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

I was hoping that we would get a winter storm for our hike this morning, but no dice. I always love a good challenge.

There was a challenge however, and that turned out to be the trail in Yankee Springs. Now, I have taken the trail a few times through Yankee Springs and it has always seemed to be well marked. I have also spent some time hiking the Chief Noonday trail sections and have always been pleased with what they have.

But, I have to admit that we had a very difficulty following the trail at times, today. We first wonder why they are using nail up blazes down there. Is it a requirement of the land manager? The nail up blazes seemed to be a victim of vandals at times and just plain old weakness at others. Parts of the trail are completely unmarked for over 200 yards. Some turns are unmarked and at other times, the trail simply isn't there because of the confusing nature of two tracks. I would like to let any noondayers [Chief Noonday Chapter Members] on the group know that the Yankee Springs section north of Hall Lake Rd needs some attention, especially Hall Lake to 179. Otherwise, great job on the reroute south of Gun Lake Rd. There are painted blazes on that section. If you can paint, please do.

Very few hikers out there, today. The turkeys however are all over. At times, we discovered 100's in fields.

The day was mostly filled with crunching and sliding. Two sets of hunters were headed out to take down tree stands. The winter sports parking area was empty and a few brave souls have ventured out onto Hall Lake to try their luck (in a couple of ways - fishing and stable ice).

About 9 miles of crunching an slippery walking today. We will be doing about 6 miles on Monday which should bring us to the doorstep of Middleville. It will be a short day as we have another "Christmas" celebration that day.

This segment is on NCTA map MI-02

See Chief Noonday Chapter of the NCTA
See Fortune Bay Expeditionary Team

Watch the Demolition Video- Crown Point Bridge

Crown Point bridge comes down (from the WCAX video- see link)

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see the video at WCAX.com

And for more about what happens next, see Morning News Follow-up at WCAX.com

See the bridge come down at the link above

Watch Crown Point Bridge Demo- Monday 10 am

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based on news from WRGB Channel 6

The Crown Point Bridge, at the eastern terminus of the North Country Trail, and a necessary connection to extend the trail into Vermont, will be demolished Monday morning, Dec 28, 2009 at 10 am. The bridge was discovered to be in a critical condition after unusual erosion of the piers was noticed. The bridge closed on October 16, 2009.

most popular proposed design for the new bridge (from NY DOT)

Several designs for a new bridge have been proposed, and it is hoped by those in the trail community that a pedestrian walkway will be included. The specifications on the NYS DOT web site do not mention any such plan.

Supposedly the demolition can be viewed live via webcast at the NYS DOT. According to the DOT, all members of the general public will be able to view the demolition of the bridge from the boat launch in Port Henry where a few chemical toilets will be available. An alternate viewing location will be open at Bulwagga Bay Park in Moriah however there are no toileting facilities at this site. Only media and essential staff will be permitted at the Crown Point Historic Site. The Crown Point Historic Site is designated just outside the 1,000 foot safety zone. Those planning to be present should dress for bitter cold, and bring ear protection, as the blast will exceed 150 decibels.

See Crown Point Bridge Closed

Spot 2 GPS Messenger Recall

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from the Spot Messenger web site

Spot LLC will be conducting a voluntary return on any new model SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ (SPOT 2) purchased since October 1, 2009. During recent testing, we discovered that some of the new SPOT 2 devices might not meet battery and messaging operating specifications.

To see if your SPOT-2 unit is affected by this issue, please do the following:

• If you have activated your SPOT-2 unit, login to your account at, click on the My GPS Locations tab and a message will display indicating if you have an affected SPOT-2 unit.
• If you have not activated your SPOT-2 unit, do not activate. We highly recommend you return your product for replacement at your earliest convenience.

Replacement units are anticipated to be available in early 2010. If you exchange your eligible unit, you will also receive 1 additional month of your current SPOT service plan and associated services.

See Spot Exchange for complete information.

Thanks to Volunteers from the NPS

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See National Park Service

Chief Noonday to Be 2nd Grand Rapids Community Legends Sculpture

bust of Chief Noonday (photo from the CND Chapter web site)

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based on a news article on M-Live.com

Peter Secchia, Grand Rapids patron, has begun a 50-year project to commemorate 25 local heroes by commissioning statues which will be placed around the city. Lucius Lyon, a land surveyor who became one of Michigan's first U.S. Senators was the first, but the second will be Potawatomi Chief Nawquageezhig, known to the settlers as Chief Noonday. The North Country Trail Association Chapter which covers Barry and Kalamazoo Counties is named for him. He was an influential Native American who fought with Tecumseh in the War of 1812, and supposedly was the one who carried the body of Tecumseh from the battlefield where that great Shawnee warrior died at the Battle of the Thames.

Many natural features near Yankee Springs bear his name. In just a few months, Grand Rapids will receive a new sculpture of Nawquageezhig, which will be created by Antonio Tobias Mendez.

There are no known photographs of the Chief, and the bust above is likely to not be an actual likeness, although it too, honors his memory.

In preparation for his sculpture, Mendez commented, "I'm looking at photos of other Indian chiefs of the period, so it'll be a composite of what I find," The final work will be seven feet tall and should be completed in August 2010.

The Chief Noonday Chapter's sections are on NCTA map MI-02 and 03

See Who was Chief Noonday? on the CND web site.