I ran into this guy on the Long Trail in 2004. He was doing the LT alpine style then, north to south. I was about 4 days from the end and he was I want to say out on his second day, maybe it was the third since it was closer to morning I think.
Here is what I wrote in my journal on the encounter that night.
Two minutes after leaving Whiteface Mountain, I ran into a southbounder.
“I must be almost there,” he said.
I confirmed he was, but was taken aback as he was hiking only in shorts and boots. He asked if I was thru-hiking. I was, I told him. He was too, alpine style. That means with no resupply.
“Wow,” I said without true enthusiasm. “Good luck.”
I wasn’t convinced it could be done, or at least not that it could be done enjoyably.
When he tells me he hiked the John Muir Trail last year this way I start to pay attention. He asks if I’ve ever heard of Golite. It turns out he’s the guy who invented it.
“Wow!” again, this time with feeling.
His name is Coup. I tell him about my sleeping bag and how I’ve looked at Golite packs, but they aren’t made for 14’’ torsos like mine. He recommends I try the speed hiking 24 pack. Will do.
He did make it that year. There was an article I read about it later, possibly on the Golite website. HYOH, right?
