Barefoot AT Hiker plods on to help vets

[Tom Rankin]

BOILING SPRINGS, Pa. - More than 500 people hike the entire Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia, each year. Ron Zaleski has been trying to accomplish the feat barefoot. His goal is to bring attention to the need for combat veterans to receive counseling.

"In the beginning I thought, 'I gotta do this to show how tough I am. I want to be famous,'" he said at a recent pause to eat some pecan ice cream. "Now I just want to help these kids."

Full story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060919/ap_on_fe_st/barefoot_hiker

 

[Whiteman]

Ouch

I can't imagine being barefoot on top of the Presidential Range.

And he plans to hit the end of the trail just before Christmas? I wonder how the BSP rangers are going to feel about him climbing Kahtadin barefoot in the snow.

That said, you have to admire his cause.

 

[poison ivy]

And he plans to hit the end of the trail just before Christmas? I wonder how the BSP rangers are going to feel about him climbing Kahtadin barefoot in the snow.

I think he is hiking the trail southbound.

I also swear that I've read about others who have hiked the AT barefoot... not that it doesn't make it an amazing accomplishment... I'm just not sure he will be the first?

- Ivy

 

[Sheomet]

I think he is hiking the trail southbound.

I also swear that I've read about others who have hiked the AT barefoot... not that it doesn't make it an amazing accomplishment... I'm just not sure he will be the first?

- Ivy

It says on his website that he is hiking southbound.

 

[onestep]

Barefoot Sisters from Maine

I think he is hiking the trail southbound.

I also swear that I've read about others who have hiked the AT barefoot... not that it doesn't make it an amazing accomplishment... I'm just not sure he will be the first?

- Ivy

The barefoot sisters: Isis and Jackrabbit hiked the entire Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia--and BACK!! They completed almost all of the hike barefoot.

Onestep

 

[Paradox]

I heard not a sole had completed it barefoot.

 

[Whiteman]

DUH on me!

It says on his website that he is hiking southbound.

So much for reading comprehension, it's right there in the first sentence of the article.

Now I am left wondering how many dogs have completed the trail (barefoot, that is).

 

[sapblatt]

LarryD, Rols and I saw this guy in late June/early July when we did our epic Boott Spur trip - he is heading southbound - we saw him between Lakes and Monroe.

I like my boots!

 

[Roxi]

LarryD, Rols and I saw this guy in late June/early July when we did our epic Boott Spur trip - he is heading southbound - we saw him between Lakes and Monroe.

I like my boots!

July. Sticks and I saw him before noon as he came down from Washington toward the Lakes hut, so we must have seen him the same day as you did. I didn't notice the barefeet at first because I was stunned by all the stuff he had duct taped to himself, water bottles, etc. I hope he succeeds in his mission.

 

[Raymond]

Regarding dogs hiking the Appalachian Trail, dogs aren't ordinarily allowed in Baxter State Park, however...