Friends In Deed
People who know me know I often do things my own way, often by myself. It takes a lot for me to ask for help.
That’s a subject I have done some thinking about recently. Hiking the AT, everyone needs help one time or another.
I’ve needed help more than others. First came Blissful, who helped me see reality by trimming 15 pounds from my pack. She also sold me a 2-pound tent that served me well in my first thunderstorm.
Bill and Spice Girl showed me how to wear my pack better, allowing me to hike farther each day. Recently, I did my personal best — 17 miles.
Piston has helped me trim my pack load even more, and has offered encouragement when I needed it.
Treehugger and Bad Brad shared knowledge and equipment. Tree gave me a hiking pole (I’d done the first 150 miles without one) that has saved me from serious falls. Brad donated to my crowd sourcing efforts for better equipment.
There was the couple who shared a sandwich with me when I was hungry and low after a rough day on the PA rocks, and the man who gave me cash outside a candy store in Duncannon when there was no ATM around.
Tejas helped me cross the Knife’s Edge, a dangerous rock formation that I had to traverse with duct-taped boots. He even provided the tape — and some super glue.
Another couple near Palmerton saw a poor, bedraggled hiker and fed me a lunch of cheeseburgers, potato salad and a cherry coke — just what I’d wanted (especially the potato salad) on Memorial day.
Me and Monk leaving the church hostel.
Yesterday was a long hike with few water sources. A man who had through-hiked 2 years ago crossed my path, saying he knew about the hydration problem in that stretch of trail. He then handed me a 32-ounce Powerade drink that helped me make it to the shelter. Thanks, Shepherd.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this effort. And thanks most of all to Maris and Barbara for logistics support and morale boosting.
For those reading this, please comment on the line between self-reliance and asking for help.
Posted in Uncategorized by Tim Liszewski with 1 comment.
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