Where's Jon M?

Go to http://www.youtube.com/user/Tuts999 for a bigger video image.

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NEW!  FAQ’s for Jon M AT Hike

Date    
May 16 Jon is off the trail. After many months and many miles Jon has retired from the trip.

 


View Jon M Trip Feb/17/2009 in a larger map

  
March 27, 2009
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Date February 02 2009  
From Mr. Baker:

I am sending the link to Jon M's Youtube Videos to the current Camping Merit Badge guys and the adult leaders.  I think that the whole troop should be informed of the link but I don't have access to the entire emailing list so Mr. Be. do your thing.......!

 
This is the link to Jon M's Appalachian Trail Thru-hike videos on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/Tuts999
 
There are currently five videos in his series.  I suggest viewing them in this order:  1, 5, 2, 3, 4.  In videos 1 and 5 Jon explains why he is doing this thru-hike.  I commend them to you and suggest that you watch them closely and meditate upon what Jon says because there is more than a little bit of what he says in all of us.
 
"By the Grace of God I am what I am"  1 Corinthians 15:10
 
While I suggest the everyone look at these videos I want to strongly encourage (can I make it mandatory???) the current Camping Merit Badge guys to watch them.  Jon talks of the same things that we are trying (or will be trying) to teach you for Camping merit badge.  If you look at Jon's videos you will have a basic knowledge of what you should know because we are teaching you "lightweight backpacking" techniques as opposed to "car camping" or the older heavyweight backpacking methods.  Jon is right on the money with his advice about gear and clothing so pay special attention to those two videos.  When it comes to food, however, Jon is becoming "John the Baptist" as some of you know already!.  The Biblical character John was known for eating bugs, locusts (and fruit and nuts I presume) and also for wearing animal skins for clothing.  Jon M. doesn't do the animal skins but the fruit and nuts (and maybe even the locusts before he finishes his thru-hike!) are right up his alley.  Ricky and I suggest packaged freeze dried foods as being a little more interesting but....we aren't hiking 30 miles a day either.  Watch the food video; if you prefer fruit, nuts and locusts we won't complain - that is your choice.
 
Jon will be carrying a "Spot" locator device which has a feature that enables him to send an "I'm OK" signal (President's Day trivia - where did the OK expression originate?) to Google Maps.  His position at that time will be placed on a Google map.  Mr. A. will be one of the recipients of this signal and will then update the troop's website to show where Jon is as he makes his way along the trail.  By logging on to the troop's website everyone will be able to follow Jon on his journey.
 
This is an exciting time for Jon and the troop.  Jon can use all the prayers he can get for a safe and fulfilling journey.  Jon, have a safe journey, find yourself and be happy with what you are accomplishing.  Don't let anyone discourage you and don't worry about those who don't understand.  I understand what and why you are doing this and I will be with you in spirit.
 
YIS,
Mr. Baker

 

 

FAQ’s for Jon M AT Hike

A number of people have asked questions about how Jon gets supplies etc. while he is on the trail.  We don’t have exact details from Jon as to what he is doing for supplies and such but we will give answers based on what we do know as well as what is typical for AT Thru-hikers.

 

  • How did he get to the start in Georgia?  He flew to Atlanta where his father’s cousin picked him up and drove him to the trailhead.

 

  • What does he do for money?  We don’t know what Jon is doing but the Appalachian Trail Conference suggest carrying as little money as possible because of the potential threat of robbery (the crime rate on the AT is very low but, like anywhere, it does happen).  Presumably Jon is carrying plastic money.

 

  • What does he do for food?  Jon is imitating the Biblical John the Baptist who wore funny clothes and ate fruits, nuts and locusts!  We don’t think that Jon has locusts to eat but he, unlike a lot of hikers, is happy to eat nothing but trail mix while on the trail.  He doesn’t even carry a stove to save weight.  Everything he eats and drinks is cold.

 

  • What does he do for water?  Water is available at every shelter and at whatever streams the trail crosses.  No shelter has running water.  Water is drawn from nearby stream or spring.  Jon has a water filter which makes the water safe to drink.

 

  • What does he do for shelter?  He has a one person tent with him which he can use if he does not want to stay in a shelter. The tent can also be warmer than the shelter in colder temperatures.  He plans to jettison the tent when the weather gets warmer in order to save weight.

 

  • What does he do for other supplies?  The trail crosses roads and goes through towns periodically.  At these places there are usually businesses that cater to the hikers.  Hikers can buy whatever supplies they need, stay in a hostel or motel, pick up mail and so forth.  Jon is carrying an AT guidebook that describes the trail and tells what services are available at towns and road crossings.  Once in a while his family sends him a box of supplies which he picks up at one of these towns.

 

  • What does he do for communication?  He carries a cell phone which he can use when he has a signal.  He also carries a SPOT device which he can use to send a signal indicating his location.  Designated recipients receive an email which gives his coordinate location.  The SPOT device can also send an emergency signal to the SPOT office which then calls emergency services to send a rescue team or other assistance to the location indicated by the SPOT device.