Robert Shaw Controls Company

REI wide-eyed Joe Rhoten, 28 (name of trail: Hiking Fool) describes an altercation with a mountain lion, sunset turned to dark. "We knew we followed along the trail -. I could see the reflection of her eyes to my light and I thought I saw another behind us, "With no way feline-free shelter to side, Rhoten and his friend flagged down a motorist and returned to the city to begin hiking again. Despite persistent thoughts of mountain lions and "t bear to see" Rhoten speaks with compassion about nature. "Rattlesnakes are snakes gentlemen, they give you a warning and leave you alone if you leave them alone . If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, you must have really deserved. "

Meeting with sober face REI Outreach Coordinator Mark Nelson, 53, and soft equipment guru Joe Rhoten in Arlington, Virginia, gave a new perspective to a mountain adventure. Rhoten traveled the path of 2.160 mile while taking six months off in 1998 with a BA in adventure recreation.

Nelson adds a riddle site: "The man attracts mice, mice attract snakes. It's just that the snakes are there - or have a mouse running across your face at two o'clock in the morning - which can you do not have a good night sleep. "

According to Nelson and Rhoten, blues, black bears, venomous bites or water infected with parasites are the least of my worries. Human factors are often overlooked.

"The popular perception of where the adventure ends and anxiety begins this far," Nelson gestures with his hands 12 inches. "The fact is, most people with anxiety the second they set foot outside their house," as Nelson closed the gap to about an inch focus. "You really need to be a creature of habit, think about what you do to eliminate distractions and stay focused on where you go, "Nelson news, like a drill sergeant involved preparing troops for combat.

Conversely, Rhoten is almost giddy. It describes how the Appalachian Trail has transformed from an introvert to embrace the company of other hikers through. "It's about meeting people. The people are incredible.. The Appalachian Trail restored my faith in humanity" Rhoten cites "Trail Magic" - met the goodness of others - be it a hot meal, city walk or sandwiches and drinks left for hikers by strangers.

Historians say the Blue Ridge pioneer Daniel Boone running 60 miles a day, with the 35 pound gun in tow. Thank you to light, modern equipment and a well-defined trail, Rhoten run 1:19, 40 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail, the fight against the rain, the fatigue-induced hallucinations and cold.

Nelson and Rhoten kept stressing minimizing the weight of my bag and strategic positioning devices to maximize: the speed, the parameter collection and agility - all important security considerations, especially when eight hours of every day is consumed walking along a mountain ridge take a pack more and heavier by the minute.

Shelters dot the road every ten miles in the Shenandoah National Park - an easy day hike for most. Although many hikers speak wistfully of modern amenities and dishes, they also report fitness peak and the dramatic weight loss. For a week I could not give up showers, air conditioning and gourmet kitchen with my wife.

Neutralization exuberant Rhoten was a careless comment from my wife. "Make sure you give me your friends' names and numbers (for notificationa) In case of problems on the track." Gulp!

To ensure that the experience was for me, I took a hike in early spring, with a stop at the shelter Bearfence Mountain. The whistling of the trees swaying in the wind. A symphony of birdsong chor.