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Well, while she probably isn't the youngest, Sage Clegg, who completed the PCT <br>
in 09 and the CDT earlier this year gets my nomination for the "toughest"! Not <br>
satisfied with "Embracing the Brutality" of the CDT and squeezing until it gave <br>
in to her will, she's now over halfway through a Sobo AT thruhike pounding out <br>
high 20-mile days. Awesome! <br>
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Rick "Handelbar" Ostheimer</div>
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<div>I second Handlebar's sentiment.</div>
<div>I first heard of Sage on the CDT-L. She seemed a long way off and behind me. Next thing I knew she was right there in the Bob Marshall Wilderness..Alone, Grizzly bears be damned. I was fortunate enough to keep pace with her for a while. My plan was to jump into <STRONG>her</STRONG> arms for safety should we be assaulted by Grizzlies!</div>
<div>Seriously, Sage was completely in thru-hiker mode as we proceeded after dark to hike towards Glacier one night. She did not even use a headlamp! I will never forget when we were straining to read that sign.. the one that said: "BIG HOLE AHEAD". Sure enough there was a bottomless pit right smack dab in the middle of the trail.</div>
<div>I will also never forget that packrat.. the one that stole one of Sage's socks and took it down into it's den. Damn that was funny!</div>
<div><STRONG>This Hiker is FEARLESS</STRONG>! <STRONG>Sage Clegg</STRONG> gets my vote for "most inspiring hiker" met on trail.</div>
<div>Crikey, she just finished the CDT and went right out onto the AT less than a month later. It's like.. gonna be winter and all that.. Doesn't bother Sage.</div>
<div>Oh Yea, I thought I had the smallest, lightest shelter on the CDT.. until I met Sage with her tiny, 4 ounce, whatever the hell that thing was. </div>
<div>My favorite quote from Sage: "<STRONG>I was Hungry, cold, and tired.. Now I am warm, dry, and full of Chocolate</STRONG>!"<br>
Hey Sage.. Hope you see lots of Pink Unicorns! (Inside joke)</div>
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<div>-Iceaxe</div>
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