[pct-l] Gottawalk Reply

[jason moores]

"Are you currently living in UT? If so, where? Do you 
work on the trails you mentioned?
 
Marcia
...GottaWalk"Hello Gottawalk,

Some years ago I was working as a chef in Las Vegas. I was 250 lbs.,an alcoholic and drug addict. Fed up with my life I took a one way bus ride out to the South Rim. My first real backcountry experience was hiking rim-to-rim (not advisable the third week of June,as I did). I had taken a job in Marble Canyon, just off the Kaibab at Lee's Ferry, and this was the cheapest way for me to get from point A to B. Working as the chef of Cliff Dwellers Lodge for three years left me with plenty of time to hike. I covered as much of the North Rim, Vermilion Cliffs and Paria area as someone without transportation can manage. I quit drinkin and druggin, and lost 70 lbs. sweating in the desert sun.

I then moved to Escalante Utah with my girlfriend Melissa. We moved there for the purpose of hiking and the pleasure of living in such a beautiful place. Again I covered as much terrain as time allowed.

Last year we decided to thru-hike the trail in '09. To save as much money as possible we decided to pursue seasonal work, since housing is often free or close to it. We gave up our house and moved from Utah in April '08. Spent the summer hiking the North Cascades and working in Stehekin. We're now wintering at Galena Lodge, just north of Ketchum/Sun Valley Idaho. Snowshoeing when we can and even managed a 12 mile road walk with packs yesterday,to test new shoes for the trail. 

We were in Escalante again this fall for 6 weeks, from Oct. to Nov.. We spent our time in a similar way as I described in the previous post. Using Escanlante as a base we camped and hiked, and even spent a few days on the Aquarius helping a friend bring in wood for the winter. We are hoping to have time to stop for a hike in Utah in April before hitting the trail or possibly Grand Canyon for a week? If you or anyone else in the area is available for a hike around the 12th of April let me know. 

jason






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