[pct-l] Johnny Olley

Thu Nov 15 15:40:31 CST 2012

I put together a quick HTML page about meeting Johnny Olley and included a
photo from 1988.  I hope I haven't stepped on any five pound lug-sole boots
by including Johnny's poem, but if I have I'll be happy to remove it (lest
I be stepped on by Johnny's boots or speared by his walking poles).

http://www.walkipedia.org/johnny.html

River

On Thu, Nov 15, 2012 at 10:04 AM, Bob <bobandshell97 at verizon.net> wrote:

> **
>
> Johnny Olley was a friend of mine...   an idol, actually.   When you got
> to know him, he was quite an inspirational person.   I don't believe he
> made it all the way that year.  Johnny passed away on October 3, 2007 at
> age 93.   I met him several times on the PCT over the years, including on
> that southbound hike you mention.
>
> If I may be allowed a personal story:   I was headed northbound that
> summer and, knowing that he was hiking southbound, wrote him a letter
> hoping that we could meet up again en route.  I mailed it to his P.O. Box
> in Dunsmuir, assuming it would be forwarded.  Weeks later, as I got my
> package at the PO in Sierra City, I turned to glance at the register and
> was stunned to see that Johnny Olley's name was the last entry... and
> dated that same day!  I whirled around and asked the lady postmaster how
> long ago he had been there.  She said. "Oh, about an hour ago. He was
> going out to the picnic table out back before heading on."  I raced out
> back, but no one was there.  I looked all around, feeling pretty bad that..
> oh, so close... I had just missed him.  As I walked slowly back toward
> town, I came upon a figure, frumpy hat on with a huge backpack next to
> him, slumped down on some steps reading something.  I couldn't see the
> face, but knew Johnny prided himself in carrying a heavy pack.  "Johnny?"I asked.  The man looked up
> , but said nothing.  We'd corresponded, but it had been a few years since
> we'd seen each other.  "Johnny Olley?" I continued.   His eyes smiled.  "Johnny,
> I'm Bob Ellinwood."   He said, "Yes, I know.  I'm reading your letter
> right now!"   Talk about timing!   I bought him dinner that night and we
> had great conversation til quite late.
>
> I should mention that, at an even older age, he hiked the entire A.T.   Well,
> almost the entire A.T… except for less that 10 miles!   He was in his
> early 80's, I believe, and did the whole trail except the climb up South
> Kinsman, in N.H.  Those who've done the A.T. northbound will remember
> South Kinsman, often regarded as the toughest, steepest uphill of the
> trail.   At that age, he just couldn't get up it with his pack.  Wish I'd
> been there to help.  He got around it to N. Woodstock and continued to
> Katahdin.  He referred to that stiff uphill on South Kinsman as requiring
> "vegetable belays,"  grabbing plants and trees to help one up.  It has bec
> ome part of my hiking vocabulary at appropriate moments.
>
> Johnny volunteered at Castle Crags for several decades as a trail
> maintainer.  Lonely in later life, he occasionally shared with passing
> hikers a poem he had written:
>
> *Be My Companion*
>
>
>
>
> I have stories to
> tell
>
>
> But I listen, as well
>
> So won’t you lend me your ear
>
> And talk to me, dear,
>
> While we walk?
>
>
>
>
> There are beautiful trails
>
> O’er mountains - through vales
>
> On granite and
> heather
>
>
> While we talk.
>
> Come with me!                                 Johnny Olley, 1990
>
> Thanks for mentioning his name.  Just thinking about this pretty special
> guy has given my day a lift.
>
> Dr Bob
>
>  -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net<pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net>]
> On Behalf Of Devon Taig
> Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 10:04 AM
> To: dm at quixnet.net
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] PCT stats
>
> I met a south-boundwe many years ago near Castle Crags named Johnny Olley
> that at the time was 78.  This was mid-August, so I'd say he had a sporting
> chance of making it to Mexico. He'd be 100 now, so might not be with us
> anymore (anyone know of him?).
>
> This summer, I met a 73 year old woman in Southern Oregon in late march
> hiking north.
>
> On Wed, Nov 14, 2012 at 9:00 PM, <dm at quixnet.net> wrote:
>
> > I've been wondering about this, too.  If I complete my planned
>
> > thru-hike next year, I'll be 73.  Does anyone know if an older person
> has thru-hiked?
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Dwane Koppler
>
> >
>
> > dwanekoppler at gmail.com
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Message: 8
>
> >
>
> > Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2012 21:28:58 -0900 (AKST)
>
> >
>
> > From: mkwart at gci.net
>
> >
>
> > Subject: [pct-l] PCT hiker stats
>
> >
>
> > To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>
> >
>
> > Message-ID:
>
> >
>
> > <2005143164.136684.1352096938812.JavaMail.mkwart at mail.gci.net>
>
> >
>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > Does anyone know who is keeping track of the PCT records--such as the
>
> >
>
> > youngest person to finish, the person with the most thrus, the longest
>
> >
>
> > thru hike, etc. etc.
>
> >
>
> > Thanks
>
> >
>
> > --Fireweed
>
> >
>
> >
>
> >
>
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