Even Though You Didn’t Ask, Here’s Why—

Once More Into The Breach…

Call me Charles. Sometime in my 62nd year I became restless again and started to take inventory of how to quell this. Caught somewhere between Captain Ahab and Don Quixote, I did not want to chase whales and was tired of jousting with windmills. What to do?

Having first thought of hiking the Appalachian Trail over 35 years ago, before the advent of the internet, and when what was available were books and speculation. I recalled seeing two would be hikers at Denny’s one Sunday morning in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They were clad in their hiking outfits and had such a book. From unintentionally hearing part of their conversation, they apparently met weekly to discuss hiking the AT. It puzzled me as to why they were talking about hiking on such a fine day and not out doing it. That is neither here nor there.

I began to investigate the AT and my imagination was swept up. My previous hiking experience had been in the Boy Scouts and the US Army, neither hiking experiences were recalled with much nostalgia. Life, career, and responsibilities put what had soon become a dream onto the someday list. When deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 my thoughts once again returned to thru hiking the AT. I kept it to myself and decided if I were to come out of my second war unscathed, I would travel back East and attempt the trail. As fate would have it, I was not unscathed. It has taken me almost 12 years of inching my way through the hard scrabble of healing in both mind and body, and I began training towards the dream of walking 2,200 miles.

As combat fit as I was 35 years ago, I have chosen an early January start for the solitude and will leave my beloved Montana for warmer weather. Carrying with me a warrior’s will and a poet’s heart I will not return home until I have traversed the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. I bid you, join me on this journey. It will be interesting! Seeing the far side of each turn, mountain, and valley drives me to want to see more. See you somewhere on the far side!

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Comments 24

  • Matthew Chapple : Nov 15th

    I got your back. Pay attention on the downhills, they hurt your knees and wear out your toes.
    Transportation Division out.

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 15th

      You know I’m counting on you! Bring a Brother a BBQ sammich somewhere along the way.
      Miss all of you.

      Reply
  • Ben Roberts : Nov 15th

    We must meet up in Damascus VA. I’ll buy your lunch and tell my fireman friend to watch out for you as well. You know, just in case you get lost. 😆😆. Thanks for letting me know and including me.

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 15th

      I have been to remiss in visiting the Roberts Family. I’ll be there soon enough!
      Kindest,
      Charles

      Reply
  • BOBBY G LUCAS : Nov 15th

    Hey Charles. I live in Montana now after moving up from Ga 6 yrs ago. I too am former military. Just a friendly note. Georgia in January can be iffy…..if not raining, it’s probably gonna be cold up in the hills. I too am planning to hike the AT ( not Atlanta that is). But I’m not starting until probably April….that would give be a good time frame to complete…..
    Just a thought….

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 15th

      Bobby,
      I do recall some very different weather patterns from my13 years on and off in North Carolina. Ice storms were always fun followed by the expected power outages. Coming from and altitude about equal to Blood Mountain I am happy that my life is at elevation and there won’t be too much for adjustment save for Clingman’s Dome. I have spent 16 years of my life in Montana to include being stationed here It is hard to leave my slice of paradise, I see the Sun River Valley and the Rocky Mountain Front as my vista every day. The trail is calling so loud it is hard to wait patiently. Good luck on your planning and travels. I will say a quiet prayer for your strength, health, and success.
      Kindest regards,
      Charles

      Reply
  • Jim Henderson : Nov 15th

    Really looking forward to following you!

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 16th

      Thank you Jim!

      Reply
  • Debbie Carney : Nov 15th

    It’ll be COLD there in January.
    Hope all goes well.
    Blessings 🙏

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 16th

      Debbie,
      I do know the Southern cold is a little different than up here in Montana. The Smokies, Grayson Highlands, and the Shenandoah Valley seem to have their own unique weather systems. Thank you for your thoughts.

      Reply
  • Kelli Ramey : Nov 15th

    I am another Georgian. Excited for you, but we had some really nasty weather last Dec in the mtns…actually in ATL, too.

    Will be following your journey.

    Goddess-speed.

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 16th

      Thank you Kelli! I met a couple from Blairsville, Georgia at the gym a few weeks back. Delightful folks. I have been following the future forecasts closely. Back in January 1985 I was with four other soldiers and we were making our way back to Fort Hood, Texas from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. San Antonio got 15 inches of snow along the way and of course no snow removal equipment. We were in a Datsun B-210 which was barely meant for dry pavement. Mother Nature has her own way of doing things.

      Reply
  • Chris : Nov 16th

    I look forward to following along. I’m also hoping to be a “life experienced” (aka older) AT hiker in about 9ish years. Best of luck!

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 16th

      Hi Chris! Let’s think of it as “chronologically enhanced and enriched”. Thanks for the well wishes. If nothing else I may provide some entertainment.

      Reply
  • Bo Smolka : Nov 16th

    I was one of those people in that diner. Not exactly, but I thru-hiked 25 years ago before the Internet. Now closing in on 60, with the next almost empty the trails call me again. No specific plans, but I know that every day on the trail, through sun, heat, sleet, fog, wind, and rain, I felt fully alive. Every single day. Have a great hike!

    Reply
  • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 16th

    Hello Bo! Thank you for your words. I always reflect on the words of Sir Isaac Newton, who in a show of humility he was thanking those before him who paved the way and is quoted as saying “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” Each day should be deliberate and cherished.

    Reply
  • Alison : Nov 16th

    Best to you, Charles! Fellow vet from long ago here who dreams of someday soon heading north from Springer. Looking forward to keeping an eye out for you, especially when you pass through up here in Vermont. Cheers! and thanks for sharing your story.

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 16th

      Thanks Alison! I’ll be sure to have my Darn Toughs on when passing through. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, and that of your family! I’m looking forward to Vermont. I have veteran friends in NH and Maine, now the Northern tier is covered.

      Reply
  • Andy Mac : Nov 16th

    Good luck Chuck! Completed my inaugural thru hike (AT NOBO) this year. Ran into a fella that started about the time you are considering. He mentioned a couple broken bones of fellow hikemates around Clingmans and recommended crampons/micro spikes as boulders were icing over without much accumulation. I didn’t get underway until end of March, so mostly avoided the wintry mixes but may be worth your consideration. Thanks for your years of unselfish service. May this journey bring much fulfillment. Sunny Summits, Vango

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 16th

      Hi Andy! Thanks for the good advice. I just. checked with my favorite local outdoors store and they have the Kathoola Microspikes in stock. Was recently watching Taylor the Nahamsha Hiker on a Youtube video and her dealings with ice at Clingman’s Dome. It had slipped my mind, many things do, and your reminder could not have been more timely.
      Much appreciated!

      Reply
  • val vitols : Nov 16th

    Hello Charcles, could we set up a 30 minute interview with you on the Hikers Dream Show on zoom next week?

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 16th

      Hi Val! Sure thing, I sent you contact info by email.

      Reply
  • Florine : Nov 17th

    I know you will succeed in this challenge.
    I will look at you.

    Love from France

    Reply
    • Charles Gutierrez : Nov 17th

      Florine,
      You are missed so much. I can still taste the quiche from Alsace, and see the beautiful production at the glass blowing factory. I’ll see you again next year.

      Reply

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