George Turner (Old Growth)

I’m a retired teacher. I hiked over 2000 mile of the Appalachian Trail. While I only have 105 miles left, after tearing my rotator cuff scrambling over some slippery rocks in New Hampshire, I felt my once loving relationship with the AT had turned abusive. Still I’m hiker trash for life and plan to walk at least a month a year until it’s a joke. Real life kept me from going back to Colorado for another shot at the Colorado Trail, but this year I’m planning to walk from Atkins, Va to Harpers Ferry

Posts

The Colorado Trail Takes My Breath Away!

The Colorado Trail Takes My Breath Away!

False Starts I flew to Denver on July 12 and stayed withan old family friend for a few days to give myself a chance to adjust to the altitude.  I

Sep 2, 2019 : George Turner (Old Growth)
The Noom Me

The Noom Me

A Little History Since I started blogging for the Trek in 2016, I’ve taken five long section hikes losing, an average of 25 pounds each hike.  One

Jul 2, 2019 : George Turner (Old Growth)
Don’t Hate Me!

Don’t Hate Me!

How I Spent My Winter Vacation Turns out I did tear my rotator cuff last August.  The cortisone injections got me through Maine, but it started to

May 8, 2019 : George Turner (Old Growth)
What Do You Do When the Trail You Love Gets Abusive?

What Do You Do When the Trail You Love Gets Abusive?

I left Shaw's with 85 miles left to do in the 100 Mile Wilderness carrying five days food.  A food drop was scheduled four days in.  I hiked up

Oct 16, 2018 : George Turner (Old Growth)
My Day as a Total Dumbass: Adventures in Slackpacking

My Day as a Total Dumbass: Adventures in Slackpacking

Did you ever have one of those days where just about every decision you made was a horrible mistake?  This post is a tale of one such day in the

Oct 1, 2018 : George Turner (Old Growth)
Is Every Day a Leg Day in Maine?  Rangeley to Monson

Is Every Day a Leg Day in Maine? Rangeley to Monson

The day I left Rangeley, thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon.  I thought it best to camp near Eddy Pond and tackle Saddleback the next day

Sep 17, 2018 : George Turner (Old Growth)
Southern Maine… Mad Ups and Downs, Stunning Beauty

Southern Maine… Mad Ups and Downs, Stunning Beauty

In my last update, I feared that I had seriously injured my left shoulder.  Turns out it was just a matter of a couple of cortisone injections and a

Sep 2, 2018 : George Turner (Old Growth)
It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times

It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times

As planned I set out from Hanover after enjoying breakfast at Lou’s and hiked to Lincoln, NH.  I learned a few things hiking this section. Any

Aug 6, 2018 : George Turner (Old Growth)
OK, It’s Been Awhile; Starting the Final Section

OK, It’s Been Awhile; Starting the Final Section

Since this is my first post of the year, I think it best to give a brief review of my hike thus far.  I started my flip-flop thru-hike in March of

Jul 12, 2018 : George Turner (Old Growth)
What I Learned on This Year’s LASH

What I Learned on This Year’s LASH

At the end of every hike, it's a good idea to look back and reflect about what you learned and resolve to do some things differently next

Aug 28, 2017 : George Turner (Old Growth)