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Article 7

March 15, 2012

By Jim Dashiell, MD

Tribune Columnist 

  It's Funnybone time again in Tipton, Indiana. Aren't we blessed the tornadoes stayed away? So sad for those innocent neighbors of ours to the south.

  Today I'm going to talk some more about the trail. It is, as I've said before, one of the greatest long distance trails in the world if not the best. Each year numerous hikers from other countries, especially England, Germany and Australia, come to attempt to complete the AT. There are 2 other major long distance trails in the U.S.. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is the longest, running 3,500 miles from Mexico to Canada through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. The other major trail is the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) extending from the southern edge of California into Canada a short way. It stays within 100 miles or so of the Pacific Ocean. It is about 500 miles longer than the AT but does not have nearly as much elevation change. If you hike the entire AT you will have gained and lost 515,000 feet in elevation. That's the equivalent of climbing up and down 100 mile high mountains.

  Wikipedia, a computer based encyclopedia, states the hazards for the PCT to be severe weather, dehydration and wildlife. Wikipedia lists the AT hazards as severe weather, black bears, tick-born diseases, mosquitoes, yellow jackets, biting flies, chiggers, steep grades, limited water, poison ivy, diarrhea from water, and venomous snakes. Hikers on the AT tend to change appearance as their hike progresses. The men lose so much weight they look like refugees from a prison camp but the women exchange body fat for muscle and become shapely and attractive. I can hardly wait for that.

  Some people ask how I was 'named' Funnybone. I was discussing with Carolann Shadday months ago my intent to do this hike and my desire for a trail name. She named me and I love it. It is a play on the fact I was a "bone doctor" and, well, I guess she thinks I'm funny. Some trail names of people who hiked on the AT this year are Bear Snack, Gipcgirl, Scribbles, Kebban, Jellybean, Big Dog, Sherpa, Rusty Bumper, Sparkplug, Peach, Stearman, Dreamwalker, Jerryatric, Tic Tac, Hopeful, and many more. I've become email friends with Scribbles (Georgia) and Gipcgirl (Australia). They have been most helpful to me with good advice and kind encouragement.

  There are a very few people who are know as "triple crowners". These are amazing people who have hiked all three of the nation's long distance trails.

  Thanks so much for your encouragement and your hope of Godspeed on my journey. March 25 is just around the corner or should I say just over the next mountain.

  NE on the AT is NEAT!

  Funnybone