Hanover, students host AT hikers each summer

By Jay Webster, The Dartmouth Staff

Published on Friday, August 5, 2011

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Dartmouth’s summer months are marked by a dramatic increase in the number of through-hikers — men and women from all over the country who have decided to tackle the Appalachian Trail. These hikers, who often sport colorful trail nicknames, often stop in Hanover for an opportunity to rest, bathe, take a break from their long journeys and toss frisbees around on the Green.

“We all just enjoy the town,” hiker Thomas Lee — better known as “Avalanche” — said.

Lee, a Georgia native who began his trek in Maine in June, said that many of the businesses along Main Street have been hospitable and welcome to him and his friends.

“The bookstore gave us free coffee, the bagel store gave us free bagels, Ramunto’s gave us all a slice of pizza, the Billy Goat gave us Snickers,” Lee said.

Matt “Jonesy” Meador added that Hanover has a “big reputation” on the Appalachian Trail as a break from the long journey.

Panarchy, one of Dartmouth’s undergraduate societies, is known for its hospitality to through-hikers, according to southbound hiker Alex “Rich Guy Lacrosse” Litscher, who said that many people hear of the refuge through word-of-mouth. Panarchy maintains a logbook — dating back to 2001 — of all through-hikers that stay in the house during their travels, entitled “Journal/Sketchbook for Thru Hikers.”

Entries in the book refer to Panarchy as “lovely” and a “beautiful palace,” noting the kindness of its members.

“The last four days and three nights have been so excellent,” one hiker wrote, adding that he spent his time at the house “playing bongos” with members.

Some of the society’s members said hospitality to hikers is in keeping with the society’s values, and expressed gratitude to the other members of the house for the comfortable environment they’ve fostered.

“I think it’s cool that people feel comfortable just spending the night,” Justin Einhorn ’14, a member of Panarchy, said. “I’m glad that everyone in Panarchy can support being open and accepting to these people.”

Hannah Groveman ’13, another Panarchy member, described Panarchy as an “accessible” community that believes in openness and integration, adding that her interactions with the hikers have been “extremely positive.”

Panarchy members also spoke to the mutual benefits garnered from spending time with hikers.

“There’s a reciprocal value,” Walker Fisher ’13 said. “We can come here and they can share their stories while we share our stories. That’s what it’s all about — fostering awareness and community.”

Hikers also spoke of the adjustments they had to make for life on the trail. Michael “Bullwinkle” Esparza said the first month has been challenging in that he has had to adapt to a new way of living, but the journey has gotten easier over time.

“My pack weight was 52 pounds when I started,” he said. “I’m down to 35 now, and I’m just starting to get my hiking legs.”

As a “south bounder,” or a hiker who begins his trek in Maine, Lee said he hopes to finish the hike by Thanksgiving, and said he refuses to quit along the way.

“Hiking is hard,” he said. “It’s easy to lose morale at times, but overall, it is so much better than real life.”

Lee, Meador and Esparza are all hiking south to Georgia, and have decided to stay in Panarchy during their time in Hanover.

Other hikers, who began the trail on Springer Mountain in Georgia, have been hiking for several months, and have a much broader perspective on the Appalachian Trail.

Many of these hikers travel together, but met each other just recently.

“Zen and I met at Great Barrington, about three weeks ago,” northbound hiker Frank “John Wayne” Madeiros said of his companion Bobby “Zen” Gaudette.

Madeiros also said that the longer he spends on the trail, the more meaningful interactions he has with other hikers.

“I found that as I got further in my trip, the new people I met, I look at them in a different light,” he said. “They’re more badass to me now.”

Gaudette said that he has intended to take on the Appalachian Trail for years.

“I’m an Eagle Scout, so I’ve kind of had this dream forever,” he said. “It just fell into place, and here I am, 1,700 miles later.”

Madeiros also spoke highly of the Hanover community and his experiences at Dartmouth.

“It’s really our last hoorah,” he said, though he added that “all of the mile markers in town are wrong.”

Gaudette noted the general hospitality of many people whom he has met in the states he has passed through along the way, non-hikers who have offered to let him and his friends shower, dine and stay in their homes.

“It makes you think there are actually good people in the world,” he said.

Although hikers heading north have been on the trail for considerably longer than their southbound counterparts, all hikers interviewed agreed on the importance of their attitudes and mental states while hiking.

“The hardest part is trying to control your mind, trying to make sure your mind wanders,” Lee said, who added that it is a “bad idea” to think about the next rest stop.

Gaudette said his experiences have helped him understand the limits of his body, though he also stresses the importance of the hiker’s mentality.

“It’s insane what the human body can do, dude,” he said. “The entire trip is mental. The human body can do it — you have to adjust.”

Gaudette cited an experience in which a fellow hiker convinced him he would was capable of hiking over 30 miles in a day, a feat which he subsequently accomplished.

“Afterwards, I did a 35-mile day,” he said. “It’s all in your head. It’s a mind game.”