Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999

Mike Aken started the approach trail at 9:30 AM on April 1st with a pack
weight just shy of 40 pounds including water etc.  He arrived at the
summit of Springer Mountain at 2:30 PM  (I hiked up the other side to
meet him) and headed out from Springer for Maine at Aprox. 3:30 PM.  I
left him at the parking lot below the Springer summit where he yogi'd a
"pop" from a group of college coed through hikers and their mother.  He
had 10 miles under his belt for the day and .9 official miles on the
AT.  He was heading to a shelter area about another 1.5 miles down the
trail.  Mike about knocked me on my butt putting his pack back on with a
"round house discuss thrower type swing".  He said you were familiar
with that pack mounting technique and knew to stay clear.

He also mixed and drank cool aid on top of Springer before he left.  He
said he usually just drank water but that you guys had cool aid and
other flavored drinks in the Grand Canyon and made him feel left out.
He said this with humor, was he getting even for something?

He was in good spirits except he had some concern when he found out I
had a scanner and that some of the pictures I took may get into your
hands.  Have you done something devious to him in the past?   Sounds
like sort of a challenge to me.  

Fred

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