MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM: Recently Added Galleries and Collections

2008 THRU-HIKERS

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:23:00 GMT

OVER 2000 NORTH BOUNDERS PASS THROUGH OUR BREEZWAY ON THE TRAIL AS THEY FULFILL A DREAM, QUEST, OR PILGRIMAGE TO MAINE.

WE MAY NOT CATCH A PICTURE OF THEM ALL, BUT WE WILL TRY. MORE LOADED EVERYDAY...SO COME BACK LATER.

MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS TEAM

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:24:00 GMT

A MYTHICAL BAND OF INDIANS CALLED THE NUNAHEI LIVED IN THESE MOUNTAINS FOR 100'S OF YEARS. THIS MYTERIOUS BAND OF INDIANS WERE KNOWN TO HELP LOST TRAVELERS OR HUNTERS BACK TO SAFETY. THEY WOULD APPEARS MYSTERIOUSLY AND DISAPPEAR JUST AS MYSTERIOUSLY IN ALL REPORTED INSTANCES.
SINCE 1937 MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS @ WALASI YI HAS HELPED TRAVELERS AND HIKERS. THIS IS A SMALL GLIMPSE AT THOSE WONDERFUL SOULS WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR HELP, HOSPITALITY AND KNOWLEDGE TO THE 1000'S THAT HAVE CROSSED THRU OUR BREEZEWAY.

BLAZE OF GLORY PARTY 08

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:38:00 GMT

THE 6TH ANNUAL "BLAZE OF GLORY" CELEBRATION... SURPASSED LAST YEARS ATTENDANCE... WE HAD OVER 80 PEOPLE WHO CAME TO ENJOY FUN, FOOD AND GAB.

THANKS RON HAVEN OF FRANKLINS BUDGET INN FOR THE "SHORT BUS" AND PICKING ALL THOSE FOLKS UP ALONG THE TRAIL.

PIRATE GOT A CHANCE TO SHOWCASE HIS NEW "DIGS". YES PIRATE HAS PIMPED THE HOSTEL, ADDED EVENTS, GAMES AND A TRIVIA NIGHT.

DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY NIGHTS "DELIVERANCE TRIVIA WITH THE 'PERTY'ESS MOUTH AND SQUEAL LIKE A PIG CONTEST" PLUS- WE HAVE "BACK-UP" SINGERS TO HELP WITH THE ANSWERS. "OINK"

"MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS AND STAFF WOULD LIKE THANKS ALL THOSE WHO HELPED AND FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE IN YOUR DREAM... THE GLORY IS YOURS,... JUST FOLLOW THE WHITE BLAZE." EXPLAINS WINTON.

MORE MIS ADVENTURE W/PIRATE

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:55:00 GMT

THERE IS DIRTY TRASH, SMELLY TRASH, WET TRASH, FUNGUS FILLED TRASH, DIAPER TRASH....BUT THERE IS NO BETTER TRASH THEN......

"HIKER TRASH".

THE MELODEROUS PLEASURE IS BEST SMELT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF A CRAMPED VEHICLE. YOU CAN CRACK THE WINDOW, BUT THERE IS NO ESCAPING THAT DISTINCT AROMA THAT WAVES ACROSS YOUR SNOUT. WAIT JUST A MOMENT LONGER AND THE WONDEROUS SMELL WILL EMBED ITSELF INTO YOUR OLFACTORY LIKE A LEACH TO YOUR LOINS.

THESE PHOTO OFFER GREAT VIEWS AND SOME PLEASURABLE SCENES AND INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME THE BEST HIKER TRASH THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL HAS TO OFFER.

COURTESY OF: PIRATE

MIS ADVENTURE OF PIRATE TOO

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:47:00 GMT

THERE IS DIRTY TRASH, SMELLY TRASH, WET TRASH, FUNGUS FILLED TRASH, DIAPER TRASH....BUT THERE IS NO BETTER TRASH THEN

"HIKER TRASH".

THE MELODEROUS PLEASURE IS BEST SMELT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF A CRAMPED VEHICLE. YOU CAN CRACK THE WINDOW, BUT THERE IS NO ESCAPING THAT DISTINCT AROMA THAT WAVES ACROSS YOUR SNOUT. WAIT JUST A MOMENT LONGER AND THE WONDEROUS SMELL WILL EMBED ITSELF INTO YOUR OLFACTORY LIKE A LEACH TO YOUR LOINS.

THESE PHOTO OFFER GREAT VIEWS AND SOME PLEASURABLE SCENES AND INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME THE BEST HIKER TRASH THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL HAS TO OFFER.

COURTESY OF:
PIRATE

ADVENTURES OF A PIRATE

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:32:00 GMT

The international man of mystery... SIR PIRATE HIKEALOT. This collection of photo's is from one of most recognized walkers of the dirt paths in the east.

These photo's represent a small portion of the many thousands of pictures that Pirate has taken along the east coast corridor from Florida to Maine.

Take a tour and enjoy the scenery.

"Life comes at you fast, anyway... so why run.. when you can walk."

REMEMBER M.E. CEREMONY

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 03:44:00 GMT

It is with great and humble thanks that I extend to all those who helped in this program. When Candas Jones called and wanted to organize this ceremonial hike for Meredith, I did not hesitate..... because based on the many phone call, email and personal one on one, I knew people needed some way to heal....together.

Over 300 people... ventured out into bitter cold (12 degrees) to participate in the M.E. ceremony. These are only a few of the many pictures.

MANY OF YOU HAVE ASKED ME TO POST THE ELEGY.
Several have also thought that I am mis-prounouncing the word and should mean eulogy. The words are different..Elegy is defined as follows:

El-e-gy: a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, esp. a funeral song or a lament for the deceased.

A Trail Angel Rises
An Elegy by Winton Porter
January 2008

Out on the trail, when a comrade falls, a trail angel rises.
Meredith, whose kind and loving spirit was cruelly taken from all those who knew and loved her, has joined the ranks of trail angels.
She will forever be our guide.

Because trail angels dance along the path of peace and joy forever.
Because trail angels watch over those who merely want to walk forever.
Those who simply want to live.
Those who want to live simply.
And beautifully as Meredith did.
Merediths light once illuminated the path of hundreds of friends and family members as well as among the many, many she touched along the graceful trail of her life.
The light Meredith brought us has not been extinguished.
It has risen.
It now illuminates the path of millions
Across our nation.
Around the world.
And as her light rises, we come to know its source.
A source inextinguishable.
An inner source.
It came from Merediths compassion.
Her kindness.
Her love of outdoors.
Her love of animals.
It now fires our love.
Our compassion.
Our resolve to live better lives.
Kinder lives.
It warms us, consoles us, unites us here and now.
And as her light rises,
It ignites in us the good of our natures.
It reveals to us the beauty of these mountains.
It fires in us a renewed joy for living, for those around us, for the walks we share today.
Her light reminds us not to wait but to love while we still can.
Now….Stop. …Listen.
Hush and truly listen.
Hear the drums?
Feel them on the wind?
Hear the human tales of triumph and sadness that echo through these vast and ancient mountains?
These are human tales, bouncing off the cliffs,
Reverberating among the high tree lines,
Following the deep gaps.
Filling our hearts.
Separateness is an illusion, my friends.
There is no me.
There is no you.
There is only We.
We of this earth.
We the one.
I am you.
You are me.
Together , we are bound by common experience:
Love. Life. Hope. Joy. Sorrow. Pain. Memory.
Meredith Emerson is you.
You are Meredith Emerson.
Follow her light.
It will guide you well.
Remember.
Out on the trail, when a comrade falls, a trail angel rises.

PADDLE PRACTICE

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:54:00 GMT

MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS STAFF CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THE OUTDOORS, BUT EVERY ONCE IN WHILE WE HAVE TO GO INDOORS, SO WE CAN MASTER ANOTHER SKILL FOR THE OUTDOORS. ENJOY THESE PICTURES OF OUR STAFF LEARNING THE ART OF HOLDING THEIR BREATH.

ALPINE ICE AT HOGPEN GAP, GEORGIA

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:49:00 GMT

YES, THIS IS WORLD CLASS "ICE CLIMBING" IN THE BACKYARDS OF GEORGIA. ALPINE AND JASON HALL CLIMBING A 65 FOOT WALL OF ICE IN THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS.

SIERRA BIG ADVENTURE

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:36:00 GMT

SIERRA PORTER "TSUNAMI", JESSICA"ROCKWALL DIVA" JENNIFER "PRINCESS BRAT, ALPINE ALL GO FOR AN APPALACHIAN TRAIL ADVENTURE NEAR BLOOD MOUNTAIN.
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL OFFERS SCENIC WONDER FOR ALL AGES. MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO EXPLORE NATURE. IF YOU OR YOUR CHILDREN WANT TO KNOW A GOOD ROUTE TO HIKE CONTACT WINTON@MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM

RYANS (SQUARL)PLAYGROUND

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:27:00 GMT

RYAN'S PLAYGROUND EXTENDS OVER 600,000 ACRES (300,000 ACRES IN HIS BACK YARD AND 350,000 ACRES IN HIS FRONT YARD.)

RYAN'S TO DO LIST:
1. WAKE UP
2. HIKE BLOOD MOUNTAIN
3. BOULDER 40 ROUTES
4. PADDLE CLASS IIII RAPID
5. RIDE BIKE 50 MILES
6. GO TO SLEEP

"SCREW THE CORPORATE LADDER...I GOT MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB... THROW ME A ROPE"

MORE MOUNTAIN DAZE

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:08:00 GMT

ODE TO THE TRAIL... THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL. CONNECT BEYOND THE SENSES AND EXPERIENCE THE SIMPLE UNINCUMBERED LIFE THAT WILL CHANGE YOU FOREVER.

FOLLOW THE WHITE BLAZE.

BRAT VS. ALPINE IN M'ASSES

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:51:00 GMT

THE SAGA CONTINUES... ALPINE GETS HIS BOOT STUCK ON A CHEWED UP PIECE OF BUBBLE YUM AND PULLS A GROIN MUSCLE. HE RECOVERS QUICKLY, BUT NOT BEFORE BRAT TAKES THE LEAD. HOWEVER, BRAT DECIDED TO TAKE A BREAK ON SATURDAY AND MUNCHED ON SOME PRETTY MUSHROOMS. WOOPS...SEE YOU IN THE MORNING, WATCH OUT FOR TALKING FLUTES.

MOUNTAIN DAZE

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:26:00 GMT

ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PART OF WORKING AT MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS ARE THE PEOPLE THAT CROSS OUR PATH ALONG THIS PART OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL.
THE WORLD HAS MANY CROSSROADS, BUT FEW AS INTERESTING AS THIS ONE AT NEELS GAP.
COME.... EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC.

COOL TRAIL PICS

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:19:00 GMT

THE SCENERY ALONG THE TRAIL IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER.... SO FLIP THROUGH A FEW OF THESE AND BEHOLD THE IMAGE IF YOU WILL.

BRAT VS. ALPINE DELEWARE WATER GAP

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:10:00 GMT

THE STORY CONTINUES AND THE COUPLE IS STILL AT IT. ALPINE GLIDES AHEAD AND SETS "TRIP LINES" AND "TREE LASSO'S" IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW BRAT DOWN. HOWEVER, HE GETS CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP AND IS FOUND HANGING UPSIDE DOWN FROM A SYCAMORE TREE. AFTER SOME COAXING, BRAT AGREES TO HELP ALPINE DOWN, HOWEVER, SHE GOT TO CHOOSE THE METHOD. BRAT DECIDED TO USE WHITE GAS AND A LIGHTER. FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO KNOW..."BOIL TIME ON A KEVELAR CORD IS 3.25 MINUTES" TIME MAY VARY DEPENDING ON HIKERS WEIGHT."

LIFE @ MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:54:00 GMT

PEOPLE, DIRT, ROCKS, HILLS, FRESH AIR, COOL BREEZES AND SPECTACULAR VIEWS. STOP BY AND ENJOY IT ALL @ MOUNTAIN CROSSINGS.

BRAT vs. Alpine

winton@mountaincrossings.com (MOUNTAINCROSSINGS.COM) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 02:41:00 GMT

THE STORY BEGINS ON MOUNT KATAHDIN IN MAINE. ALPINE A SEASONED VETERAN BEGINNING HIS SECOND THRU-HIKE, WHO HAS THE ENERGY OF A FERRIT AND MOTIVATION EQUIVALENCE OF JIMNEY CRICKET AND PRINCESS BRAT, THE ELEGANT YOUNG DREAMER WHO LIKES DIRT IN HER NAILS AND MUD ON HER FACE. BUT SHE CLEANS UP WELL.