A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step… CHINESE PROVERB Ice Age Trail Thousand- Milers 2009–2010 Chet Anderson • Mark Cook • Lyle Lidholm • Russ and Clara Marr • Dawn Matott Timothy “Rex” Obukowicz • JoAnn Parks • Wayne Prior • Craig Sanford Ken “Whistler” Schoenike • Daniel and Barbara “Biscuit & Gravy” Seitz • Jane M. Stoltz Thousand-Miler Program AhOWGe W TOhen eAR n A The Ice Age Alliance (IATA) established an official Thousand-Miler COMPLThOuSAenTeDD-MiLeR program in 2002; however, recognition is given in this booklet to all who 75CeRTifiCATe have hiked the entire Trail including the road connections. Names in The IATA recognizes anyoneCARee whoR reports bold are the newest Thousand-Milers; their stories are told in this book. havingRetired hiked master the joiner, entire TrailTimber and Framers completes Guild a recognitionof North America; application Thousand-Milers through the Years asKorean a “Thousand-Miler.” War veteran, USMC The IATA policy Jim Staudacher (1979) JoAnn Parks (2003–2008) operates on the honor Rev. Harry J. Gensler, S.J. (1983) Wayne Prior (2004–2008) ChAPTeR system, assuming Ken & Sally Waraczynski (1983–1989) Craig Sanford (2007–2008) anyoneWalworth/Jefferson who applies for Tim M. “Ya Comi” Malzhan (1991) Ken “Whistler” Schoenike (2003–2009) recognition has hiked Clarman “Salty” Salsieder (1995) Daniel & Barbara Seitz (2008) allhi K1000+e De SCRmilesiPT betweeniOn Tom Menzel (1996) Jane M. Stoltz (1993–2009) PotawatomiEastbound section State Park hiker: Mark & Kathy Vincent (1997) Russ & Clara Marr (2009) 9/3/2002and Interstate to 11/2002 State Dave Kuckuk (1998) Chet Anderson (2009) InterstatePark. To qualify, State Park,it is Earl Davison (1999) Polknecessary County, to tohave Rosholt, hiked Mark “Tony” Califf (1998–1999) Portageall current County. Ice Age Trail Justin LeMay (1998–1999) segments and connect Matt McCrackin (1998–1999) 12/22/07 all Trail segments by Nate Menard (1998–1999) Rosholt, Portage County, walking the connecting Thomas E. Warth (1995–1999) to Iola Ski area, Portage route of your choice. Not Mark Wickham (1998–1999) County (got sick) considered are issues Mary Pokorny (2000) 2/2/08of speed, to length5/3/08 ofIola time Ski Sharon T. Dziengel (2002) Area,from startPortage to finish, County to David Kolosso (1995–2002) Potawatomisequence, direction State Park, Clint A. “Lint” Bunting (2003) Dooror whether County or not one Luke Kloberdanz (2003) carries a pack. Gary “Lindy” Lindberg (2005) Visit www. Dale & Penny Schaber (2003–2005) iceagetrail.org to Pat L. Witkowski (2004–2005) obtain a Thousand-Miler John P. Bauer (2006) application. Kathy Clavette (2002–2006) Frank Evans (2000–2006) Anne Riendl (2002–2006) Allen D. “Tortoise” Shoup (2006) Antony “Tony” Stretton (2002–2006) Lynda Stuber (2002–2006) Edward C. Talone (2006) Sharon S. “Tripalong” Bloodgood (1987–2007) Irene S. “Tagalong” Cline (2000–2007) Jason “Sticks” Dorgan (2007) Barbara F. Leetzow (2005–2007) Mike Rotter (2003–2007) Barbara A. “Tadmore” Voigt (2004–2007) Mark Cook (2004–2008) Lyle Lidholm (2002–2008) Dawn Matott (2003–2008) Timothy “Rex” Obukowicz (2008) Chet A. Anderson “Gray Ghost” I developed a new appreciation for the effects of the Ice Age. So many AGe When things were pointed out in the Companion Guide as I traveled the trail: COMPLeTeD 67 moraines, eskers, erratics, kettle lakes, tunnel channels and many more features. PeRSOnAL infO St. Croix Falls, WI Retired Highlights AT thru-hike 2008 ChAPTeR I had a very good walk and enjoyed our home Camping on the IAT is interesting, because state very much. I identified 115 different birds, there are very few campgrounds or shelters in the Indianhead Chapter four frogs (bull, green, leopard and eastern first two-thirds of the Trail, so I had to use a “don’t gray tree), lots of does and fawns, coyote, fox, ask, don’t tell” (as one chapter person called it) hiKe DeSCRiPTiOn woodchuck, porcupine, squirrels, muskrats, strategy a lot of times. By hiking between 7 and 30 Thru-hike westsbound: beaver—and one bear. Lots of sandhill cranes—heard miles a day I usually was able to camp on state or 6/2/09 to 7/25/09 or saw them almost every day, only twice with county land—still not authorized, but I felt better Potawatomi State young. Hundreds of barns and silos, innumerable about it. The last one-third has lots of state and Park, Door County, to cows, quite a few towns, and not so many people. county land where it is permissible to camp. Once, Interstate State Park, Also of interest was seeing some of the white early on, I camped under a bridge, which turned Polk County pine stumps from the late 1800s and many well- out to be one of my better nights—comfortable and managed hardwood forests with large trees. plenty of big rocks for furniture! The IAT was very Lots of dogs barked at me, but only two sounded Lots of people were really friendly, like a different from the threatening: one stayed in the yard; the other police officer who let me set up in the city park Appalachian Trail—a lot came out to the road, but pointing the tip of my in Valders; a farmer who talked to me on the of road walking between trekking pole at him was enough to keep him back. road, gave me his fire number, and said to stop official Trail route Thousands of red-winged blackbirds scolded me. in; his wife would feed me. So naturally I did! sections. Without the When a nice breeze was in my face they could She prepared a great breakfast. Other wonderful elevation changes of the hover right above my head and scold me as I walked people I met were Walter Vogl, Delores Carron, AT, I was able to average along. Some other scoldings were from an ovenbird, Kris Jensen, John Mesching, Kathy Leong, Mike 20 miles a day. The Trail a kestrel, ospreys, and a pair of sandhill cranes. Guisleman, Skip Drew, Kevin and Krista Thusius is marked fine, but since Hiking in June and July did have some (and baby Charlie), Randy and Jean Barton, Randy it is used less it is more disadvantages: heat, ticks, mosquitoes, and lots Lennartz, Jean Clark, Judy Gill, Kim Fisher, Wanda overgrown than the AT, of foliage that covered some of the trail markings. and Jim Hose, Diane Murphy, Rod Gont, Fred so I was wading through The advantage was that it was the drier part of Nash, Don Erickson, Steven Guernsey, Gordy and everything from reeds to the summer. I was able to walk across most areas Judy Anderson, Marieanne and Gregg Westigard, raspberry bushes. Most of that are usually wet, and less rain fell than in the Dean and Cora Dversdall, and Patti Mattson. the trail is pretty good. spring and late summer. Some statistics about my backpack: It started out weighing close to 40 pounds including food and water. I carried this weight only three other times—after food drops. My pack weight averaged—with food and water—between 25 and 35 pounds. The basic pack was 20 pounds, about 2 pounds lighter than on the Appalachian Trail. The lighter weight resulted from not packing clothes for cooler weather or even any extra clothes. On the IAT I carried 3 liters (max.) of water (about one-third more than on the AT). I wanted fewer food drops—which were 4 pounds heavier than on the AT. Forty pounds of weight was very noticeable; it really slowed me down. hiKinG PARTneRS Russell & Clara Marr AGe When We started our hike on Clara’s 60th birthday and ended it on Russ’s 60th COMPLeTeD birthday. Both 60 CAReeR Both retired Highlights ChAPTeR From Russ: We did not backpack the trail. From Clara: Hiked in the Northern Kettles Rock County Chapter Instead, we used a fifth-wheel RV to stay in. We with hundreds of others on the Annual Glacier used a truck and our Saturn car to do 89 day Hike weekend. Met two history buffs dressed hiKe DeSCRiPTiOn hikes. Stayed at 18 campgrounds. I carried a day in authentic 18th-century British infantryman Noncontinuous pack and Clara took a cellphone and camera. uniforms with bedrolls and mock rifles. westbound in one year: We saw lots of wildlife along the trail. Mostly A bear crossed our path as we approached 4/12/09 to 10/16/09 deer and birds of all types. We did see a bear the Dells of Eau Claire, and we enjoyed watching Potawatomi State near Hatley and were surprised to see countless youngsters diving into deep pools of swirling Park, Door County to cranes. In the north we did run into bear water at the Dells of the Eau Claire County Park Interstate State Park, hunters, so we had our orange vests on in areas on a 90-degree day late June. Polk County (took July they were in. I’m glad we did it, but there were Ran out of water after losing our way in and August off) some miserable moments. Parrish Hills Segment. We asked for water We didn’t meet any thru-hikers, but we did from a landowner at Parrish Road. He was meet many day-hikers and section-hikers. very accommodating, offering a place to rest and fresh water—and he guided us back to the trail down an old railroad bed in the back of his property. He said he would brush out the trail so other hikers after us would not have the same problems. Met teachers with schoolchildren at Grandfather Falls. They insisted on shaking our hands for attempting such a long walk and strongly encouraged us to check out the Merrill School Forest property.