End of “Hundred Mile Wilderness”

Tony Angel

Hello everyone!  I have finally reached Monson, Maine at the end of the “Hundred Mile Wilderness.” Hooray! I won’t pretend bravado here… the climb of Mt. Katadhin and the hundred miles was very tough. To make matters worse, I ran out of food three days before journey’s end. Two people helped me out with a little food; an older man from Canada as well as a guy named Chip. And as Cameron Williams previously wrote I lost the “blazes” on the way up to the Rainbow Ledges. I wandered south for 4 1/2 hours before realizing that I’d better turn around, head back north and try to find where I had started. I eventually wound up back at the Hurd Brook lean-to. From there I hiked back out, regrouped and started over from Abol bridge on June 15th which is the starting point of the 100 miles.

This journey has been tough so far. From getting lost to running out of food to unexpected physical challenges this early on, as well as leaky tents and a certain amount of bad energy.

I find some things unsettling at this point. Those heading south are going so fast, racking up miles as if this were a competition. Oh, the beauty that surrounds us. The incredible views, the mountains, the wildlife. About 10 days ago I saw a mink—the first one I have ever seen. I am taking my time, getting into trail shape and soaking up every bit of my surroundings, truly enjoying a spirit journey. Some days ago a rabbit ate cashews from my hand. I nearly had tears in my eyes at the simple beauty of this.

One reader asked where I am from. I am originally from the hills of southeastern Kentucky. The heart of Appalachia, simple folk. A proud, wonderful, giving people who work so hard yet have so little. I remember when we’d visit family back home how warm and friendly everyone was. Some relatives, we’d still have to use outhouses or chamber pots. I also remember the HUGE machinery used in strip mining. Blowing the tops off of mountains, polluting the streams, and NONE of my family or other locals even being hired to work for these companies. Despite being poor and oppressed these people would give you their last meal to help you out.

I apologize for being slow on blogging, however, I have had trouble with my solar charger. My phone has had a dead battery most of the time which is also why there are so few pictures. A guy called “Johnny Prophet” figured out my solar charger. Thanks John.

When I have been hiking I have allowed myself to stop to take in all the views even if after climbing a mountain I am aching and its a 250-foot side path to get to the view. I sat on top of White Cap Mountain for more than an hour. What’s the rush in getting to the next lean-to? I soaked up its beauty. I felt its power and pull from within. It was alive within me.

I have many people to mention and to thank.

Mary Poppiins. I climbed Mt. Katadhin with a “side of blessed socks.”

Marie. Thank you for the crystal. Roland blessed it as he put it into my hand. I will carry it the entire journey.

Tim Anderson. He owns the Monson General Store. He knew I needed some days recovery time and couldn’t afford to pay $25 a night for a bunk. So he is letting me camp on his property for free and he brought me a gallon of water last night. Thanks Tim.

Matt Anderson (Tim’s son). Matt picked me up as I was heading back to the trail. We had a long talk about everything including the environment, strip mining and native issues, poverty and of course, my blog. Matt is a great kid. I have included a photo of him. He led me to his father who in turn offered me the hospitality of which I spoke of previously.

Ken. He picked me up and gave me a ride the rest of the way to Monson. I was soaked and looked horrible. He also gave me 20 dollars to help pay for a bunk for a night.

I have met may wonderful people along the way. It would be impossible to list them all. I will mention a couple, though. Duke and Julie are a couple thru-hiking back home to Georgia. I hope to catch up to them at some point.  And Mike (Hellbender). I like this guy. He doesn’t show false bravado, he knows his limitations. The hundred miles has kicked his butt (like me), but he keeps on going. He isn’t hiking hard, he’s hiking smart. Keep going Mike, I have faith in you.

I am taking a few days off. I need to rest, heal and recover. My left quad is still burning. I hope to blog one more time on Monday before I hit the trail again. I think my next blog post will be titled “Reflections.” Reflections of the past and reflections of the journey so far and reflections of the future that is possible if we all come together to make it happen. If you are reading this you are part of the spirit journey… I feel your souls helping to guide me along. I hope you will all tune in for that. Talk to you soon.

Tony Angel

Update—20 June 2010

Cameron Williams

We last heard from Tony on Tuesday, when he called from the Rainbow Ledges. He had lost the trail after leaving Baxter State Park on the 13th of June and had to hike out heading north to relocate the trail. He also reported problems with his solar charger, which explains why we haven’t heard from him. Another hiker left a comment here that he met Tony on top of Nesuntabunt Mountain on  6/17/10 at 3:00 p.m., so we know that Tony was about halfway through the Hundred Mile Wilderness on Thursday, and we hope to hear more by later today or tomorrow.

Gloria Waslyn and I now have internet service (finally!), so we will now be able to post regularly.

Update—10 June 2010

By Cameron Williams

My apologies for being a little slow in launching this site; Tony’s Spirit Journey was launched in the middle of Gloria Waslyn’s and my move to Chichester, and time has been at a premium.

Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail

Tony reached the top of Mount Katahdin in Maine yesterday, and is now on the Appalachian Trail, hiking through the Hundred Mile Wilderness; I don’t think he’ll have cellphone, email, or web access until he reaches Monson, probably late Sunday or Monday. I will try to post here more regularly, and add more photos and links as soon as possible, but TimeWarner has still not installed cable, even though it was ordered on May 25th.

We all wish Tony Angel well on his Spirit Journey. His mission to bring attention to the homeless, the environment, and his connection with his Native American roots (Tony is 5/16 Cherokee) are essential, and we ask for your donations to help support Tony’s journey, and the wonderful work done by Family of Woodstock.

Native Americans, regardless of their tribe, always cared for the disadvantaged, which is not the case in America today. In many towns and cities, the homeless have been not only marginalized, but criminalized. Too often, they are seen by too many of us as lazy, shiftless, alcoholics, drug addicts or mentally challenged. This is, more often than not, simply untrue. In these hard economic times, the homeless population has swelled, and many hardworking people have been evicted from their apartments for many reasons. A landlord might have faced a foreclosure, forcing the tenant out through no fault of his or her own.

There are nearly (or perhaps even more) than 5 million homeless people in America today; this is a national disgrace, as are our environmental failings. Even after this horrible BP-caused disaster in the the Gulf (the

BP's legacy

Deepwater Horizon blowout), corporations continue to strip mine, are seeking exemptions to the Clean Air Act, and trying to bring gas hydrofracking (which should rightly be called chemofracking) here to the Catskills, despite an abysmal record of poisoned water supplies. It is up to each and every one of us to write our representatives and demand that this country chart a new course, where people are valued more highly than profits, and our resources are carefully managed for the good of all, and not profits for a few at the expense of the many.

As Pete’s friend Woody Guthrie wrote, and Pete has sung (this is one of many versions of the song):

This land is your land, this land is my land

Woody Guthrie

From California to Staten Island
From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters
This land was made for you and me

As I went walking that ribbon of highway
And saw above me the endless skyway
And saw below me the golden valley, I said
This land was made for you and me

(chorus and verse the same)

I roamed and rambled and followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me

Was a big High wall there that tried to stop me
A sign was painted said; Private Property
But on the back side, it didn’t say nothing
This land was made for you and me

When the sun come shining, then I was strolling
In the wheat fields waving, and dusk clouds rolling
The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting
This land was made for you and me

On bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple
By the relief office I saw my people
As they stood there hungry I stood there wondering if
This land was made for you and me

Spirit Journey Launch

By Tony Angel

Tony Angel and Pete Seeger at the Beacon Sloop Club

On the morning of June 5th, 2010, Pete Seeger, Gloria Waslyn and the Parrots for Peace, Victorio Roland Mousaa, Tamara Cooper of Family of Woodstock and many others met me at the Beacon Sloop Club for a big sendoff.

Roland did a native song with drum which was really great. We then proceeded to walk down Main Street carrying banners. Pete himself carried my pack for part of the way! Steve Romine carried it the rest of the way. When I asked Steve if he’d like me to take over carrying the pack he said, “No, you’ll be carrying it for over 2000 miles. I’ll carry it for now.” Along the walk Pete sang a song to me.

I would like to thank the Beacon Sloop club for allowing me to say a few words about my journey at the pot luck; they have been very supportive of my journey.

It is Monday morning, the 7th of June. I am now on my way to Kingston to catch a bus to begin my journey; then off to Boston where I’ll catch the bus to Bangor, then on to Millinocket, Maine, where I’ll get a shuttle to the trailhead and climb Katahdin, where the Appalachian Trail begins. The day is finally here and I am thrilled, excited and nervous all at the same time. The Spirit Journey has now begun.

Pete Seeger, Tamara Cooper, Tony Angel, Victorio Roland Mousaa, Cameron Williams, Steve Romine, and Rosemary Thomas

With each step I will be carrying the weight of others on my shoulders. A heavy load for a heavy heart for the world. For the homeless, for the land, the sea, the air, the plight of the downtrodden and native people, all of whom are struggling.

I would like to extend a great thanks to Pete Seeger for supporting me. I’d also like to thank Gloria Waslyn, Victorio Roland Moussa and Cameron Williams, for without their support none of this would be possible.

I will post from the trail as often as I can. Cameron and Gloria will post when I am unable to. Thanks to you all. I am off now to begin the Spirit Journey…

I will be looking forward to seeing you all at the end. Peace.

The Journey

The best estimates indicate that the numbers of homeless in America today is approaching 5 million*—they are the invisible Americans.

Tony Angel is walking the Appalachian Trail, all 2,178 miles of it. He’s walking the trail to raise funds for the homeless and bring attention to their plight, and to raise awareness of the environmental devastation prevalent throughout Appalachia.

Pete Seeger, American icon, renowned folk singer and life-long environmentalist, supports Tony’s walk. Pete and his family, along with Victorio Roland Mousaa, and many others, including Gloria Waslyn and The Parrots for Peace, will walk from the Beacon Sloop Club to the Appalachian Trail junction near Bear Mountain Bridge with Tony at 9:00 a.m. on the morning of Saturday, June 5, 2010. Tony will then travel to Mount Katahdin in Maine; he’ll walk from there to Springer Mountain in Georgia.

Family of Woodstock, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization long known in the Hudson Valley area for their numerous programs to help the needy, have agreed to administer a fund in Tony’s name. All funds raised in excess of those needed to support Tony’s walk will be used for programs to assist the homeless.

Tony will soon be posting from the trail at spiritjourney25.wordpress.com; other advocates for the homeless and for the environment will also post.

Donations can made out to the Tony Angel Homeless Fund and can be sent to:

Family of Woodstock
Attn: Tony Angel Homeless Fund
16 Rock City Road
Woodstock, NY 12498

Questions? Contact us at spiritjourney25@gmail.com

* The homeless population fluctuates, but the best estimate, extrapolated from 2007 statistics and coupled with the recently verified 34% increase in the homeless population in New York City  (source: The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty), indicate that nearly 4.7 million people are homeless in the United States.