09/24/06

IAT Thru Hike

John Bauer and Bill Rhodes - 2006 Ice Age Trail Thru Hike Journal

2006-06-23 / Friday

10:00 AM Status – My cell phone batteries are dying fast

Hi IAT Friends, 

John called me at work last night at 9:05 pm, I wasn’t there and he left me a voice message saying that his cell phone battery was dying fast and that he wasn’t sure if he’d be available for tomorrow’s 10:00 am status call.  He told me to meet him Saturday morning where the trail crosses Kettle Moraine Drive in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forrest (Map 25e).  I was a little concerned because he did not mention a time. 

At 10:00 AM I called John and got thru to him on the first ring, he had his cell phone plugged in and re-charging at the Visitor Center and Forest Headquarters on Highway 59 near Shelter #2 near the Stony Ridge Nature Trail (Map 23e).  

He spent last night sleeping in Shelter #2, which is on a hill; he reported that the sunset was spectacular.  He said he took a bunch of pics; I can hardly wait to see them. 

John wants to get his pack weight way down by ditching his sleeping bag, sleeping pad and sandals.   He’s been sleeping in shelters and under the stars the last several nights.   He’s been complaining that he gets cold at night so I am a little concerned about him ditching so much gear. 

He needs the following and I will take it out to him tomorrow:

* Double “A” batteries for his camera

* A bottle of heet for his stove

* Peanuts 

My plan is to hike with him Saturday and Sunday; Cliff has volunteered support service and will take us out to eat Saturday night.  I will meet John Saturday morning at 6:00 am in the parking lot where the trail crosses Highway 12 (Map 25e).  I will be calling John at 10:30 PM tonight to confirm the meeting time.  Saturday we will hike to the Clover Valley Wildlife Area (Map 26e).  Sunday we will hike to the Storrs Lake Wildlife Area (Map 28e). 

An IAT map has been posted to the web site per the recommendation of John’s Uncle, Dan Bauer.   Dan, Thank you for the suggestion.  Below is the suggestion Dan left at the web site this last night: "I am John's Uncle, Dan Bauer, and I have been following John's entries.  I was wondering if it is possible to see some kind of map tracking his journey.  I am not familiar with the area and I would like to be able to see his progress.  Of course, I am not too lazy to break out a map of my own; I just thought it might improve your site if you could offer such a visual aid.  I am really proud of John and I hope he goes all the way.  I spoke to him today (Saturday 6/17) and he sounds like he is in good spirits and that he feels a degree of self-satisfaction for having undertaken this mission. I wish him all the best and I will keep in touch.  Thanks for covering his journey.” 

Thank you Debbie Krogwold and Mike Wollmer of your generous offer of $50.00 to help John out. 

My next status update will not be until next Monday, June 26^th.  

Happy Trails, 

“Biscuit”