09/24/06

IAT Thru Hike

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

2006-07-26 / Wednesday

12:48 PM Status - A surprise and a new camera

Hi Friends of the IAT, 

I was sitting at my desk working on a production problem when my phone rang, when I answered I was surprised, it was John calling from the Mondeaux Lodge, which is located on the northern end of the Mondeaux Flowage in Taylor County (Map 88e).   He was calling from a pay phone using a calling card.  

After I was done talking to John I checked my e-mail and there was a message from Mark Berglund telling me pretty much what I’m going to tell you.   

John got lost a couple of times this morning due to dense wet vegetation causing him to have to bushwhack but he was able to find the trail again each time.  The down side to the little side trips was that he tore his backpack and he became totally soaked.    

The camera problem has been resolved and a new one created.  He purchased a new Polaroid digital camera back in Merrill, WI and he has enough storage capacity for 700+ photos.   The problem is he had to use money that he budgeted for food leaving him with only $27.00 to last him the remainder of the trip.    

John averages approximately 20 miles per day and his starting point tomorrow (7/27) will be where the IAT crosses Highway E (Map 88e) so you can figure out where he will be over the next couple of weeks assuming you have the IAT atlas and companion guide. 

He will call me again when he has access to a phone.   

Tonight he will be meeting Buzz and Gene at where the IAT crosses Highway E in Taylor County (Map 88e) at around 6:00 PM.  He will be treated to pizza and beer at the lodge.  Tom Rasmussen will have a place for him to stay tonight and then get him back to the trail tomorrow. 

If anybody can get him access to a computer so he can send me photos and log entries that would be great. 

Thanks to Mark, Buzz, Gene, Tom and anybody else who assisted John, he definitely appreciates your support. 

Happy Trails,