Cotton Joe started hiking from Springer Mountain, Georgia March 13, 2005. Seven months and 2,100 (AT) + 1450 ( IAT) miles later he reached the continental end of the Appalachians.
On July 22, 2006, he returned to Newfoundland to complete the remainder of the IAT which starts in the southwestern corner of Newfoundland in Port aux Basque and runs some 600 miles north in the Long Range Mountains to the Quirpon / L’Anse aux Meadows area at the far northern end of Newfoundland and the northern terminus of the International Appalachian Trail. Collectively, a hike from Georgia to northern tip of Newfoundland constitutes a trek of almost 3,600 miles. On Friday, September 22, Cotton Joe was awarded a Mountain Hard Wear Exodus pack.
Cotton Joe is the first recipient of Mountain Hard Wear gear. In future years, up to six awards will be made to the first six hikers who walk the length of the IAT.
To receive the MHW award, the through hiker must attend the ALDHA meeting or the annual general meeting of the IAT. MHW is donating its quality gear to the IAT for award. Thank you MHW!
The following week, Cotton Joe field tested his new pack on the Indian Lookout Trail section of the IAT in Portland Creek, Newfoundland. Then, after a brief stay in the coastal town of Plum Point, he resumed his trek to complete the IAT by the end of September 2006. Joe will be on the ALDHA program in 2007.
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