Wolverine Hikes

People who know me know that I belong on the Trail. I've thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (three times, now),the Pacific Crest Trail and the mighty Continental Divide Trail. I've hiked many of the long trails here in Michigan including being the first to hike both the Ironwood Trail and the Great Lake To Lake Trail. In 2017, I hiked the Israel National Trail and the Golan Heights Trail. I was the first to hike the Baja Divide Trail in Mexico but failed miserably to thru-hike the Bruce Trail in Canada. In 2019, I hiked the TEMBR in Ecuador and 1,150 miles of the North Country Trail as it runs through my home state of Michigan.

The purpose of this blog is to keep anyone who is interested informed of my progress and to encourage those who are able to support me in these endeavors.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

A Dedication

I had the honor to hike with Andy 'Astro' Lyon during our thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail. Astro was young, educated and full of life. Yet he was dying of cancer. I came to regard Astro as a teacher and a healer. We had hours and hours of great conversation while we hiked and I learned a great deal from him. We had some crazy adventures and some serious situations but we both finished the trail.

Astro and I toasting our completion of the PCT

Astro passed away not long ago. I miss him terribly. Fortunately, I'm able to keep in touch with his mother, Betsy and his step-father, Michael. Betsy was kind enough to send me a bandana that belonged to Astro and that he carried with him on the PCT. I'm going to carry it with me for my thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail.

I'm carrying this bandana to remind me of Astro and all that I learned from him.
I hereby dedicate this hike to the memory of Andy 'Astro' Lyon. I am so glad to have known him, so grateful for all that he taught me and so lucky to know his mother, Betsy and her husband, Michael.

Betsy and Michael

Astro and I in the Goat Rocks Mountains of Washington

There's the bandana!


8 comments:

Brett and Dana said...

One of my favorite people in the world. Good job Wolverine.

Scrubrat

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Scrubrat and Doe Eyes. Miss hiking with you.

Krystèle said...

Will think about him when I'll follow your trail Chris, so nice from you to associate him to your adventure, may his spirit encourage and protect you!

Chris Hillier said...

Merci beaucoup, Krystele. I will think about you as well and how kind you have been to me.

Unknown said...

Great article, only 2 days and 7 hours until we get on the bus!

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Gary. See you Monday morning!!

Brian said...

Hey Chris... it's Brian who is friends with Brian. ��

I'll be staying in touch with your adventure and my family wishes you the best of luck!

Chris Hillier said...

Thanks, Brian! Stay tuned for lots of pics and posts.