Hiker Hoopla

So after finishing the trail and hitching back to East Glacier, MT, I had some time to kill before the 2nd Annual Hiker Hoopla being held just a few miles away. I simply hiked a mile out of town and found a sweet spot to stealth camp. I had a clear running river near by, I was still close enough to town to go in once in a while to charge up the phone and get a cup of coffee and I was truly stealth. No one was gonna bother me here. I did have a persistent problem with a black bear but I dealt with him. I'll tell you that story in person in exchange for a cold beer.

I spent the time going for day hikes, reading, reuniting with other hikers and reflecting back on my own hike. It was fantastic. I somehow caught a long streak of beautiful sunny weather. I swear I'd live out there forever if I could.

Finally, it was time for the Hiker Hoopla. I really had no idea what to expect but it turned out to be a fine time. It was held at the Summit Mountain Lodge and featured live music, tons of great food, kegs of cold beer and they raffled off some really nice gear.  I got to reunite with the Warrior Hike guys (only Greyhound and Jabba made it from the original team of six) and meet Sean Gobin - the mastermind who was able to coordinate a group of veterans on each of the big trails (the AT, the PCT and the CDT). I met Jester, the filmmaker behind the popular movie Embrace The Brutality and I met some hikers that I had always heard about but had never met like Helicopter and Pounce.  The attendance was lower than I would have liked but I think that's because they held it on the same weekend as the American Long Distance Hiking Association's meeting. They probably should hold it about a week earlier next year to maximize the number of hikers that can attend.

Early (too early) the next morning, I hopped on the Amtrak train bound for Chicago. In about a day and a half, I'll be hanging out with my nephew, Brian and exploring the Windy City.  My brother Rob is going to pick me up from there

and take me home to Taylor, MI where I'll begin planning for my next big hike.  

Also - if any of you are free on Monday, October 27th at 7pm, I'll be back at the Caroline Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights, MI for another Long Distance Hiking lecture. If you read this blog, I want to meet you!

Please visit HillierHikes.com

East Glacier is home to the Rock N  Roll Bakery. Pick up some cinnamon rolls and an ice axe. 

Amtrak required me to purchase a separate ticket for the beard.

This was the view from my stealth campsite. 

Dash and Jester hit the keg at the Hiker Hoopla. 

One of my all time favorite hikers, Sunset. He's working on his Double Triple.