Bear Can't,
I'm Georgi Heitman, a Trail Angel (you skipped right over, you're forgiven) in Old Station. (Subway Cave, the little H2O cache near the hywy 44 trailhead, the Hat Creek Rim, in case you don't remember Old Station. Wanted to say two things, no, maybe three...congratulations on surviving cancer. My younger daughter, Nikki, walked for the cure in the San Francisco Bay Area last summer, one of the most rewarding things she's ever done, she sez, all tho she didn't lose much weight, even w/ all the training hikes. Cancer has not treated our family well over the years...I hope that soon you can say you've not only survived, but that you've beaten it as well. Also, congratulations on having reached Canada back in '05, haven't read your whole journal, in fact mostly just looking at photos, but I know you hiked with Metrognome for a while. He was here when he made the decision to leave the trail and head for home...the Seattle area, I believe. I took him to a Motel ^in Redding after he'd spent a night or two with us. It was almost a relief that he made that choice, as he was so obviously unable to continue, and we have a 'rule' that no one sick and headed north can leave the Heitmans til we consider them well enough to be able to survive two days on the Hat Creek Rim. We've had a couple of folks stay the better part of a week before they were fit enough to handle the unremitant, shelterless sun for the better part of two days.
#3, this photo of you and the Cinnamon Bear...I've made a copy of it, I hope that's o.k. with you...if not, let me know and I'll toss it. I've heard and repeated this story many times, and gotten a quick glimpse of this same shot, I think, at the beginning of Squatch's "Still Walking", but had never been able to study it at length. How frustrating!!! To have to just stand there, helpless......all for the want of a bear canister. Too bad.
If you ever do the PCT again, we'd be honored to have you as our guest...or even if you're just cruising through...Eugene isn't that far away down I-5 and 89. I was raised and graduated high school in Salem.
Do take care and stay healthy,
Georgi Heitman
P.O. Box 12 Old Station, CA 96071
530.335.7463
Hey Rob, Any chance of me using this shot for Washington Trail fest talk on July 22nd. I would like to have you email me large file. montedodge@msn.com This is a great photo and you have some great work here... voted
