Bonus #1 Carolyn Hoffmann
This cache is part of a series of caches placed to honor those who have completed an end to end hike on the North Country Trail. We would be remiss, though, if we did not also include recognition for those who completed an end to end trip on the NCT. While an end to end hike is done completely on foot, an end to end trip allows for completing portions of the trail on bike, where allowed.
Before the trail was officially designated, and before Peter Wolfe became the first person to complete an end to end hike in 1981, Carolyn Hoffmann become the first person to complete an end to end trip on the trail. She left from Crown Point, New York on March 5,1978 with a group of 3 men and 1 other woman. The men quickly dropped out, and she continued on to Ohio with fellow hiker, Lou Ann Fellowes, completing some of those miles on bike. Lou Ann left the trail in Ohio due to injury, and Carolyn continued on, riding a bike for several hundred miles. Eventually Lou Ann was able to rejoin Carolyn on her journey. They sold their bikes around Grand Rapids, MI and continued on to complete the hike at Lake Sakakawea in October, 1978. Carolyn had completed the 3200 miles of the trail in a single season in a total of 222 days, becoming the first to accomplish the feat.
There is a great article about her and her journey here:
https://issuu.com/northcountrytrail/docs/northstarvol33no2__2_
ABOUT THIS CACHE: This cache is placed along the section of the North Country Trail (NCT: https://northcountrytrail.org/) that runs through Albion, MI by MIGSPMom and Indenyl. The NCT is over 4,700 miles long and runs through eight states. There is quite a bit of foot traffic along the trail so beware of muggles. Every year the NCT association hosts a challenge for you to hike 100 miles. This cache will help you reach that goal.
The Chief Noonday Chapter also hosts their own challenge to hike the 119 miles in Barry, Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. Check out their page at https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/michigan/cnd/
Bring your own writing utensil!