Dear Herm’s Hikers,
Much to my disappointment, I will not be returning to finish the hike. While my knee has healed sufficiently to carry a limited backpack, I have simply run out of time to finish the hike at Mount Katahdin. I still have at least two months of hiking to finish and only a month and a half before they close the mountain.
While disappointed, I am not devastated. I have hiked over 1,600 miles with two surgically repaired feet and two surgically repaired shoulders. That in itself is a minor miracle for someone pushing 58 years of age, and for that I am most grateful.
As I said to everyone that I met on the trail, Herm’s Hike was never about Paul Travers thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail; it was about raising money for the Alzheimer’s Association. And raise money we did. To date, almost $5,000.00 has been raised. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will be forever overwhelmed, inspired and humbled by your generosity.
My biggest regret is not being able to raise even more money by finishing the hike. Every dollar is important because the next dollar might be the one that finds the cure for this dreaded disease. Even though I’m not on the trail, you can still make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. If you were waiting to donate, now is the time to do it. I will continue to maintain the donation links and info for your convenience.
To those people I befriended along the trail, my sincerest thanks for opening up your hearts, your homes and your wallets to support this cause. You have provided me with a mountain of magical memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I experienced the journey of a lifetime. There are no words to describe my gratitude. Indeed, you are truly “trail angels” who dispensed “trail magic” in one way or another to a mystic voyager who happened to magically appear in your lives.
Well, the really bad news is that I stlll have about 550 miles to finish the hike. On the flip side, the really good news is that I still have about 550 miles to finish the hike and contine to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association and raise awareness the disease.
At this point in time, my goal is to return to Vermont next year and finish the hike. So please keep me in your thoughts and prayers over the long winter. It will be one of reflection and anticipation. For those who would like to stay in touch, please feel free to e-mail at this website. I would love to hear from you.
Once again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. As always, hike with your angels and hike in peace as you travel down the road of life. As the sun sets on Son-Dance for this year, I am looking forward to the dawn of new sunrise in the coming year. Once again, I hope you are by my side.

Son-Dance (He who danced with the mountains to honor
his earthly and Heavenly Father.)