The Triple Crown Award is recognition of the
dedication, commitment, and achievement of those who have completed the
three major National Scenic Trails; the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific
Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. ALDHA-West is the only
organization that officially recognizes the accomplishment of these few
intrepid hikers. At the ALDHA-West Gathering, held each fall, the Triple
Crown honorees are recognized and awarded plaques noting their
achievement. To view the list of all who have accomplished the Triple
Crown, please visit the
ALDHA-West website.
Having hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1998 and the
Continental Divide Trail in 2005 and 2007, upon completion of his 2008
Odyssey of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Nimblewill Nomad was
added to that short list of intrepid who've completed the
Triple Crown, the three premier U.S. trails. With his PCT hike
coming to a close on September 15, 2008, the Nomad headed to the
ALDHA-West Gathering, held at Lake Wenatchee, WA, September 19-21.
During this gathering he was recognized for his achievement and received
an award plaque. (See photos/video below)
Message from the Nomad:
"Achieving the Triple Crown was the greatest accomplishments in my
life. Receiving the award will remain the most intensely emotional time
in my memory. Thanks to Richard Nopack Anderson for his
sponsorship, and a special thanks to Jackie Yogi McDonnell,
organizer of the Triple Crown Award program."
The above photo is of the Nomad accepting
his Triple Crown Award at the 2008 ALDHA-West gathering. This photo
courtesy of
Mad Monte Dodge.
The photo displayed on the screen in the background was taken by
Will Richard, the official SIA/IAT photographer and one of Nimblewill
Nomad's very kind sponsors. The photo was taken of the
Nomad at Belle Isle, Newfoundland on his final day,
Odyssey 2000-2001, at the conclusion of the 5,400 mile journey, the
first known and recorded trek o'er the entire Appalachian Mountain
Range. The little mound on which he's standing is at the northernmost
point in the Appalachians, on Belle Isle, in the Labrador Sea.
The above photo is of those present to receive
their Triple Crown Awards at the 2008 ALDHA-West Gathering.
Left to Right: M. J. "Nimblewill Nomad" Eberhart, Bert "Wildcat"
Emmerson, Clint "Lint" Bunting, Anitra "Nitro" Kass,
Garrett "The Onion" Christensen, Jessica "Wildflower"
Winters, Li Brannfors, Eric Ryback.
*
Dick "Nopack" Anderson was the Nomad's sponsor at the
award ceremony. Since he was not able to attend, he wrote a short speech
that was given. That speech and other photos are available
through
2008 article on the IAT/SIA website.
Nomad Awarded Triple
Crown (Before viewing video - Use button below to stop
background music)
The 2008 ALDHA-West
Gathering, held this year at Lake Wenatchee, Washington, was attended by
over 80 hikers, including many of this years’ thru-hikers and 8 new
Triple Crown recipients.
Nimblewill Nomad started the events Friday evening, after dinner,
opening with insights, poetry and prose on the physical, mental and
spiritual aspects of the long distance hiking experience. Other events
were presented by some who spun tales of their adventures, demonstrated
trail stoves and cooking techniques, recipes, photography, and a panel
discussion on The Evolution of Long Distance Backpacking.
But the main event of the weekend was the presentation of the Triple
Crown awards. Eight incredibly diverse hikers accomplished the feat of
completing the AT, PCT and the CDT, among them the Nimblewill Nomad.
The recipients stood and received their award plaques to the thunderous
applause of the other hikers. This video was taken by Kevin Bear
Spotter Clayton, as the Nomad received his award.
(Background music: "When You Wish
Upon A Star")
*This is a popular song written by Ned
Washington and Leigh Harline and introduced in the 1940 Walt Disney
movie Pinocchio, where it is sung by Cliff Edwards in the character of
Jiminy Cricket, over the opening credits and again in the final scene of
the film.
The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song that year, and
became a theme song for the Disney company, used in the opening
sequences of Disney anthology television series and in Walt Disney
Pictures' opening logos. The ships of the Disney Cruise Line (the Disney
Wonder and the Disney Magic) use the iconic first seven notes of this
melody as their horn signals.