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Hammock Hanger on the John Muir Trail

Embracing the Wild: Susan Turner

Jacksonville resident Susan “Hammock Hanger” Turner is an amazing woman. She’s been hiking on some long distance trail somewhere on Earth for the past 13 years.

December 16, 2014    Sandra Friend

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Hammock Hanger on the John Muir Trail
Hammock Hanger on the John Muir Trail

Jacksonville resident Susan “Hammock Hanger” Turner is an amazing woman.  Since 2001, she has been recounting her adventures on TrailJournals.com: she’s been hiking on some long distance trail somewhere for the past 13 years.

In 2010, she took on the challenge of being the first hiker – male or female – to hike the planned route of the Great Eastern Trail, 790 miles from Georgia to Pennsylvania. Solo. In 2014, she received a well-deserved recognition, the Adventurer of the Year Award, at the Trail Dames Summit.

What makes the outdoors a compelling place for you to be?
When I am in the out-of-doors I feel whole. I feel relaxed. I feel the closest to “ME”. It reminds me that the girl in me still exists and loves to come out and play.

A place or interaction on the trail that made a major impression on you
There were so many wonderful encounters with fellow hikers, Trail Angels and local folks along the way. One such time was as I crossed over into New Hampshire on the Appalachian Trail. There was a heat wave, and water sources were drying up. I was rationing my water and had let myself get dehydrated. Being alone, I hadn’t even noticed my problem until I reached a road and tried to talk to a local lady. I had no voice. Nothing came out as I tried to talk.

The lady just lived up the road a piece and brought me home. She gave me lots of water to drink – no ice, she said – and some bananas and sliced tomatoes. As it turned out, I was in the home of the past Governor of New Hampshire. Unfortunately I forgot her name, but not her or her kindness to a tired, hot hiker.

A memorable challenge you dealt with on a hike
As the years passed and the miles accumulated, my knees deteriorated while my heart, mind and soul continued to plan hikes. I was on Day 3 of the John Muir Trail when my left knee just totally gave way on a long five mile descent. Luckily my partner was with me and s-l-o-w-l-y helped me make it down the mountain. The next day we were able to make it to the Vermillion Ranch. I took two days off to rest and ice the knee.

On the third morning, we needed to move on. I kept telling myself I was okay, I could continue. As the departure time drew near, I knew it was futile. I would be a detriment to my partner, which just wouldn’t be fair to her. I had to make the call to let her go on while I remained at the ranch and tried to find a way back to an airport and home. As she left, I remember crying like a baby. I so wanted to travel onward. It was one of the hardest trail decisions I had ever had to make.

The good news was that once I returned home I got both knees replaced and returned to the hiking world a very happy girl.

How have you helped other women to get outdoors?
I strive to give back to the trail as a whole by doing as many workshops as I can, such as Backpacking 101, Planning for the Long Distance Hike, The Solo Woman Hiker, Lightening the Load, and more.

Category: Articles, Backpacking, Hiking, InterviewsTag: Hiker Profiles

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