50-mile » Absurd Intellectual

Nearly 2,000 miles on foot: Walking the Mexican border

Posted by Grant Hamilton on 3 May 2011 2G1L

May 032011

I flipped through this article in the drug store the other day, but had to go find it online. It’s EXACTLY the type of long walk trek that I’ve dreamed of doing for years. Writing in Esquire, Luke Dittrich describes his hike from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, along (as best as possible) the U.S.-Mexico border:

The buffer zone between the two fences is reserved exclusively for the use of the U. S. Border Patrol, with one exception: At the top of the hill, there is a little door in the northern fence, and a sign informs that twice a week, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M., U. S. citizens are allowed to enter. Then, if there happen to be Mexicans on the other side of the second, southern fence, the Americans are allowed to look at them and talk with them, though reaching through the fence or attempting “physical contact with individuals in Mexico” is prohibited. A portion of the American side of the visiting area has been paved with cement, in the shape of a semicircle, and there is an identical semicircle on the Mexican side of the fence.

The official name of this place is the “Friendship Circle.”

The story is the first in a year-long series describing the whole hike. Awesome. Exactly the type of long-form journalism that magazines do best, and easily worth the subscription fee. (Aside: Subscribing to magazines is ridiculously cheap.)

It’s like the article was written specifically for me, since it’s not just long walks that fascinate me, but borders as well. They’re so … odd.

(photo by Vance Jabobs, in Esquire)

Six months … 2,200 miles … one trail … five minutes

Posted by Grant Hamilton on 10 March 2011 Modern Life

Mar 102011

Interesting stop-motion condensation of what must have been the trek of a lifetime for one Kevin Gallagher.

I have often dreamed of doing a massive, multi-month walkabout — the Appalachian Trail, which is seen here — is a classic. But there’s also the Pacific Crest Trail, the fledgling Continental Divide Trail and plenty in Europe.

Really, when I think about the 50-mile hike (coming this year, promises!) I think of it as a tune-up for something bigger and better.

The one-block marathon — just go around, and around, and around …

Posted by Grant Hamilton on 1 November 2009 Modern Life

Nov 012009

I enjoyed reading a piece in the New York Times today about a guy who walked 26.2 miles, circling his block about 75 times during the course of a day.

Sure, that’s kind of taking it easy compared to the 50-mile hike that I’m still planning to embark on in June, but the way that he walked that far without getting “anywhere” was pretty interesting. He compares it to how pilgrims will circle holy spots (“what place is more sacred than home?” he asks) and sets out to see how his little slice of neighbourhood changes over repeated viewings.

Yes, it’s mundane, but it’s also revealing:

My mind sought occupation. I started counting steps and discovered that my house was a good seven paces closer to Fifth Avenue than to Fourth. For eight years I had thought I lived right in the middle of the block.

Another revelation: There is an ice cream lady 100 feet from my house. She showed up as the Park Slope Christian Academy let out for the day. Children in blue uniforms lined up for cookies ’n’ cream. I ordered a coconut ice. The vendor, Blanca Tacuri, said she’d had the spot for years.

I kind of doubt that I will ever do this. I currently live right next door to the house I grew up in, and I know every inch of my block intimately. But it sounds like a great way to get to know a place.

You know, absolutely don’t miss the video that’s associated with the article. It’s got a fun Sesame Street meets Mr. Rogers feel, but with an SNL-lite vibe.

Note: 50-mile hike postponed

Posted by Grant Hamilton on 16 September 2009 Modern Life

Sep 162009

In the absence of any serious planning these last few weeks, I’ve decided that we should put off the 50-mile hike until the spring. Amy also points out that a June date will have similar weather (warm, but not too hot) and yet give us multiple hours more daylight than an October date.

At this point, it sounds like a Sunday will work best for the greatest number of people. Yes, I know that it’s not a perfect day, since you won’t have any recovery time before work on Monday, but Saturdays are just impossible for me and for Keith, and no one wants to do mid-week.

I’m leaning towards June 13 or June 27 — June 20 is Father’s Day. Any thoughts?

50-mile hike preparation is coming together

Posted by Grant Hamilton on 11 August 2009 Modern Life

Aug 112009

As you may have noticed, I’ve added a sidebar to this blog devoted to short updates w/r/t the planned 50-mile hike thing.

I’m currently scouring online and vintage maps, looking for a good non-highway route that will take us from Brandon to Onanole. I’m also perusing possible alternate routes, since the planned Pennywise-to-Poor Mike’s trek is closer to 60 miles than 50, and that’s if we stick to the (dangerous) highway. I think old railbeds and mile roads would be safer, but will probably add miles to the trip.

If we head along the train tracks, a la “Stand By Me”, we risk dodging trains.

But there aren’t any really long bridges along the way.

As I said, I can’t find any good north-south train tracks, but if we head out of town on the train tracks east, we’ll walk to Austin. I know there are tracks leading south-west, too.

I’m going to settle on a date, unless there are serious unforeseen objections, of Sunday, Oct. 4.

Here are some important caveats:

I’m pretty sure that walking along the highways and the tracks is officially discouraged — at a minimum. It’s also dangerous, even on low-traffic roads. This is a WALK AT YOUR OWN RISK event.

I am not, will not and can not take responsibility for anyone besides myself. I’m happy to walk and talk with a few friends, but I can’t guarantee that I won’t walk faster or slower than you, and any group might split up. I advise everyone to carry a cell phone, to let their friends and family know where they are going to be, and to arrange a ride home and the ability to be picked up along the route, if you twist an ankle or get dehydrated or something.

Speaking of dehydration, I’m planning on carrying water and food with me. You are responsible for your own well-being. There will not be water stations or food caches.

That said, I expect this will be fun — challenging, but fun.

Off-roading the 50-mile hike

Posted by Grant Hamilton on 11 August 2009 Sidebar

Aug 112009

I don’t think that walking the full length along the very busy Highway 10 is a good idea. It’s not safe. I’d like to do it mostly on gravel back roads, and perhaps on old rail beds and unused road allowances. I’ve been trolling for old railway maps to see where the lines used to be, but I haven’t found any good north-south candidates. Also, when you’re on mile roads, crossing rivers becomes a problem. I’ve been scanning Google Maps for old-but-still-standing bridges we could use (here’s one, about 1.5 miles west of Hwy.10), but I’m open to route suggestions.

Choosing a date for the 50-mile hike

Posted by Grant Hamilton on 11 August 2009 Sidebar

Aug 112009

There’s been a awful lot of interest in the 50-mile hike that I proposed, which is gratifying! So I’m serious — let’s do it. Pick one:

Sunday, Oct. 4
Sunday, Oct. 11

Discuss in the comments.