I’m embarrassed to say this is my last entry. I crashed and burned on my first day out. I’m a loser, but the people who rescued me are winners, and here is a copy of my letter to them. They are remarkable people.

To: Delaware Water Gap Fire Department

Borough of Delaware Water Gap

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Hi to my Trail Angels:

On March 11, 2023 I started a hike on the Appalachian Trail at Delaware Water Gap. Over the years I’ve hiked 1,095 miles on the AT and my plan was to add PA & MD to my log, ending at Harpers Ferry.

About 4 hours into my hike I experienced severe chest pains and unusual fatigue. I took my pack off and tried to get comfortable, but nothing seemed to help. Eventually another hiker came along and noticed my condition. I told him what had happened and he offered to help me walk down the mountain, but I felt too weak to walk even downhill.

Then he offered to call someone. I rejected that, but he called anyway. A true trail angel. I am sorry to say that in my confused state I did not get his name. I would love to know it.

A remarkably short time later I was surrounded by a swarm of people, including, I believe, DWG local firemen, NPS park rangers, maybe others, and a medic who insisted that I be taken to a hospital. They physically carried me down the mountain on a stretcher, no doubt a heart-thumping, back-breaking effort. I couldn’t believe it.

I was strapped in the stretcher and could not reach my phone, consequently I could not record their names. But a few days later, on my way home, I bumped into one of my trail angels in the NYC Port Authority Bus Terminal and learned that he is with the DWG fire department. I’m sorry to say that I forgot his name before I could find something to save it on. (My 84 year-old brain does not remember anything it learned 5 minutes ago. 50 years ago? No problem.)

I hope you will pass this on to everyone. I would love for all of those people to know that I am forever grateful…and impressed with their dedication and physical effort. Because of them, I’m OK today.

Thanks to all,

Marvin Venable

Will I try again? The dream never dies.