Will (John Wayne)*
Will Krift was born to parents working for Save the Children in Baguio City, Philippines high in the Cordillera Mountains. While pregnant, Will's mother, Lisa, would go hiking in the mountains near their home. Once born Will's first hike was in a backpack on his parent's shoulders. As Lisa said, "Born in the mountains and destined to journey in the mountains!" The first child of parents who wanted to live in and explore different areas of the world, Will has lived in Bangladesh, Russia, Africa and Israel...before attending high school in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After a brief bout with college, Will moved to Mammoth Lakes, California and began working in outdoor operations for June Mountain. While living in Mammoth, Will was introduced to Missy, and they had an immediate connection. Will had found someone to share his love of the outdoors and all of his adventures with. Countless hikes, feasts, road trips and adventures later, Will is excited to embark on this new adventure with Missy, Molly and Tess.
HIKING STATUS: still going strong
HIKING STATUS: still going strong
Missy (2-Step)*
Missy Morin was born and raised in West Allis, Wisconsin, a city in Southeastern Wisconsin. Missy attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied the areas of Art and Art Education. After receiving her degree, she followed the call of the wild to faraway Mammoth Lakes, California, and began working at Mammoth Mountain. She loved living in the West, and loved the laid-back, outdoor lifestyle of Mammoth Lakes. During her time in Mammoth, Missy has worked as a Preschool Teacher, a Preschool Director and a Muralist. It was during her time in Mammoth that Missy met Will, who shared her love of the outdoors, traveling, art, adventures and, of course, good food. Missy has spent the past year working with children in Tennessee and exploring and working in the agricultural field (literally) in Wisconsin, as it is her dream to have a farm of her own one day. Missy is excited to hike the AT this summer, meet all kinds of new people, explore a new part of the USA,and to do all of this on foot!
HIKING STATUS: off the trail on 7/3/12
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 1014 miles
TO/FROM: Mount Springer, GA to Harper's Ferry, WV
HIKING STATUS: off the trail on 7/3/12
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 1014 miles
TO/FROM: Mount Springer, GA to Harper's Ferry, WV
Molly (Pass on the Right)*
Molly was born in the desert in Nevada, and was living with her wild dog pack, until being discovered by some kind souls who took her and her family to a nearby shelter. As Molly was living at a shelter in Nevada, Will was in California, dreaming about having a dog of his own. During a fateful shopping trip to Carson City, Nevada, Will and Missy caught sight of little Molly in a cage outside of a Petco. It was love at first sight, and Will decided then and there that Molly was coming back to California with him. Although she was shy and reticent at first, Molly warmed up to Will and Missy, and loves her time spent outdoors with them. She loves hiking, running, long walks on the beach (Lake Superior), hunting for Sasquatch, and meal times. She is one of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet, and although shy at first, she warms up quickly to those around her. She is tied for first place as the best dog in the world.
HIKING STATUS: off the trail on 6/17/12
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 718.6 miles
TO/FROM: Mount Springer, GA to Daleville, VA
HIKING STATUS: off the trail on 6/17/12
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 718.6 miles
TO/FROM: Mount Springer, GA to Daleville, VA
Tess (Freak)*
Tess was born as an "oops" baby to the Mammoth Dogsled Team. At the time Tess was born, the dogsled team was uncertain of its future in Mammoth, and decided that Tess' litter should not be raised as sled dogs, but be sold to desiring owners. While the dogsled team was looking for owners, Will was once again pining for a new puppy. He had his sights set on the dog sled puppies, and wanted a playmate for Molly. In February of 2010, Will took the plunge and brought puppy #2 home with him. Missy approved of puppy #2 and helped Will name the new puppy, Tess. Tess loves running more than anything in this world...coming in close second are snow, people, dogs, squirrels, rabbits, birds, open fields, and snow. She is the friendliest dog you will ever meet, and is immediate friends with anyone who will give her a good ear scratch. She is also tied for first place as the best dog in the world.
HIKING STATUS: off the trail on 7/3/12
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 1014 miles
TO/FROM: Mount Springer, GA to Harper's Ferry, WV
*The names in parentheses are our trail names. Here is a little explanation:
John Wayne - Will was named "No Name," until he heard a joke from a hiker about...toilet paper. In the joke, the no-name brand is renamed "John Wayne" because the no-name brand is "rough, tough, and doesn't take any s*** off of nobody." Will decided he would replace the name of No-Name, for John Wayne. So watch out pardner.
2-Step - Missy got this name when Will was hiking behind her. He noticed that for every step he took, Missy took two. And the rest is history.
Pass on the Right - Molly is part Australian Shepherd, so oftentimes, she will try to "herd" us on the trail. This often means that she is switching her place in our hiker line. We noticed that whenever she wanted to get in front of a person or dog, she would only pass on the right, even if we gave her enough space on the left. So, voila, Pass on the Right.
Freak - Tess' name is Freak, for the simple fact that she is a freak. She has sled dog in her blood, and is a working dog by physicality and personality. She loves to hike, and doesn't mind a pack that is full. After we are all ready to stop and take a break, Tess is still ready to go. She never tires and has endless energy. So Freak isn't a bad thing, we kind of all wish we were freaks.
HIKING STATUS: off the trail on 7/3/12
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 1014 miles
TO/FROM: Mount Springer, GA to Harper's Ferry, WV
*The names in parentheses are our trail names. Here is a little explanation:
John Wayne - Will was named "No Name," until he heard a joke from a hiker about...toilet paper. In the joke, the no-name brand is renamed "John Wayne" because the no-name brand is "rough, tough, and doesn't take any s*** off of nobody." Will decided he would replace the name of No-Name, for John Wayne. So watch out pardner.
2-Step - Missy got this name when Will was hiking behind her. He noticed that for every step he took, Missy took two. And the rest is history.
Pass on the Right - Molly is part Australian Shepherd, so oftentimes, she will try to "herd" us on the trail. This often means that she is switching her place in our hiker line. We noticed that whenever she wanted to get in front of a person or dog, she would only pass on the right, even if we gave her enough space on the left. So, voila, Pass on the Right.
Freak - Tess' name is Freak, for the simple fact that she is a freak. She has sled dog in her blood, and is a working dog by physicality and personality. She loves to hike, and doesn't mind a pack that is full. After we are all ready to stop and take a break, Tess is still ready to go. She never tires and has endless energy. So Freak isn't a bad thing, we kind of all wish we were freaks.