Trails

The Appalachian Trail winds 2,050 mi along the ridges of the Appalachians between Mt. Katahdin, Maine, and Springer Mt., Georgia and it includes the Shenandoah and Smoky National Parks. There are a lot of good trails to select like Glacier Gorge, Breakneck Ridge Trail , Dolly Sods Wilderness or Half Dome in Yosemite just to name a few.

Wake

Many different ideas come to mind in doing the wake for someone who loves to hike or just wants to be spread on the trail. An evening campfire, sunrise breakfast, or a gathering at one of the lodges near the trail all seems very appropriate. If you must stay in the city, display pictures and maps of your favorite hikes. Your walking stick and hiking gear make great items of interest to start the discussion of the finer points of your life. You may want to give these to any hikers who attend your gathering. By all means try and hold your gathering outdoors. We suggest a picnic followed by a hike to a waterfall or other landmark where your friends and family relate tales of their time with you. Be sure and include your favorite beverage for the life toast. Check the local alcohol regulations before you serve.

Spirit Whisper

This can be as elaborate or simple as your money and desire will take you. Obtain a map of the Appalachian Trail and pick a spot or several spots for your final resting place. This doesn’t have to be the Appalachian Trail; it can be any trail you have hiked or simply a trail you have wanted to hike. Don’t forget to donate money for the upkeep of the trail. After all, you would like your final resting place to be maintained for others to enjoy as you have enjoyed. You may want to visit the spots and take digital pictures. These pictures will be attached to the instructions for your spirit whisperer. Some words should be said to make it a ceremony and not just dumping of some ashes on the ground. A moment of silence reflecting on life or a simple prayer can be made for your soul’s peaceful journey.

Solitary:

Have your spirit whisperer deposit your remains at one designated spot anywhere on the trail. This may be all of your ashes or just some of them. You may want them buried or placed in a ring around your favorite tree. Please be sure they put them off the actual trail. You don’t want people stepping in your face everyday of the year.

Ultimate back packing the Trail:

This is something you can’t really ask your relatives to do unless they are a hiker who has always wanted to walk the trail and you can fund it. Have your Spirit Whisperer break the ashes up into smaller bags to make it easier to disperse along the trail. The bags can be labeled with the spots where you designate you final resting place to be.

Memorial

Since you will not be able to place a memorial on most trails. A map with the location or locations of your ashes can be put in a frame. If your relatives want to visit they will know where to find you. Another good memorial is to have a tree or trees planted in your name with a plaque attached to it. Some city parks and other places will accept trees in your name with a donation of course.