[waltwalther]

Wow. Thank you for posting this. I am fifty years old. In 1989 my best friend, Geof Allen, and I spent an entire year planning to walk the AT after high school. During long nights in my parents basement we literally mapped out every step by figuring out how many steps were in a mile, and then multiplying. Life happened. He walked the entire AT from Spring Mtn to Mt Kahdin. I reluctantly followed my parents wishes and went off to college.

Even in high school Geof was unlike anyone I ever knew. He did not have the best life, but he always smiled. When we were winter-camping together Geof knew how to make your frozen feet not-so-bad. When we were lost deep in a cave in Newport, Virginia, Geof showed no signs of worry, while I openly panicked.

After walking the AT Geof joined the Navy, and when a slot opened up he became a Blue Angel...not a pilot, but still a prestigious position with a flight suit as a uniform. He married his high school sweetheart, and after the Navy, moved back home and became a police officer.

I had totally lost contact with Geof, and was working in IT across the street from my local police department. As I was walking to my car one afternoon I saw Geof standing in the parking lot. We chatted and caught up a bit, and then lost contact again.

The next time I heard Geof's name was years later. He had committed suicide. I almost want to say that he didn't have a choice. You see, he had watched all of the other males and one female in his fathers bloodline be taken away by Huntington's Disease. I found out later that Geof was in the early-stages, and it was easy to deduce that he needed to take action while he was still able.

We were all from the same hometown. I knew his Uncles and his Aunt, and watched what Huntington's did to them, and I was there the day his father committed suicide.

I found Geof's picture on athikerpictures.com. He is second from the left. Blue pants and white shirt. I am certain that he made life easier for the three hikers pictured with him. His trail name was Alpha. Alpha Geof Allen.

[dano]

Thanks for the story about your friend Geof. It was touching and made this archive just that much more valuable. Hope you have a few more good memories today.

[waltwalther]

Thank you.

[ibizaman]

What a moving story. I am younger than you but also had a friend die on me and now I wish I spent much more time with him. I hope you don’t mind that I link directly to the photo so that it’s easier to find. https://athikerpictures.org/hikers/4119

[waltwalther]

Thank you. I appreciate the sentiment.

[andyjohnson0]

I'm sorry for how this affected you, and for the situation your friend found himself in. It sounds like he lived well, was loved, and (however sadly) took his leave on his own terms. Thank you for telling us about him.

[waltwalther]

Thank you for your kind words.

[setgree]

Thanks for sharing. I have a story similar to yours, I had a college friend who hiked the AT and then later died by suicide. I wrote about it here: https://journeys.appalachiantrail.org/issue/spring-summer-20...

(Here is my friend's picture: https://athikerpictures.org/hikers/22103)

[waltwalther]

Your friend looks so young in his AT picture! Thank you for sharing that story. It was a good read.

[scott_yoder]

I'm sorry for you loss. Thanks for posting the story - I volunteer with the AT Museum to maintain this site, and it's always nice to hear some of the stories behind the pictures.

[echelon]

That was a very touching anecdote that stole away the mundanity of reading the morning news. I had to go look. These are the things that make life so human. Thank you for sharing with us.

[waltwalther]

Thank you for your comment.

[michelb]

Thank you for your touching story. It's beautiful when people live on in memories like this.

[waltwalther]

It really is. I was so glad to find Geof's picture in the database.

[ultimoo]

Touching story. You are a good friend and Geof seems like he was an excellent individual.

[waltwalther]

Thank you.

[gullywhumper]

Wow - thank you!

[waltwalther]

Thank you!

[sizzle]

Sorry for your loss. You have a way with words, keep writing please.

[waltwalther]

Thank you.