PHASE 2 - HikaNation Artifacts Display
The HikaNation Exhibit project is progressing and the monumental task is being coordinated by Paula Guerrein-Klice. Phase 1 was completed with the installation
of the HikaNation Exhibit Panel above.
Phase 2 will eventually result in a HikaNation Artifacts Display next to the HikaNation Exhibit Panel. Artifacts have been obtained from various members of HikaNation and forwarded to the AT Museum staff. The items received so far are listed below along with a brief introduction by Paula Guerrein-Klice.
Artifacts from 1980-1981 HikaNation journey across America
Having a corporate sponsor like Postum took the publicity and promotion of HikaNation to a level
never seen for a group backpack trip. General Foods owned Postum and wanted to widen their appeal
to non-caffeine drinkers looking for a coffee alternative. The prestigious New York ad agency
Carl Byoir and Associates was assigned the task of promoting hike sponsor Postum. They coordinated
with Lt. Col. Monty Montgomery, who was the on-site coordinator and one-man advance team. Rex Halfpenny
was the hiker liaison for the ad agency. The American Hiking Society and Backpacker Magazine added to
the publicity effort.
Byoir developed a marketing plan that included not only swag for the hikers, but with a special San Francisco kickoff and welcome events in communities along the way. A public relations kit was developed,
press releases written, photos and hiker biographies included. Special events made for great stories with
major media such as tv, radio, and print publications. The publicity was enormous, with hundreds of articles
and interviews conducted with major and local media including Backpacker and Newsweek magazines, and a
Good Morning America broadcast.
Town ceremonies included dignitaries, business leaders, with parades, and tours of local industries and
federal/state and local parks. Churches, hiking clubs and various other groups put out the welcome mat
with large group dinners for the hikers. HikaNation visibility resulted in a number of new parks/trails
being dedicated, trees being planted and more.
As thru-hiker Marce Guerrein said of the 4,286-mile journey completed in 1981,
"It was one, long, handshake across America." Some 500 miles of that was the AT where they broke into small groups to leave a smaller footprint on their way to a Washington, D.C
welcome. The contrast of HikaNation to an AT thru-hike was obvious to Guerrein, who on completion of the AT in 1983 claimed that "The AT is truly the social event of the season."
These HikaNation artifacts represent just a tiny fraction of the memories created on the 14-month journey. Though a second HikaNation never materialized as hoped for, the core group of hikers still gather for
regular reunions.
More about HikaNation from website manager William Ewart can be found at
hikanation.com, HikaNation on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
The California Academy of Science Museum digital archives have film clips taken by renowned naturalist
and conservationist John Olmsted.
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Items given to Larry Luxenberg March 2022 at reunion, cutlines below.
1) HikaNation started and ended with much enthusiasm by dipping boots in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Cindy (Bain) Burke collected water at both oceans and considers it her "holy water." Donated by Cindy (Bain) Burke.
 
2) Every hiker used and carried the Postum plastic blue mug for use on the trail and at media events. Donated by Kurt Guerrein.
3) Hikers can add a lot to the economy of small towns via groceries, restaurants, hotels, gear, clothes,
supplies, laundromats and occasional mementos sent home. This carved boot was purchased from an artist
in the Arkansas Ozark Mountains.
Donated by Marce Guerrein.
4) Journals of the hike were kept by many hikers, these being from John Stout, the oldest male hiker at
age 68, a former mechanic at Boeing.
Donated by John Stout.
5) Ceramic mug crafted by Gudy Gaskill, mother of the Colorado Trail and Colorado state coordinator for
HikaNation.
Donated by Sharon (Chrostowski ) Morrissey.
6) This DVD of HikaNation, "Butch Henley's Trek Across America", is one of many slide shows and movies on the HikaNation website and YouTube.
Donated by HikaNation website manager William Ewart and Terry Ernst.
7) As hikers crossed the country, Janet Parsons mother embroidered the large USA outline and
added the names of the hikers and the states they came from.
Donated by Janet Parsons.
8) Key celebrations were held every thousand miles and this panoramic photo shows the hikers at a
Harpers Ferry welcome event.
Donated by Janet Parsons and Toni Martinazzi.
 
9) HikaNation logo patch made it onto backpacks as well as these mug coasters, sewn by Marce Guerrein.
The ecology flag was popular logo in the 1970s.
Donated by Marce Guerrein.
10) Leather Vibram sole women's hiking boots (HEAVY). Many hikers wore mid/high leather boots in the
1980s for durability and protection. This pair was so heavy she left them behind to wear a different
pair that were Danner leather boots and a bit lighter weight. Donated by Marce Guerrein. (More boots to come from other hikers)
11) Kelty external frame backpack, adorned with patches, and used to carry up to 70lbs. by even the tiniest
of women. Donated by Toni Martinazzi.
12) Postum is made with bran/wheat grains and molasses as an alternative to coffee. The hikers had an
unlimited supply of Postum to drink and one barbeque featured Postum-rubbed chicken. Donated by Paula Guerrein.
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Items USPS mailed from Paula to Larry and cutlines
Category: Early hike memos, AHS formation, early Backpacker magazines.
1) The AHS 1980 HikaNation cross-country hike proposal was a big dream that became a reality for building
awareness and support for American trails. Monies were always tight for such a long hike and
the budget was minimal. Donated by Mike McReynolds.
2) The AHS founding brochure announced their mission as a new nonprofit advocacy group for hikers in the
heart of Washington, D.C.
Donated by William Ewart.
3) Backpacker article announces the founding of AHS and the HikaNation trek.
Printed from the HikaNation website.
4) In 1977, "Backpacker Footnotes" later became Backpacker Magazine and ran many helpful articles and stories for those who loved getting out on the trail.
Donated by Rex and Mary (Oswald) Halfpenny.
(See orange sticky notes for HikaNation stories).
5) Backpacker Books Catalog 6 listed over 100 books for hiking.
Donated by Rex and Mary (Oswald) Halfpenny.
6) "American Hiking Society News" and "American Hiker" were early publications from AHS. Donated by Rex and Mary (Oswald) Halfpenny.
Category: HikaNation Press Kits (4)
7) HikaNation press kits were developed by the Carl Byoir ad agency for Postum� and distributed to media at all events and town halls as HikaNation passed through. Kits were updated with current locations,
8x10 B&W photos of the hikers and details of their journey. National and local media interest was
intense due to the unusual nature of the group hike.
Donated by Rex and Mary (Oswald) Halfpenny, Mike McReynolds, Gudy Gaskill.
Category: HikaNation Media Articles
8) Backpacker Magazine article "Hikers Needed" put the call out to all readers, and absolutely ANYONE could join, with no requirements or qualifications required.
Printed from the HikaNation website.
9) President Carter's commitment to the National Trails System meant support for HikaNation from the top!
Backpacker Magazine article printed from the HikaNation website.
10) Backpacker Magazine: "HikaNation Fever - It's Spreading." Magazine founding editor Bill Kemsley Jr. was passionate about promoting this once-in-a-lifetime event for AHS and wrote many articles in support.
Donated by Marce Guerrein.
11) HikaNation appeared in Newsweek Magazine and might have made the cover had it not been for the
failed hostage rescue in Iran.
Original magazine donated by Mike McReynolds.
12) HikaNation covered 500 miles on the AT and Ed Garvey wrote an article for American Forestry Magazine.
Donated by Reese Lukei, Jr.
13) The American Hiker Newsletter covered the Washington, D.C. celebration in which Senator Strom Thurmond greeted the hikers on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Printed from the HikaNation website.
14) The Washington Post and many media outlets covered the D.C. events and also the conclusion of the hike.
Media scrapbook donated by AHS.
15) Many hikers wrote stories for publications and this one appeared in LadyCom magazine, a military
wives magazine. Original donated by Paula Guerrein.
16) Thru-hiker John Stout's memories of the hike appeared in the prestigious Mountaineer publication. Copy donated by John Stout.
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Category: HikaNation poems, songs, and writings
17) HikaNation Song by Linda Stoneman.
18) A "HikaNation" Song by Stan Adamson, HikaNation Kansas Coordinator/Pathfinder.
19) "This Land" written by John Stout July 21, 1980 at Lake Powell, Utah
20) "A Special Thanksgiving" written by Stacey Waring
21) Letter and "A year for answers" written by Stacey Waring
22) "I Miss" poem written by Janet Parsons in April 2020
23) With lots of love, some snarkiness and jokes, the "HikaNation Yearbook" made for good laughs at the end of the hike.
Donated by Janet Parsons.
24) "Granpa's Hike" is the kids book that John Stout's family created to honor his journey
of
20 million footsteps.
Donated by John Stout.
 
25) "My Canyonlands" book, written by Kent Frost, brother of Utah State Pathfinder
Al Frost, both early explorers of Utah's unmapped trails.
Donated by Marce Guerrein.
Category: Cards, letters, stationery, brochures, photos and items from places across America
26) You can't have a group hike without stationery! Ryan Bozis created drawings for AHS stationery
and postcards. A Christmas card was designed for hikers to mail to family.
Donated by Ryan Bozis, William Ewart and Marce Guerrein.
 
 
27) Items from towns, parks and campgrounds were collected as mementos and souvenirs.
A button collection donated by Rex and Mary (Oswald) Halfpenny includes:
Jim Butler Days, Tonopah, Nevada; Marion County is Beautiful; Save Mount Diablo; Boot Hill Marshal
from Dodge City, KS; People & the Environment 45 years East Bay Regional Park District; I'm helping
SMOKEY prevent forest fires; I love Arkansas; and a Woodsy Owl 3D "Don't pollute " vintage pin.
28) Everyone likes recognition and the hikers often received personalized state certificates, including
one signed by Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton.
Donated by (hiker names on certificates including Mike McReynolds, Helen Stout, William Ewart
and Cindy (Bain) Burke).
 
29) Finding camp spots for 40 hikers could be challenging for HikaNation on-site coordinator
Lt. Col. Monty Montgomery and included some unusual places. Hikers enjoyed the hospitality
of the East Wind Commune near Tecumseh, Missouri, for two nights.
Brochure donated by William Ewart.
30) There were no cell phones or social media in 1980-'81, so post cards, letters and packages kept the
post office busy and mail meet-ups at Montgomery's van were eagerly anticipated.
Post cards and fan mail letter donated by Marce Guerrein.
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HikaNation San Francisco, CA kickoff and Washington, D.C. events
31) The California DOT was not happy to divert the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge car traffic for a group
of hikers and it has never been done before or since! The California Assembly Resolution made it happen,
along with California state organizer Dr. Glenn Seaborg and kickoff event organizer Mike McReynolds.
Original document provided by Mike McReynolds.
32) All hikers at the kickoff were given a hiker registration packet complete with a sample of Postum�, an AHS brochure, HikNation logo patch, food coupons and instructions. The kickoff poster was signed by many hikers.
Original registration packet donated by Mike McReynolds.
Original signed HikaNation kickoff poster donated by Marce Guerrein.
 
33) Every hiker had a registration form to fill out and pay the nominal $1 per day fee, up to a $30 total,
for a backpack tag showing participation.
(To be donated by Terry Ernst).
 
34) B&W photos from the San Francisco kickoff event and first night together.
Photos donated by Rex and Mary (Oswald) Halfpenny and Mike McReynolds.
35) HikaNation was celebrated on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building with a welcome ceremony complete
with military band and speeches by dignitaries.
Brochure donated by William Ewart.
Original invitation card donated by Marce Guerrein.
 
36) Every hiker received a U.S. Capitol Flag certificate and flag that was flown at the Capitol building.
Donated by Joe Shute, via Shirley Hearn.
 
37) President Ronald Reagan and Interior Secretary James Watt sent welcome letters to the hikers.
Donated by William Ewart.
 
38) What's a trip to Washington, D.C. if you can't get to speak in front of Congress?
HikaNation made it into the Congressional Record! Fourteen-year-old Rob Burns shared his story of the
hike and asked for more funding for trails.
Printed from website.
39) Swag secured for the hikers included a custom engraved pocket knife and brass belt buckle
in the goody bag.
Knife donated by Marce Guerrein, Brass Buckle by Terry Ernst.
HikaNation Promotional items
40) Buttons, bumper stickers, pendants, stickers, napkins, t-shirts and thermal underwear tops were all part of the promotional items provided by Postum.
Donated by Rex and Mary (Oswald) Halfpenny,
2 blue t-shirts by Marce Guerrein,
thermal underwear top by Sharon (Chrowstowski) Morrissey.
41) Bruce Ohlson collected data on the hike used in the fact sheet news release. He gave his
"too small" white Postum t-shirt to his father, who wore it until it was threadbare as a proud father.
Donated by Bruce "Ole" Ohlson.
HikaNation afterlife
42) When you have a lot of time on the trail, you think of a lot of things. In this case, Phil Atkins filed
a patent application for a bug net for sleeping bags.
Printed from the website.
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43) There was always talk of a HikaNation II, and shorter segments of the hike every year in perpetuity.
In this 1984 issue of HikaNation Quarterly, Lt. Col. Monty Montgomery summarizes the activities in all
the states and mini-hikes with HikaNation friends.
Donated by John Mills.
44) Ten years later, a 3-person scouting crew mapped the cross-country route with the support again of
Backpacker Magazine and AHS. Their book called "American Discoveries", along with continued lobbying,
led to the establishment of the American Discovery Trail.
ADT items donated by Reese Lukei, Jr.
"American Discoveries" donated by Eric Seaborg and Ellen Dudley.
45) Cameras were small and limited to print and slide film in the days of old. Renowned naturalist/conservationist John Olmsted visited to film the hikers in various locations around the country. 8x10
B&W photos by Rex Halfpenny, various others by Marce Guerrein, Janet Parsons.
46) HikaNation came together in 2022 for their 42nd reunion at HikaNation co-founder Jim Kern's house,
sharing memories and good times. Photo (need group photo).
47) Various patches obtained during the hike.
Donated by Cindy Bain (left photo) and Marce Guerrein (right photo).
 
48) A photo of John Olmsted and the "John Muir edition" Sierra Cup of naturalist/conservationist John Olmsted. Both donated by John's son, Alden Olmsted.
Items promised by hikers yet to be sent!
1) Tent used the entire trip, donated by Tim Geoghegan.
2) Key to the city" presented to hikers, donated by Keith and Linda Wright.
3) Two stoves used by Keith and Linda Wright.
4) Two pair of boots used on the hike by Keith Wright.
5) One pair of boots used on the hike by Sharon Morrissey.
6) Karen Montgomery Coad working on metal canteen from Lt. Col. Monty Montgomery.
Items for loan to the museum for digitized scan and return
1) Large scrapbooks by Keith and Linda Wright,
the most complete scrapbook of any that we have.
 
2) Jim Kern scrapbook with school kids letters to hikers and more.
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