Examiner Article

	Susan Alcorn's article in the SF Examiner Travel section:
	Hikers inducted into Hall of Fame January 15, 11:05 PMBay Area Hiking ExaminerSusan Alcorn
	It's not often that long-distance hikers get the recognition they have earned, so it's great to see a couple, Ken and Marcia Powers, be honored for their accomplishments. Tomorrow, Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 4 PM, Tom Stienstra, Chronicle Outdoors Writer, will induct the Powers into the California Outdoors Hall of Fame at a ceremony sponsored by the International Sportsmen's Exposition. After Ken and Marcia of Pleasanton retired in the late 1990s, they decided they wanted to see the U.S., but rather than buying an RV, they elected to carry their gear in backpacks and see our country on foot. Since 1998, they have hiked almost a dozen major trails — an well over 16,000 miles. After completing the four longest ones, the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles), Continental Divide Trail (2,800 miles), Appalachian Trail (2,175 miles) and American Discovery Trail (6,800), the Powers were awarded the Grand Slam of Long Distance Hiking. Last spring Ken and Marcia set out to hike the Grand Enchantment Trail, which extends from Phoenix, AZ to Albuquerque, NM. Unfortunately, their trip came to an abrupt end when Ken fell and broke four ribs — in a motel bathtub. For a while, Ken's trailname changed from GottaWalk to GottaRecover, but after a few months' mending, they set out to hike the 900-mile Idaho Centennial Trail, which they finished on August 31, 2009. "The 900-mile Idaho Centennial Trail (ICT) weaves through the most scenic portions of Idaho’s wild country, from high desert canyonlands in southern Idaho to wet mountain forests in North Idaho. ICT travelers will cross many mountains, streams and rivers in between." (from the State of Idaho Parks and Recreation website.) Sports Expo, the International Sportsmen's Exposition, is the biggest outdoors show of the year in the Bay Area and is going on at the San Mateo County Event Center, 2495 S. Delaware St., San Mateo, CA Saturday, Jan 16. 10AM to 7 PM., Sunday Jan 17. 10 AM-5 PM. $15 adults, children 15 and under free. Parking $8. A sampling of the Powers' hikes: John Muir Trail 1998, 1999 Pacific Crest Trail - 2000 Tahoe Rim Trail 2001 Continental Divide Trail - 2002 Appalachian Trail - 2003 American Discovery Trail - 2005 Pacific Crest Trail - 2007 Arizona Trail - 2008 Grand Enchantment Trail - 2009 Additional trail journals of the Powers' hikes
	Susan and Ralph Alcorn's website: www.backpack45.com

Hikers inducted into Hall of Fame