The Birth of 'Triple M...mmm...'

Like many things in life, my trail name has gradually evolved. When I first began hiking the AT in 2010, I was under the assumption that trail names were only reserved for thru hikers - those who intended to hike the entire trail in one go.  I soon found out this was not necessarily the case, as almost every hiker I met seemed to have a trail name, and almost everyone along the trail expected me to provide one in return.

I started out without a name, but I began to mull over the possibilities. The first name I considered, and actually used was,  'Singalong', but this was not completely satisfying. It sounded too much like the name of a cowboy, perhaps a backup singer from an episode of Roy Rogers. Then, the name of a professional wrestler from my high school days, 'Man Mountain Mike',  suddenly entered my mind. All I needed to do was substitute my last name in place of 'Mike', and voila - I would become, 'Man Mountain Moe'!

This name, however, seemed a bit unwieldy, plus I strongly believe that a trail name needs to be earned, and I definitely had done little or nothing to earn such a grand moniker. I settled on the slightly abbreviated, albeit enigmatic, 'Triple M'.  This name, in turn,  has evolved to encompass three different meanings in keeping with the ternary 'theme'. In addition to the original, 'Man Mountain Moe', which after more than six hundred miles of trail, I feel as though I have earned, I am also 'Music Man Moe' in keeping with my profession.  Finally, I added '...mmm...'  to my signature,  indicating an expression of satisfaction just to be alive,  and to be out hiking the AT in the first place.

Strange Fruit

This is the name I will use to sign trail registers (shelters, hostels, etc.) until that day when I finally, God willing,  reach the summit of Mt. Katahdin, and/or hang up my hiking boots for good.

Happy Hiking!

'Triple M...mmm...'