Portrait 30: Lightfoot and Switch

"The first day I met him, I wrote about it in my notes. I had a great talk with Grandmaster." - Lightfoot, a hiker

Part one

Grandmaster began the Appalachian Trail like so many others: full of dreams and excited for adventure. His hike ended in tragedy after 700 miles. He fell at McAfee Knob and died from his injuries.

Lightfoot (L) and Swiss ( R) are among several people who shared miles with Grandmaster, and who have chosen to memorialize him with chess pieces on their packs. "Here's how amazing he was: The first day I met him, I wrote about it in my notes. I had a great talk with Grandmaster."

His father, Grandpapa, also has made appearances on the AT. He is a trail angel, and has met his son's trail family to help them however he can.

"A while ago I called his dad to tell him that I love him."

I am not fortunate enough to have known Grandmaster. But through others' stories of him, I hope this intermittent series will help us all to know how one individual's positivity has had such an incredible impact on the people around him.