Identified! FL - Big Cypress Natl Preserve, Male hiker, "Denim" & "Mostly Harmless", Jul 2018 - Vance Rodriguez

[PatLaurel]

I am looking for the source. It's my recollection right now that another sleuther here stated it was a model sold at Walmart in Canada. If I can't find it in the next couple minutes, I will edit.

I posted that. Didn’t say the watch was Canadian but the only physical store I found selling it was Walmart in Canada.
I’ll try to find my post.

MOO JMO

ETA Thread #3 post #196
FL - FL - Big Cypress National Preserve, Male hiker, "Denim" and "Mostly Harmless", 23 July 2018 #3

 

[SeattleStew]

I posted that. Didn’t say the watch was Canadian but the only physical store I found selling it was Walmart in Canada.
I’ll try to find my post.

MOO JMO

ETA Thread #3 post #196
FL - FL - Big Cypress National Preserve, Male hiker, "Denim" and "Mostly Harmless", 23 July 2018 #3

Thank you!

 

[Curious_in_NC]

A couple things that make me think our friend, Ben, may have been from the West Coast, and I wonder if that is why he has not been identified.

His Columbia Sportwear ball cap. His Brooks-Range Mountaineering tent and jacket. These are brands from Northern California/Oregon. You also see a lot of people in the PNW including in British Columbia, Canada wearing Columbia branded gear. Yes, I know other states carry these items, but in particular Brooks-Range (no longer in business) catered to mountain climbers (you know, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Hood, Whistler, etc.) more than casual or experienced trail hikers. Of course, we have tons of high-tech in these areas as well. Also his Canadian watch could be a clue to the PNW. Lots of us go (or used to go) shopping across the border due to the favorable exchange rates. A watch would be just that type of item. And it's very common here to wear jeans i.e. denim on trail hikes.

I believe he bought the Brooks Range tent in Georgia near the AT. I think it was mentioned on one of the CCSO podcasts. I've seen it suggested on other forums that it must have been on sale since a tent capable of winter mountain camping was overkill for someone headed south from there. I'm not sure how that fits with your theory.

He had a different tent when he started on the AT. The consensus was he had limited hiking experience before then. Apart from him telling other hikers he had connections to Baton Rouge and Brooklyn, anything is possible. Someone from the PNW might also be characterized by many people as having no accent.

 

[PatLaurel]

Thank you!

Welcome! And BTW, i'm not sure if the watch is the same as BB's... but so far i haven't found a different brand with that same strap.

MOO JMO

 

[Ursamajr]

A couple things that make me think our friend, Ben, may have been from the West Coast, and I wonder if that is why he has not been identified.

His Columbia Sportwear ball cap. His Brooks-Range Mountaineering tent and jacket. These are brands from Northern California/Oregon.

I have always thought the same except for different reasons - your reason makes me double down. Every hiker that met MH said that he had no discernable accent. The only geographical area in the US that is said to have no accent is the PNW. There are certain interchangeable words that are unique to areas such as "Dinner" on the coasts and "supper" in the midwest. Then there are geographically-specific words like "Wicked" in the North East, "Hoagie" in just Pennsylvania and South Jersey, and "Hella" which is almost exclusively in California. Funnily, "s---" is popularly used down the east coast and wrapping around the Gulf to Texas and I don't think I've ever heard anyone use "deada$$" as a substitute for "seriously" except people from NYC. The second someone says "Hoagie" or "Wooder" (as opposed to "water"), it immediately screams way down south Dirty Jerz and Philly. I would absolutely remember that detail if someone asked me to recollect a person. I can see that becoming friendly banter hearing those words from a fellow hiker during the long hours traveling.

So yeah, PNW. I lived in Portland for a few years and I don't remember hearing any location-specific words. They sure did pick up on mine (even though I worked for many years to lose my super thick NY/LI accent) and teased me mercilessly. He may have lived or worked in Brooklyn for a while though I don't think for very long if he did. That said and if what he says is true, I won't be surprised to find out he came to NY by way of the PNW.

 

[Ursamajr]

A couple things that make me think our friend, Ben, may have been from the West Coast, and I wonder if that is why he has not been identified.

I just saw your handle! You know better than I do - would you say there are any geo-specific words to the PNW?

 

[GatorFL]

I believe he bought the Brooks Range tent in Georgia near the AT. I think it was mentioned on one of the CCSO podcasts. I've seen it suggested on other forums that it must have been on sale since a tent capable of winter mountain camping was overkill for someone headed south from there. I'm not sure how that fits with your theory.

He had a different tent when he started on the AT. The consensus was he had limited hiking experience before then. Apart from him telling other hikers he had connections to Baton Rouge and Brooklyn, anything is possible. Someone from the PNW might also be characterized by many people as having no accent.

The Foray is not a 4 season tent. One of the people who met MH has been spreading that falsehood. It was a highly rated, mid weight, 3 season tent totally appropriate for hiking through rainy Florida. Brooks Range Foray Review

 

[GatorFL]

I have always thought the same except for different reasons - your reason makes me double down. Every hiker that met MH said that he had no discernable accent. The only geographical area in the US that is said to have no accent is the PNW. There are certain interchangeable words that are unique to areas such as "Dinner" on the coasts and "supper" in the midwest. Then there are geographically-specific words like "Wicked" in the North East, "Hoagie" in just Pennsylvania and South Jersey, and "Hella" which is almost exclusively in California. Funnily, "s---" is popularly used down the east coast and wrapping around the Gulf to Texas and I don't think I've ever heard anyone use "deada$$" as a substitute for "seriously" except people from NYC. The second someone says "Hoagie" or "Wooder" (as opposed to "water"), it immediately screams way down south Dirty Jerz and Philly. I would absolutely remember that detail if someone asked me to recollect a person. I can see that becoming friendly banter hearing those words from a fellow hiker during the long hours traveling.

So yeah, PNW. I lived in Portland for a few years and I don't remember hearing any location-specific words. They sure did pick up on mine (even though I worked for many years to lose my super thick NY/LI accent) and teased me mercilessly. He may have lived or worked in Brooklyn for a while though I don't think for very long if he did. That said and if what he says is true, I won't be surprised to find out he came to NY by way of the PNW.

BBM, actually lots of areas in the USA have no accent. Ever met somebody from Nebraska? How about Ohio? Colorado? I went to college with a girl from Metarie, Louisiana, no accent. I even know some upstate New Yorkers that have no accent. I could go on but I disagree that a neutral accent is only found in the PNW.

You're also making an assumption about the people who met MH. Two of the best accounts we have are Kelly and Mike. They met MH in passing, each a 15 minute conversation. They weren't with him for hours. As to the others, when you're hiking you're not talking constantly. You often separate from your hiking buddy and you meet up on a break to to make camp. And for all of those who met him you must remember that when they met him they had no idea he was going to turn into an unknown. Several have said they remember him but only in a general way, not granular as to what specific words he used.

 

[SeattleStew]

I just saw your handle! You know better than I do - would you say there are any geo-specific words to the PNW?

Well, I can throw out some stuff...
Pineapple Express--A period of warm weather during the fall/winter months.
Cop Shop--Police department.
The Tulies--Out in the sticks. Out in the country.
Rack -- Case of beer
Drip -- Regular coffee
Mass -- Used as a prefix for something large. ie. We had mass-rain yesterday.
PreFunk--The party before the event. Could be tailgating, could be drinks before dinner.
Tolo--A dance or event where the woman invites the man.

DH, born in Boston, raised in NYC, helped me with the list. I'm sure there will be some here who are going to disagree, that's okay, we're all here to find Ben's people.

 

[Curious_in_NC]

I have always thought the same except for different reasons - your reason makes me double down. Every hiker that met MH said that he had no discernable accent. The only geographical area in the US that is said to have no accent is the PNW. There are certain interchangeable words that are unique to areas such as "Dinner" on the coasts and "supper" in the midwest. Then there are geographically-specific words like "Wicked" in the North East, "Hoagie" in just Pennsylvania and South Jersey, and "Hella" which is almost exclusively in California. Funnily, "s---" is popularly used down the east coast and wrapping around the Gulf to Texas and I don't think I've ever heard anyone use "deada$$" as a substitute for "seriously" except people from NYC. The second someone says "Hoagie" or "Wooder" (as opposed to "water"), it immediately screams way down south Dirty Jerz and Philly. I would absolutely remember that detail if someone asked me to recollect a person. I can see that becoming friendly banter hearing those words from a fellow hiker during the long hours traveling.

So yeah, PNW. I lived in Portland for a few years and I don't remember hearing any location-specific words. They sure did pick up on mine (even though I worked for many years to lose my super thick NY/LI accent) and teased me mercilessly. He may have lived or worked in Brooklyn for a while though I don't think for very long if he did. That said and if what he says is true, I won't be surprised to find out he came to NY by way of the PNW.

Although they're closely intertwined, there's a distinction between an accent and a dialect. Generally speaking, an accent is pronunciation. A deep South drawl or Boston accent is almost immediately recognizable to most of us after a few words. The choice of words, or dialect, is much more subtle, but a close analysis can be amazingly accurate and region-specific for most Americans. Even "accent neutral" regions have clear distinctions. There are a number of quizzes you can find on the web to test this yourself -search for "American dialect quiz" These go far beyond the "soda, pop, or soft drink" level of questions.

Unfortunately all we have is a noisy blip of MH speaking on a GoPro video. Unless someone who conversed with him while hiking had a keen ear for this, or remembers some peculiar region-specific saying, there's not really much to go on.

 

[lonewanderer]

I have always thought the same except for different reasons - your reason makes me double down. Every hiker that met MH said that he had no discernable accent. The only geographical area in the US that is said to have no accent is the PNW. There are certain interchangeable words that are unique to areas such as "Dinner" on the coasts and "supper" in the midwest. Then there are geographically-specific words like "Wicked" in the North East, "Hoagie" in just Pennsylvania and South Jersey, and "Hella" which is almost exclusively in California. Funnily, "s---" is popularly used down the east coast and wrapping around the Gulf to Texas and I don't think I've ever heard anyone use "deada$$" as a substitute for "seriously" except people from NYC. The second someone says "Hoagie" or "Wooder" (as opposed to "water"), it immediately screams way down south Dirty Jerz and Philly. I would absolutely remember that detail if someone asked me to recollect a person. I can see that becoming friendly banter hearing those words from a fellow hiker during the long hours traveling.

So yeah, PNW. I lived in Portland for a few years and I don't remember hearing any location-specific words. They sure did pick up on mine (even though I worked for many years to lose my super thick NY/LI accent) and teased me mercilessly. He may have lived or worked in Brooklyn for a while though I don't think for very long if he did. That said and if what he says is true, I won't be surprised to find out he came to NY by way of the PNW.

I cannot fully agree with this as a dead ringer for being specifically from NY or PA.

I am from eastern NC and that is a very distinct way that everyone from there pronounces “water” as “wooder”

It drives me nuts hearing my mother say it, as I have not lived in that area for a very long time.

 

[Ursamajr]

Although they're closely intertwined, there's a distinction between an accent and a dialect.

Absolutely. Like observations about physical appearance, an accent is something I would notice right away if I were meeting someone for the first time. With no accent, dialect becomes important to narrowing down where a person is from.

 

[Ursamajr]

I cannot fully agree with this as a dead ringer for being specifically from NY or PA.

I am from eastern NC and that is a very distinct way that everyone from there pronounces “water” as “wooder”

It drives me nuts hearing my mother say it, as I have not lived in that area for a very long time.

I wouldn't say it's a 100% dead ringer from being from the area but it definitely can be a clue. Words travel with people. Using analytics from twitter to narrow down to regions where specific words are more prevalent gives a better picture. There are tools like The Great American Word Mapper where you can plug in your own words to map.

 

[OhioBlues]

MOD NOTE:

IT IS AGAINST WS TOS TO PUBLICLY SLEUTH NON-POI'S.

 

[MaryFromFla]

I have always thought the same except for different reasons - your reason makes me double down. Every hiker that met MH said that he had no discernable accent. The only geographical area in the US that is said to have no accent is the PNW. There are certain interchangeable words that are unique to areas such as "Dinner" on the coasts and "supper" in the midwest. Then there are geographically-specific words like "Wicked" in the North East, "Hoagie" in just Pennsylvania and South Jersey, and "Hella" which is almost exclusively in California. Funnily, "s---" is popularly used down the east coast and wrapping around the Gulf to Texas and I don't think I've ever heard anyone use "deada$$" as a substitute for "seriously" except people from NYC. The second someone says "Hoagie" or "Wooder" (as opposed to "water"), it immediately screams way down south Dirty Jerz and Philly. I would absolutely remember that detail if someone asked me to recollect a person. I can see that becoming friendly banter hearing those words from a fellow hiker during the long hours traveling.

So yeah, PNW. I lived in Portland for a few years and I don't remember hearing any location-specific words. They sure did pick up on mine (even though I worked for many years to lose my super thick NY/LI accent) and teased me mercilessly. He may have lived or worked in Brooklyn for a while though I don't think for very long if he did. That said and if what he says is true, I won't be surprised to find out he came to NY by way of the PNW.

My Mother was born and raised in NY Long Island, North Massapequa. Her family moved to Florida in the late 60s she doesn't have an accent unless she says "Long Island, North Massapequa or quarter" I find that odd about her speech but believe that people can overcome regional accents, or never have one in the first place. So it can be extremely difficult to place someone by the slang they use or the accent on certain words. I have heard all of the slang terms listed above. I am also a Florida Native, and the population here is quite diverse, we have some of everything here.

 

[UnlicensedPI]

I used to date a guy from New Jersey who had a completely neutral accent except for the word "stupid" (stoh-pit)

 

[Curious_in_NC]

The Foray is not a 4 season tent. One of the people who met MH has been spreading that falsehood. It was a highly rated, mid weight, 3 season tent totally appropriate for hiking through rainy Florida. Brooks Range Foray Review

Thanks for clarifying this. You obviously live near there so I respect your opinion.

 

[lonebirch]

The discussion of accent and dialect brings up something that has bugged me about the Go-Pro video. In the only intelligible clip from MH, he is heard to say something like "So, just up that way, yeah?". The typical American way to phrase this is "So, just up that way, right?". The substitution of the word 'yeah' for the word 'right' sounds like Irish or British to me. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

[Ursamajr]

My Mother was born and raised in NY Long Island, North Massapequa. Her family moved to Florida in the late 60s she doesn't have an accent unless she says "Long Island, North Massapequa or quarter" I find that odd about her speech but believe that people can overcome regional accents, or never have one in the first place. So it can be extremely difficult to place someone by the slang they use or the accent on certain words. I have heard all of the slang terms listed above. I am also a Florida Native, and the population here is quite diverse, we have some of everything here.

Since Florida is diverse - I wonder if that's why you've heard all of the slang terms. I worked at until did lose a lot of my LI/Queens accent so I agree - accents can change. Give me a drink or two though... accent comes right out.

 

[Icicle]

New here. Not got the hang of quoting yet..

About his fake signature. It seems to me an ‘ely’ or an ‘ily’ belongs to his real signature and I think there is a possibility of a ‘t’ in there too. It is the most fluid part of the signature.

When I first saw that signature there were so many hesitation marks I thought he had a motor disfunction, but then I saw the tick next to the $30 for the bed and shower. No hesitation there at all. He’s real sure about that. Just not so sure how to fake a signature.