South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford (not pictured) seemed to have disappeared over the last few days. After causing an uproar, his spokesman finally divulged that Sanford has been hiking the Appalachian Trail. Coincidentally, one of the days he was hiking was also Naked Hiking Day. The annual event is celebrated on the first day of summer.
(KEITH SRAKOCIC/AP)Photos (1 of 1)
Sanford disappears to hike Appalachian Trail (on Naked Hiking Day)
By Jimmy Orr | 06.23.09
UPDATE: Governor Sanford has been found! Except he wasn’t hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Instead, he was in Argentina. Perhaps the Appalachian Trail secretly winds its way down to Argentina? Click here to read the updated story.
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We’re not suggesting that the formerly missing Governor of South Carolina specifically ditched his family and security detail to go hiking on Naked Hiking Day. It’s just that one of the days he hit the trail also happened to be the aforementioned holiday.
Until late yesterday, no one would say publicly where he was. Poof. He just disappeared.
The story started to resemble a John Grisham novel. A southern conservative governor and very vocal critic of a popular liberal president eluded his security detail and completely disappeared with his last known whereabouts — before he (or someone) turned off his cell phones — somewhere outside of Atlanta.
Staff was silent. Some were talking about succession plans. The First Lady though said she wasn’t concerned. “He was writing something and wanted some space to get away from the kids,” she said.
But many wondered aloud how this traditional, family-loving, Republican governor of a southern state could miss Fathers Day. After all he’s got four children! Was something sinister in the air?
Then it took a Farrelly brothers screenplay type of twist. Sanford had not disappeared. According to his spokesman, he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Coincidentally, on Naked Hiking Day.
It’s a big tradition. Many hikers celebrate the summer solstice by hiking au naturel. It just so happened the solstice occurred on Fathers Day — one of the days Sanford was hiking.
Late last night his spokesman, Joel Sawyer expressed remorse for not divulging details earlier.
“The governor is hiking along the Appalachian Trail,” Sawyer said. “I apologize for taking so long to send this update, and was waiting to see if a more definitive idea of what part of the Trail he was on before we did so.”
If he did participate in the summer solstice celebration (which we acknowledge is not likely), he could get into some real trouble. Rangers and police warn that people caught outdoors in the altogether could be charged with indecent exposure. Managers of the Appalachian Trail, where the tradition is sometimes observed by those trekking from Georgia to Maine, also discourage nudity.
“It’s just rude,” said Brian King, spokesman for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. “People are out there hiking with their kids and families, and there are Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.”
When will Sanford re-emerge? His spokesman gave no details.
“We knew he would be difficult to reach, and that he would be checking in infrequently. Given the media attention this has generated, we’ll obviously update you once we have some more specifics to pass along,” Sawyer said.
“He’s an avid outdoorsman,” Sawyer added. “Nobody’s ever accused our governor of being conventional.”
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<< What’s Obama going to talk about tomorrow? | MainComments
3. Calig | 06.23.09
Good for him. Too few people have the opportunity or the desire to spend time out and about in nature. As for Naked Hiking Day, is it so much to ask that boy and girl scouts and families steer clear for ONE DAY so that these people can indulge in their tradition? They’re not hurting anyone. Jeesh.
5. CJ, California | 06.23.09
Four days hiking in the mountains away from political pressure? Sounds like an ideal way to unwind and clear his mind. Apparently his wife and staff were comfortable with this retreat, so why shouldn’t the rest of us be also?
8. Traditionalist | 06.23.09
So this is news how? Why? Tell me about how Obama got the Drug companies to fork up billions to close the donut hole. Tell me what we are doing to help the protestors in Iran. Tell me what we are doing to stop the North Koreans. Tell me how we are working to get our economy back on track.
Hey Jimmy Orr next time your editor wants you to do a puff piece tell him/her there are more important news items out there you should be covering that will sell more newspapers instead of this dribble.
9. srmOKC | 06.23.09
Someone in public office should, at a minimum, should be representing his majority.
10. Wildbill | 06.23.09
Ha! I always thought he was a little on the sweet side. Indulge in their tradition!? WTH!? That thar’s funny!
12. Nancy | 06.23.09
Does it matter where he was? He ditched his family on Father’s Day. If he is an avid outdoorsman, why didn’t he take his family with him? More likely he is an avid peeping tom.
14. tyrone | 06.23.09
the guy is a GOVERNOR…what if there was a disaster…that required his immediate attention?…can you imagine if obama pulled this stunt…typical republicans..do as i say..not as i do…he abandoned his kids and wife on fathers day…and he abandoned the people of the state…he’s selfish and grossly irresponsible….what if there was a terrorist attack..or a hostage situation…something that required the governor to be present?….forgot he’s an avid outdoorsman…so am i pal…he turns off his cell phone so no one can communicate with him….for this he should be thrown out of office….mr conservative…trust me…i’m sure their are a few hot southern belles in this guys no so distant past either…
15. BC | 06.23.09
I can’t blame anyone for wanting to get away to nature and for not wanting to be hounded. I understand that his position is important, but were specifics divulged earlier, the press would’ve found him and ruined his hike.
Mr. Tucker - I’m as far from the political right as can be but I find your personal attack on the Governor uncalled for and unhelpful. There’s no reason to stoop to that level and doing so only strengthens the resolve of those you’re attacking, it does not help your cause.
Calig - My thoughts exactly. Naked Hiking Day isn’t a secret. Scout leaders worth their salt should be aware of it, and if seeing one or a few naked humans is *so terrible* then they should reschedule around the one day when that’s likely to happen.
16. Minnesota Nice | 06.23.09
A Governor is supposed to be available 24/7, wherever they may be, to insure the State is safe and secure. By going off with no or minimal assurances of where they are, how they can be reached, or remain engaged is nothing short of total disrespect for their residents.
Hopefully he has his cell phone set to vibrate;
17. splishsplash1 | 06.23.09
hahaha. that’s really funny. why wouldn’t you tell people you were leaving? like, just your wife and some of your staffers? how hard would it be to just leave a little note on your desk?
18. nittanylion0 | 06.23.09
i love all these people saying “good for him, let him get away and enjoy nature.”
hey, you know what? if you’re the governor of a state and you want to get away, why don’t you make like everyone else and take a vacation. it’s ok… you can go by yourself, no one will think any less of you. however, here’s what you don’t do: drop off the radar. hey guv… i know being a politican can give you delusions of grandeur, but you’re not Henry David Thoreau. i think there’s a more pressing need to have your head examined rather than cleared.
19. Brian King | 06.23.09
You religious freaks are a hoot! I guess God punishes people who wear their original equipment?? I would propose you guys should insistute a burqa policy for hiking. Then we can identify you freaks by site.
20. smokinggun | 06.23.09
Headline is tasteless and unconscionable. This Republican Governor should be treated with appropriate respect. This is intended to tittilate. Disgusting publishing.
22. BW | 06.23.09
What’s disturbing is not that he may have been hiking naked, it’s that he skipped Father’s Day with his kids, and that he didn’t tell anyone (including his wife and kids) where he was going. That’s a lack of family values, and the reason why it matters is that he’s someone who throws that kind of thing in other people’s faces. Sounds like a very poor example of a father and husband.
23. The Beagle | 06.23.09
It seems both Mark Sanford and Sarah Palin are the Perez Hiltons of American governors: “Hey, everyone! Look at me! Look at me! Pay attention to me!”
25. Not so sure | 06.23.09
Yeah- He’s a heck of a Dad. Wanted to “get away from the kids” on Father’s Day? He couldn’t pick another day or week to go?
I think something is up. Plastic surgery? Maybe. Don’t you just love the family values crowd who can justify something like this? I am not a fan of Hallmark holidays and my husband works hard like the Governor too, but getting away right now and being so secretive about it just set off my b.s. meter big time!
26. JB California | 06.23.09
4. ruth | 06.23.09
are we sure he wasn’t just getting some plastic surgery?
(Yes it seems the local topical pain killer had to be administered
around the middle of the face for a little longer than usual)
27. msgijoe | 06.23.09
The photo looks rigged. The real trail is usually in deep woods. And that is where the naturalists hang out.
28. Manamongst Hussein | 06.23.09
Something just ain’t right about that. There is something sketchy, they had no idea what he was doing. Larry Flynt where art thou?
29. Jean Corvene | 06.23.09
It’s O.K. if, he wants to go off alone, but, my question is,”who’s minding the store?”
30. beatrice | 06.23.09
He always seemed odd to me…disappearing is not very presidential (if that is the office he aspires to).
31. Mr. WTF | 06.23.09
He’s a governor and he can’t ensure his constituents are apprised of his general whereabouts? It’s further compelling evidence that most of our governmental representatives are mentally deficient.
32. Ronaldo | 06.23.09
What was that, did I hear a Bell? Ding-a-Ling, Ding-a-Ling, Ding-a-Ling! Oh no, that’s just another Republican having a moral, or mental, breakdown since the last election. Can’t wait to see the photos of the SC Gov. hiking with his Ding-a-ling swinging.
33. Herman King | 06.23.09
Wish I was with him, though clothed. After all, there’s skeeters in them thar hills.
34. Don | 06.23.09
Hey Kenneth Tucker…get cher head and heart out of the gutter…they guy went hiking and I’m sure NOT to leer…you’re a buffoon
35. Rev. Jones | 06.23.09
Let’s us all give thanks to the good Lord above! — Guv. Do-nothing is gone. Let’s hope he stays away for a long, long time.
36. MRL | 06.23.09
If there was an emergency in South Carolina right now - who would be making decisions?
37. Tobster | 06.23.09
Let’s send all the countries governers on a “natureboy” Hike!!
Maybe it will do the country good!!
Alaskas governor would win the nature contest!!
38. 24AheadDotCom | 06.23.09
Excellent reporting by Jimmy Orr! I’m sure that if BHO or another Dem did the same thing, Jimmy Orr would write an article just like this one! Those other MSM reporters are just Dem tools, but Jimmy Orr is different!
39. hobsry7350 | 06.23.09
Uhhhhh, shouldn’t the headline read: “Govenor caught with his pants down.”? If I could only wish for that to be published………
41. Philip Avon St. Cyr | 06.23.09
No, no, no. This isn’t something that can be just swept under the rug and forgotten. This is just plain WEIRD. This guy has beent talked of as potential presidential material.
Nothing wrong with the hiking. Something stupid about the naked day. A LOT SUSPICIOUS about leaving the kids on father’s day. That’s the part he can’t escape, IMO. That’s just unacceptable for a so-called conservative. You’re supposed to be there for your kids, first and foremost. “Doing some writing” and “letting off some steam” are no excuses for not being a father on Father’s Day.
42. Ken From SC | 06.23.09
This is another nonevent with the exception that the media and politicos want to character assassinate a fiscal conservative.
With GPS in his phone and state vehicle they could find him.
What you should focus on is who is making this camping trip into an issue.
No corruption, no vote buying, no affair with a campaign aid, no naked hiking just a camping tip in some of the most beautiful mountains in the country.
How can the people of SC stand for that kind of thing!!!
43. Alan B - St Pete | 06.23.09
He probably didn’t have anywhere to attach his cell phone carrying case =:-o
45. Radio Head | 06.23.09
Especially enjoying the comments here from those who would excuse this bizarre behavior because Sanford is Republican! Uh, shouldn’t we all expect that a governor, any governor, will notify his staff (and family!) of where he is within, oh, several days of disappearing for Father’s Day? Or maybe even before he goes? The excuses and distractions of “social conservatives” is always good for a chuckle. Look, over there! It’s Obama!
47. Kelley From SC | 06.23.09
This is the all this nation has to talk about? First of all, if anyone believes that Governor Sanford was completely out of touch then they deserve to be bombarded by this kind of trash reporting. Next, he dared to go off hiking without his family on Father’s day? How many dads out there have gone hunting or fishing or camping etc. on Father’s day? That’s what the day is about, letting fathers enjoy a day just for them. Finally as for getting naked to hike, I don’t think he did but if he did, Good For Him!
48. scribblerg | 06.23.09
Everyone has their own idea as to what took place. Father’s Day - big deal!!! Maybe his wife and kids gave him the days off to go hike in the woods. No body thinks of that. On top all that, I would wager the governor knew exactly what was going on in the State of SC, especially the legislature — NOTHING!!
All these talking heads and idiots trying to make up stories that make very little sense. The LT.Gov, bless his stupid little soul, is trying to make points since he has never been able to make governor. He’s just jealous. As far as the rest of the media and nosy folks, give it a rest folks. There is much more going on in the world and BigO is screwing us all.
49. Jack | 06.23.09
I thought Father’s Day was about the *father*, not the kids. If he said “Hey kids, I want to go hiking on Father’s Day!” and they said OK, who cares?
50. Cheryl | 06.23.09
It was irresponsible of this governor to not inform anyone of where he was - a governor should be available at all times. I would not re-elect this person.
51. hdtv information | 06.23.09
What respect do you all say should be bore upon this man? Just because hes GVR? He needs to be accessible by his constituents and emergency personnel in the state if anything were to happen.
52. jb | 06.23.09
hey, if this gov. was REALLY hiking the AT for 4-5 days, he would have had to prepare for it with backpacking equipment. And you’re supposed to record your whereabouts in a log, too. AT is tough trail — steep, rugged, dangerous in parts. I say there’s no way he was on it that long without wife and kids knowing about it - - you don’t strap on shoes and a water bottle and go.
53. No mystery | 06.23.09
We know why he ditched everyone, kept a low profile and “happened” to be out hiking. He wants to see the naked hikers. If this was just a normal hike, I am sure he wouldn’t have just disappeared. After all you don’t want folks to know when you are up to things that will affect his chances of getting back into office.
54. Anna | 06.23.09
I saw his Black SUV with Senator number plate (sth carolina) going south towards Richmond in Virginia between 10-11am on Sunday.. I only know this because I haven’t seen a number plate with senator on it before and my kids and I spot unusual plates so this one stood out.
55. Sean Bean | 06.23.09
Americans need to get over their puritanical prudishness… we’re all naked under our clothes… the sooner people got over their self awareness issues… the better off we’d all be…
56. Rebecca | 06.23.09
I don’t believe the hiking story. Our Gov is just weird and crazy. And not in a good weird and crazy way. In a scary, “he may crack at any moment” crazy way. Unfortunately, we as citizens of this poor state, have to suffer through the next 2 years with this mentally disturbed person. Sadly, alot of people here were hoping he had gone off to write his resignation!
57. willis jolly | 06.23.09
Sanford snuck off to by himself on Father’s Day? That’s no big deal considering how smart Republicans are. Hey, didn’t you guys know, you can “SEE SOUTH CAROLINA” from the Appalachian Trail!
58. Skippy | 06.23.09
BC wrote: “I can’t blame anyone for wanting to get away to nature and for not wanting to be hounded. I understand that his position is important, but were specifics divulged earlier, the press would’ve found him and ruined his hike.”
BC, I agree that he should be allowed outside the house without security detail, but he needed to tell at least one person on his staff what he was doing — even with zero specificity — so they could address the press inquiries should it come to that. If one person in the Governor’s employ had said “He’s hiking the Appalachian Trail” on the first day he was “missing”, even it if didn’t turn out to be true, this wouldn’t have been a story at all.
59. Dan Curry | 06.23.09
So what if the guy went hiking? He told his staff where he was going.
I wish our governor would take a hike, too. It might clear his head as to the state’s priorities. If his family wants to go, the 4th of July is certainly available. I don’t think that Father’s Day is the only day the man is a father.
60. Sean | 06.23.09
In a time when our nation has troops in the field in both Iraq and Afghanistan, with our veterans hospitals still treating our injured / wounded soldiers, and a shadowy enemy still embracing a war against the people of our nation, it’s pretty fair to say that the leaders of our nation don’t get to disappear anywhere. Anytime. Period.
This would apply to state positions, at least at the level of Governor.
Now, it’s sheer comedic brilliance to insinuate that the Governor of South Carolina is off on some naked hiking day thing. And it’s probably more accurate that he’s doing something outdoorsy, or he has that as a cover story while he’s suffering a nervous breakdown / shacked up in some hotel with someone / whatever scandalous behavior they can’t just come out and talk about.
But also realize, it’s enough time for him to meet with Al Queda agents and offer up whatever information he has for national security purposes. Or to be captured by Mexican smugglers. Or to be tortured by CIA contractors. Or to be brainwashed by North Korean agents. Or to be chopped into ribbons by Somali Pirates. Or to be beat to death by Iranian police forces.
I for one don’t think he just disappeared. I think he told people, and they are covering for him. Poorly. Otherwise, they would have mobilized the state police to find him ASAP.
His face would be on milk cartons by now.
61. Will | 06.24.09
To everyone upset that he “abandoned his family” on Fathers Day, just remember that Fathers Day is another phony holiday dreamed up by corporate America to sell more of their useless stuff. Real fathers spend time with their families all year long, and are free to enjoy a few days off without being bound by ridiculous marketing ploys. Even if he decided to participate in “Fathers Day”, if the day is truly for him, he should use it as it pleases him, not be used by it, and have his use of the day dictated by convention, or other peoples opinions.
62. Jeff | 06.24.09
What many of you arn’t considering is that part of the secritive reason is that he was doing something where he would be alone, and with his wanting to decline the stimulus funds unless he could control how it was used (which I agreed with), he made some enemies and people more or less making death threats against him.
63. Governor N.D. Nyle | 06.24.09
When this story first broke, I told a friend, “I BET there’s some sexual angle to his disappearance. He’s probably hugely unhappy in his marriage, feeling very old after raising four sons, and looking for some reason to escape…” And sure enough, he did - he vanished on “Hike Naked Day” - perhaps to secretly leer at nubile, athletic youthful flesh! THAT’S why he didn’t want anyone to know what he was up to.
Me wonders if he’s in the closet? Apparently many gay men go hiking on “Hike Naked Day” (google it for yourself).
65. OneShotWataw | 06.24.09
In the spirit of “the day after” ….. are some of you folks feeling a bit silly now about your off-the-wall comments?
67. Steve | 06.24.09
I agree with Will. Real fathers should use the day however it pleases them. Going to a game with the kids, fixing up the car, or flying to Argentina to spend time with his mistress.
And to Ken who is concerned about the attacks on fiscal conservatives, it is your tax dollars funding Sanford’s getaways and inept staff. Don’t be defensive be proud!
68. ббб | 06.25.09
he won’t remember a thing!! demand a full crevice search!! teh obamas have implanted a chip!! timmy mcveigh told me so!! remove or neatralize the chip and he’ll remeber everything!! we’ll know everything abot hippie nude hikers!! finally, this is the end of teh sochilists in the whitehouse!!
70. Outraged | 06.26.09
So, another so-called Conservative Republican Christian stops thumping his Bible long enough to “go on a hike”? This Bible-Belt Taliban that the Republican Party has become must be stopped before any more of these hypocrites get into office. And now the neo-Con spin-machine will rebuke us all for “interfering in the private life of the wife and children.” At least Clinton remained in this country when he had HIS affair!
71. Josh Heinreich | 06.30.09
Does it seem odd to anyone else that back in March this was about the only Govenor that was trying to refuse the stimulus and, now out of all 50 governors and thousand some odd high level polititians, he is the only one with a big publicized sex scandle? Just seems like some kind of plot you’d see in a movie about political character assasination.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Kenneth E. Tucker | 06.23.09
if THIS rethug pol is the same as all the other rethug pols (Ensign, Vidder, Foley Craig…) he isn’t out there hiking in the buff, he’s just ‘leering’, on Father’s Day, w/o the wife, eg ‘typical’ repressed rethug.