So what am I doing and why am I doing it?

Here is a little bit of background information on my trip.

First off, I have become aware over the past year or so that not everyone knows what the Appalachian Trail even is, let alone anything else about it. The Appalachian Trail is a national trail that runs from Mount Kathadin in Maine, to Springer Mountain in Georgia, spanning a distance of roughly 2,175 miles. A Thru Hike, what I am attempting, is a hike of the entire trail. This hike will take the average person between 5 and 6 months to finish.

Allow me to clear up a few misconceptions about this.
1. No, I will not try to carry 6 months of food on my back at once. There are plenty of towns along the trail that I will stop in every now and then to resupply.
2. I will not be alone. Besides my hiking partner, Addison, there are hundreds of people who try this each year, meaning there will be plenty of people around while I hike.

I have often been asked "Why are you doing this?" Well for me, the answer is really quite simple. Since I was very young, I have always been fascinated with the outdoors. I spent countless hours of my youth in the woods behind our house, and I absolutely loved camping trips. A few of those camping trips brought me to the southern terminus of the trail at Springer Mountain, and really ever since I have known of the AT I have dreamed of hiking it. I crave the physical and mental challenge that this journey presents. Not only is it an opportunity to spend in one of my favorite places, the mountains, it is a chance for me to learn about myself and grow from the hardships. As Paul writes in Romans 5: 3-4 "3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope." While I am sure that I will have a ton of fun on this journey, it is about much more than fun. It is about growth, learning, persevering, and experiencing life in a whole new way, carrying everything you need in one backpack.

With all of that said. I fly to Maine on July 6, and I plan on summiting Mt. Katadhin, the northernmost point on the trail, on July 8. On the 9th, I begin my trek southward.