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Hiking the Appalachian Trail

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Good Day! My name is William Sullivan, and I seek adventure! Adventure on the Appalachian Trail. It all started when I was 8 years old, section hiking the White Mountains of New Hampshire with my father. Those hikes were some of the most thrilling and adventurous memories I have of my childhood. The raw power of the storms, the chill crisp mountain air, the challenge of cresting the next peak and the beautiful vistas all gave me both confidence and appreciation for the awe of nature.

During our trips we ran into some people hiking the Appalachian Trail (specifically a 70 year old thru hiker named Moses who snored loudly on the bunk not far from me), and I was amazed to find out that such a trail existed, stretching from Georgia to Maine. This was something I simply had to do. This is something I WILL do. So here I am, 21 years later, at the age of 29. I am single, on a 2 year wait list for Physical Therapy school, working in a restaurant and serving tables (something I enjoy but hope not to do forever) and thought, the time is nigh! I've decided to hike the trail starting March 9, 2014.

While I have saved as much as I could for the past two years, and am willing to apply all my savings to my adventure, I still need to raise an additional $2500 to make it all happen. Therefore, I am looking for supporters (both emotional and financial) and donations. I want to share with you the how I have planned for this trip in the hopes it might inspire others to join me and might tempt you to make a small financial donation.

First, you need a lot of gear. The objective is to have sturdy equipment that can stand up to severe weather and hard use, but is also light enough for you to carry for up to 6 months. This stuff can be expensive. I have most of the basics but there are still some essential items I need to purchase. The hike takes anywhere between 4-6 months, and covers 2200 miles. I will need money to meet my basic needs during the months of hiking. Gear tends to break, tents to rip, sleeping bags to get wet, moldy and otherwise destroyed, shoes to wear out, food to be purchased, showers (hopefully) to be taken, and rooms to occasionally be rented. One of the great things about doing this hike is that you learn to trust and depend upon others and I will be depending on the kindness of complete strangers a lot.

In terms of finances, I have saved up about $3000 which, at age 29, is about all my life savings. I am looking to raise another $2500 before I begin my journey. Frugal living and generous tips at the restaurant may get me a small part of the way there, but it won't be enough. Any donation helps! Look at it this way, $10 could mean a shower and a load of laundry, or a hostel to stay for the night, a taxi from the trail into town to purchase food or supplies, a days worth of food etc. $20 could mean a real dinner (and a beer, please?)!, a couple pairs of socks, first aid cream and bandaids, sunscreen and bug spray! $100 could provide a new pair of shoes (most people go through about 3-4 pairs). My feet, my blisters, my stomach and my trail companions would all thank you! Oh, and I do plan on blogging the entire trip, so everyone can live vicariously through me! Sit on the couch AND hike the Appalachian Trail? Mind blowing. Here are a few of my adventures in the Wild West in preparation for this adventure. http://shwayze23.wordpress.com/

Organizer

William Patrick Sullivan
Organizer
Tempe, AZ

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