8000 miles to 8000 smiles

Greetings,

  My name is Tyler, trail name The Prodigy. 2 years ago I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexico-USA border to the Canada-USA border. Along the way I wanted to fundraise money for two organizations I was passionate about: the YWCA - GUTS program in Missoula, Montana and NCBI (now EmpowerMT) in Missoula. 

  Both these organizations provide opportunities for youth to build self confidence, understanding, awareness and respect for each other and their communities. They have programs that allow for youth and young adults to take wilderness trips while developing their leadership skills and communication skills.

  If you know anything about me I am extremely passionate about the outdoors. I grew up in a very urban/suburban environment but always loved being outside. In the past 10 years I've worked all across the country and even abroad on conservation issues, natural resource management and trail construction/maintenance.

  One thing that has always struck me is the lack of diversity in a lot of the jobs and fields I've had the pleasure of working in. I want to help change that image and the status quo. I have always been reluctant to be called a role model, and I never would consider myself one but I also know that by not doing anything or not saying anything that we can never move forward.

  So this year I've decided to attempt something only 5 people have ever done successfully...and that's to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 1 calendar year (2018). I'll be joining up with two friends on this roughly 8000 mile hike.

  If I complete this hike, to my knowledge, I'd be the first Person of Color to do it. I'd also to my knowledge be the first person from Hong Kong (yes I'm also a resident of HK) to do it. 

  My journey begins April 25th with a very long bus ride to New Mexico where I'll be hiking roughly 500 miles of the Continental Divide Trail before heading back to California to hike all of the Pacific Crest Trail. After completing the Pacific Crest Trail I'll travel to Montana and hike South to New Mexico where we left off the CDT.  At that point it should be late fall so we will fly to New England and begin hiking the Appalachian Trail going South to Georgia. The goal is to be finished with these 3 National Scenic Trails by December 31st, 2018, thus finishing in a Calendar Year.

  As with my last successful fundraising campaign I'd like to fundraise $1.00 for every 1 mile I hike...thus the $8000 number and the campaign of 8000 miles for 8000 smiles.

  In regards to the organizations these funds will go to it will be split amongst organizations that support diversity in the outdoors, protection of our public lands and also organizations that provide opportunities for youth to explore the natural world in a safe space.



  Lots has happened since I last hike the Pacific Crest Trail but this year it seems all the dots are lining up and it's up to me to connect them.  I hope you'll join me on this journey and thank you very much for your support ahead of time,

Cheers,

Tyler "The Prodigy"