When I lost my brother to suicide earlier this year, I didn't know what to do with myself when the funeral was over. Moving forward seemed impossible, and I felt utterly helpless. Adam was my best friend, and I found it difficult to feel excited for a future that didn't have him in it. I fell into a deep depression.

I thought about all the things Adam and I wanted to do together. We'd been all over the U.S. and all over Europe. We loved tracking down everything weird and wild, anything crazy and wacky. And sometimes we liked to challenge ourselves. But the one journey we never managed to make happen was the Appalachian Trail. Thru-hiking the entire trail in one season – 2,200 miles – was the most daunting trip we'd ever considered. Naturally, we had a hundred excuses for why we couldn't make the attempt. We were too busy, too overweight, too old. It was always something. But now that Adam is gone I wonder why we waited so long. I think there's no better time than now to accomplish what we always dreamed of. And this time I'll be hiking with a purpose – to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Hiking the trail won't be easy. It takes most hikers five months to walk the 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine, and only a fraction of those who attempt the journey will complete it. One small injury will be all it takes to end the trip early. I will have to train and prepare rigorously if I want to complete this trek. Even then, my chances of completing the trail are slim.

Along the way, I will be filming a video series about the expedition to teach people about backpacking, the Appalachian mountains, and suicide prevention, so you can follow my progress if you like! I also hope to eventually hold virtual fundraisers for organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (http://afsp.org).

If you are able, please consider supporting my journey! Help me make it from Georgia to Maine in Adam's honor. Although most of this trek will be self-funded, additional assistance will be a huge benefit and will give me more flexibility so I can safely complete the trail. The funds will also be used for gear repairs and replacement, shuttle services, campground reservation fees, and all sorts of other expenses that can be incurred while on trail.

Thank you, and please follow my progress in June 2026! I'll be posting updates on my YouTube channel as I hike the trail this year - check out my hiker bio video if you'd like to know more about me - https://youtu.be/BewVQhxZ7ug?si=1Gvm8ncqbXMGLNWC