Project 7500 x National Wildlife Federation

It was November 20, 2012. Minutes earlier, I had just finished my southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail overcoming more adversity in those previous 103 days than I could almost possibly fathom. For me, it was the most eye-opening, inspiring and cathartic experience of my life to date. Not only had I experienced the absolute best that nature had to offer, but I had been inundated with the best of humanity as well. In a way, this modern "wilderness" pilgrimage had washed my spirit clean and I felt I was ready to re-engage in society even though I had way more questions for the world that in the beginning, I didn't even know to ask. As I entered the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitors Center, I read the following quote written across the wall:

 

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." -John Muir

At that time, all I knew about John Muir was that he was a Scottish writer, explorer and activist that advocated for the preservation of American wildernesses. Since November 20, 2012, I have spent a lot of time reading, researching, attempting to understand and quite literally following the footsteps of a person that I now recognize as a personal hero.

In the last nine years, I have pursued my goal of becoming a high school history teacher and cross country and track coach as well as becoming even more of a nature enthusiast than I was before. In 2013, I began to dream big. That's when I began to think that achieving the Triple Crown (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail) of long distance hiking in North America within one year was actually attainable. For the last nine years, I have trained and schemed and for the last two years, I studied, mapped, planned, trained and schemed even more. Beginning on February 3, 2022, I will embark on what only twelve people have been able to achieve-the goal of completing all three long distance hiking trails with a combined distance of approximately 7,800 miles within a 365 day period. Because I am a believer in both preservation (like Muir) and conservation (like Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot), I chose to raise money for the National Wildlife Federation because their vision, mission and goals really struck a chord in me as an educator, wildlife junkie and endurance athlete.

 

Do you want to join me in making a difference? Any donation to the National Wildlife Federation will help make an impact. Thank you so much in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me. The National Wildlife Federation, America's largest and most trusted conservation organization, works across the country to unite Americans from all walks of life in giving wildlife a voice. They have been on the front lines advocating for wildlife since 1936, fighting for the conservation values that are woven into the fabric of our nation's collective heritage.