Heath Hikes the Appalachian Trail

My brother, Heath Hunt, is going to embark on a journey in just a few weeks that many people dream about, but few get the opportunity to make a reality. He will be hiking the Appalachian Trail southbound from Maine to Georgia.  He will start the hike on June 21 and will be on the trail consecutively for 5-6 months.  I am starting the GoFundMe campaign to assist Heath with expenses along the trail including food, water, equipment, etc. On average, expenses average around $2 per mile and the hike is 2200 miles.  In addition, we will be donating a portion of the proceeds to a local charity (details below)  No donation amount is too small!

In exchange for your generous donation, we invite you to hike the trail with Heath! He will be posting on social media along the trail so you can live the experience with him. I asked Heath to summarize why he was doing this hike and below is what he gave me:

I am hiking the Appalachian Trail because it has always been a dream of mine since I was little. My dad first told me about people hiking the AT when I was young and I thought it was the craziest and coolest thing for somebody to do, walk from Georgia to Maine with everything they need on their backs. Never thinking I would have a chance, here I am at 28 years old with no real responsibilities and need for a new challenge. I lived in Athens for the last 10 years working here and there and I'm kind of bored with life. I have no wife, kids, or house payment holding me back. So now seems like the perfect opportunity. I always hear folks talk about the stuff they would've done more than the things that they have done. I have a million reasons to do it so why not.

I will be beginning my journey in Maine, going southbound on June 21st. Starting southbound is a challenge in itself.  On Day 1 you summit Mount Katahdin, which is a mile high mountain, then shortly after you enter the 100 mile wilderness. I am covering the two hardest states on the AT first, and continuing the 2100+ mile journey to my home state of Georgia. I will pass through 14 different states, calculating over 5 million steps and climbing an elevation that is equivalent to ascending Mount Everest 16 times. Looking for a challenge I think I found one.

So follow along as I hike the Appalachian trail. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at Heath Hikes (@Heathhikes)

Check out a video from a recent hike and lot of photos from previous hikes here:  https://www.facebook.com/heathhikes

In addition, we will be donating a portion of the proceeds raised to Friends of Advantage. Mental health issues are an important topic and concern for Heath. He has battled with ADHD since a young age and has friends and family that suffer from other mental illnesses and would like to spread awareness about the assistance available through organizations like Friends of Advantage, as well as provide funds raised through this campaign. You can read more about Friends of Advantage (FOA) below and on their website. http://www.friendsofadvantage.org/

So, won't you join us? The trail is waiting....

Friends of Advantage (FOA) is a 501c3 nonprofit which serves as the Foundation to Advantage Behavioral Health Systems. We collaborate with Advantage to bridge gaps in funding to serve program and individual's needs with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and addictive disease recovery, as well as homelessness which are not covered by government, insurance, or families. We serve a ten county service region including Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton.

The mission of Friends of Advantage is to enhance the lives of people served by Advantage Behavioral Health Systems by expanding knowledge and resources beyond those provided by families, government or insurance.