By: Cindy Ross When long-distance hikers reach Pennsylvania on the Appalachian Trail, they are usually at a psychologically low point. Because the elevation map in this area reads like a cruising trail with little or no elevation change, except for an occasional water gap break, the unsuspecting hiker expects to motor through the miles. But …
Read more “Veterans Find Peace While Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail”
FRONT ROYAL, June 21 — Tom Gathman always wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail. His grandfather’s ashes are scattered atop Mount Katahdin, where Gath- man will end his trek in September. Like his grandfather, Gathman is a veteran, one of 14 who started hiking the Appalachian Trail together in March. The seven veterans who are still hiking with …
Read more “Veterans Follow in the Footsteps of Appalachian Trail Pioneer”
On June 24, 2013, a very special group of thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail were honored in Harpers Ferry. Each of these hikers is a military service combat veteran currently on one of the most important missions of their life. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) in Harpers Ferry partnered with Warrior Hike to establish the …
It’s peak season for north-bound Appalachian Trail thru-hikers here at the Nantahala River. And while everyone who attempts the 2,185-mile trek amazes us, this week we hosted 14 exceptional hikers: the second-year class of the Warrior Hike. Started last year by two Afghanistan War veterans, Sean Gobin and Mark Silvers, the Warrior Hike follows in …