When I was 11 years old I was introduced to the Appalachian Trail (AT). A friend’s family had invited me along on a “clean up” weekend. For a couple days we performed general trail maintenance, though I don’t remember much of that. However, I do remember the caffeinated coffee my friend and I drank that Saturday night and the subsequent heartburn we caused his mother. I’m pretty sure she was having visions of drowning us in the stream that ran beside the cabin we were staying in.
At some point, I learned about the concept of a thru-hike, where you walk the entire length of the trail at one time. The endeavor was likened to an epic journey, due to the length of time it took to complete such a trek (5-6 months for most folks). As a kid, the idea of thru-hiking the AT was a neat idea and a seed was planted that would one day grow into a dream.
Fast forward to my late-20’s and I was in the career doldrums. I was fairly decent at what I did and it paid well, but my career in IT just never did anything for me on a personal level. The inevitable, “What do I want from my life?” type questions soon followed. It was then that the prospect of a thru-hike became a goal for me. As someone who enjoyed hiking and beautiful scenery I thought the experience of such a simple life for a period of time would be a worthwhile one to have.
Now in my early-30’s, I decided it was time to hang up my keyboard. After 11 years as a software engineer, staring a monitors for 8 hours a day, I was burnt out. I needed a phase two for my life. My wife and I had already been planning to relocate to another state and start a family. How cool would it be if I could use this transition as an opportunity to chase my dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail!
So I’m doing it!
I’m not exactly sure what kind of character this blog will take on. Obviously, it would be neat to document my journey and be able to share that with my family and friends. However, I also believe that some introspection will be had during my stay in the woods. Perhaps not all of it will be fit for blogging but maybe some of it will end up here as well. Thanks for checking out my journey and I hope you follow along!
-Wade
Hiking Thru 
Wow. Just wow. I am so proud. Of you and happy for you!
Ha! Forgot my name!
It’s always life altering to pursue a dream and make it happen and what a transition this will be in your life. I can only imagine how many “magic” moments you will experience on this journey and the memories that will be with you forever. I”m so excited for you. Wish I was younger and brave enough to attempt this but since I’m not, I will just have to live it vicariously through you.
I wish you luck on your journey of a lifetime. I too love the outdoors and wish I would have had the nerve to hike the AT in my younger days.