What makes a person want to walk 2,200 miles wearing the same clothes, showering infrequently, and carrying their belongings on their back for six months? For me, there are several reason for pursuing a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, including family history, adventure, fondness of the outdoors, and celebration of a milestone birthday.
As a Boy Scout, I hiked the Appalachian Trail near my child hood home in the most complained about section of the trail “Rockslyvania” four times. My first AT hike was from Wind Gap, PA and ended in Lehigh Gap descending down the infamous steep rock scramble in an EPA superfund site due to iron ore pollution from a processing plant in Palmerton, PA. In retrospect, I’m amazed I went backpacking at all after the first trip. The iron ore pollution left several miles of the trail with black soot and lifeless resembling pictures of Berlin after the allied victory in 1945. No vegetation existed, animal life was absent, and springs were poisoned. Second, my assistant scoutmaster master said I turned white as a ghost when looking down the steep descent and still had anxiety about this rock scramble until successfully ascending alone last year. (The other three trips only have stories of lots of rocks so I’ll move forward).
As for my family, my father grew up in Maryville, TN near the Smoky Mountains. His side emigrated from various European countries arriving in Maryland and moving down the Appalachians. One relative fought and served with George Washington in the Colonial army during the French ad Indian War. His name was Audley Paul and he maintained a fort near Natural Bridge, VA, which stood until the construction of interstate 81. A road side historical marker commentaries the fort which you can see on the way to foamhenge in Botertot County, VA. Prater’s Mill is the second family connection to Appalachian history.
Another family historical site is in Varnell, Georgia. Benjamin Franklin Prater operated a grist mill sixty miles west of where the southern terminus of the AT is now. Read more about it here.
After social distancing for COVID-19, the urge to be outside became overwhelming and I decided to try a thru-hike in 2021 as a flip-flop (starting in the middle and hiking to both ends). Also, my fiftieth birthday happened during the pandemic, so I wanted to celebrate in some way. After completing 821 miles, I suspended the hike in Stratton, Maine early November. With the costs of travel and remoteness of the sections I did not complete yet, I decided to restart the thru hike in Maine and do a southbound hike (SOBO) due to work commitments as well as cooler New England summer temperatures.
Turtleback’s AT Journey 