Georgia to Maine - - Please join me from start (4/1) to finish (8/10) - 132 days!!!!!

Bethlehem, NH
I have completed my thru-hike of the AT from Georgia to Maine; I started 4/1 and completed 8/10/10. I decided to do this thru-hike in memory of my brother Michael and in turn decided to turn it into a fundraiser. All money raised went to the Adaptive Sports Partners of the North Country which gives year-round opportunities in sports and recreation to people with physical or developmental disabilities. My wife Pam and I got involved with this program because it allows us to help people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors like we do and my brother Michael did. Michael was born mentally challenged, and he loved to visit us in the North Country of NH and go hiking. He also loved the outdoors and did many other sports. So, to help others do this and other outdoor activities is a TRIBUTE to him, and an HONOR to us. Many of you have helped me along my journey and donated (follow donation link) directly to a secure website. All donations have gone and WILL CONTINUE to go to ASPNC – nonprofit org to help assist others to hike, ski, kayak, snow shoe..etc… Thank you all in advance for your kindness & generosity, Dave & Pam Smith

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Spring hiking on AT

Hi All,
 I'm still going thru AT withdrawls,battling inside myself feeling like I'm not doing enough(of what I'm not sure, for the ASPNC for Pam for myself ?) but a hike last Sunday with my friend Gary up to Mt Jackson at least got me back on tha AT for a short while. It was a beautuful day, but there is still 5-6 feet of snowpack still in some places(checkout the blase on the tree in the picture, about 8in. off the snow), it made for some tough walking in some places cause your actually walking up in the trees.
 Pam and I are going Damascus  for the Trail Days celebration, were going to meet up with Tequila John, Tillerman and Tree + hopefully many other thru hikers from last year and also many hiking this year will be there!! It's going to be a blast.


Memories and thoughts of my thru hike last year run through my brain on a daily basis, sometimes it makes me sad (life was so much simpler out there), but most of the time the memories just add alittle more pleasure to my day. I would go again tomorrow if Pam would join me  (and we could afford it!), but for now I'll  settle for hiking up here in the beautiful region where we call HOME!

1 comment:

  1. That's craziness, the blazes so low to the ground! It would be awesome to see. Glad to see you are able to get on the AT---we're a bit too far!

    -Ridley

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