Mackenzie Wieder, Business Communication class of 2017, has begun her thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail — all 2,181 miles of it, from Georgia to Maine. Thru-hikers cover the entire distance in one long hike, taking months for the journey.
Mackenzie is chronicling her travels through Instagram posts and a blog, “Dreaming with My Eyes Wide Open,” posted on The Trek, a blogsite that covers all things hiking. She began her trek on March 22 at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and has since begun progress north. You can read her blog posts here.
From filtering stream water to listening to an owl’s lullabies at night, Mackenzie’s trip has been anything but boring. Each day, she covers anywhere from eight to 15 miles, often meeting other hikers along the way, but sometimes enjoying the solitude that the Trail provides. In the photos, you can see her crossing a log and then enjoying the summit of Blood Mountain, the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail with an elevation of 4,458 feet.
Our thoughts are with her as she learns from and enjoys the experience!
(Photos from Mackenzie’s Instagram site)