Hiking Forward Appalachian Trail Crew 2016
Ryan Johnson
About me: In a nutshell, my name is Ryan Johnson. I live in North Bethesda, Maryland which is only a few miles north of DC. I recently obtained my Ph.D. in microbiology and have a major itch to do something epic before I enter the real world. Hence the whole "hike the Appalachian Trail" thing. I am no stranger to hiking, having hiked significant miles in many states along the eastern coast including Vermont, Virginia, and my home state Pennsylvania. That being said, I have never hiked more than 50 miles in one go...so what's another 2,150?
Why am I hiking: As much as I would love to say I'm hiking the trail for a specific cause or fundraiser...really I just want to hike! I'm at a transitional period in my life and this has always been a goal of mine since I was a puny cub scout many years ago. I'm not running away from anything, nor am I trying to "reconnect" with nature. I have an amazing life, and this thru hike will just be icing on the cake of life (ice cream cake to be exact). |
Lina ThompsonEver since childhood, I've loved the outdoors. As I grew into adulthood, this naturally led to and appreciation for hiking. I don't know if it's the beautiful sights, the thrill of adventure, or the achievement of completing a trail, but hiking has become an all-consuming passion. It wasn't always that way. while in school, I earned a double Master's degree in Homeland Security and Safety, Security, and Emergency Management. This led to a comfortable corporate job, but I always dreamed of spending more time outdoors. In 2015, I took the plunge and quit my job so I could focus on traveling, hiking, and backpacking. This turned out to be a great decision and after I resigned, I traveled the US. hiking trails from the West to the East Coasts.
On January 13, 2016 I will begin my quest to thru-hike the triple crown, The Appalachian Trail, The Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail. I guess you might say that I'm ambitious! My son Jacob (12), curious about the outdoors, often travels into the deep backcountry with me in search of adventure. He will be joining me on the Appalachian Trail. 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryjohnson09
Instagram: ryjohnson09 Blog: https://microhiking.wordpress.com/ |
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Cole Farnum
My name is Cole and I'm setting out for an NOBO AT thru-hike on January 1st, 2016. Fittingly, my trail name is New Year - it's one new direction in a bunch of great developments in my life, including seeing my first classes of students when I began teaching now in college and being able to work with aspiring teachers and leaders navigate their next steps in the education sector. As a runner, I've racked up a 2:53 marathon PR and finished a couple ultras, the latter getting me to fall in love with being active in the outdoors as well as respecting its power and natural influence on our lives. I am relatively new to moving at 2 mph and would consider the day and overnight trips I've done thus far to make me an amateur hiker, learning more with each outing I take.
The Appalachian Trail symbolizes another round of "begin again" in my life. Hiking the AT is a choice; it's not an easy one given my existing commitments and my passion for teaching and education, yet I've chosen to move forward. Further, beginning on New Year's Day is also a choice that I've come to realize relatively few hikers choose. I chose it to be among the first setting out in 2016 and, who knows, I may be the last to finish at Katahdin; it's an experience in my life I refuse to rush knowing the transformations, or new "be-again-ings," to be had along the way. Regardless I look forward to being among the many who attempt the hike this year - together, we're all choosing something bigger than ourselves. |
Colleen Goldhorn
My name is Colleen Goldhorn. I am 22 years old and live in the suburbs of Philly in Pennsylvania! I will be starting the AT the day after I graduate from college. I am currently at West Chester University getting degrees in Graphic & Interactive Design, and marketing.
I have spent almost all of my life hiking and exploring the beautiful state of PA. I go hiking almost every weekend, and have been training and preparing for my thru-hike for almost two years. I am attempting to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail because I have a love of adventure. I believe in going on trips and doing amazing things because I am lucky to be strong and healthy enough to do crazy things like this. You never know what tomorrow is going to hold, and the time is right so I wanna see everything I can while I still can! |
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Jennifer "Lion Heart" SmartMy name is Jennifer “Lion Heart” Smart and I am a thyroid cancer survivor. I grew up in the forested mountains outside Ukiah, California on a 100-acre homestead. Certainly, this unique experience shaped my love and appreciation for nature. I’ve earned degrees in music management and geology plus a geoscience teaching credential. I work as a substitute teacher half the year and then hit the trails.
In October 2006 I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which ultimately launched my active life and recovery process. I first thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2009. Then I hiked the PCT again in 2013. Right after the question of whether or not I’d read Wild, was the #2 day-hiker question of “why again?” I always joked about loving the pain but I hiked to heal from a broken marriage and to build thyroid cancer awareness. Long-distance hiking has created in me a strong sense of self, peace and a need for the next adventure. In 2015, I hiked 700 miles of the Continental Divide Trail. In 2016, I will NoBo the Appalachian Trail, hike the Grand Canyon and the Lowest to Highest route. No matter where my footprints fall or my bicycle tires roll, I believe in treading lightly on this planet and honoring my connection to all things. I am hiking the Appalachian Trail because I love long-distance hiking and its surrounding culture. I hike in order to test my mental fortitude and the fickle will of mother nature. As a way of continuing to challenge myself, I will attempt to hike the AT in three months. The journey allows me to confront my inner dialogue and gain a renewed perspective of the world. |
Brynn ReinerI am a born and raised South Florida girl. I had the privilege of spending 11 summers at sleep away camp in West Virginia where I fell in love with the mountains. It was one particular summer when I was 15 years old that I went to visit Harper’s Ferry and hike a bit on the Appalachian Trail- and I fell in love.
I told myself that when I grow up I want to come back and hike the whole trail. Well, I’ve grown up. And 29 year old Brynn is fulfilling that promise to 15 year old Brynn. I will be setting out on my 30th birthday to conquer the trail. Anyone that would like to follow my adventure can do so on trailbrynn.com |
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Jamison McLeanI'm 40 years old, born and raised in Maine, close to the White Mountains. I grew up hiking and camping, doing some volunteer work for the AMC when I was a teen. That's when I first heard of the AT, and the dream was born. I'm not your typical AT hiker, I play a lot of games, both video and board. I'm kind of a couch potato, and definitely a geek. But I want to prove to myself that I can do something that I've wanted to do for a very long time.
I'm hiking for a few reasons. It's a dream I'd given up on. Life has had its ups and down - marriage, divorce, personal loss, lots of moving around. I lost my father to suicide about a year and a half ago. All the bad things have proven to me that life is too short not to try for the things you dream about. I've always wanted to write, and deciding to go for my "long walk" has spurred me into writing more than I have in decades. The other major reason I'm hiking is to support a charity that I'm extremely passionate about - Extra Life. Extra Life benefits the Children's Miracle Network and was created to honor a young lady that was fighting for her life against leukemia. I have been participating and hosting charity events for Extra Life for the past few years, and it seemed natural to take the message of hope on the trail with me. Through hikefor.org, I'm taking pledges for Extra Life for every mile of the trail I walk. |
