The plans have changed - I'll now start hiking in the Spring of 2015 - see the update below the story.

Every year, facebook feeds, email inboxes and blog posts are filled with stories of people hiking thousands of miles on incomphrensibly long trails for various causes; cancer, veterans, three legged dogs, etc.  Instead, I am hiking for the trails! Not only that, but I am hiking not one, not two, but three long distance trails!  Starting this March, I'll be hiking the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) up 300 miles to a connecting trail to the Continental Divide Trail all the way to Canada, then returning to finish the AZT.  After the 2015 holiday season, I'll catch a flight to New Zealand and start on the South Island of the Te Araroa for a combined total of over 5,500 miles! These are three of the newest long distance trails in the world and they need our support the most!

These fundraising efforts and the life changing events involved in a through hike would not be possible without the countless hours of labor, sweat, blood and tears shed by volunteer and non-profit workers alike, each and every day!  Hiking thousands of miles is a once in a lifetime experience for many and results for an uncommon appreciation of the importance of wilderness and a profound connection with nature.  Without the the organizations that provide a legal framework for protection of the trail corridor, maintain the trails and inform the public, the world would be deprieved of the opportunity to hike long distance trails.  Not only that, but these trails link together existing protected areas, expand the reach of land conservation efforts and educate people to the importance of conservation, resulting in not only greater access to the outdoors but more conservation land!

I have been fortunate my whole life (loving parents, good education, well paying jobs, large feet, etc) so none of the money will benefit me in any way.  I will be donating 100% (minus the 5% fee for this website and the 2.9% payment system fee) to the following organizations:

1. The Arizona Trail Association

2. The Te Araroa Trust

3. The Continental Divide Trail Coalition

Whatever is raised will be split equally but my goal is $10,000 per trail! That works out to an average of a measely $1.82 per mile for each organization, so I hope to beat it!  I know the perks are slim, but this is for the trail, not shwag!  

You can follow me along my journey at my blog - The Uncalculated Life, which has all the posts from my 2013 through hike of the PCT.  Please share and gum up the inboxes of everyone you know who has any idea of the importance of long distance hiking trails!