1. Appalachian Trail Thru Hike 2009Appalachian Trail Thru Hike 2009
John Suhar and Joe CollinsJohn Suhar and Joe Collins
April 18April 18thth
– September 12– September 12thth
148 Days148 Days

2. OutlineOutline
1.1. Appalachian Trail OverviewAppalachian Trail Overview
2.2. Thru Hiking - DefinedThru Hiking - Defined
3.3. Why HikeWhy Hike
4.4. PreparationPreparation
5.5. A Day in the Life of a Thru HikerA Day in the Life of a Thru Hiker
6.6. Trail TalesTrail Tales
7.7. TakeawaysTakeaways
8.8. Contact InformationContact Information
9.9. QuestionsQuestions
10.10. Our Expedition Slideshow - DVDOur Expedition Slideshow - DVD

3. Appalachian TrailAppalachian Trail

4. GeorgiaGeorgia

5. North CarolinaNorth Carolina

6. TennesseeTennessee

7. VirginiaVirginia

8. West VirginiaWest Virginia

9. MarylandMaryland

10. PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

11. New JerseyNew Jersey

12. New YorkNew York

13. ConnecticutConnecticut

14. MassachusettsMassachusetts

15. VermontVermont

16. New HampshireNew Hampshire

17. MaineMaine

18. Thru Hiking DefinedThru Hiking Defined
► Thru-hikingThru-hiking is the process ofis the process of hikinghiking aa
long-distance traillong-distance trail from end to end. Thefrom end to end. The
term is most commonly associated withterm is most commonly associated with
thethe Appalachian TrailAppalachian Trail, but is also used for, but is also used for
other lengthy trails and long distanceother lengthy trails and long distance
hikes, including thehikes, including the Pacific Crest TrailPacific Crest Trail andand
thethe Continental Divide TrailContinental Divide Trail. Thru-hiking is. Thru-hiking is
also called "end-to-end hiking" or "end-to-also called "end-to-end hiking" or "end-to-
ending" on some trails, like Vermont'sending" on some trails, like Vermont's
Long Trail.Long Trail.

19. Long Distance TrailsLong Distance Trails

20. Why HikeWhy Hike
►Enjoy Backpacking and the OutdoorsEnjoy Backpacking and the Outdoors
►Simplicity of LifestyleSimplicity of Lifestyle
►Exercising our Passions & InterestsExercising our Passions & Interests
►Health and WellnessHealth and Wellness
►Educational OpportunityEducational Opportunity
►Ability: Regret MinimizationAbility: Regret Minimization
►Overcome a Challenging EndeavorOvercome a Challenging Endeavor
►Reacquaint Ourselves with the Scale & Beauty of ourReacquaint Ourselves with the Scale & Beauty of our
Native LandNative Land
►New PerspectivesNew Perspectives
►Enhance Transferable SkillsEnhance Transferable Skills
►Reward Ourselves / Reflect on SuccessesReward Ourselves / Reflect on Successes

21. PreparationPreparation
►EquipmentEquipment
►Maps – Data BookMaps – Data Book
►FoodFood
►CostCost
►PhysicalPhysical
►MentalMental
►TransportationTransportation

22. A Day in the Life of a Thru HikerA Day in the Life of a Thru Hiker

23. Trail Magic and Trail AngelsTrail Magic and Trail Angels

24. The Trail CommunityThe Trail Community

25. Trail DaysTrail Days

26. Trail TownsTrail Towns

27. Trail DetoursTrail Detours

28. Joe’s TakeawaysJoe’s Takeaways
► Physical ChallengePhysical Challenge
► Simple LifestyleSimple Lifestyle
► The CommunityThe Community
► BerriesBerries
► Effective CommunicationEffective Communication
► OrganizationOrganization
► Adapting Well to AmbiguityAdapting Well to Ambiguity
► ResourcefulnessResourcefulness
► Self FulfillmentSelf Fulfillment
► Hard to ExplainHard to Explain

29. John’s TakeawaysJohn’s Takeaways
► Dedication, Commitment, FocusDedication, Commitment, Focus
 Reinvesting that same Energy in post trail opportunitiesReinvesting that same Energy in post trail opportunities
► Sincerity of those helping youSincerity of those helping you
 Unexpected kindness, it only takes a very little bit and it means soUnexpected kindness, it only takes a very little bit and it means so
much to the people who are the object of that kindness - especiallymuch to the people who are the object of that kindness - especially
when they don't expect it.when they don't expect it.
► Transferable SkillsTransferable Skills
 Setting and achieving an ambitious goal (20% completion rate),Setting and achieving an ambitious goal (20% completion rate),
preparation, planning, research, budgeting, team building, effectivepreparation, planning, research, budgeting, team building, effective
communication, critical decision making, judgment, decisiveness,communication, critical decision making, judgment, decisiveness,
self motivation, organization, creativity, innovation, initiative, detail-self motivation, organization, creativity, innovation, initiative, detail-
orientation, adapting well to ambiguity, resourcefulness, stressorientation, adapting well to ambiguity, resourcefulness, stress
management, leadershipmanagement, leadership

30. Closing ThoughtClosing Thought
In the adventure known as lifeIn the adventure known as life
►““There are those who live it vicariously and enjoy theThere are those who live it vicariously and enjoy the
ride from the safety of an armchair. And that’s good–ride from the safety of an armchair. And that’s good–
►There are those who have a few chances to realizeThere are those who have a few chances to realize
incredible and life changing experiences and though theyincredible and life changing experiences and though they
don’t repeat them, they carry with them a growth anddon’t repeat them, they carry with them a growth and
personal philosophy for the rest of their lives–personal philosophy for the rest of their lives–
►And there are those for whom a taste is never enough.And there are those for whom a taste is never enough.
For whom the lust of adventure is nearly insatiable. And ifFor whom the lust of adventure is nearly insatiable. And if
you add to that the overwhelming desire to create and toyou add to that the overwhelming desire to create and to
share then you get where I reside–share then you get where I reside–
►For the end of one adventure only signifies theFor the end of one adventure only signifies the
beginning of another.”beginning of another.”
 Inspiring monologue given by Les Stroud, SurvivormanInspiring monologue given by Les Stroud, Survivorman

31. Thank YouThank You
John Suhar – jtsuhar@gmail.com – 262.707.4477
Joe Collins – coll0389@gmail.com – 262.488.1442

32. QuestionsQuestions

33. Our Expedition – DVD SlideshowOur Expedition – DVD Slideshow
Available Upon RequestAvailable Upon Request
►40 minute video consisting of still40 minute video consisting of still
images, video footage, audio voice over’simages, video footage, audio voice over’s
from Bill Bryson’s book “A Walk in thefrom Bill Bryson’s book “A Walk in the
Woods” and musical tracksWoods” and musical tracks
►Similar video sample viewed below:Similar video sample viewed below:
 AT Video 1AT Video 1
 AT Video 2AT Video 2

34. Quotes/References/AppendixQuotes/References/Appendix
Listed on the Following SlidesListed on the Following Slides
► Aldo Leopald, A Sand Country AlmanacAldo Leopald, A Sand Country Almanac
► Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth Gilbert, Mark TwainBenjamin Franklin, Elizabeth Gilbert, Mark Twain
► Thoreau, WaldenThoreau, Walden
► RumiRumi
► Dali LamaDali Lama
► ReferencesReferences

35. Why HikeWhy Hike
Appreciation of Lifestyle:Appreciation of Lifestyle:
►““Like winds and sunsets, wild thingsLike winds and sunsets, wild things
were taken for granted until progresswere taken for granted until progress
began to do away with them. Now we facebegan to do away with them. Now we face
the questions as to whether, a still higherthe questions as to whether, a still higher
standard of living is worth its cost, in thingsstandard of living is worth its cost, in things
wild, natural and free. For us in thewild, natural and free. For us in the
minority the opportunity to see geese isminority the opportunity to see geese is
more important than television.” – Aldomore important than television.” – Aldo
Leopald, A Sand Country AlmanacLeopald, A Sand Country Almanac

36. Why HikeWhy Hike
Ability – Regret Minimization:Ability – Regret Minimization:
►““A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the worldA couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world
the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which youthe secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you
can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think morecan do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more
people would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put thingspeople would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put things
off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear ofoff, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of
failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision,failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision,
because what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can'tbecause what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can't
undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He whoundo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who
hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we haven't been told. We've all heard thehesitates is lost. We can't pretend we haven't been told. We've all heard the
proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us aboutproverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about
wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Stillwasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Still
sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our ownsometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own
mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today'smistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's
possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finallypossibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally
understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowingunderstand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowing
is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even theis better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the
biggest failure, even the worst, beats the heck out of never trying.” –biggest failure, even the worst, beats the heck out of never trying.” –
Benjamin Franklin and Elizabeth GilbertBenjamin Franklin and Elizabeth Gilbert
►"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safedidn't do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe
harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." – Markharbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." – Mark
TwainTwain

37. Why HikeWhy Hike
Simplicity of Life:Simplicity of Life:
►““I went to the woods because I wished to liveI went to the woods because I wished to live
deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, anddeliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and
see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not,see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not,
when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did notwhen I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not
wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did Iwish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I
wish to practice resignation, unless it was quitewish to practice resignation, unless it was quite
necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all thenecessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the
marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as tomarrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to
put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath andput to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and
shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to itsshave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its
lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then tolowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to
get the whole and genuine meanness of it.” – Thoreau,get the whole and genuine meanness of it.” – Thoreau,
WaldenWalden

38. Why HikeWhy Hike
Exercise Passion:Exercise Passion:
►"Let the beauty you love be what you do."Let the beauty you love be what you do.
There are a thousand ways to kneel andThere are a thousand ways to kneel and
kiss the earth." Rumikiss the earth." Rumi

39. Why HikeWhy Hike
Transferable Skills:Transferable Skills:
►““Determination, courage, and self-Determination, courage, and self-
confidence are the key factors for success.confidence are the key factors for success.
In spite of obstacles and difficulties, if weIn spite of obstacles and difficulties, if we
have firm determination, we can workhave firm determination, we can work
them out. Whatever the circumstances, wethem out. Whatever the circumstances, we
should remain humble, modest, andshould remain humble, modest, and
without pride.” – Dali Lama, The Path towithout pride.” – Dali Lama, The Path to
TranquilityTranquility

40. ReferencesReferences
1.1. Bill BrysonBill Bryson
1.1. Audio DVDAudio DVD

41. ReferencesReferences
1.1. SouthBoundersSouthBounders
1.1. AT Intro DVDAT Intro DVD
2.2. Trailer to MovieTrailer to Movie

42. Appendix/Additional ClipsAppendix/Additional Clips
1.1. Trail Days – Video ClipTrail Days – Video Clip
2.2. Trail Angels – Video ClipTrail Angels – Video Clip
3.3. AARP – The Walk of a Lifetime – Video ClipAARP – The Walk of a Lifetime – Video Clip