LOCALadk Magazine

From the top: "Oh the Places You'll Go!", Pasayten Wilderness, WA Crater Lake National PArk, OR Winter 2015 LOCALadk Magazine 33 LOCALadk Face pressed against the car window, I gazed upwards at giants. Our annual family trip to Santa's Workshop in Wilmington, NY brought me through the most magical landscape imaginable. Bald Mountain, Blue Mountain, Owl's Head, Whiteface Mountain... I anticipated them all! Growing up within the Blue Line fostered a curiosity for nature's wonderments and wanderlust. It was this outdoorsy upbringing that in- spired an outdoor journey of a lifetime. Face pressed against the airplane window, I gaped at the sentinels be- low. A thru-hiking dream was becoming a harsh reality. I left my safe haven in New York to pursue a 7,000-mile hiking quest. Daring to be different, I aimed to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, New Zealand's Te Araroa, and the Appalachian Trail — all in one year. As we approached SeaTac, I descend- ed not only into Act One of this hiking saga, but into the most mythical landscape imaginable. Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Hood... I could see them all! Unlike the pleasant topographic folds of the east coast, these volcanic behemoths were jutting over 10,000ft into the sky. And in just one month, I would walk by each of them. At 6.1 million acres, I grew up in the largest park in the continental Unit- ed States. It's surprising for others to learn that multiple National Parks easily fit within the perimeter of the Blue Line, such as the Great Smokey Mountains, Yosemite, Glacier, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon com- bined! With over 10,000 bodies of water, 2,000 miles of hiking trails, and 30,000 miles of streams and rivers, adventure abounds in the mighty Adirondacks. (Not to mention the epic fall foliage!) So, why leave?... My first departure was due to attending the University of Roches- ter. With my college career waning and the precipice of the "real world" looming, I was nervous that I hadn't found a suitable career path. I did the only sensible thing I could think of. I called my mom. "Tyler, what do you love?" she asked. "Hiking," I immediately responded. "...Do that!" Following my mom's advice, I applied for the Wilderness Trip Lead- er position through the Adirondack Mountain Club. Working at the Adirondak Loj changed my life forever. I met people who were ded- icated to the protection and responsible usage of the lands that I cherished! My thoughts on environmental stewardship were chal- lenged by my supervisor and fellow naturalists. I learned to appre- ciate the fragility of the alpine flora and the venerable strength of old growth forests. Waking up each day at the doorstep of the High Peaks Wilderness was just an additional perk! I had found my element. My new hiking friends inspired me to dream big. In 2014 I completed my first thru-hike of the Northville-Placid Trail with my colleague Seth Jones, I finished the Firetower Challenge on Pillsbury Mountain with my sister Nikki and my mom, I competed in my first 90-Miler Adirondack Canoe Clas- sic along with my brother Eric, and that winter on Mount Colvin I finished my 5th round of the 46 High Peaks with my brother-in-law Riley and best friend Zach King. Suddenly I felt the urge to look beyond the Blue Line for recreational opportunities. Life's responsibilities were also mounting... With New York's record-breaking cold spell last year, it became difficult for me to travel between my job, internship, and graduate school without a car. Running six miles each way in snow storms quickly became hazardous. The thought of financing a vehicle felt more restrictive than neces- sary. Would owning a car be an anchor that I could bear? At that moment I decided to pursue a passion instead. Money that was initially earmarked for my first car would go towards a massive thru-hiking adventure. Sacri- fices were made, goodbyes were said, and I left.

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