Get to know the Tramily – The Trek

So, I spent a total of 59 days on the road. I walked a total of 732 miles. I started in Georgia and walked through North Carolina, Tennessee, and Southern Virginia. Starting with my friend Fish, along the way I had the pleasure of meeting and traveling with Tootsie, Tama, Papi, Hiccup, and several others. Some of my closest hiking companions were kind enough to answer a questionnaire I gave them. These are some of their stories…

NAME: Michael Wernig

Date of birth: 10/18/99

FROM: Gilford, New Hampshire

OCCUPATION: Used to work in Municipal Recreation.

WHY THE AT: I’ve always wanted to hike the AT since high school and hiked over 700 miles previously in 2023.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Our trip in and out of Gatlinburg was quite a memory. Very sweet and helpful people picked us up from and to the trail for free.

MEMORABLE CHARACTER: Melchezidek, a man who tries to climb the AT with $300 in his bank account.

WAITING FOR: I’m looking forward to getting to New England, specifically New Hampshire. It will be nice to be back on my home turf, I’ve already hiked most of the AT in the White Mountains.

HOW WILL YOU FEEL IN KATAHDIN? I don’t think I’m ready to go back to real life yet.

LIFE AFTER AT: I will eventually go back to school to become a teacher, but in the meantime I will get a job as a paraprofessional and continue teaching piano on the side.

NAME: Nick Eagan

Date of birth: 11/7/99

FROM: Biddeford, ME

OCCUPATION: Civil Engineer

WHY AT: Tootsie created me, but I also wanted to do something that would change my life, before life got in the way. Also for dad.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Reuniting the Tramily

MEMORABLE CHARACTER: The people who picked us up in Gatlinburg

WAITING WITH INTEREST: Harper’s Ferry for Civil War history

HOW WILL YOU FEEL IN KATAHDIN? I fear it’s incomplete, but it’s hard to say. There will be a feeling of achievement. Since my grandfather passed away, the support of my family and friends has kept this journey alive. Coming to Maine will be a service to him.

LIFE AFTER AT: Back to work, back with Emma, ​​starting life; It might be difficult after this.

NAME: Owen Mahoney

Date of birth: 04/15/01

FROM: Falmouth, ME

OCCUPATION: currently unemployed

WHY THE AT: I wanted to do the AT because I missed nature. After spending over 2 years in the arid climate of Paraguay, I wanted to challenge myself and, growing up on and working on the trail, I have long had a desire to hike.

MEMORABLE CHARACTER: Ranger Vick. He cooks with a fire, walks at night, and is always the happiest guy you’ll ever meet. Good guy and very memorable.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: My second week when I woke up to a flooded tent and left camp at nine walking through snow and hail.

WAITING: I really want to reach 4 digits.

HOW WILL YOU FEEL IN KATAHDIN? I have to get there first.

LIFE AFTER THE AT: Hopefully I finish graduate school and return to South America to continue working in conservation locally.

NAME: Alyssa Chapman

Date of birth: 11/16/94

FROM: Melbourne, FL / Richmond, VA

OCCUPATION: out of the army before school

WHY THE AT: community, I need to restore my faith in humanity/reestablish

MEMORABLE MOMENT: Snowball fight at Wesser Bald, Gorge-Us Stays and food at the NOC. Peaceful Friends at Blood Mountain and Mississippi Baptist Church Magical Trails

MEMORABLE CHARACTER: “Search and Rescue”, Wendy and Owen from Gorge-Us Stays, JD from Station 19

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Sunrise at McAfee Knob, Blue Ridge Parkway, New York area, Bear Mountain near Weat Point, See Friends in Maine

HOW YOU WILL FEEL IN KATAHDIN: I hope to feel fulfilled and have learned a little more about life by taking the tour.

LIFE AFTER THE AT: Start law school in August and look for more adventures and unique opportunities.

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