70 miles in for thru-hikers of the Appalachian Trail in Hiawassee Georgia
It is Mayor’s Monday in Hiawassee, which includes everything from grilled hot dogs and burgers to home baked blueberry bread. A group of volunteers rally around the hikers to provide transport from a trailhead, food to feed their souls, and encouragement to continue the journey. Hiawassee, Georgia. March 2025
The thru-hikers are almost 70 miles in on the Appalachian Trail and we find them in Hiawassee, Georgia. With a resolute beginning at the southern terminus trailhead of Springer Mountain, by now, the hikers need food and a rest. Every year, they find it in this tiny mountain town where volunteers gather in the town square, grill burgers and welcome all hikers. It’s not the only town that treats hikers like celebrities; there are other communities who recognize this journey as, possibly, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and all it entails.
In 2025, 2, 279 people registered as thru-hikers (commonly a six-month trek) on the Appalachian Trail, down some from the previous year of 2, 252 people. In 2024, 772 completed the trail. For everything you need to know about the journey, visit The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the lifeline for AT hikers, who is celebrating its 100th year of connection.
Today, it’s March 24, 2025, a March Monday, and the mayor and his team set up in the square and feed (feeding comes in many forms) the hikers. We showed up, with bags of toothpaste, snacks and other tiny items that add no weight, and spoke with every hiker that was willing to share his or her story. On this day, we met Anne Mitchell (above, third from the right), now 86 and a Monday volunteer, who hiked the trail in 1990. She explains the process of receiving a trail name as something given upon joining the trail, often with a humorous or descriptive connotation. Some were already calling each other by their trail names; others, we still figuring it out.
As we speak with hikers, we come to the realization that there is a lot of figuring out going on. Some are walking for deep philosophical reason; others, just to walk and be removed from the grind of daily life. Whatever the reason, it comes down to each person. And with some, the reason spills out with lots of tears.
Every hiker has a story
Tobias Butler, a 25-year-old from Portsmouth, Ohio, is hiking the Appalachian Trail after leaving General Motors and completing a year and a half of rehab. Inspired by his counselor, a long-distance runner, Tobias set this goal during rehab. His parents dropped him off at the trailhead, and he aims to complete the hike before his electrical schooling resumes in early August.
Sam Anderson, a thu-hiker from Indiana, is also on the trail, aiming to finish by early August to start his third year of electrical schooling. Sam chose the Appalachian Trail over the Pacific Crest Trail because it's closer to Indiana and because his family members had always wanted to hike it but couldn't due to age.
Sydney Foster, from Massachusetts, shares her experience with thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. She mention a hiker from Australia who passed through on March 14. Sydney shares her personal story about taking a break from her PhD program, which is a high-stress project. Her boss is understanding and has arranged for her to take a four to five-month break to recharge.
Ricky Wagner, a member of Warriors Expeditions, tells of his experiences and the support provided by the organization for combat veterans. Turning emotions, he mentions his own deployment to Afghanistan (three back-to-back tours) and the challenges faced by veterans, including addiction and PTSD. The conversation highlights the importance of community and support systems, such as "trail angels" who assist hikers. He also speaks to the therapeutic value of outdoor activities and the need for continued support and communication post-trip.
Play Doh (trail name), from Denver, Colorado, is hiking the Appalachian Trail and talking philosophical ideas with others. He has been hiking for five days and recently celebrated his stepfather's birthday. “It’s a separation of the flesh,” he says. “You suffer and it’s not pleasant, but it’s magnificent. I can’t hardly explain that except it’s spiritual and in the spirit world, it couldn’t be better. Physically, it’s very demanding.”
Alex from Massachusetts, works with adults with intellectual disabilities and has always been inspired by thru-hikers since childhood. Alex recently left his job after his mother's passing and decided to hike as a way to heal. He shares his personal story of overcoming liver cancer and dedicating his hike to his Green Beret son.
Parker Smith (GUNK), a 22-year-old from New York now living in Florida, is a thru-hiker who just graduated from college (Biomedial science) and postponed a career to backpack. He and his friend Ben (Chili Powder), from Michigan, met at Liberty University in Virginia and are hiking together. Their first challenge: descending Blood Mountain, resulting in injuries. “A little ankle injury, but I’m working with it. I’m still walking and smiling. I heard people talk that this (Georgia) is the worst and if you can get through this, you can do it all.” They hope to complete their hike in five months, averaging 18-20 miles per day. Ben is documenting his journey on YouTube linking it to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. (You’ll hear more about these two when they reach Erwin, Tennessee)
Sam from Ohio, who turned 30 recently, decided to hike after feeling unfulfilled. He found the Georgia section particularly tough.
Braden, a hiker from Wisconsin, met Julia, a thru-hiker from Florida, on the second day of their journey. They shared their walk, including the challenges of Blood Mountain and the elevation changes in Georgia. Braden, who works for Amazon, aims to reach Maine by October, while Julia, a seasonal worker, is enjoying the process. Their back pack weights: Braden's is 30 pounds, and Julia's is 26 pounds after a resupply. They also talked about gear malfunctions, such as Julia's broken headlamp, and the importance of community support on the trail.
Stacy (Compass) along with her friend Gina, is a 50-year-old hiker from Connecticut and Maine, now residing in North Carolina. She is part of the hike for the experience and to encourage others, particularly young girls. Stacy has completed a thru-hike all the way to Maine.
Resupply at Trailful Outdoor Co.
It’s more than a store to purchase backpacks and socks. Located right off the square in Hiawassee, owners Rob and Eric, seasoned hikers themselves, found a need in the community. As one of the major stops for hiking (day hikers or thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail) in North Georgia, the duo built an outfitter dedicated to meeting every hiker’s need. “Embrace the journey,” states Rob. Sign the wall and become part of history.
Writer’s Note: I’ve always wanted to tell a version of this story. There are as many versions to this story as rocks on the trail, but this is a start. For the past two years of living near Hiawassee, I’ve watched hikers in our grocery store, back-pack off, sipping on a coffee and eating a sandwich; upon finishing, they walk through the parking lot, heading back to the trail. Old and young, they are a constant every March until early June. I always offer a “good luck” and they nod, my attempt at being a ‘trail angel.’ More stories are on the way of the 2025 story.
