Hiker Profile & Experience
Hiking Resume
This section documents verified long-distance completions, prior AT experience, and the skills that directly translate to Appalachian Trail readiness.
Completed Thru-Hikes
| Trail | Distance | Elevation Gain | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ouachita Trail | ~223 miles | ~45,000 ft | Arkansas-Oklahoma |
| Ozark Highlands Trail | ~270 miles | ~35,000-40,000 ft | Northern Arkansas |
| Ozark Trail | ~230 miles | ~40,000 ft | Missouri |
Total Completed Mileage: ~720+ miles
Estimated Cumulative Elevation Gain: ~120,000+ feet
Recognition
Sassafras Award — Ozark Society
Awarded for completion of the Ouachita Trail, Ozark Highlands Trail, and Ozark Trail. 6th person in history to receive this award.
Prior Appalachian Trail Experience
- Standing Bear Farm to Hot Springs, NC — ~35 miles | ~9,000 ft elevation gain | Full pack, winter conditions
- Newfound Gap to Kuwohi (Overnight) — ~16 miles round trip | ~3,300 ft elevation gain | Shelter stay in ~17°F conditions | Summit: 6,643 ft (highest point on the AT)
Note: Clingmans Dome was officially renamed to "Kuwohi" in 2024, restoring its Cherokee name meaning "mulberry place."
High-Elevation Experience (Comparison Benchmark)
Pikes Peak, Colorado — Crags Trail
~13 miles round trip | ~4,300 ft elevation gain | Summit elevation: 14,115 ft
Note: Pikes Peak is located in Colorado, not on the Appalachian Trail. This entry is included as a cardiovascular and altitude benchmark demonstrating capability for AT climbs.
Core Competencies
- Multi-week self-supported backpacking
- Cold-weather camping and shelter living
- Sustained elevation gain/loss over long distances
- Rugged, rocky, under-maintained trail systems
- River crossings and navigation
- Resupply planning and execution
- Proven physical and mental endurance
Mountain Climb Readiness & Assessment
AT Miles Completed to Date
| Section | Distance | Conditions | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing Bear Farm → Hot Springs, NC | ~33 miles | Winter, ~35 lb pack | Snowbird Mountain, High difficulty |
| Newfound Gap ↔ Kuwohi | ~15.6 miles RT | ~17°F, winter Smokies | Entirely high-altitude AT miles |
TOTAL AT MILES HIKED: ~49 miles ✅
These are hard miles, not summer or low-grade terrain.
Experience Benchmark: Pikes Peak (Colorado)
Crags Trail → Summit
- Start elevation: ~10,000 ft
- Summit: 14,115 ft
- Net gain: ~4,100 ft
- Distance: ~6.5 miles
What This Proves:
- You've already matched Katahdin-level vertical
- You started higher than any AT climb
- Cardiovascularly, the AT holds no surprises
Note: This benchmark is for fitness comparison only—Pikes Peak is not on the Appalachian Trail.
What Your 49 AT Miles Mean
- You are ahead of the average NOBO at Springer
- Georgia and NC will not shock you
- Virginia will annoy you, not break you
- Whites and Maine demand respect, not fear
Most hikers learn these lessons in the first 200 miles. You already own them.
Readiness Assessment
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Readiness | 9/10 | Long climbs proven, cold conditions proven |
| Mental Readiness | 10/10 | You've already hiked when it sucked, you know when to back off |
| Logistics Readiness | 8.5/10 | Trail rhythm still develops on-trail |
| OVERALL NOBO READINESS | 9/10 |