(Left to right: Andrew Defepenbrock, Chris Defepenbrock, and Albert Joerger)

Most people talk about it, fewer people do it: take part in a life-enriching journey to immerse themselves in nature. Many dream of one destination: The Appalachian Trail. Called America’s Favorite Footpath, the 2,200 mile trail is said to attract at least 2 million people a year to hike at least one day on the path.

I am very proud of my good friend Chris Depenbrock who decided to create a deeper connection with the land by traveling a chunk of America by foot beginning after college graduation. At Sumit Post, in Katahdin, Maine, the final destination for the trail, Chris’s brother Andrew Depenbrock and I joined Chris to summit Mount Katahdin in Maine and celebrate the end of his his journey. It was October.

When we finished on that crisp fall day, I wondered how the world would feel if more people took that summer off after college, or a hiatus from work, aora long family trip and truly spent time in nature the way Chris has.

Are you interested in putting up the “Out of Office” message in your email and grabbing your boots? Take a look at some links on what to expect and how to get started!

What to expect

11 things I wish I'd known before hiking the Appalachian Trail

No time to hike the Appalachian Trail? Try these 12 easy section hikes