24-year-old Luke Weaver just finished a thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. If you're paying attention to the date, he just finished in February; almost four months after a traditional finish. And if you've been watching the news, the East Coast has had a pretty vicious winter. So to have this accomplishment under his belt and to have finished in such amazing conditions, it's accurate to say that Weaver is a man of courage and dedication.
To the day, he still battles with constant staph infections in his leg and his AT dreams began in the hospital. Amongst his numerous surgeries and talks of amputation, Weaver began planning a thru-hike to celebrate his success in fighting his infections. He had been fever and symptoms free for two years and he was having high hopes for completing the trail.
Weaver's thru-hike is termed a flip-flop, meaning that you hike half the trail in one direction and then relocate and hike the other half of the trail in the opposite direction. Some people will start in the middle and hike north or south and then start again from the middle for the other direction. Weaver did the other option, which is a start at one terminus and hiking halfway then moving to the other terminus and hiking back to the middle. As long as the trail is completed in one calendar year it is considered an acceptable thru-hike.
Weaver will be battling medical setbacks probably all of his life, but he has proven that he will never let that stop him from seeking out and fulfilling his dreams. His passion and dedication is a great motivator to everyone hoping to undertake any great adventure.
Luke's advice? A furry companion and a ton of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
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