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Left to right, Joy Zasadny and Alison Matney hiked the entire Appalachain Trail last summer. Both girls had dreamed of hiking the Trail for much of their lives. |
-Photo by Jason Harville |
Ten million steps, 2,168 miles and 169 days later, 2002 Human Performance and Exercise Science graduates Alison Matney and Joy Zasadny completed their hike of the Appalachian Trail on Oct. 10.
After their graduation from Milligan on May 12, Matney, 22, and Zasadny, 24, began an adventure one year in the making. Before meeting one another at Milligan, both women created lists of what they wanted to accomplish in their lifetimes. Both lists included hiking the full length of the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine.
“We love to be outside and enjoy God's creation,” said Zasadny.
Before beginning the trip, Matney, of Johnson City, and Zasadny, originally from Minneapolis, thought the journey would be fairly carefree. They completed extensive research on nutrition and physical and mental preparation, but nothing could have prepared them for the experience.
“It was the most challenging physically and mentally that I hope I’ll ever have to go through,” said
Matney.
Hiking over torrential terrain through winds 70 miles per hour, trekking poles saved their knees from severe damage. Their feet were extremely sore each day and Matney’s grew an entire size in length.
As soon as they reached their destination each night, they only had strength to eat and sleep. They never once arrived at camp early. They expected to have “down time” to have philosophical conversations with other hikers and reflect on their surroundings with God.
“Everyone was so consumed with this goal of hiking...we witnessed through our actions,” said
Zasadny.
Matney and Zasadny did take time and energy to journal their experiences and sing songs of praise to God while on the trail. They sang, “Great is Thy Faithfulness” while overlooking a bluff and that hymn now holds a more symbolic place in their hearts.
The experience was life-changing for the graduates, but other hikers often had a more earthshaking experience because they did not know the creator who made the beauty that surrounds the trail.
“We had a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. A lot of people don't have that foundation,” said Zasadny.
Of the 2,500 hikers beginning at the trailhead in Georgia intending to finish in Maine each year, only 300 complete their goal. Of these 300, approximately 30 percent are women, according to Matney This statistic is larger than ever before.
Matney and Zasadny each spent $2,000 living on the trail, spending money in towns for huge meals and $1,500 on gear before beginning their hike.
They said that staying healthy and feeling full was a major obstacle. Although they were physically fit and planned their nutrition before leaving, Matney lost 10 pounds and Zasadny lost 20. Stopping at small towns, eating a large pizza or three Big Macs didn’t seem like a large meal compared to their large appetites.
Matney and Zasadny said that however hungry they may have been, they learned that God provides for their basic needs.
They believe everyone should make a list of goals for their life. Matney also encouraged Milligan students to take advantage of the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. A hike up nearby Buffalo Mountains takes less than one and a half hours.
“If you don’t have an hour and a half, you’re too busy,” said Matney.