By Edie Johnson
Tara Dower Breaks All Time A.T. Hiking Record
Appalachian Trail Hiker Extraordinaire
Photo Credit - Tara Dower
Welcome to this new adventure. As we approach Spring and the beginning of work on the Blooming Grove/Washingtonville -Cornwall Schunnemunk stretch of the Schunnemunk Trail and Heritage Trail work, that will ultimately make them a real functioning part of America's Appalachian Trail, I have some very
exiting and challenging news from Nat Geo.
Meet Tara Dower. Last week Nat Geo announced:
"Congratulations to Tara Dower for becoming the fastest person in history to complete the Appalachian Trail!! The 31-year-old from Virginia completed the 2,168 mile (3,489 km) backcountry trail in 40 days, 18 hours, and five minutes, a distance usually covered by an A.T. thru-hiker in five to seven months ... that's an average of 54 miles during 17 hours of hiking each day on the often rocky and steep trail, which includes a total verticalo gain of 465,000 feet as it runs through fourteen states. Dower used her run as a fundraising for the group Girls on the Run."
Beneath the picture where she dropped to her knees at the end of this historic accomplishment is a bronze plaque that reads, "Appalachian Trail - A footpath for those who seek fellowship with the wilderness."
Editor's Note: As we in Chester, Blooming Grove, Salisbury Mills, New Windsor and Cornwall watch the work on our own branch of the Schunnemunk Trail (that will ultimately connect with the Highlands Trail which connects with the Appalachian Trail), I hope to help our communities rise to the challenges of becoming more active members of the greater consortium of hiking groups in our region, of which there are many. Beginning this trail will (like every hike) begin with small steps that will hopefully include both experienced hikers, local residents going for an afternoon walk, and as their strength and familiarity grows along with more experienced hikers, beginning hikers will form groups, will go on longer treks and learn more about the fabulous mountain and valley environment, animals, flora and fauna, in which we live.
As news of the SRT Trail work progresses I hope to set up a separate "Tales from the Trails" website with breaking trail news, imagery and stories from both the experienced hikers taking it on, and those venturing out on a new and exciting experience. We may not hike 2,158 miles, but there are beautiful miracles along the route which, nearby, will start at the new County Park to be built at the former Camp LaGuardia grounds, continue behind Stone House Farm's 250 acres, and cross Route 94 where it runs parallel , Crosses Farmingdale and Old Dominion Roads and then all the way through Blooming Grove to the Washingtonville High School, back across 94 to Sewell Park to the Moodna Bridge crossing on Route 208 and then continues behind Blooming Grove's Mays Field across several bridges and all the way to the Moodna Trestle in Salisbury Mills.
Stay Tuned to the Courier Journal news page for news of sections as they become safe to hike more than a short distance. And PLEASE send me photos and stories about your experiences along the trails of Orange County so we can build our own active hiking groups. And remember, it stands to reason that we will all have to keep active and exercise in order to stay fit enough to hike a mile or two, let alone over 2,000 miles as this inspiring hiker did.
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