Inspired By A Teacher: A Bit About Me and My Why

Have you ever had a dream that’s been playing out in the back of your mind for years? 

But the years keep coming, so there it sits. Sometimes whispering. Sometimes a bit louder. Sometimes quiet altogether.

That’s how I feel about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail.

I was 12 years old, sitting in a 7th-grade science class when my teacher started talking about his recent LASH on the Appalachian Trail (AT). I would assume if you’re reading this blog, you likely know what a LASH is, but for those of you just joining the world of trail talk, a LASH is Long Ass Section Hike. Obviously, those weren’t the words he used, because, you know, we were children. My teacher had been section hiking the trail each summer for the past few years, and he was finally in the last bit of the trail! He spoke with such enthusiasm, and I thought it sounded crazy. I mean, people really hike over 2,000 miles with a backpack!? I had scoliosis and couldn’t imagine carrying my school backpack too much further than from the cafeteria to the classroom.

What I’m getting at is that teachers really never know the impact they’re having – some inspire their students to be doctors, and others inspire their students to be thru-hikers. But when it’s all said and done, we’re all following a dream.

A Bit About Me

Since this is our first time meeting, hi! My name is Megan (or Sunrise, as I’m currently known on the trail). I was born and raised in Georgia, just a few hours from the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. 

I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2014 with a degree in animal science and a minor in dairy science (read: I love animals). During my summers in college, I worked at places like Best Friends, an animal sanctuary in Utah, and the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), an outdoor adventure center offering primarily white water rafting trips. The trail runs right through the NOC, so the stoke is high to revisit that section of trail. Immediately after college, I began work as an administrator for a local nonprofit/ministry. And 8 years later, I stepped out of the official role of ministry and began my own farm sitting and pet sitting business. 

My Why

I’m not going to lie: I’m doing it to see if I can. There’s something so compelling about the idea of tackling the entire Appalachian Trail in one go. I’ve spent years section-hiking various parts of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and each piece of the trail has drawn me in a little more. I finish each section hike sad to leave trail and wanting more. It’s time to connect the dots!

But beyond just connecting the trail, I want the full *hiker trash* experience. The ups and downs, the blisters, the early mornings, and the simple joys of the trail. The camaraderie with fellow hikers and the long days under the sun – it all feels like a rite of passage. So, why not go for it?

My plan is to go northbound (NOBO) and start at Springer Mountain in mid-March. I’m putting it out there now—no approach trail for me. I’ve got my sights set on starting at the actual trailhead. But who knows, things might change and I could end up flip-flopping depending on how the hike plays out. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. My goal? To finish within the 12-month window that qualifies as a thru-hike.

Why 2025? Why not 2025? This is the year that everything just kind of clicked into place. I’ve always admired people who do the trail right out of college, but life never quite lined up for me in that way.

After selling my house, switching jobs, and finally being in a place where I don’t have any major family obligations holding me in one spot, I’m ready to commit to something big. There will be a few times when I need to step off the trail due to prior commitments, but for the most part, it’s the perfect time to make this dream a reality.

So, that’s the long and short of it. 2025 is the year I take on the AT.

It’s been a dream that’s been building for years, and now I’m finally in a place to turn it into reality. And I’m so excited for you to come along on the adventure. I hope to share some of the highs, lows, and everything in between. Thank you for being here, and happy trails!

Number of doggo sightings on trail: 0

Number of doggos pet while writing this blog: 3