How Dressing Up as My Car Led Me to the Appalachian Trail
The first article on my Appalachian Trail journey dove into the why behind my 2025 thru-hike. So for my second, I want to tackle another question that follows all aspiring long-distance hikers: “how are you making this happen?”
In my case, I’m able to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2025 because of a very special car.
I know a car being the reason for a 2,000+ mile backpacking trip may seem counterintuitive. After all, backpacking famously requires a lot of walking, not a lot of driving. While they may seem diametrically opposed, Susan the Subaru is truly the catalyst to my journey.
I’m able to thru-hike because of my beloved Subaru Forester with over 350 bumper stickers and a very DIY camper build that I lived in and out of for three years.
I’m able to thru-hike because Susan was totaled.

Top Left: Susan’s humble build-out consisted of a bed platform, one large drawer, and several shelves; Bottom Left: an artist at work; Right: Susan’s last road trip, on Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road
“I Can Do It Now”
Growing up in North Carolina, I’d always been aware of the Appalachian Trail. It was this faint glimmer, a “maybe someday.” It became an “after college” daydream, pushed back to an “after grad school” daydream, relegated to a “when I have the money” daydream, where so many similar daydreams go to die. Life happens, and life is expensive. I was starting to believe the AT would never happen.
It isn’t unheard of for folks to sell their car to fund an otherwise unattainable thru-hike, and this option certainly crossed my mind more than once. But whenever this thought arose, I quickly dismissed it. I wanted to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, but not at the expense of Susan.
But what’s that saying about making god laugh by telling him your plan?
I had just finished a season of guiding, and drove to Salt Lake City to park my mighty vessel at a friend’s house while I went to New York for a much needed break*. While there, I got a call. Someone had hit Susan. And it was bad.
A million unanswered questions lay before me and my thoughts swirled as I felt the violent pangs of grief, anger, and despair. But within minutes of hearing that I had lost my beloved car, one thought rose above this inner turmoil. It seemed to harness all of the noise as swiftly as a conductor bringing an orchestra into tune:
“I can do it now.”
The “it” in question, was the Appalachian Trail.
“We Need to Be More Transparent About How We Are Actually Making These Adventures Happen.”
Before we go any further, one thing must be said: being able to thru-hike is a privilege. It’s a large financial undertaking, and even packets of ramen add up over time.
I bring this up because I believe we as a community need to be more transparent about how we are actually making these adventures happen. I am able to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2025 because of insurance settlement money that came from losing a car that meant more to me than any house ever has. As grateful as I am for that opportunity, I know every dollar I spend on a hostel bunk or new footwear or half gallon of ice cream came at the expense of my home.
Some other ways I have been able to afford an “outdoorsy” lifestyle include:
- Working for Outdoor Retailers: not only do you get employee discounts, but there are more broad industry “pro-deals” that provide access other shops and brands. If you’re outside primarily in the spring/summer, seasonal holiday retail can be a great way to make some money and stock up on cheaper gear while doing it!
- Side-Hustling Like Hell: Some outdoor industry jobs require certifications like Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder (WFA/WFR). And these certs? Expensive! Some companies that require them will pay your registration fees for you. But for me, my baking hobby was the key. I sold sourdough bread and other treats until I had the money I needed to register for a course. By having that certification, I’m now a more competitive applicant and can ask for higher pay rates.
- Applying for Sponsorships and Grants: I’ve been chosen as an ambassador for a well-known outdoor brand! They will be providing me with shiny new gear for testing, and in exchange I’ll occasionally be posting on social media about the stuff I receive. I got this sponsorship by filling out a super simple application on their website. Make a habit of looking for these opportunities from brands and organizations you admire. You could find support in the form of gear, financial aid, and more. Bonus points to my sponsor for explicitly encouraging LGBTQ+ and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) to apply.
But most importantly,

Susan, The Big Dipper, and the tent I’ll be bringing on the AT. Do I see a gear list on the horizon?
- Bring Your Community With You: Since I began telling my friends and family of my plans to hike the AT, they have been generous beyond words. They’ve shared their resources and time and words of encouragement to help this dream come true. Even before that, they showed up for me in the direct aftermath of Susan’s wreck. Just as they understood Susan was so much more than “just a car,” they understand this is so much more than “just a hike.”
“Healing and Ridiculous”
I was still in Salt Lake City dealing with the aftermath of the wreck on Halloween. On top of everything else, my favorite holiday was clouded by loss– the injustice! Grief does funny things, and mine inspired me to take a hammer to Susan’s bumper to retrieve my Badges of Ownership, don a sparkly jumpsuit, and make a skirt out of salvaged bumper stickers. I painted my face with the Subaru logo, and lo and behold: Susan lived on in car drag. It was as healing as it was ridiculous.
From the beginning, I’ve wanted my thru-hike to be about exploring what “home” means to me. If there’s one thing losing Susan taught me, it’s that home looks different to everyone; for some it’s built of brick and mortar, and for some it’s built on four wheels or pitched at a campsite. If you’re truly lucky, home comes from the people around you and the support you give each other. But all these homes have one thing that cannot be taken away: their stories.
So, okay. Dressing up as Susan the Subaru may not be the direct reason I’m thru-hiking the AT this year, but the two events are forever intertwined. And when I tell the story of one, I’ll always– just a little bit– be telling the story of the other.
*I scheduled my trip to New York around an Orville Peck concert. His anthems of queer life, on and off the road, were instrumental to every cross country drive I ever took. On the day I flew back to salvage the last of my things from the wreckage of the car that took me on those drives, he released a new one. It was called “Happy Trails.” Even for a masked cowboy, that’s pretty on the nose.
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Comments 9
What a great combo article – I love how you bring practical and sentimental elements together. Was teary eyed that you thought mid-crisis, “I can do it now.” Talk about bravery!! And inspiring to show us how, even despite the circumstances, you are starting the journey – bringing the “out of reach” impossibilities to reality. Go Cam go!!
I loved this!! I can’t wait to read more about ur journeys!
While I’m so excited for your upcoming journey on the AT, I know how much the loss of Susan has affected you and yet despite this, you were able to look at the loss of Susan as the push for you to really embark on such an amazing trip ❤️. I can honestly say that after that show we went to and hungout in Susan having a much needed talk, it felt a lot like home for me too, despite me being states away from my actual home. Susan was a safe and comfortable space and I’m lucky to have experienced that with you and I’m so excited for your upcoming adventures in Susan’s honor!!
Enjoyed this!!! Felt all the feels 🥲 and am very excited for you and this next adventure.
Such great story telling! Amazing how it all was connected for you and I totally agree on having there be more transparency on the means of getting the funds to hike these long trails.
Peebz!
This is such a pleasure to read you! Sorry about Susan, I can understand love for a car… Congrats by seizing the day! That’s the spirit!
When you pass me on your way, say hi to the ole slow white-haired woman!
Brigitte (from Durham)
The way we experience life and home is so vastly different than past generations. I’m really grateful you’re sharing your experience with space, place and identity as its such an impactful way of moving through the world! While things change so abruptly nature is somehow always there, and as someone who cannot do the AT now, Im truly living through this blog! Cant wait for the next posting.
Thank you for your sweet service Susan 🫶 Always look forward to your blogs, Peebz 🙂
Your Susan the Subaru ensemble is a work of art! I have no doubt you captured your car’s spirit exactly. Loosing a home is heart wrenching but as you said, “If you’re truly lucky, home comes from the people around you and the support you give each other”. I hope you are truly lucky and can find a “home” on the trail.