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Hiking
the Appalachian Trail
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Editor's
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Well - he is about to do it! Perry McKay is about to become one of the only 3,000 individuals who can claim to be a "2000 Miler". We must keep in mind that of these 3,000 hikers there are only a few that accomplish this as a true thru-hiker. Many who claim to have hiked the Trail do it as a section hiker, those who hike the Trail in a series of connected section hikes. In my eyes, to become a true thru-hiker you must be strong, both in mind and body and a bit crazy! Even though I have never met Perry face to face I get the feeling that he is well qualified in both areas.
On March 5, 1999 Perry stepped onto the Trail in Springer Mountain, Georgia, but before he actually began his hike he did lots of research and asked tons of questions. One of the many individuals he asked questions of was Paul Pritchard, President of National Park Trust. Perry worked as a teller at One Valley Bank in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. You see Paul had been the first Executive Director of the Appalachian Trail Conference and Perry naturally thought that Paul had hiked the trail. So… every time Paul went into the bank Perry would corner him and begin his questions. After a few weeks of this, Paul, Perry, and Perry's Branch Manager decided that we could all work together and help Perry make his hike more memorable.
Perry had always loved national parks and in particular was a frequent day and weekend hiker of the Appalachian Trail. The Trail is a unit of the National Park System that is managed by 32 local clubs under Appalachian Trail Conference auspices through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. Much like the National Park Trust (NPT) owns the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve but the National Park Service manages it through a similar cooperative agreement.
What they decided to do was to have NPT devote part of their Website to Perry and his 5-month journey. Perry would help raise funds and awareness to help National Park Trust with its mission of preserving America's national system of parks, wildlife, and historic monuments. He did this by getting people to sponsor his walk. Being the Public Relations person at the Trust I was asked if I would like to be Perry's point of contact. After a few minutes of thought (hey only 1 in 10 people actually make the entire 2,160 miles) I said "sure, it will be fun while it lasts". Little did I know that Perry was determined, strong, crazy, and would complete the Trail. Being one that is always optimistic and eager to give support I volunteered that when (all the time thinking - yeah - IF and when) Perry reached Mt. Katahdin, I would be there to walk those last few miles with him and record his touching the sign noting the northern most terminus of the Trail. Now, here I sit thinking "What have I gotten myself into?"
Then I stop and think about Perry. How I have listened to his voice mail messages and spoken with him on the phone for 7 months. That is a long time to talk with someone you have never met. It gets more interesting when you stop and think that everyone who hikes the trail - hikes for a reason - they just usually do not know what that reason is until they are just about finished walking those 2,160 miles. Perry is no exception.
We have talked in detail about the Trail and how it changes a person. I think Perry is just as surprised as every other thru-hiker at how it has changed him. Not until he stopped hiking for a few days in June to graduate from Shepherd College did he realize his first reason for hiking. He was angry! His father had died when he was 16 and would not be there to see him receive his diploma. Something Perry and his dad had wanted together.
After coming to terms with his anger about his father's early death and getting back on the Trail, Perry realized something that maybe he had known all along in his heart but only came to grips with during the many solitary hours of hiking. He wants to become a teacher! From what he said, he began to feel a sense of spirituality that he had never felt before.
He has always given credit to Mrs. Michaelean Monahan, his 12th grade government teacher for giving him the inspiration and determination to attack his goals in life. The way I see it, Perry has always had the inspiration and determination for anything in life. The difference Mrs. Monahan made is the same difference Perry will make when he becomes a teacher, she taught him how to take that inspiration and determination to make himself a better person and in turn help mold the lives of others.
Perry, everyone at NPT, One Valley Bank, all your friends and family are very proud of you and wish you the best in years to come.
I look forward to meeting you!
Susan Hawley
Director of External AffairsIf you would like to sponsor Perry's quest to hike the Appalachian Trail, please click here