Friday, February 16, 2018 « 21
epnews.com
Estes Park Native Sets Out For Appalachian Trail
the common saying: “embrace the suck,” because, as another popular trail saying goes, “no pain, no rain, no Maine.” Amber is also anticipating what dream a reality. She started taking By: Connie Clark her given “Trail money out of her bi-weekly paycheck “I went to the woods because I wished Name” will be. A and putting it into a separate account. to live deliberately, to front only the es“Trail Name” sential facts of life, and see if I could not She researched gear, and began buying is earned items one at a time as she could. Amber on the learn what it had to teach, and not, says that the main items on that list were trail, when I came to die, discover that I had her shelter, backpack and “sleep system.” and not lived.” Henry David Thoreau During these two years of preparation, beFor Estes Park resident and 2005 Amber says she has followed Thru-hikEPHS graduate Amber Okuley, life is ers (those who hike the Trail start to finset to become an adventure worthy of ish in one season) on Youtube, joined Thoreau’s greatest intentions. On Febthe Appalachian Trail Facebook Pages, ruary 18, Amber will board a train in read blogs, books, and any other related Denver, headed for the Appalachian materials in order to help her prepare. Trail. To physically condition for the deThe Appalachian Trail extends from mands of the Trail, Amber did as much Springer Mountain in Georgia to hiking as she could each week. In SepMount Katahdin in Maine, and passes tember, Amber increased her training through 14 states. It was nearly eight regimen to include hiking 4-17 miles years ago that a hiking buddy suggested with a weighted vest or filled pack. She to Amber that the two of them hike the also began a five-six day per week 2,190.9 mile AT together. Amber says schedule of training at MedX that inthat the idea sounded “amazing” becluded cardio and weight lifting. cause she loves to hike and camp, and A fun and interesting aspect for Amber she loves a challenge. Although her has been learning about the culture of friend plans to join her on the Trail for the Appalachian Trail and those who three to four weeks of the projected sixboth hike it and support it. For instance, month quest, Amber will be doing most former hikers or locals along the trail of the trek solo. often provide “Trail Magic,” such as The actual planning for the hike began food, rides, shelter or showers. “Trail for Amber two years ago when she read Angels” might set up grills at the “gaps.” the book Lost on the Appalachian Trail For Amber, a term that she has taken to by Kyle Rohrig. At that point, she deheart as she embarks on her adventure is cided that she needed to make the
Carolyn Kilgore And Kent Carlson Are Married
Carolyn Kilgore, daughter of Ralph & Theresa Shroba of Boulder, CO, and Kent Carlson, son of Richard & Inga Carlson of Vienna, VA, were married at 11:00 a.m. on February 3, 2018. The private ceremony was held on the northwest face of Deer Mountain overlooking the Mummy Range in Rocky Mountain National Park. Carolyn is currently the Director Of Administration for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy in Estes Park. Kent is a Toxicologist for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Rockville, MD. Kent and Carolyn will travel to Iceland and Sweden this spring and summer and plan to reside in Estes Park.
stowed by other hikers. At the start, Amber plans to hike 8-12 miles per day, which is a recommended beginner’s pace, until she gets her “Trail Legs,” which she has learned is usually in Virginia. At that point the hikes may lengthen to about 20 miles per day. Hikers may also take “Zeroes,” which are no-hiking days, or “Neroes,” short-hike days. Amber knows that the Appalachian Trail will not be easy; it is a life challenge. She knows that there will likely be days when she wants to quit, and that she will have to truly “embrace the suck” in order to reach the end of the trail in Maine. But when she steps onto the AT in Amicalola State Park in Georgia on February 21st, she will be embracing life. “The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” ~~Lao Tzu *To follow Amber’s journey, Estes Locals follow Amber’s Appalachian Trail Thru Hike Facebook Group.