Dylan Funk hiked for 180 Days (6 months) to conquor the Appalacian trail a 2,200 mile trek winding through 14 states in the eastern United States. He started the trip on April 5th and completed the trail on September 30th.
Funk earned the trail name Tarzan due to his tendency to be barefoot and climb things. His days are spent putting one foot in front of the other on the steep, rocky, and difficult trail. His nights are often calm and peacecful recounting the days adventure and beauty with his fellow hikers.
At first, the hike felt the same as starting a new school. Everyone has new shoes and new backpacks. Some folks seem to know how everything should work, and others definitely that had no idea what they were doing,” he said. “I was in the newbie category, but I spent a lot of time preparing and using my gear before starting the trail. Now that we’ve been out here for months, we’re all more seasoned. The things that were new in the beginning are now our everyday lives.”
Along the way there were ups and downs
Dylan getting a cut on his foot and it getting infected was just a few days into the trail. He was off trail for 4 days. His buddy that went on to hike the trail without him got a foot infection a few days later and Dylan caught back up with him where the friend had to stop to get treatment as well they would continue on together for 1,100 miles.
they would endure all types of weather from snow, rain, bugs and intense cold, heat and humidity. to say the least they had to prepare for everything. luckily
he made it back in one piece no heat stroke or hypothermia for Mr. Funk!
The dangerous trails had him wide eyed and on his toes at all times. One wrong move and that could be the end of his hike!
The trail is not only physically exhausting but also mentally straining. Dealing with loneliness, anxiety and depression on the trail is no differet but Dylan kept pushing and showed himself just how strong he really is. His newfound community of hikers would aslo be key in supporting him to the end.
Dylan encourages everyone to take their dream adventure and see what the world and nature has to offer outside of our modern comforts.
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