It's almost August, and you know what that means - Hike-A-Thon! Washington Trails Association is again hosting it's annual fundraiser. Now in its fourteenth year, Hike-A-Thon helps WTA raise needed funds to continue its mission to protect and maintain trails across the state. You can learn more about Hike-A-Thon by visiting the information page on this blog.
I've been a Hike-A-Thonner for eleven years now. I already give back to trails a lot - I volunteer as a writer for Washington Trails magazine, I have done trail work with WTA, and I serve as a Mountain Steward with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. So why add one more thing to my already full hiking/volunteering plate? Because Hike-A-Thon is just one more way I can support the organization that supports my favorite hobby - hiking!
Last year, I set a goal to not set so many Hike-A-Thon goals. I wasn't pushing myself to reach a certain number of miles or a certain dollar amount. I just wanted to focus on enjoying my time hiking while still raising money for WTA in a stress-free way. I succeeded in that goal. I didn't hike as many miles as I had in past Hike-A-Thons, and I didn't raise as much money either. But I ventured out on quite a few trails that were new to me and had been on my hiking wish list for a while. I saw some incredible scenery, had some fun solo adventures, and pushed myself out of my comfort zone a couple times.
This year, I'm keeping my Hike-A-Thon focus the same - quality over quantity. My schedule for August is getting pretty full already, so I'll take it one week at a time and see how much hiking I can fit in.
I'll be starting off Hike-A-Thon tomorrow at 7:00 am with WTA for their kick-off hike at Discovery Park in Seattle. On Wednesday evening, I'll be at Soaring Eagle Regional Park in Redmond for REI's Search for Sasquatch 5k trail run. I'll do some "real" hiking on Thursday (location TBD), and Saturday I have a volunteer Mountain Steward shift so I'll be on the trails at the Mt. Baker National Recreation Area. Keep checking back to see how the rest of the month shapes up!
If you're ready to make a donation now, head on over to my fundraising page. Thanks!
