My name is “Wingit” and I am attempting an Appalachian Trail 2024 Thru Hike - without much of a plan, in fact, I am Winging it along the way. Here is another day I am grateful to share with everyone.
In Honor of all those affected by Substance Use of any kind, whether it be addiction or alcoholism - even the families of those who themselves struggle. All of you were where my inspiration to hike this trail stemmed from.
And for all of those impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene and as of me writing this, the as of yet impact of Hurricane Milton - you have been in my heart and prayers. I have developed a personal relationship with many of those towns and people in the path of those storms.
A little before 12 Noon, On October 6, 2024, I reached the Summit of Mt Katahdin at Baxter Peak to complete a journey I began on March 15th of the same year. A trek I began with little notice, no experience, no plan, had never backpacked before and had never even been in the mountains on foot. Having been inspired by the loss of a friend in Recovery, I set out intuitively on the path only trusting that this was where I needed to be.
Over six and a half months, 2000 miles and parts of 14 different states I have finally reached the Northern Terminus of this particular hike. I have grown and I have diminished, I have laughed and I have cried, my body has broken and yet I have healed, I have learned so much and have unlearned even more, most of all I have loved and been loved by others; many complete strangers by name and face but eternally connected in spirit. I am humbled and grateful for the experience.
I believe completely that you can be happy or content in any situation regardless of the circumstance. The choice is yours. I am not a hiker and it does not come easily for me. Through difficulty, injury, endless adversity, painful discomfort, I managed to continue to cooperate with nature and surrender over and over to the experience. I chopped wood and carried water. Somehow, someway, I made my way to Maine.
I take no credit and there is no celebration, I am proud of the accomplishment and hope to have an example to to others but my reward wasn’t finishing this journey or summiting “The Greatest Mountain” my reward was breathing in every single day and every single step, being present and silent in the vastness of the wilderness of nature. NO THING is a greater reward. After all, it wasn’t me that accomplished this at all; I was carried. Carried by so many people. My friend Stephen, friends, family, Trail Angels, mentors, former hikers, viewers, recovery peers, and most of all by spirit.
Thank you to everyone who has ever watched a video or sent me a message of encouragement or support, I summit with all of you in my heart. I couldn’t have continued and there wouldn’t have been a reason to continue without you. I’ve said this before, this was OUR journey. I have very little to do with this accomplishment. It’s a collective one. After all, where did I get my resilience from? My perseverance ? My will? My strength? My resolve? I have been blessed with them through my experience in life. An experience I am grateful to have shared with each and everyone along the way.
This isn’t the end, the journey of growth never ends. But I hope you have been a positive example of how ANYONE can change their life and how ANYONE can Wing It and enjoy the simple things in life. I went from couch to trail with no experience and no plan and initially no gear whatsoever because I trusted the universe. I was out of shape, a fish out of water, with no outdoor experience or camping experience and I walked over 2000 grueling miles mostly happy to be there.
Why?
Because I wanted to show others that “You can be content in any situation regardless of the circumstance.” And that You can absolutely change your life. I wanted to show people instead of telling them. I hope that I was able to do just that.
Thank you all. Stay tuned because you will definitely see more of “Wingit”
Please let me know your thoughts and if you haven’t joined us on this journey, please subscribe and join us as we all trek the road together.
Love & Peace,
“Wingit”
If anyone would like to contribute to my thru hike, it would be greatly appreciate and a welcome gift enabling me to continue to bless others along the path.
Venmo - @Howard-Rizio
Cash App - $HowardRizio
PayPal - @HowardRizio
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