Warwick resident hiking Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine

Warwick - On Sunday, July 8, Russell E. Anderson had just traveled straight from Georgia when he arrived home. Anderson lives in Warwick with his parents, Russell and Patricia Anderson, and two of his three brothers. That might not seem all that unusual except for the fact that Anderson had walked the entire distance along the Appalachian Trail. “It’s something I always wanted to do,” he said. “and I plan to continue until I arrive at the end of the Trail in Maine.” The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which passes through Warwick at Route 17A near Mount Peter, is over 2000 miles long and extends from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin Mountain, Maine. Anderson, who has lost 30 pounds since he began his arduous journey, was fortunately in good shape well before he began this challenge. In 1999, he graduated from Don Bosco High School in nearby Ramsey, NJ, where he excelled at basketball. He then accepted a basketball scholarship to Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, where he played basketball for five years. Two years ago, after earning his Masters Degree at Monmouth, Anderson began working as a personal trainer for the New York Sports Club in Marlborough, NJ. He is a certified strengthening and conditioning instructor. To begin his long journey, Anderson flew to Atlanta and was met by his grandfather, a resident of the State of Florida. They then drove to Amacola Falls State Park, Georgia, where Anderson had to hike nine miles just to reach the beginning of the Appalachian Trail. He began his long journey on March 23 and expects to arrive at his final destination in Maine by mid-September. Although many of the hikers along the Trail, like Anderson, are traveling alone, they often join up with new friends they meet along the way. “Everybody on the Trail is part of a big family,” he said. “And each hiker has their own trail or nick name.” Anderson, however, traveled much of the way alone but took the opportunity to travel long distances on two different occasions with other hikers, one of whom he knew as a friend. Besides being in good physical condition, Anderson said that one of the most important considerations is minimizing the weight of your backpack. “I carry a small light tent and no canned food - only dehydrated dinners, cereals and protein bars,” he said. Anderson also carried a data book that provided information about the next town along the Trail as well as availability of food, water and postal services. “I would only carry enough food to make it to a nearby store or some place where I could pick up a food package mailed by my family or my girlfriend Caryn,” he explained. To keep in touch with his family and friends or in case of an emergency, Anderson also carried a cellular phone with extra batteries and a charger. However, with the exception of a bout with tics in the Shenandoah National Park and about a dozen black bear sightings, most of which were in New Jersey, the trip has been generally uneventful thus far. Those who hike the entire length of the Trail can take off-trail breaks but to claim success they must complete the trip in one season. “I needed a few days to gain some weight and let my feet heal,” he said. “I’m not sure I could have done this without the strong support I received from my family and friends and, of course, my girlfriend Caryn. I’m very grateful.” Anderson plans to take another short break in about two weeks but he will have to keep in mind that the Maine portion of the Trail closes October 15. Anderson’s father has also assembled some backpacking gear and plans to join his son on the Massachusetts portion of the Trail for about a week. The remainder of Anderson’s journey will then involve some serious hill and mountain climbing including Mt. Washington, the highest mountain (6,280-ft.) in the Northeast. In September, most of his family will travel to Maine to meet him at the end of the Trail, celebrate his accomplishment and drive him home. “That’s when I’ll begin sending out my resume,” he laughed. Anderson’s grandmother, Peggy Anderson, a resident of Warwick, has become his publicity agent and enjoys reporting on his adventures along the Trail. “She did the same for me,” said his father, Russell Anderson. “When I was his age I took a motorcycle trip to the Grand Canyon and then hiked all the way down to the bottom with my buddy. My mother had our local paper publish the story.”