WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU TOOK A HUGE LEAP OF FAITH?

When was the last time you made an enormous, unplanned decision that altered every facet of your daily life???

Embarking on a journey of personal growth often requires us to summon vast amounts of courage to take a daring leap of faith. In the face of uncertainty, choosing the path less traveled has become my theme song for unraveling lesser-known parts of myself. With each bold step we take, we bravely traverse uncharted territory and fabricate the tapestry of our own resilience… emerging on the other side with newfound wisdom and a deeper connection to the real magic within us.

Deciding to be the long-season Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner in the Smokies this year has been one of the biggest revolutions I have made in a long time. And because it was a somewhat spontaneous decision, the commitment I have undertaken is ultimately sinking in. I have not regretted my decision, even for a moment. I realize more and more how divinely perfect this choice truly is for me and what it represents moving forward. You know what? I GOT THIS.

Honestly, that is just how this fiery Sagittarian, free spirit is… ready to say YES to life… just to see what magic there is for me to discover. When I take a massive leap of faith, it is characteristically extreme. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Well… TADA! Big changes are happening for many of us, and magic is definitely afoot…

Snowy hike to Cosby Knob

The past two weeks of Ridgerunner training have been exciting and utterly jam-packed with essential information. No pressure, right?!?

We began our first week of training with an Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) sponsored Wilderness First Aid certification class (which also conveniently served as my Wilderness First Responder recertification course – Yay!). Thankfully, I passed the (unanticipated) exam I had to take with flying colors, but only after a morning teeming with nervous anxiety. Ahhh… all for naught. Later in the week, the Smokies Ridgerunners, along with the Georgia team, headed to a section of the Appalachian Trail for Leave No Trace and overnight field training.

We were based out of a classroom at the GSMNP Sugarland’s Visitor Center for our second week of training. We learned how to use all our park-issued equipment, such as the National Park Service (NPS) radio, a Garmin InReach, Bear Spray, and other pertinent gear, such as the giant folding saw used for trail maintenance (that I, of course, affectionately call my Samurai Sword… because… why not?!)

A great day for field training.

We had a lovely cold but sunshine-filled hike up to the Cosby Knob Shelter for further field training. We cleaned up and picked out garbage from firepits, the shelter, and the trail and performed some less glamorous privy maintenance. The training was more than sufficient, and I enjoyed meeting everyone I will be working with this season. I can genuinely say my supervisor, the NPS backcountry office/dispatch staff, and the other Ridgerunners are delightful folks dedicated to caring for our beloved Appalachian Trail through the Smokies.

I am honored to be a part of this badass team, and I look forward to seeing you on the trail!
Happy hiking!
xoxCollin