It’s been a little more than a month now since Prince George resident Leland McKeeman set out to hike the Appalachian Trail to raise money for mental health research.
He’s covered just over 380 miles in that time. That’s a whole lot of footsteps for mental health with about 1800 miles to go.
McKeeman says it’s been a beautiful – if chilly – first few weeks.
“It’s been really great scenery. We actually had a lot of snow a couple of weeks ago. It’s been quite wintery down here. A little bit unexpected but really pretty.”
He says his favourite day so far was one spent hiking with his parents, who flew down from Minnesota to support him.
And the toughest?
“I think the toughest day was probably the first day, starting out,” McKeeman says. “A lot of adrenaline going on and it started out a little nuts and then I realized I’m going to be doing this for 6 months and it was a bit overwhelming. It was a lot to get used to, to get in the rhythm of it but now that I’ve gotten into it, it’s going pretty well.”
He says the terrain is more rural than remote and he’s been able to get online and update his social media accounts about once a week and he’s been receiving a lot of support online.
“I keep that in mind, how many people are rooting for me, and on the tough days, it really helps out, he says. “It seems like people are really enjoying seeing photos. People are still coming through with donations, which is really excellent, and sharing about what the hike means to them and what mental illness means to them or how it impacts their life.”
McKeeman has raised nearly $30,000 from both Canadian and American donors.
He has a message for everyone back home in Prince George:
“I want to thank everybody who’s donated thus far and also want to just say that the door is still open if they feel like contributing. The hike is in benefit of the Jared Parker Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is a very deserving cause that will fund mental health research at UNBC.”
You can follow his adventures on Facebook or via his blog, which also has information about how to donate.
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