“The world reveals itself to those who travel on foot.”–Werner Herzog. In an extraordinary feat of endurance and determination, Alexis Holzmann experienced the wild up close! What began as a personal daring challenge turned into an experience of a lifetime venturing along the iconic Appalachian Trail.
This 28-year-old joined the group of 20,000 people who successfully completed the trek. Well, to give a perspective, only 20% of people who attempt, succeed! Despite meticulous planning and determination, this journey was far from a walk in the park.
Hiking Adventure of 2,200 Miles in 6 Months!
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Holzmann’s adventure commenced on 5 March in Georgia, where she embarked on a grueling trek across 14 states. Bidding farewell to her job as an elementary school teacher, she prepared herself for the big adventure of taking Spring and Summer off—to prepare!
She started off with a group of 13 people, which later came down to 9, walking 30 miles a day and traveling across 14 states. Her father, Alt Holzmann, who is also an avid hiker, accompanied his daughter for the first week to check her safety and surroundings. Upon satisfaction, he let her be.
Her group members for her energy, speed, and spirit gave Alexis the name ‘Rocket’. Surviving on Snickers and Cliff bars, the Arlington graduate pushed herself through woods, up the mountains, water, and rugged terrain. The most difficult part of the entire trek was the final 500 miles, as Alexis anticipated.
The Final Climb and the View of Glory
Overcoming encounters with snakes, bears, and an ankle injury, she made it to the final destination on August 30. The final taxing stretch of the hike included the ‘Hundred-Mile-Wilderness’ called so because of its remote location and prohibition of outsiders. Her family and friends were very supportive and got them food and customized t-shirts to keep the group motivated.
On the final day, Alexis woke up early, eager to complete the last miles. She and her group shaved off an hour of the time from the ETA, reaching the summit in 2hrs 54mins. On 30 August, at 10:30 AM, they reached Mount Katahdin and were awestruck by the view below. She shared with Poughkeepsie Journal,
“It was such a surreal feeling,” Holzmann said of fulfilling a longtime goal. “I was just emotional and filled with gratitude for this journey and the people I’d met. In that moment, I’m thinking, ‘How did I get here?’ And then you say to yourself, ‘Well, you walked.’”
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On her car ride back home, she re-lived those amazing moments she had while she travelled all the way. And she then got perspective of how far she really did walk!
Her Changed Outlook on Life after the Trek
As Alexis readjusts to her life back in civilization, after losing 10 pounds on her journey! Her story stands as a testament to her power of determination. The Trail not only pushed her physical limits but also left a lasting imprint on her perspective and outlook on life.
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“One of the ironies is, you have this monumental task, and you want to be consistent and hurry,” she said. “But the conditions would sometimes force you to slow down, and in that time, you find yourself enjoying the creeks and appreciating the beauty of what’s around you. And, really, that’s life.”
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