The Appalachian Trail, commonly known as the AT, runs from Georgia to Maine, spanning 2,193.1 miles. Approximately 3 million people visit the trail every year, but only a select few spend extensive time hiking the AT. Pennridge highschool student, Ashton Muhlig, is one of those select few.

For one week out of every year, she can be found trekking through the woods of Pennsylvania, walking approximately 10 miles each day. Her motivation for the voyage is surprisingly simple. Muhlig said, “Working your way up to a beautiful, breathtaking view? It’s incredible”. 

Muhlig does not embark on this trip alone. She typically goes with a group of eight to ten people. They all carry in their gear, upwards of 80 pounds, and pack it out, sleeping along the trail anywhere they can find.

They sleep in hammocks, sing by the fire, tell stories, and eat, as Muhlig calls it, “crummy” food. One particular creation from these excursions is the Rom-Bomb, a delicate mixture of ramen and instant mashed potatoes. It is such a desirable meal because the ingredients are so light and easy to carry in. All that is needed is a boiled pot of water and voila! A hearty meal for all.

Not every trip is smooth sailing, in fact, the hikers tend to call it the “best, worst week ever”. Their most recent trip ended in disaster. It ended early because their only way of purifying water, a small water pump, broke, and one of the trip members suffered from a leg injury.

However, Muhlig was not dismayed, instead looking forward to the next trip. Her attitude towards nature and hiking is infectious. Unfortunately, so much enthusiasm can have negative consequences. Muhlig reported having difficulty sleeping each night of the trip, saying, “I didn’t need to be excited, I needed to fall asleep”. 

The 2020 trip was postponed due to COVID-19, but Muhlig intends to continue the tradition, she just can’t get away from getting away.