By Megan Schmid
The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, stretching nearly 2,200 miles from Maine to Georgia. Completing the entire A.T. in one trip is an immense challenge. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt the feat, but only about one in four succeed. Among those who triumphed in 2024 were Restonians Remington Curren and Austin Palik, who completed the Southbound thru-hike and said they’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
In May 2024, Austin graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, while Remington earned a Bachelor of Arts in cinema from Virginia Commonwealth University. While most new grads might celebrate by relaxing on a tropical island, Austin and Remington saw the perfect opportunity to conquer the A.T. instead. On June 20, they embarked on their 169-day journey.
The Southbound thru-hike starts with one of the Trail’s most grueling sections. After summiting Mount Katahdin, hikers enter the 100-Mile Wilderness, the A.T.'s most remote stretch. With no reliable WiFi and no opportunities for resupply, Austin and Remington quickly had to adjust to the discomforts of trail life.
“Maine was my favorite state. It was beautiful, with so many places to swim,” Austin said. “But it was also the hardest because it’s the rainiest. We were always wet, and the bugs were terrible. You had to get used to sleeping in wet socks, but once you embraced being outside, it got easier.”
After making it through Maine’s remote wilderness, they began posting daily video journals to keep friends and family updated on their progress as they trekked through 14 states.
Their supplies were minimal, consisting of a pack with essentials: a tent, quilt, clothes, tools, and food. Their diet included lightweight, high-calorie items such as Pop-Tarts, canned chicken and tuna, ramen noodles, tortillas, granola bars, and candy—a menu many college students might find familiar. While they didn’t have to pitch their tents every night, thanks to free shelters spaced every 5 to 10 miles along the trail, they relied daily on their water filters and quilts.
“Towards the end, there were days it didn’t get above freezing. We would huddle under our quilts until we fell asleep,” Austin recalled. But the cold wasn’t the only challenge.
“My biggest challenge was getting shin splints in New York. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to continue,” Austin said. “After taking three days off, I managed to start hiking again. Those three days put me 50 miles behind Remington and our friends, and it took a week and a half of hiking alone to catch up. It’s much more challenging being alone.”
The duo completed their hike at the summit of Springer Mountain in Georgia on Dec. 5. While Austin was 35 pounds lighter by the end, the journey left him feeling more fulfilled. “The most rewarding part of this whole experience was that we started at the top of the country and ended at the bottom. If you have enough time, you can walk pretty much anywhere. I didn’t drive here—I walked here. And I had so much fun doing it,” he said.
While hiking may not be for everyone, there’s something universally inspiring about their achievement. “If you’re thinking about doing it, you should. It sounds like a lot—and it is—but the whole trip is about making life a lot simpler than what it is in the real world,” Austin added.
Follow @apalik_ and @remicurren on Instagram to view their video journals and relive their adventure of a lifetime. Happy trails in the new year!
I followed their adventures! Handsaw Boyz! Made it through hurricane Helene damage. Way to stick it out! I hope to do it when I retire if I still have the energy!