Embarking on a solo expedition along the Appalachian Trail, Hunter Lacomis is driven by a personal challenge to traverse the nearly 2,200-mile stretch across 14 states. Despite his mother’s concerns, Lacomis finds solace in the community of hikers along the route. “Doing it alone kind of adds to it, and it’s not really that dangerous, you know, my mom might think otherwise,” he shared, adding, “but there are so many people out there that … you have a good community and good support, so I’ve been enjoying it.”
After passing the halfway marker in Michaux State Forest, Cumberland County, Lacomis paused his journey to celebrate his 30th birthday with family in Northeast Pennsylvania. “Ever since day one, I’ve been excited to kind of get closer to home, and like seeing the woods change too,” he remarked. Following this brief interlude, he resumed his trek towards Maine, departing from Andreas in Schuylkill County with his 45-pound backpack in tow.
Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, or the A.T., involves completing the entire trail within a year. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy notes that only about 33% of hikers achieve this feat. In 2025, 834 hikers successfully completed the arduous journey, coinciding with the conservancy’s centennial celebration.
‘I have to finish it’
Inspired by his uncles who conquered the A.T. two decades ago, Lacomis meticulously planned his own adventure for two years. He left his engineering job, saved finances, and adjusted his life to accommodate the six-month trek. “It definitely has to feel like the right thing to do. And it did, to me,” he explained. “I think I was prepared to take the leap pretty much. And you know, it certainly makes it harder to quit the trail because I quit my job, and like, I’m dedicated to doing this, so I have to finish it.”
Starting on March 4 at Springer Mountain in Georgia, Lacomis opted for the popular northbound route, aiming to reach Mount Katahdin, Maine, by mid-August. Averaging 15 to 20 miles daily, he embraces the challenges of trail life.
Life on trail
Despite his slender build, Lacomis has shed 13 pounds since starting his trek, even with a 20-liter food supply. “I always have too much food, which is not a bad thing,” he quipped. Favoring sneakers over hiking boots for their lightness and quicker drying time, he sports a lime-green sun-protective shirt, shorts, and a Suskie Bassmasters hat.
His 45-pound backpack contains essentials like a sleeping bag, tent, clothing, toiletries, and a water filter. A satellite transponder helps keep his mother at ease by regularly updating his location. “I turn that on when I hike, and it sends my location up and keeps my mom in check,” he noted. At day’s end, he swaps his hiking shoes for Crocs, appreciating the comfort after long hikes.
The goat
Each hiker on the trail often earns a nickname, which Lacomis received early in his journey. Dubbed “goat” for his swift mountain ascents, he embraced the moniker. “I was climbing up the mountain so fast they called me mountain goat,” he explained. “I just shortened it to goat, one syllable, nice and easy.”
Encounters with “trail angels” are a cherished experience for hikers. These benevolent individuals offer “trail magic” in the form of food, drinks, or rides. Lacomis fondly recalls enjoying Yuengling Lager and pie provided by these kind souls. “Everybody has some kind of tangential relationship to the trail, and it’s really pretty inspiring,” he said. Lacomis hopes to become a trail angel himself someday, spreading the kindness he has received.
Just do it
Throughout his journey, Lacomis has largely avoided distractions from music or podcasts, occasionally listening when he needs a boost. Though he remains connected to family via cell phone, he uses the trip to disconnect from world events. “I’ve kind of purposely disconnected from, you know, some of the news and world events and things, which is nice,” he said. His awe at the trail’s varying landscapes, such as the transition from deciduous to evergreen forests, has been a highlight.
For those considering a thru-hike, Lacomis advises starting with shorter backpacking trips to build confidence. “There are so many loops in Pennsylvania to try, but if you can do two nights, you can do 100 nights,” he suggested. Encouraging prospective hikers, he emphasized the supportive community: “The kindness of the whole community is still just so overwhelming and hard to believe, and everybody from any background is all on the same page,” he said. “We’re all just trying to hike north or south, or whatever it is, and you know we’re just all looking to the same goal.”
