It was a fortuitous meeting with Peanut Butter and Corn Syrup that sealed the deal for Hudson Brock to hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. A graduate of Holy Trinity and Kennesaw State University, Hudson grew up hiking with his dad and while his college schedule was upended during COVID, he started backpacking solo. “That next year I was hiking a section of the AT near Blood Mountain and met two hikers walking the whole trail,” he says. "I still remember their trail names, Peanut Butter and Corn Syrup. We chatted while eating and I got into my head that I wanted to hike the whole trail after completing college.”
Hudson completed his degree from KSU in Computer Engineering in December of 2023, hit the trail in March and hiked 2,192 miles finishing in July of 2024. He started hiking 10 miles a day, building to an average of 20-plus miles, camping in subzero temperatures in the Smoky Mountains, marching through all-day rain storms and filing away more memories than he could have imagined. “I also lost 40 pounds. By the time I got to the base of Mount Katahdin in Maine, I really looked like a whole new hiker,” he says.
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a footpath-only trail that extends from Georgia to Maine. The trail passes through 14 states and through various national and state parks. Each year there are somewhere between three to four thousand people who attempt it, with a success rate of 20-25%.
Prep and Circumstance
Hudson already had some backpacking experience, so his focus was on training for a long-distance hike and foul weather and perfecting his equipment. "I tried to walk on mountain trails when I could, but usually when I had less time, I went to Leita Thompson Park. I calculated I walked something like 400 miles there.”
Day One
“The first few days are honestly the hardest part of the trip, both mentally and physically. Doing some walking beforehand does not train you for hiking day in and day out,” says Hudson who at that point had doubts about his success. “Muscles get super sore from climbing mountains, and you still need to hike the next day. Mentally, the huge task ahead of you is daunting.”
The trail starts here in Georgia at Springer Mountain. "I took the longer route up to Springer, starting at Amicalola Falls where I picked up my AT tag, number 661, the 661st person to start the northbound trail from Georgia.
His parents were in Maine to cheer him on at the end of the trail. The last seven miles of the trail are some of the hardest with an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet, over five miles. The terrain is a boulder field, requiring precise climbing and good footwork.
The view from the top at Baxter’s Peak is spectacular and fortunately for Hudson, skies at the summit were clear. “After stopping and looking at the view, I cried. I cried in relief of the journey being over and I could sleep in the same bed for more than a night. I cried in joy that I had completed such a monumental task of my own will. I cried in sadness that I was done with this journey.”
Next up? Hudson will start graduate school in January and is aspiring to complete his “triple crown,” training to conquer the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail.
After stopping and looking at the view, I cried.