True Blue Spotlight: Georgia Southern Students Tackle Popular Hiking Trail

Georgia Southern Eagles Christian Scott, Wilson and Dillon Calhoun grew up together in Statesboro, Georgia, where they developed a real love of nature and the outdoors. Last year, the three friends took on an ultimate adventure and hiked the Appalachian Trail from one end to the other.

“It’s something we wanted to do for a long time, as we have always been involved in the outdoors,” said Scott about his adventure with his childhood friends. The Appalachian Trail, while a popular one, is no easy feat. The 2,190-mile trail runs through 14 states, beginning in Georgia, and crosses into North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire before ending in Maine.

“Our family spends lots of time outside, camping, biking, running, birdwatching, etc., said Georgia Southern Assistant Professor Heather Scott, Ed.D., Christian’s mother. “All three boys were Eagle Scouts, which provided basic training for this type of adventure.”

While the three friends were committed to making the arduous trek, the professor said she and her husband, Damian Scott, didn’t approve of the young men’s hiking plans right away.

“Initially, we were not supportive, as we thought that school was more important, and we didn’t want Christian to put off school for a semester or two,” she said. “However, when COVID appeared, we saw how virtual, asynchronous classes were uninspiring and not a good fit for Christian. We realized what better time to endeavor in such a long hike, than when you are unencumbered and in the midst of a pandemic.”

The trio set out on their demanding trek Feb. 27, 2021, at Springer Mountain, Georgia, and finished July 15 at Mt. Katahdin, Maine. During their four months and 17 days on the trail, Scott said the weather cooperated for most of the hike, but he added, “There were a couple of weeks throughout where we had continuous rain, some fierce snow and hail, lots of thunderstorms and one flood.“

He also experienced a bout with food poisoning around mile 350 and hiked 45 miles without anything to eat. Despite that setback, the hiker said, “Walking through the Northeast was amazing. The mountains were beautiful, the lakes were abundant and I saw plenty of new species of birds.”

At the end of the hike, the three friends showed their True Blue spirit by displaying the Georgia Southern Campus Recreation and Intramurals banner.

“Wilson and I were employees at Southern Adventures when we left, and our hike was something they were a big part of and were very supportive of,” Scott said. “Southern Adventures is unrivaled as an outdoor recreation program and has been the best job I have ever worked.”

Now that they have completed their quest, Scott’s parents said they couldn’t be prouder of the young men’s achievement.

“Christian Thomas has an inordinate amount of perseverance and physical ability,” said his mother. “Even so, this trek was hard, so yes, we are very proud of this accomplishment. He has returned with increased maturity, clarity about a course of study, and a renewed interest in returning to school. He spent four and one-half months studying nature in a very focused way and collected many beautiful photographs and journal writings along the way.“