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# "Clay Hikes" on the Home Stretch
- URL: https://www.hikingamerica.com/clay_hikes/
- Published: 2022-10-23T14:59:09.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-19T13:24:35.000Z
- Description: Clay "Clay_Hikes" Chapman left the shore of Delaware exactly 8 months ago. He is set to arrive at the Golden Gate Bridge in the coming weeks!
- Author: John Wesley Brett
- Tags: California, Colorado, Indiana

Tomorrow, October 24th will be exactly eight months since Clay "Clay Hikes" Chapman left [**Cape Henlopen, Delaware**](https://www.instagram.com/p/CaXS3GuuuYX/?ref=hikingamerica.com), on a cross-country crusade on the **American Discovery Trail**. 

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0f/28/0f286572-aa37-49a3-8704-f6d42aa3a69a/content/images/2022/09/Hiking-America-wordmark-GreenSlogan.png)](https://www.hikingamerica.com/#/portal/signup)

Having passed through Sacramento, California, this week, Clay is just a couple of weeks away from becoming the only Westbound ADT hiker to complete an ADT thru-hike this year. Actually, the first in several years! 

KCRA-TV caught up with him this week.

Like many American Discovery Trail hikers, Clay is a giving soul. He is partnered with [**Hope Scarves**](https://www.hopescarves.org/?ref=hikingamerica.com),a nonprofit organization that funds breast cancer research and fosters community among those with breast cancer. 

**Clay's Venmo** is **@clay\_hikes** should you want to support him and his cause.

He also has been a consistent crowdsourcing member of **Hiking America**, with **more than 100 new Hiker Notes** added to the guides this year to aid those who follow his footsteps along the Northern Route of the ADT.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0f/28/0f286572-aa37-49a3-8704-f6d42aa3a69a/content/images/2022/10/notes.jpg)

A few of 'Clay Hikes' helpful and diverse Hiker Notes from northeastern Colorado. 

Over the last decade, extreme weather and wildfires in the western U.S. have thwarted several Westbound ADT thru-hike attempts. 

This year, **Briana DeSanctis**, who is working to become the **first woman ever to complete the ENTIRE ADT** (to include both Northern and Southern routes), was on track to complete a thru-hike. Her trek was slowed this year because she has become a popular speaker for numerous groups following her [**Facebook fan page!**](https://www.facebook.com/rockygoeshiking) Not the worst problem to have! But with the threat of winter weather arriving, [**she called an audible**](https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=search&v=2376760299157274) three weeks ago in Colorado and is doing sort of a Flip-Flop to finish her goal next year. 

[**Bernie Krausse**](https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story%5Ffbid=pfbid02Ry41EtspMRRAQSGL9mMYeYKzqDLW8ivKWHYLqgf3oqHmCeCB6jHMAKFPd6x4G4vcl&id=575812998), a Hiking America member, arrived at the [**Knobstone Trail**](https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story%5Ffbid=pfbid02Ry41EtspMRRAQSGL9mMYeYKzqDLW8ivKWHYLqgf3oqHmCeCB6jHMAKFPd6x4G4vcl&id=575812998) part of the ADT in Indiana this week. He should complete his **Eastbound thru-hike** to Cape Henlopen in late November or early December.

And [**Shawn "Ruk Runner" Whitcomb**](https://www.hikingamerica.com/colorado-alternate-routes/) is also On-Trail hiking through Colorado. He's currently in the Rockies and will later join [**our alternative route**](https://www.hikingamerica.com/colorado-alternate-routes/) to avoid high altitudes so late in the year.

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0f/28/0f286572-aa37-49a3-8704-f6d42aa3a69a/content/images/2022/10/button.jpg)](https://www.hikingamerica.com/#/portal/signup)

**Hike Your Hike – John.**