Thankful for the Trail Ahead - Grateful for this community of dreamers and doers 🥾

Wednesday, November 24, 2025

Hi there,

Tomorrow, families across America will gather around tables to share what they're thankful for. As I think about this past year, I keep coming back to the same thing: this community we've built together around America's most ambitious trail.

When I started mapping the ADT and creating these navigation tools nearly 10 years ago, I had no idea how many people were quietly harboring the same dream—to walk across this entire continent and see what they'd discover about themselves along the way.

This year, I've had the privilege of supporting hikers like Steve Gefell as he navigated flood detours in real time (above), and helping first-time planners break down 6,800 miles into manageable sections, watching people transform from "maybe someday" to "March 15th departure date."

That transformation doesn't happen because of GPS data or waypoints—it happens because of courage. Your courage to take a dream seriously, to plan thoughtfully, and to believe that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.

What I'm Grateful For

I'm grateful for every email that starts with "I'm probably crazy, but..." and ends with a concrete question about resupply strategy. I'm thankful for the field reports from active hikers that help keep our navigation current.

I'm thankful for hikers like Rhiis and Sara, whose infectious enthusiasm and genuine charisma have inspired dozens of non-hikers in trail communities to become trail angels—people who now eagerly await the chance to support future ADT hikers passing through their towns.

We've been documenting these new connections, and it's remarkable to see how one conversation with passionate thru-hikers can turn a curious local into a committed supporter of the trail. These trail angels become part of the fabric that makes coast-to-coast hiking possible, offering everything from a cold drink to emergency assistance when hikers need it most.

I'm thankful for a community that believes in preparation without overthinking, in using smart tools without apology, and in supporting each other's adventures without gatekeeping.

I'm thankful for (l to r) Section RUNNER Suzan Brydon, perennial Section Hikers Brad and Kay McKim, Kolten and Greg James with Ember, and the rest of the Class of 2025 for sharing their suggestions and experiences along their journey.

Most of all, I'm grateful that we get to be part of something bigger than ourselves—helping people experience the profound satisfaction of setting an impossible goal and then figuring out how to make it possible.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we head into 2026, I'm excited about what's coming for this community. We'll continue refining our dual-directional navigation based on honest hiker feedback. We're working on expanded planning resources for other long-distance trails. And most importantly, we'll keep being here when you need reliable information and steady encouragement for the adventure ahead.

Whether you're still in the dreaming phase, deep in planning mode, or getting ready to take your first steps in the Atlantic Ocean foam in Delaware, know that you're part of a community that understands why this matters.

The trail is waiting. Your adventure is valid. And we're here to help you make it happen. ⛰️

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Hike Your Hike - John.

P.S. If you're spending time with family this week who think you're "crazy" for wanting to walk across America, feel free to share our success stories. Sometimes seeing that other ordinary people have done extraordinary things helps everyone understand that dreams aren't just dreams—they're plans in progress.

Ready to move from planning to doing in 2025? Our comprehensive GPS navigation and planning resources are here when you're ready to take the next step.