Ten thousand hikers start the Appalachian Trail every year. Only ten percent finish.
Whether you begin in Maine or Georgia, the trail is 2,186 miles long filled with steep climbs, deep valleys, rivers to ford, wildlife, majestic views, strangers who become friends, and swollen, blistered feet.
I began this trek at age 66 and hiked 91 mountain peaks, went through 14 states, 464,464 elevation changes -- the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest 25 times.
Along the way, I acquired the trail name "Preacher," carried a 43-pound backpack, lost 25 pounds, got lost three times, and wore out seven pairs of boots.
Many who start the trail are in a life turning point and seek spiritual guidance from the awesome wonder of the mountain peaks, sunsets, running rivers and sunrises that offer beauty and peace. Or they may seek a voice to share some solace, or an ear to listen. As I was called "Preacher," some came seeking counsel.
I started the journey as a challenge to myself, but I found much more when I experienced God's footprints already on the mountains.
I'm sharing my experiences to help others who choose to begin the journey. I hope my descriptions of the Trail, the people and equipment that worked for me, guide someone to travel these mountain trails and find answers.
Hillman, Jacque: - Senior Partner, The HillHelen Group Publishing Co.; editor, award-winning journalist for 30 years; former English teacher; graduate, Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy 2010-2011; Sterling Awards: 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee 2014.
Renshaw, Dennis: - Dr. Dennis Renshaw was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, but grew up in Iran, India and Indonesia as his father was with the United States State Department. At age 15, Dr. Renshaw climbed Mt. Damavand, Iran, elevation 18,406 feet, the highest mountain in Iran and the highest volcano in Asia. It's snow-covered year-round. "You have to climb the last 3,000 feet in the dark and summit at sunrise so you can quickly descend due to toxic sulfur emissions caused by the heating of the sun," Dr. Renshaw said. He attended high school at the Tehran American High School and received his B.S. in math and chemistry at Lambuth College in Jackson, Tennessee. He ran track and cross-country on scholarship in high school and on scholarship in college. He studied engineering at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and graduated cum laude in 1992 from Union University in marketing and management. At Memphis Theological Seminary, he received his master of divinity in 1999 and doctor of ministries in 2006. He has worked as an industrial engineer, manager of engineering, in industrial sales and as an industrial sales manager. He has been an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church since 2002 and has served churches for 14 years as a pastor. Dr. Renshaw hiked the Appalachian Trail over the summers of 2013 and 2015. Hiking 2,186 miles over hazardous mountains into steep valleys through every kind of terrain and weather imaginable turned into a 5.5-month adventure, especially at age 66. Dr. Renshaw started this trek as a challenge to himself because his research of the Appalachian Trail said only a small percentage of those starting the hike actually finished. Newly retired as a United Methodist pastor, he felt God's presence in unique ways as he trekked across the 14 states to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Read about his adventures, challenges, danger and resolve in being God's hands and feet as he felt God's "Footprints on the Mountains." Dr. Renshaw is an avid golfer, a certified scuba diver and has a commercial pilot's license. He built half of his home and can do most maintenance on the home, including electrical, plumbing, framing, woodwork and yard work. He's married to Judy Renshaw, and they have four children and seven grandchildren. They love to travel in their fifth-wheel camper. They've traveled to Canada and Alaska twice and 26 states.
