Smoky Mountains

January 30, 2012 - 9:32pm
Paul Longchamps, a light bulb changer for SU, will begin the 2,180-mile trek of the Appalachian Trail in February.

Three out of four people who attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail in its entirety do not succeed. Somewhere along that trek — a 2,180-mile footpath that stretches through 14 states, an epic trail the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest 16 times — they falter. Injury, illness, family, funds and a broken-down psyche may lead the hikers off course.