Heidi's Continental Divide Trek
Donation protected
My name is Heidi Zhang. Next year I plan to trek the 2800-mile Continental Divide Trail, and I need your help.
I grew up in China and immigrated to the US when I was 17. Ironically, I had always lived in big cities in China and never got an opportunity to venture into the “wild”. Fortunately, My education here in the US opened my eye by offering a vast array of outdoor adventures: I started out doing short hikes, and then moved onto some bigger stuff.
In the summer of 2013, I thru-hiked the 486-mile Colorado Trail.
In the following summer of 2014, I thru-hiked the 2660-mile Pacific Crest Trail.
Then, in 2015, I finished the 2190-mile Appalachian Trail.
These adventures have lead me to meaningful places, interesting people, and profound discoveries of myself. Through communicating my stories to the outdoor communities both here in the US and in China, I was moved by how many people found my stories inspiring. Indeed, what started out as a personal dream is growing into a larger cause: I want to document what it is like to walk the American West, discover the “Backbone of the World”, tell a story of nature, and distribute this knowledge and understanding of a holistic Outdoor philosophy to the mass, both here in the US and in China.
Thus, I strive to complete my triple crown hike by finishing up the 2800-mile CDT next year. In doing so, I will be the first Asian female Triple Crowner, and the first Triple Crowner ever from China. (A Triple Crowner is a long-distance hiker who completed all three trails: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail).
But more importantly, I wish to direct people’s attention to our Wilderness in peril. With a newly elected President against global warming and Environmentalism, the National Scenic Trails need our help more than ever.
In the meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the Chinese people have just started to discover the thrill of backpacking. I wish this fire could grow into a bigger reality: a cause to push for protecting trails, facilitate Leave No Trace, and re-discover bonds between local communities, the land, and economic development. The themes have multiple layers, and neither the trek itself nor the documentation of the trek will be easy.
Thus, your generous help will be greatly appreciated. The funding will proceed to cover the pre-trip cost, mostly on travel expenses, insurance, and prepared resupply packages. I will devote 20% of the funding I raised on GoFundMe.com to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (http://continentaldividetrail.org/). This non-profit organization strives to build, maintain, and raise funds to protect and promote one of our national treasures -- the National Scenic Trail system. I will document my trek along the way through my Facebook, Instagram and Wechat accounts. Most importantly, I will grow out from the trip with a better understanding of our Wilderness to tell a story through my own writing.
Thank you very much!
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Ghandi
I grew up in China and immigrated to the US when I was 17. Ironically, I had always lived in big cities in China and never got an opportunity to venture into the “wild”. Fortunately, My education here in the US opened my eye by offering a vast array of outdoor adventures: I started out doing short hikes, and then moved onto some bigger stuff.
In the summer of 2013, I thru-hiked the 486-mile Colorado Trail.
In the following summer of 2014, I thru-hiked the 2660-mile Pacific Crest Trail.
Then, in 2015, I finished the 2190-mile Appalachian Trail.
These adventures have lead me to meaningful places, interesting people, and profound discoveries of myself. Through communicating my stories to the outdoor communities both here in the US and in China, I was moved by how many people found my stories inspiring. Indeed, what started out as a personal dream is growing into a larger cause: I want to document what it is like to walk the American West, discover the “Backbone of the World”, tell a story of nature, and distribute this knowledge and understanding of a holistic Outdoor philosophy to the mass, both here in the US and in China.
Thus, I strive to complete my triple crown hike by finishing up the 2800-mile CDT next year. In doing so, I will be the first Asian female Triple Crowner, and the first Triple Crowner ever from China. (A Triple Crowner is a long-distance hiker who completed all three trails: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail).
But more importantly, I wish to direct people’s attention to our Wilderness in peril. With a newly elected President against global warming and Environmentalism, the National Scenic Trails need our help more than ever.
In the meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the Chinese people have just started to discover the thrill of backpacking. I wish this fire could grow into a bigger reality: a cause to push for protecting trails, facilitate Leave No Trace, and re-discover bonds between local communities, the land, and economic development. The themes have multiple layers, and neither the trek itself nor the documentation of the trek will be easy.
Thus, your generous help will be greatly appreciated. The funding will proceed to cover the pre-trip cost, mostly on travel expenses, insurance, and prepared resupply packages. I will devote 20% of the funding I raised on GoFundMe.com to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (http://continentaldividetrail.org/). This non-profit organization strives to build, maintain, and raise funds to protect and promote one of our national treasures -- the National Scenic Trail system. I will document my trek along the way through my Facebook, Instagram and Wechat accounts. Most importantly, I will grow out from the trip with a better understanding of our Wilderness to tell a story through my own writing.
Thank you very much!
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Ghandi
Organizer
Heidi Zhang
Organizer
Austin, TX