Andy Ward
The Appalachian Trail is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and Andy Ward of Soddy Daisy completed the 2,180-mile trail on Sept. 10. The 24-year-old Soddy Daisy High School Class of 2007 graduate had dreamed of walking the famous AT since he was a little boy. His dad, Jeff Ward, showed him the trail at Newfound Gap. After researching the trail and reading all the books and articles he could for two years, Andy began his hike on March 24, 2012 starting in Springer Mountain, Ga., and ending on Mt. Katahdin, Maine. He walked through 14 states. Only one in four hikers complete the whole trail in one season. Andy’s family and friends were able to keep up with his location by the use of a GPS system, called SPOT.
After two days on the trail, Andy was given the trail name, “Cheddah” by the “ thru” hikers he met. Cheddah’s parents, Jeff and Karen Ward of Soddy Daisy, met him on the trail at different points between Springer Mountain, Georgia and Harper’s Ferry, W.V. The AT Conservatory is located in Harper’s Ferry and is considered the half way mental mark of the trail. At the Conservatory, Andy signed in as Thru-Hiker #517 with his grandmother, Jimmie Irwin watching. From Harper’s Ferry to Bear Mountain, N.Y., Andy walked with his trail family. His Godparents, Lee and Linda Struble of Spencerport, N.Y., met him and fed Andy and his friends. Later in New Hampshire, he was met by his girlfriend, Jordan Carmosino and three high school friends, Doug Ford, Joey Leahy and Alex Honkonen. They slack packed with Andy for two days on the trail and then Andy’s dad joined him in Caratuck, Maine.
Andy said he will never forget his adventures on the trail. The acts of kindness by total strangers in and around the trail and the trail towns like Damascus and Buchanan, Va., are ones he will always remember. Walking into a town and having packages waiting on him with homemade goodies, new shoes, and change of seasonal gear and letters of encouragement, he greatly appreciated from his mother, Karen. Andy went through three pairs of walking shoes before the end of the trail. He has over 2,000 pictures of his walk.
Andy ended the trail on a beautiful Maine morning as thru-hiker # 374. Andy “Cheddah” Ward received his official certificate as a 2,000 Mile Club Member and will have his “walk to remember” in the official conservatory history book for 2012.
Andy Ward