Milford man to hike Appalachian Path to boost consciousness for psychological well being

MILFORD, Ohio (WXIX) – A Milford man goes to make use of the following six months to boost psychological well being consciousness as he hikes the Appalachian Path.

Matt Noonan will start mountaineering the 2194.3-mile distance of the path on March 16. From there, his subsequent six months will include dwelling, respiratory, and sleeping by way of the 14 states alongside the path.

Noonan says mountaineering is one thing he doesn’t do typically, however this hike may have a particular that means.

Noonan went mountaineering in Pink River Gorge a few years in the past and obtained the concept to hike the AT. He says this can be a approach for him to unfold consciousness about psychological well being and the therapeutic properties of the good outside.

“Yeah, I decided to attempt to hike by way of the Appalachian Path primarily based on a buddy of mine taking his life in 2017,” Noonan defined. “And I wished a strategy to categorical my gratitude for the outside. With the ability to go exterior and despite the fact that I used to be feeling upset or uneasy, I may sit by the river and I may hearken to the water move and it brings serenity,” Noonan continues. “It will convey calmness to me. My message is to by no means surrender. On a nasty day, [put] one foot in entrance of the opposite and for those who get the chance to go exterior, actually go exterior.”

Noonan will hike all, however the first 30 miles alone as he plans to make connections alongside the way in which.

“Each person who I can discuss to, I’m going to speak to you. Each person who I can contact, I’m gonna attempt to contact,” explains Noonan, “If I can have one individual to not be within the place the place I used to be two years in the past, I’ve finished my job.”

He’ll hike a mean of 11 miles a day however will begin small and improve the mileage as his physique adapts. He may even have meals shipped to varied drop zones alongside the path.

Noonan is aware of there will probably be robust days, exhausting miles, and at instances he might wish to give up. However he says that’s when he’ll keep in mind his personal message: by no means surrender and keep in mind the individuals in your life that care a lot about you.

“On the day when it’s raining, when your sneakers are moist, your physique is moist, you’re drained, you’re chilly, on the whole in life to by no means surrender,” says Noonan, “As a result of there’s anyone on the market that cares and I’m considered one of them.”

Noonan has gotten a whole lot of assist from the individuals at Roads, Rivers and Trails in Milford. Particularly the corporate proprietor, Bryan Wolf, who has additionally hiked the Appalachian Path.

Noonan says with out his information and recommendation, he can be at a drawback.

Noonan will publish footage and movies to his social media accounts as typically as time and sign enable. You’ll be able to comply with alongside right here.

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