On the list of things most people would not do, hiking the Appalachian Trail in its entirety is one of them. But to Milligan couple Branden and Anna Jones, hiking the Appalachian Trail is on the top of their list. In merely six months, Branden and Anna plan to trek the estimated 2,200 miles of mountainous terrain, all the way from Springer Mountain, Ga., to Mount Katahdin, Maine.
Before being known as the couple who will hike this massive trail, Branden and Anna have become a staple in the Milligan community.
Branden and Anna are both Milligan alumni — Branden in 2014 and Anna in 2015 — and have also lived as a couple in the Webb dorm on campus for the past three years, because Branden is the Webb Resident Director.
“We have spent around seven or eight years of our life here and it’s our home” Branden said. “This community will have a lasting impact on us.”
The hike itself is not necessarily the longest part, or even the beginning, to this journey.
Branden and Anna have spent the past two years prepping and planning for this hike. The couple has read books, researched online, and listened to podcasts and other hikers’ accounts about this trail.
Their research has actually resulted in them approaching the hike differently than other Appalachian hikers. They plan to “flip-flop” the trail by starting in West Virginia, hiking up to Maine, then traveling back to West Virginia and finishing in Georgia. They chose to “flip-flop” because of timing and trail conservation. Rather than ending in Maine when the weather is getting colder, they are ending in Georgia. Also, according to appachiantrail.org, “flip-flopping” helps disperse the flow of hikers and helps preserve the natural setting of the trail.
Despite the long and necessary preparation, Branden and Anna are still excited to take on this challenge.
“To be outside in nature for six months and eliminate the stress of work, and then to spend that time uninterrupted with Branden is just exciting for me,” Anna said.
Branden echoed in behind Anna and said, “We see each other in passing because of work and classes, but our only agenda during this time (will be) to walk. So not just spending time with Anna, but really ‘being’ with her is something I’m looking forward to.”
Branden and Anna will update people on their status and adventures every few weeks on social media. They both commented on how surprised they were to get such an overwhelming and supportive response from Milligan and the community.
Although Branden and Anna are excited about this opportunity, the farewell to Milligan is bittersweet for them.
“We have lived here a long time and have poured into this community,” Branden said. “It’s our home, but we want to leave an impact in that God has given us the strength to do this, so we will.”