I’ve often romanticized the thought of completing a through hike of one of the major hiking trails in the US - the Appalachian, Continental Divide, or Pacific Crest trail - but I’ve never really gotten past the day-dreaming stage. For a select group, however, completing a through hike of a major hiking trail isn’t enough - they have to do all three! And that’s just what John and Dawn Cicanese have done, and the Sarasota Herald Tribune has a good write up on the couple’s hiking accomplishments.

Hiking all three major American hiking routes is known in hiking and backpacking circles as “The Triple Crown” and there are probably less than 200 people who have completed the journey. The Cicanese’s have some interesting insight into what it takes to complete a through hike and for them it means lots of junk food, ultralight backpacking equipment, and jogging shoes instead of hiking boots. They also share some of the differences between the three trails: The Appalachian Trail is the most social of the three hikes with plenty of fellow hikers encountered along the way; the Continental Divide trail has the most wildlife; and the Pacific Crest trail has the best views. Surprisingly the couple also says the Appalachian trail is the toughest trail with the most ups and downs.

The Cicanese’s are involved in their local Appalachian Trail Club in Sarasota - who knew Florida even had Appalachian Trail clubs? Hiking clubs can be a great way to meet other hikers and to share tips for the trail and I imagine if they have clubs in Florida they have them just about everywhere!

So set an audacious hiking or backpacking goal in 2009 and get connected with local hikers who can help you make it happen - you might just be surprised at what you can accomplish this year!