Charlie Andrews

The Appalachian Trail is an experience that has helped to define my personality, and one that I believe everyone could find value in doing. I took a year out after completing high school to think about my next move in life, now that people were referring to me as an adult.

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After dipping my toe into the world of adventures, with the walk through the comparatively busy North of Spain, it was time for real mountains and real wilderness, in a continent entirely foreign to me. I had met a few Americans on the Camino who although had never completed the AT, but had hiked sections of it. I listened, awestruck, to their tales of towering mountains, wild animals and dense woodland. Much like the settlers of old, I had to go and see this new world for myself.

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I completed the trail in four months and ten days, meeting plenty of interesting people, feeling part of something incredible and experiencing a greater sense of freedom than ever before. The friendships established on this trip, I am sure will be life long.

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After reaching the summit of Mount Kathadin, I felt lost again – similar to when you finish a good book. I got a lift down to New Hampshire with a friend who I'd met on the trail, and stayed in Gorham for a few days. I then decided to hitchhike to Montreal as I'd never been to Canada. I made a sign in the local library, and set off the next day. I got a lift from a medic, a cop, a man with anger management issues (he was nice enough to tell me this once I got into the vehicle), an old Scottish lady, a very confused French couple, a young man in a mustang, and finally a fork lift repair man from the Philippians. Everyone I met that day had an interesting story to tell. And yes, the cop did stop at a Dunkin' Donuts.

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After staying in Canada for a couple of days, I grew restless again, deciding to hitchhike back to the mountains and leave the city smoke behind me. This time hitchhiking proved a lot more challenging than before. I managed to eventually get picked up by a couple, who kept telling me that I was Harry Styles and how their daughter would love me. They dropped me off at an early Christian cult that looked after hikers. I stayed with the cult for what was one of the weirder weeks of my life. They were very friendly and accommodating only with some questionable ideas about educating their children.

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I left the cult eventually to see some of my favourite people form the trip in Boston before travelling home. I flew back to England just in time to move in to halls of residence, at Brighton University and start a brand new adventure.