Bear has had a rough week but this kid is amazing us with his tenacity and pace at which he's covering ground.

Averaging 20 miles a day (brutal pace) he is now past the 700 mile point. Somewhere between Troutville and Glasgow Virginia he had his first real test. Sometime into the days hike approx 6 miles in his back went out, painfully so, couldn't stand up straight or even accomplish basic tasks and so he decided to call it a day and set camp. 

2 hours later he was just finishing setting up his hammock, he told us he could barely move let alone carry a pack, and this is when he got hit out of the blue with a nasty Norovirus (probably due to some tainted water).

Noro is rough , you lose weight fast IYKYK, time passed and he was just getting more dehydrated, couldn't stand straight or carry gear, he had no signal on his phone and so slowly walked towards a logging road, it was there he got 1 bar reception and he sent out a HELP text to the local trail search and rescue, not even sure if his text went through he laid down for a few hours and a truck showed up. I can't imagine the magnitude of relief he felt at that moment. They stowed his gear and brought him to town and he was able to shelter in a trail support center.

He's in a place right now where he has 1300 miles left, and his spirits are very low, we could hear it in his voice.

Bear said this is the single most important thing he's ever done and now approaching the halfway mark of the journey, he's alone, running low on resources, beatup and gassed.

Everyone that has taken the time to share or donate - We are forever grateful - please reshare as much as possible - Bear needs all the support he can receive right now.

Thank You,

Brian and Kay

Bear ate the Bear,

The purplish sweet fat dripping on coals erased memories of the stinky harvest, IFYKYK...(up close bears smell like &^%$) That was a cheezy proud dad joke, sheepishly I apologize for loving lamb.

Anywho - Bear needed boots, the power of collective love and encouragement allowed him to replace before an ensured broken ankle, and enough reserves to hit a dollar general avg. every 7-10 days for instant mash taters, lightweight yet comfy food.

approaching mile marker 700 and and straddling 2 Virginias sheltering at RIce Field I am reminded everyday, no matter how rough my day starts it doesn't start with looking for water and sunsets without skeeterz,,,

From our entire hearts we are eternally grateful for everyones support to push this kid through all the way through to Maine.

God bless everyone,

Brian and Kay

Hello I've got an update for everyone,

Spoke to Bear this morning, he's somewhere along the trail in Virginia just crossed mile marker 556! He wanted to express his gratitude for everyone's continued support, I heard it in his voice , he feels the Love., His current situation is that he needs new boots and has to make a decision on what's the priority, provisions or trail boots. Kay and I are so overwhelmed by the enthusiasm this early in the journey our hearts are full knowing the love you guys have showed him so far, he shared a pic with me today of a close encounter with a black bear staring him down through some ferns he took on his phone, being alone and this remote everything looks like food, Bear? or Bear?...

God Bless everyone,

Brian and Kay