You did what?

I Walked the Length of the USA

Andy’s Top Trek Tips 1 Get up early to avoid lightning storms - they generally roll in around midday. 2 Avoid carrying unnecessary clothes by posting them ahead, and picking them up from local post offices when you need them. 3 Plan and train thoroughly before you go.

Andy West hiked solo from Canada to Mexico

1		It was a spell of sick leave				before setting off. By the end of
		that finally made Andy West				the day I’d be trekking in the
		realise that, if he was ever going				dark with a GPS and a light on
		to achieve his dream of trekking				my head!”
		the Continental Divide Trail –		3		It could be lonely: “I’d go a
		the 5,000km north-south route				long time without seeing anyone
		along the Rockies from the				– I trekked 650km through
		Canada/US border to Mexico –				Montana and didn’t see another
		he was just going to have to get				person!”, Andy admits. But he
		up and do it. So Andy sold his				also met hunters every now and
		house, gave up his job and				then and sometimes their prey.
		devoted almost a year to				“People often joked that I was
		planning his mammoth hike, as				going to get shot because
		well as using the challenge to				‘hunters will shoot anything’.
		raise money for CHASE hospice				However, the hunters were
		care (www.chasecare.org.uk)				really friendly and offered me
		and the Stroke Association				food and water – which was a
		(www.stroke.org.uk).				life-saver,” Andy recalls. “And
2		His schedule was				once I saw a grizzly bear, which
		exhausting: It took Andy five				I scooted around!”
		months, trekking around 32km a		4		Andy had more to contend
		day, six days a week, with just				with than just the odd grizzly. As
		one small backpack, to				well as fighting against snow
		complete his goal. So why did				and a trip-threatening leg injury,
		he do it? “The rewards came				he also endured a forest fire and
		from completing a section each				the odd lightning storm. Despite
		day,” explains Andy. “And being				these challenges, Andy is not
		so high up that you could see				deterred from more trekking
		for miles at a time. My numberone				adventures and is planning to
		memory is hiking through				try the Pacific Crest Trail this
		the snow, high up on a mountain				year. His advice to anyone
		ridge, in the cold air and under				thinking of doing their own mega
		beautiful blue skies.” So, what				trek? “Just get on with it!”
		was a typical day on the trail?
		“I’d get up early, before dawn,				For more on Andy’s adventure,
		and cook myself some breakfast				see www.andywestactive.com.
						Wanderlust, 2009