Teens to Trails hosts record-breaking hiker for virtual event

Teens to Trails is proud to present its first youth-led Zoom event of the new year. Titled “The Purpose is the Journey,” the non-profit organization’s Youth Advisory Council will interview college student Sammy Potter, a Yarmouth native who hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Coast Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail in a record-setting 10 months time in 2021.

Potter, along with his classmate and hiking partner Jackson Parell, decided to take a year off from college after a challenging school year, when COVID precautions required remote classes and hours of screen time. With planning and purpose, the two friends began their incredible journey in Georgia on Jan. 1, 2021. Overcoming challenging weather conditions, wildfires, sickness and even chance meetings with bears, Potter and Parell successfully completed their trek on Oct. 22, making them the youngest people ever to finish the Calendar Year Triple Crown.

Potter will share photos from his journey, discuss his reasons for taking on the challenge, how it feels to race the clock, and the connections he made on the trail. There will be time allotted for an audience Q&A and a raffle for an ultra lightweight backpack.

The virtual discussion will take place on Thursday, Jan. 20 from 6-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Donations to Teens to Trails are appreciated. To register, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ok58xV4wRZi-sEsK7TXTew

Potter is currently a student at Stanford University. He’s also the co-producer behind “Backpacker Magazine’s Impossible Odds,” a podcast that tells the story of his nearly 8,000 mile journey thru-hiking America’s long trails.

Teens To Trails is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit dedicated to connecting high school students to life-changing outdoor experiences with a vision that all teens have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors together.