Find out how this marine veteran Tom Gathman finds peace on the trail

What's The Story?

Tom Gathman began his latest hike on the Appalachian Trail December 4, 2015 in Maine. It has taken him about 3 months to hike a little over 900 miles to get to the Delaware River Gap area. Cindy Ross literally plucked him from the trail to share his story with us. Tom met Cindy Ross on his 30th birthday. He was hiking the trail with another marine. They were seeking a journey and an adventure, looking for some happiness. Tom says they were, “seeking a new path in life literally and figuratively”. Cindy and her husband Todd Gladfelter spent their whole life hiking. Cindy share this quote from Roberto Clemente, “Anytime we have an opportunity to help another human being and we don’t we are wasting our time here on earth”. It was her motivation to start the non-profit, ‘Riverhouse PA’ to help veterans and their families find peace in the outdoors and begin their first 5,000 steps toward healing. Learn more about the opportunities and programs at www.riverhousepa.com. Tom says there is a big community out on the trail. People from all different walks of life become a second family support network. He adds that hiking the trail does not have much to do with the destination, it is more about all the miles… “People find their path in life while hiking the trail.” Tom has been hiking for the last 3 years… He hasn’t stopped. He says he loves the outdoors and the activity. It is a simple life! Tom Gathman went directly back to the trail to continue his thru hike to Georgia and he is very happy. Follow his adventure on Facebook, The Hiking Viking – Tom Gathman