The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,189 mile long mountain trail with a cumulative elevation gain of 464,500 feet. It runs through an impressive wealth of woodland, crossing great forests and National Parks in the United States. In the past, these lands belonged to Indian Nations, such as the Cherokees, Delawares, Catawbas and Abenakies. The country became part of the British Colonies before becoming part of the United States of America. The Appalachian trail runs across fourteen states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Hikers who attempt to walk the trail have to survive in the forest for days on end, just like other animals. The author spent one hundred and forty two consecutive days on the trail to become the first Thru Hiker from Spain to finish the trail alone, without any back up support. A truly extraordinary experience. While overcoming this tremendous challenge, the author adopted the trail name Basajaun, the name of a creature from Basque mythology who dwells in the woods, half human, half beast.
