Meet a Pennsylvania Hiker: Shawn & Terry

Meet Shawna and Terry, a father-daughter hiking duo from western PA! They are ridge runners for the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and members and volunteers for KTA.

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "We love hiking in Pennsylvania because it is our home state. There is so much to offer in all seasons and it's beauty is unmatched. We spend a lot of time hiking the Appalachian Trail, and Pennsylvania seems to get a bad reputation because its AT miles are rocky. We like to stand up for PA trails and remind people there is so much more to explore!"

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "We prefer backpacking on multi-day hikes, but we are also happy to get my 2 daughters out on day hikes and one night stayovers!"

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "We started our backpacking adventures more than 20 years ago after I was required to read "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson as an incoming college freshman."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "We have been working to section hike the entire Appalachian Trail and last summer we crossed the 1,000 mile mark!"

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "I live near the Westmoreland Heritage Trail and Duff Park in Murrysville. They are both great options to get out and about when I only have a few hours."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "We love the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. It's a great trail for beginning backpackers. The designated shelter areas make it easier to plan your overnight stays."

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "I value KTA's mission to promote recreational hiking trails. I work in education and I love sharing my outdoor stories and knowledge with my students. Let's get more students outdoors!"

Working on hiking the AT in PA, too? Check out our detailed hiking guide for the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania: https://ktahike.app.neoncrm.com/.../ktahike/giftstore.jsp

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