Thomas Carpenter

Enhancements Team Member, 3 years

“TC” as we call him, is embarking on a 3 month journey hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Massachusetts this month. In speaking with TC last week just before he took leave, we discussed his plan to tackle this monumental experience.

Why did you decide to take this hike?

I am very goal oriented. Being born with Autism, I had to overcome many challenges along the way to get to where I am today. This seems like an enormous task to get done, but I feel like this is a very good goal for me to accomplish. And I have been training for it for the past year or so.

You mention having Autism, hard to imagine what you and your family went through growing up. Most people wouldn’t know this about you unless you told them. Do you want to talk about that?

I do talk about it and I also self published a book about my life with Autism and Epilepsy and how I was able to overcome some of the obstacles along the way. I really believe God and my Christian faith helped shape who I have become and what I am capable of today. The book is titled Never Give Up and is available on Amazon under my name Thomas J. Carpenter. In sharing my story, I wanted to bring awareness of the perspective of those with special needs and be an encouragement to others. You can buy it here

Back to your trip, where are you starting?

My starting point will be at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia. From there I will travel the trail until I return to Massachusetts. I have already done the trail in Massachusetts as part of my training for the trip. And as for the northern states I plan to do that part as a separate trip some time in the future.

What are the most essential items you’re taking with you?

My hiking shoes would be essential. Seriously though, everything needs to fit in my backpack and when it’s full it will weigh about 25lbs for me to carry. I guess the most important items would be 3 days of food at the start, a safety/first aid kit, a tent, portable battery pack, stuff like that. Then as I travel along the route, I plan on shipping limited supplies ahead to specific post offices locations near the trail to replenish.

What is a challenge that you think you’ll have to deal with?

Being homesick, this will be the longest I will be away from home, my family and friends. I think I will be able to adjust to the elements of the trip having been training for this for over a year, and I have also competed in tough mudders and spartan races for the past 10 years so I think I can handle the physical part.

What is something you’re excited about with this trip?

The whole idea of the trip is exciting to me. I’m looking forward to meeting people along the trail and for all the experiences that I will have.

Are you going to try and update people on your progress during the hike via social media?

I will be posting on facebook as much as I can with some highlights of my trip, maybe some videos and photos for sure. Whatever my phone can handle.

How long are you thinking this hike will last?

My plan is to leave in mid March and return in mid June.

What do you do at Garrick-Santo and what can you tell us about your experiences working as part of our team?

I do enhancement and construction projects as well as running the water truck. I appreciate that everyone seems to want to be part of a team, no one tries to be higher than anyone else and to get the job done on time and right. It’s a pretty easy-going work environment, the work is hard but its fun to do.

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