The awesome Tyler Lau is a man on a mission. Not only has he completed a Calendar Year Triple Crown, but he is also working for more diversity on the trails of America. An Asian American, he volunteers to support his various social projects and truly walks the walk. He started a Go Fund Me page to sponsor the various causes. You can find that at www.gofundme.com/8000milesto8000smiles.

He hasn't had the chance to fully absorb the scale of his walking achievement and is slowly adjusting to life back with other people.

Tyler's experience is considerably different from many others, with the sheer size of his hike pushing him to eschew the traditional end of one hike as he heads to another. That he took on this task to be a catalyst for change is a fine example of using his outdoor skills to benefit others.

You can follow Tyler on several platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HikingProdigy-202569297197744/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikingprodigy/

He has a website currently under construction which will be available soon: http://www.hikingprodigy.com/

Similarly, his YouTube channel is under construction and will be at hikingprodigy when it is available.

If you'd like to reach out to Tyler, his email address is [email protected]

We return to my non-preparation for my upcoming hike of the AT. Listeners have offered their input and some decisions are hardening. Hopefully, by the time I get onto the trail, I'll be ready.