These two students would rather hike miles and miles through trails of Missouri and Arkansas than relax on a beach in Cancun.
This Spring break, seniors Chris Dopuch and Liam Leslie will be doing just that. Starting on Saturday, March 19, Dopuch and Leslie will begin their five to six day journey on the trails of their decided location. Kyle Schmidt, senior, will also be in attendance.
“It’s a symbolic journey of the passage from high school to college,” Leslie said.
While still undecided between Bell Mountain, Ozark Highland and the Buffalo River Trail, Dopuch and Leslie plan on hiking roughly 50 to 60 miles regardless of their destination.
Both students have thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors from a young age. Leslie, who grew up in Indiana, said he was always outside when he was a little kid. Dopuch and Leslie were also heavily involved in Boy Scouts. However, both said that they really started to appreciate nature from their Geo-Science teacher Mr. Shouse.
They will both enjoy the freedom that this trip will give them.
“I will definitely enjoy the solitude of being basically completely by myself and being able to choose where I want to go,” Dopuch said.
“Not having anyone holding your hand and telling you where to go is very rewarding,” Leslie said.
The boys said they won’t be looking for anything in particular along the way. And although hiking between 50 to 60 miles is their goal, they said they really just want to take their time and enjoy themselves.
“I really just like the outdoors, walking, camping and testing my skills against the wild,” Dopuch said. “I am looking forward to getting high on endorphins.”
When it gets dark, Dopuch and Leslie will set up a tent to sleep in each night. The tent will be lightweight along with most of the other essentials that they will bring. This includes insect repellent, a compass, and gear for both extreme hot and cold weather.
Even though there could be very extreme fluctuations in the weather
during the trip, Leslie said that nobody should think that any rain, snow or cold weather will stop them.
“Through blood, sweat and tears we will finish the trip no matter what,” Leslie said.
Food wise, the two will bring items that are lightweight and that won’t get bad, such as dry spaghetti, trail mix and crackers. They may also even bring an electric stove.
“I think this trip will be a transition to being more of a rugged individualist that’s idealized in America,” Leslie said.