Pa. hiker honors mother in 100-mile challenge
While heading out for a hike on New Year’s Day, Jim Lawson received word that his mother had just died at the age of 94.
He dedicated the next 100 miles to her.
“When I received word that heaven opened its door for her, I decided to continue that day as my mom would have wanted me too," said Lawson, 58, of Warren and an avid hiker. "Instantly, I knew I was going to dedicate this to her. I spent eight 13-mile day hikes in the Allegheny National Forest.”
Margaret Lawson was a strong woman who was able to live independently up to the week before her passing, when she was hospitalized. As he continued along the trail, he decided she would be the centerpiece of his latest quest, the North Country Trail Hike 100 Challenge.
He is thankful his mother lived a long healthy life. “I tried to encourage her to go for 100. She did not make the age of 100, but I took her along on my 100-mile challenge, ” he said. He was the first person in the 2023 trail event to complete the 100-mile goal. He did that on Jan. 11.
“The challenge presented a perfect way to honor her life well lived. This year's challenge will always be very special to me. The trail gave me the time to reflect, and provided some peace and comfort," he said.
Being in the woods and hiking is something he has enjoyed as long as he can remember.
“For me it is a deep feeling of love, passion, reverence, and a true appreciation for nature. The joy and peace I feel on the trail is incredible. After each hike it’s a feeling of satisfaction and completeness," he said. "In each of those moments I feel like a champion of nature, and I am grateful for each experience. The trail is also a spiritual place for me.”
In his 40s he became serious about trail adventures. He climbed 46 peaks - higher than 4,000 feet - in New York's Adirondacks to earn the distinction of being an Adirondack 46er. He has also completed both the North County Trail PA Hike 50 and the NCT 100-mile challenge several times.
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“It’s a great way to stay physically active. It’s your personal way to connect with nature. It can be done in solitude or with friends and family,” he said. Many times he goes with his hiking partner, Tina Roberts who also completed the Hike 100 Challenge. “We hike really well together,” he said.
He enjoys the local trails.
“I found that the Allegheny National Forest North Country Trail offers you a diversified hiking experience. There are scenic streams, massive rock formations, countless boulders, along with valleys and vistas that are all surrounded by a variety of trees," he said. "The vegetation along the trail provides you all the scents and sounds of nature that supports every color you can imagine. You will find yourself captivated by the scenery as you indulge in nature’s therapy. Then it’s topped off with some wildlife sightings and a few areas of old growth forest. ”
He encourages others to go hiking and explore the outdoors. “Hiking is basic, and anyone can do it. You do not need to be a highly trained athlete to be successful.
Spending time in the woods is an experience based on personal wants, needs and abilities.
“You set your own pace and goals. It only requires your time, effort, and motivation. It’s not a running race or a contest. Hiking is for pleasure. Make sure you stop and take it all in," he said. "Take pictures. See the sunrise, and sunset, watch the rain, snow and leaves fall. Soak in the colors and all the scents and sounds on the trail. Capture what nature offers you. Keep it simple."
It’s a hobby he enjoys throughout the year because "each season has its own beauty on the trail,” he said.
In April, May and June, he can be found along a stream with his ultralight spin cast pole and small lures because he's a "die-hard" trout fisherman. About 22 years ago he started documenting how many fish he caught. Recently, he netted his 10,000th fish including several trophy size brook trout. “I’m an all catch-and-release person," he said.
“I love living here. Everything I love to do is right here, and I get to it fairly easy,” he said. He hits a trail or stream after his day of work in the banking industry.
“I feel a lot of my hiking adventures and my fishing are some of the best accomplishments in my life,” he said.
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What you need to hike
For those who are looking to start hiking, he suggests trails that are marked well and have people who work or volunteer to keep the paths open.
“I give a huge shout out to the North Country Trail, PA chapters,” he said including the chapters for Allegheny National Forest, Wampum, Butler and Clarion. “They all do excellent trail maintenance.”
Hiking is a sport that caters to the abilities and desires of the participant. “You can spend a lot on gear or you can just get some basic gear, and you’ll be fine,” he said.
The basic equipment he takes to the field is a backpack, water and food, depending on the length of the trip, and proper footwear.
His safety pack includes a fire starter, lighter, headlamp, small first aid kit, a knife, map and compass. He also likes to take a space blanket, extra socks and marking tape along. “The woods can be unpredictable," he said.
Lawson said it’s very important to take care of your feet and invest in proper footwear and socks. He usually gets his boots and trail shoes about a half size larger than other shoes he owns because he likes to have the ability to wear a second pair of socks for extra cushioning.
He also recommends that beginners spend time learning basic hiking skills including using a GPS, compass and map as well as knowing how trail markers guide you along the trail.
Remember hiking is what each individual wants to make of their adventure, but it all starts with that first step on the trail.
“Nothing clears the mind and stress like a walk in the woods," he said.
Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website's homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Hiking in the Allegheny Forest, DCNR trail system, North Country
