Board Member Aims to Raise Awareness While Hiking Long Path

May 26, 2021
Jennifer Zack
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

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Board Member Aims to Raise Awareness While Hiking Long Path

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Meet Charlie Gadol, Trail Conference volunteer, Board member, and race organizer. He's hiking the Long Path this summer in support of our mission.

As an active participant in advancing the Trail Conference’s mission, Charlie Gadol has decided to put his feet to the test—hiking 375 miles of the Long Path—to benefit the organization. This summer, he will set out to section-hike the Long Path, walking the length of the trail from New York City to John Boyd Thacher State Park near Albany.

“The mission of the Trail Conference is to maintain and develop the network of trails that blankets New York and northern New Jersey, and my goal is to promote this mission," Charlie says. "Running the length of most this territory, the Long Path has always fascinated me because it unites such varied terrain—from the Palisades, with its Hudson River views, to the popular parks like Harriman, to lesser known stretches like Schunemunk and Gobbler's Knob. It threads its way close to my home in the Gunks and continues over the rocky scrambles in the Catskills that I love so much, and on up to the Helderbergs and areas that will be entirely new to me.

"Years ago, I thought about running the whole way, but now that I am older, I will be happy just to hike it and savor all of its hidden treasures," Charlie says. "This will not be a thru-hike or run in the traditional sense. My plan is to hike some sections on a daily basis and go home at night, but occasionally enjoy camping along the way, taking advantage of everything that our new Long Path Trail Magic group has to offer!” 

Interested in exploring the Long Path? Connect with Charlie to join him on one of his day trips: [email protected].

You can help cheer Charlie on his journey and support him in meeting his goal of raising $1,500 for the Trail Conference mission!

Consider making a gift in honor of Charlie today!