{"id":7004,"date":"2016-01-28T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2016-01-28T16:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=7004"},"modified":"2018-11-11T21:50:28","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T05:50:28","slug":"pauls-boots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/pauls-boots","title":{"rendered":"Paul’s Boots – Help Fulfill a Dream Hike on the A.T."},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve got a handful of hikers who have kindly volunteered to carry Paul\u2019s Boots along parts of the Appalachian Trail, all going different directions and distances.<\/p>\n

\"Paul's<\/p>\n

Head to Paul’s Boots<\/a>\u00a0for more information about the film.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why Paul’s boots?<\/h4>\n

In August, our friends at The Dirtbag Diaries got a call from Australia. M\u2019Lynn had a story to tell about her husband, Paul.<\/p>\n

He was a big guy with a quick wit and kind heart. He wore size 13 boots and, despite a job as draftsman in the big city, he was happiest out on the trail. When Paul was 42, doctors diagnosed\u00a0his mom with Parkinson\u2019s. He nursed her for four years until her death. By that time, his father developed Alzheimer’s. The gaps between hiking trips grew longer and longer. By the time his father passed in 2011, Paul had two heart attacks. His love for the outdoors never diminished.<\/p>\n

Paul\u2019s health took a turn for the worse in 2014. Even as his body failed him, Paul started to pack for the trip he\u2019d dreamed of completing\u2014all 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail. He organized his food and gear. At night, he\u2019d recount to M\u2019Lynn all he\u2019d learned in his research. His heart no longer allowed him to walk much further than the end of his block, but his soul was ready to go. Next to a full backpack, he left his three polished sets of hiking boots.<\/p>\n

Last July, Paul passed away. He was 53.<\/p>\n

As M\u2019Lynn moved through the stages of grief, it came time to tidy up Paul\u2019s gear for a trip he wouldn\u2019t take. She had an idea\u2014one last gift to the man she loved. She needed help. Could we and our greater outdoor community get these boots out on the trail? It\u2019s evolved. We think we can get these boots across the entire trail. Along the way, we can tell the story of Paul\u2019s Boots and the folks who carry them.<\/p>\n

Listen to the story below and help spread the word.<\/h4>\n