Last week, David Graves of New Ipswich set out on his greatest hiking challenge yet — making his way from the Maine border to the Vermont border along the Appalachian Trail — and perhaps even beyond.

He’s not on the famous trail just for pleasure, though. Graves dedicated himself to hiking a mile of the trail for every $10 raised to support 46Climbs, a national community dedicated to climbing mountains and hiking trails, raising mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

His initial goal was to raise $1,600 for the border-to-border hike, a goal he’s already exceeded. He’s added a stretch goal of $3,000.

David Graves at the North Peak of Moose Mountain. COURTESY
David Graves at the North Peak of Moose Mountain. COURTESY
A view from the Appalachian Trail taken by David Graves. COURTESY
A view from the Appalachian Trail taken by David Graves. COURTESY Credit: COURTESY
David Graves of New Ipswich with his "hiking buddy" the stuffed moose, Pemi, on the Appalachian Trail. COURTESY
David Graves of New Ipswich with his “hiking buddy” the stuffed moose, Pemi, on the Appalachian Trail. COURTESY Credit: COURTESY

The organization was formed in 2014, with founders Kolby and Catherine Ziemendorf pledging to hike all 46 Adirondack High Peaks during National Suicide Prevention Week, while fundraising for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The pair did not meet their goal of all 46 peaks but exceeded their $10,000 goal. The tradition has continued since.

Graves said this will be his fourth year participating in the fundraiser, joining hundreds of others who will be hiking all over the United States.

“Mostly, it’s just because I have a passion for people who are struggling,” Graves said. “It’s all about hope. When we don’t feel there’s any hope, why should we bother? I want to see if I can be part of something that gives people hope.”

Graves will be hiking with his “hiking buddy,” a stuffed moose named Pemigewasset, or “Pemi” for short. Once a Christmas present to Graves wife, Aislinn, Graves started to take Pemi along on his hikes after his wife’s passing, and will often take a photo or film an interview with him when he reaches a particularly striking summit.

David Graves of New Ipswich and Pemi near the summit of Pine Mountain, with Mount Madison in the background. COURTESY
David Graves of New Ipswich and Pemi near the summit of Pine Mountain, with Mount Madison in the background. COURTESY Credit: COURTESY

In previous years, he’s taken on a stretch of the Appalachian Trail that includes its steepest mile. Another year, he hiked a stretch that included the Mahoosuc Notch, which is sometimes called the hardest single mile on the trail because of of the terrain.

Like many long-distance hikers, Graves has a trail name. As is traditional, Graves didn’t come up with the name himself, but his name, “Azimuth” was granted by a fellow hiker. Graves received his on a stretch of the Appalachian trail while stopping at a shelter that already occupied by some other hikers. One commented on the set of ranger beads on Graves backpack — a length of cord with beads that are an old-school way to track distance traveled, to keep a steady pace.

Graves explained the concept, and some basics about navigation and keeping a dead reckoning. One of the group suggested his trail name, Azimuth, which means the horizontal angle of a compass bearing.

This year, he said, he’s going for distance. He plans to do at least 160 miles of the trail, and has a stretch goal to add another 11, if he reaches his $3,000 stretch goal. That 11 miles would include the challenging Mahoosuc Notch again. He’ll be taking donations while still on the trail, and checking in real time as he reaches the end of his initial trek.

“This year, I’m pushing myself just about as far as I can go with the amount of time I can get off of work,” Graves said.

Graves is an avid hiker. He said it was a hobby he enjoyed as a younger man, and got back into it when his grandson got interested. When his grandson moved to Texas in 2020, Graves said instead of letting the interest fall to the wayside, he decided to kick it up a notch, taking on harder hikes, and overnight hikes.

A sunrise picture of David Graves of New Ipswich at the top of Kearsarge North that was taken after an overnight hike. COURTESY
A sunrise picture of David Graves of New Ipswich at the top of Kearsarge North that was taken after an overnight hike. COURTESY Credit: COURTESY
David Graves in the Osceola Mountains in the spring. COURTESY
David Graves in the Osceola Mountains in the spring. COURTESY Credit: COURTESY

This, he said, will be his greatest challenge, yet.

“I’m nervous about it, as a general concept, because I’ve never done anything this long,” Graves said. “I’ve done hikes of 30 miles, of 50 miles, but I’ve never done over 100, much less 160.”

Graves had raised about $2,200 in donations. He plans to document the journey on his YouTube channel, Hinds Feet on High Places.

To learn more about Graves’ ongoing journey with hiking, follow his YouTube channel Hinds Feet on High Places. To contribute to his fundraiser on behalf of 46Climbs, visit supporting.afsp.org/participants/Hinds-Feet-on-High-Places. Donations are tax-deductible.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X@AshleySaariMLT.