I met Colt, also known as CJ or by his trail name Samwise, on day 2. He is the most inspirational person I met because he has Cystic Fibrosis (CF), an incurable disease that impacts his lungs. As a result, he has reduced lung function and is susceptible to lung infections. Still, he is hiking the AZT. The AZT is no joke, and even for healthy people, the AZT is difficult.
Colt told me his lung function went from 39% efficiency before the hike to 50% when he hiked the Oregon Coast Trail. Hiking is physically good for him!
Colt is very independent and takes every day as an opportunity to improve himself and spread the word about CF. He must carry many medicines, medical gear, and battery power, so his pack is heavy. A heavy backpack makes him slow and hard on his body, but there is no alternative to being safe, and his commitment and willingness to do what he must do to be safe is part of the inspiration I got from him.
I hiked on from Colt and met a friend of his in Patagonia. After I finished, I heard he skipped to Pine and looked forward to the Grand Canyon.
Next: Emy