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Mathews woman completes epic hike

Rachel Corrigan, a 2011 graduate of Mathews High School, and friend Fletcher Meadema recently hiked the length of the Pacific Crest Trail. The two completed the 2,660-mile trail on Oct. 2.

Corrigan and Meadema began their journey on May 3 at the Mexican border in Campo, Calif. They followed the trail north through the searing Mojave Desert, the Sierras, Northern California, Oregon and Washington until they reached the northern terminus at the Canadian border.

Less than 50 percent of those who set out to hike the trail actually finish, and it takes a tremendous amount of endurance and perseverance (and four pairs of shoes) to complete this demanding journey, according to Rachel’s mother, Shelley Corrigan.

While hiking through seven National Parks, temperatures ranged from 110 degrees to 25 degrees. Lightning, hail, rain and snow were endured with only a 20-ounce tent as their shelter. Animals encountered included rattlesnakes, scorpions, bears, lynx, American martens, coyotes, ...

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