Outdoors
The BDN outdoors section brings readers into the woods, waters and wild places of Maine. It features stories on hunting, fishing, wildlife, conservation and recreation, told by people who live these experiences. This section emphasizes hands-on knowledge, field reports, issues, trends and the traditions that define life outside in Maine. Read more Outdoors stories here.
Ten-year-old Liam Holland and his father, Dola, set off on the Appalachian Trail on Feb. 13 and summited Katahdin on Tuesday, covering 2,197 miles in 172 days.
The father-son duo from Plymouth, Vermont, spent months preparing before heading out.
After spotting a thru-hiker during a visit to the summit of Mount Washington last summer, Liam told his father he wanted to become one. Months later, Holland asked if he wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail together.
“He lit right up and immediately said yes.”
Although Liam isn’t normally homeschooled, his father temporarily withdrew him from school after Vermont approved an education plan built around the hike. The family submitted a letter of intent and course of study outlining how Liam would learn math through mileage, budgeting and fractions, along with history and local culture.
“What a great opportunity and wish you the best of luck,” the state’s approval letter read.
The hike was timed so Liam could return to school in September.
This was Holland’s second thru-hike. He completed the trail southbound in 2013 with one of his dogs.
Liam chose the trail name “Forest,” using his middle name with one “r.” His father’s name, “Polechar,” came from a nickname a friend gave him in high school.
Before they left, Holland wasn’t sure whether his son was ready for such a demanding challenge.
“I certainly wasn’t going to be the one that said he could or couldn’t.”
That determination was tested about 300 miles into the hike after leaving Hot Springs, North Carolina. Liam’s right foot had hurt since the second week, his pack still weighed 13 pounds because of winter gear and he still had nearly 1,900 miles left to hike. He wondered if he had what it took.
After talking with his mother, Liam decided he wasn’t quitting.
The challenges continued. A heat wave across New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts slowed their progress, while New Hampshire’s White Mountains proved to be the toughest section of the trail.
“Twelve-mile days there were hard to achieve and they felt like a 20 down south,” Holland said.
Despite the difficulty, the White Mountains were his favorite stretch because of the scenery. Liam’s favorite section was Mahoosuc Notch in western Maine, a massive boulder scramble with passageways and tunnels considered one of the toughest sections of the trail.
“He had a blast treating it like a playground,” Holland said.
The reactions from other hikers became one of the most rewarding parts of the trip.
“It never got old meeting people on the trail that would absolutely freak out when we told them we came from Georgia.”
A group of about 15 to 20 students even stopped setting up camp and applauded Liam after learning he had hiked from Georgia.
Another lasting memory was the generosity of strangers, whether it came in the form of rides, meals or food cooked at trail crossings.
“People bought us hotel stays, lunches, dinners, ice cream. The list goes on and on. Sometimes people would set up at road crossings with a grill and feed hikers.”
They stayed in touch with family throughout the hike, calling home a couple of times a week. Liam’s mother visited about once a month before meeting them in Millinocket after they finished.
Now that the journey is over, Liam said he feels amazing. His reward is already waiting: a puppy his mother promised if he finished the trail.
Next, he’ll get back on his dirt bike. Long term, he hopes to hike Vermont’s Long Trail, return to the Appalachian Trail and possibly tackle the Pacific Crest Trail.
Correction: An earlier version of this report misstated where Liam Holland and his family live.