| Name: Aaron Bryce Faust
Age: 25
Birthdate: November 22, 1981
Birth Place: Harrisburg, PA
Hometown: Williamsport, PA I suppose, but I just did a stint in
Bellingham, WA and am currently living in Chapel Hill, NC.
Passions: I love being in the outdoors, whether I am hiking, camping,
canoeing, rafting or whatever! I really enjoy traveling especially in the American West, but want to go basically everywhere. Of all the
places I've been, so far, the destinations that have left an indelible
mark for me are the Everglades and Yosemite. I also really enjoy my
friends and family. I am lucky to have an amazing core group of
friends that I know would do anything in their power to help me in a
time of need. My family has been awesome as well; supporting me with
my adventures and endeavors even if they don't understand why I am
doing what I am doing. Sometimes, I guess, I don't know why I do what
I do. I just do. I also really enjoy playing basketball, although my
skills have diminsihed significantly since church league days. I love
following college basketball and lately have become a big international
soccer fan (who wants to go to South Africa in '10??). I try to have
fun no matter what I am doing and am really grateful for the amazing
opportunities I have had so far!
Why I am Hiking: For some time now I have wanted to hike the
Appalachian Trail. I remember roughly five years ago reading a book
 about it. My interest was piqued and has only grown since that time.
I promised myself that I would complete the trail by the time I was 25. Well, five years has come and gone and I have to do it! It's now or
never. During that five-year span my interest in environmental issues
and enjoying the wonders of our natural environment grew. Travels to Alaska, the Everglades, and the majestic American West further cemented
this belief. These adventures not only acted as a springboard for my
personal environmental awareness, but helped me understand that "in
every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John
Muir's words echo in my mind every time I embark on a journey. I may
not know exactly what I am seeking when I begin, but I know that in the
end the experience will be rewarding and open up my eyes in some regard. So, I hike because it is an organic experience for me. However, on this particular journey I also hike for a cause. I
hike to hopefully raise as much money as possible for cancer research.
Cancer touches the lives of countless numbers of people everyday. For
me, it did not hit home until a family member was stricken with the
disease. My uncle's battle with rhenal cancer was a terrible event,
but it made me realize that I needed to do something to help. So, I
decided that as part of my dream to hike the A.T. I would do it as a
fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. I don't know how much can
be raised, but any amount would be amazing. He lost his fight, but hopefully in the near future his fate will be the exception, not the
rule. With your help and donations this can be achieved!
Favorite Music: Reggae (Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals,
The Mighty Diamonds, The Melodians, Israel Vibration, Steel Pulse,
Desmond Dekker, Max Romeo, Junior Murvin, Culture, etc.), Bluegrass
(Old and in the Way, Railroad Earth, Old Crow Medicine Show, etc.),
Grateful Dead, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Modest Mouse, Phish,
Radiohead, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Counting Crows, Michael Franti,
Operation Ivy, Orchestra Baobab, Buena Vista Social Club, Afro-Cuban
All-Stars etc. etc. etc. I love all kinds of music! These are just to
name a few!
Word to the People: I'd just like to say that there is no way I could
even dream about undertaking such a project without the help and
support of my wonderful family and friends. They have been nothing
short of amazing through this whole process and I am eternally
grateful. So, I guess the only other words I can say are please help.
Any donation you make, monetarily or otherwise, would be awesome. Let
me reiterate that all donation money will go in full to the ACS. I am
funding my own way on the trail, so please take action and join me in
this hike for a cure. Thanks.
Aaron
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