Zach Farmer

For many people, a vacation is a time for relaxation and recreation, but three years ago, Zach Farmer, 16, took a unforgettable trip to New Mexico. In 2012, a thirteen year old Zach Farmer took a trip to hike the Sangre De Cristo mountains in New Mexico. “It was rough, but it was worth it,” said Farmer.

The varsity lacrosse player traveled to New Mexico with 8 others including 5 friends, two older brothers of one of his friends, and a friend’s dad. The hike was a total of 2,000 miles and about 12,500 feet in elevation, and the hike took Farmer and his group about three weeks to complete. “The hardest part was Mount Baldy. …. The trail up to the top was almost vertical,” Farmer explained. During the duration of the trip, Farmer had no access to a shower, and the only food the group was given access to was a bag given to them at the beginning of the trip. For the three weeks, Farmer and his group ate only nonperishable food items such as: spam and squeeze cheese. After a long grueling hike, the group finally reached the end! “When we reached the end besides feeling super tired and hungry, I felt a sense accomplishment, and I was actually sad to leave.” said Farmer.

            Farmer has plans for future hikes, but right now, he is focusing on school. Farmer also has a job as a Kroger employee, and he currently lives with his parents and his two younger siblings, Zoey and Zane. He has thought about hiking Mount Katahdin in Maine. Farmer wants to travel again for more hikes, but he has hopes of becoming a physical therapist and opening his own branch of physical therapy clinics. “I would like to go back out west and hike in Colorado or Arizona,” Farmer said.

                                                           

                                                                                                            By: Kerri Smith