85 Year old Takes on Appalachian Trail and PTSD

Local hiker tackling Appalachian Trail on mission to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
News-Leader
Wes Johnson
Mar. 15, 2014

When Springfield hiker Robert Crampton takes his first steps on the Appalachian Trail on Monday, he’ll be walking with several purposes.

Crampton, 84, hopes to finish the 2,180-mile trek from Georgia to Maine within six months — a hike he had to abandon once before when family issues arose.

But more importantly, Crampton will be hiking with a group of military veterans who are on a “Warrior Hike” to help them overcome the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. They’ll breathe fresh air, experience the vastness of nature and discover welcoming arms at various towns along the way.

When he returns next fall, Crampton plans to use his experience on the Appalachian Trail — the AT — to develop a hiking program for veterans back home in Springfield. He believes that getting veterans away from the TV, away from bad habits, away from the pressures of horrific wartime memories by embracing hiking will help them “walk off their war.”

“When you’re on a trail out in nature you have to go internally into yourself, where you’ll find the truth,” said Crampton. “You listen to your heart and not take in what somebody on the outside says about you. It’s the power of positive thinking, having a positive attitude and learning to have faith in yourself. Then you will be free.”
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