Our Stories

Marit Janse: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Marit Janse

Central patch + 1,000-Mile and Mackinac Bridge rockers

I started hiking the North Country Trail because I wanted to walk 600 miles for my 60th birthday. I set out with three friends: two walked, and one drove and was our support during the day. Once we got to the Bridge, I was addicted.

Since then, it has been mostly me hiking by myself. A lot slower pace, not as many miles, and fewer visits to the North Country Trail, but I am still loving it. We have met such nice people. People who don’t even know what the North Country Trail is are offering all kinds of help, from letting me sleep in their yards to cookies.

Learn more about long distance hiker recognition at explorenct.info/NoCoLo/index.htm.