Plateau Magazine June-July 2023

hiking
Charley in all 50 states, and in 2017,
Pharr Davis completed the Mountains-to-
Sea Trail while nursing her newborn son.
For some, hiking while nursing an infant
might sound unusual or perhaps even
impossible, but in her second book, Called
(Above): Jennifer Pharr Davis and her children, Charley and Gus, on a family backpacking
trip. (Opposite): Jennifer Pharr Davis sets a new World Record for the Fastest Thru-Hike of the
Appalachian Trail.
86 | ThePlateauMag.com
Again: A Story of Love and Triumph, Pharr
Davis chronicles her 2011 record-breaking
Appalachian Trail thru-hike in which she
discovered how “impossible” is simply a
matter of perspective: “Somewhere along
the journey I learned that much of what
I thought was impossible was simply
very, very difficult.” The wit, wisdom, and
grit she learned from traversing rocky
pathways and coping with unpredictable
natural elements carry her into this new
adventure as she prepares for lessons from
a different kind of “trail.”
The words “policy” and “politics” connote
images of paperwork and dreadfully
long timelines for change; however, a more
optimistic view includes “possibilities.”
This resonates
with Pharr Davis’
motivation for
pursuing a degree
in public affairs.
“I want to understand
how to create
change within
a narrow set of
expectations.” For
her, conservation
includes protecting
the land and
the people who
live on and around
it. In her more
recent book, I Come from a Place, Pharr
Davis illustrates that historically the Appalachian
region is one of kinship where
neighbors naturally rely on one another
for survival: “The strong sense of selfreliance
in these hills is rivaled only by
a dependence and appreciation of one’s
neighbors. The people of Appalachia are
proud, often too proud, and unable to ask
for help. But, because of that, generosity
abounds. This is a region where you don’t
have to ask to receive.”
Within this context, Pharr Davis shares
that she wants to “tell stories of strong
women” who care for their neighbors, such
as her own neighbor Lavonda who is “one
of the toughest women I know.” Our individual
actions affect our communities and
our society as a whole; therefore, we must
ask ourselves, “What is best for our neighbor?”
This means moving from a place
of individuality to one of collaboration, a
place where more hope exists. “There is
room enough in these hills for differing
ideas and styles to be defined and combined.
This is a land of life and creation,
a long ridge of possibilities.” (I Come from
a Place).
Selling Blue Ridge Hiking Company
frees up fifty percent of Pharr Davis’ work
time, allowing her to “reclaim her voice”
as a writer and advocate for change. Over
PHOTO BREW DAVIS