Briana DeSanctis Concludes 2-Year US Hiking Expedition: A Remarkable Journey Comes to an End

Briana DeSanctis Embarks on an Extraordinary 2-Year Solo Journey Across the US, Nearing the Culmination of a Historic Trek

Earlier this year, Briana DeSanctis experienced a profound lucid dream, where she played the role of caretaker for a loved one in their final stages of life. Upon reflection, she realized the dream symbolized her own transformative journey since January 2022, as she undertook an extraordinary solo hike across the United States on the American Discovery Trail.

A 40-year-old native of Farmington, Maine, DeSanctis initiated her trek from the Atlantic shores of Cape Henlopen, Delaware, on January 1, 2022. Now, as she approaches the Pacific Coast of California, she anticipates the conclusion of her remarkable 6,800-mile journey across 15 states and Washington, D.C.

The American Discovery Trail Society is unaware of another woman who has completed this challenging trek solo, making DeSanctis a potential trailblazer in this regard, according to the group’s President, Eric Seaborg.

In a column for the Daily Bulldog, where she frequently documented her journey, DeSanctis expressed a sense of mourning for the impending end of her two-year adventure. She described this life of freedom amidst struggle as almost finished, acknowledging a profound transformation within herself.

DeSanctis embarked on the American Discovery Trail to seek a more solitary experience compared to her previous accomplishment of the Appalachian Trail seven years ago. The ADT, one of the nation’s longest trails, stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California. It encompasses diverse terrains, from the Colorado Rockies’ highest point at over 13,000 feet to valleys in Nevada, offering a blend of backcountry wilderness and urban environments.

Reflecting on her expedition, DeSanctis highlighted the significance of encounters with Americans from various walks of life who provided her with food, water, and shelter along the way. Despite the solitude of her solo hike, these meaningful interactions have become cherished memories that she plans to carry with her into regular life.

As DeSanctis approaches the Pacific Ocean, where she plans to walk into the waters on February 10, she is on the brink of accomplishing a monumental feat. The American Discovery Trail Society commends her mental toughness and considers her journey “nothing short of amazing.”

Throughout her hike, DeSanctis has not only experienced the solitude of remote areas but has also relied on the generosity of strangers, sleeping in garages, backyards, and spare bedrooms offered by kind individuals she encountered on her path.

Seaborg praised DeSanctis as an inspiring ambassador for the trail, commending her dedication and accomplishments. DeSanctis, a journalist and public speaker, worked odd jobs along her trek to support herself when needed.

The generosity she received extended beyond shelter and sustenance. For instance, a couple in Nevada, Duane and Andrea Carnahan, offered her water, accommodation, and even extended an invitation to their wedding ceremony, describing DeSanctis as family.

As she contemplates the end of her current adventure, DeSanctis envisions continuing her journey through public speaking to inspire others, especially young women and girls, to take on challenges. She also plans to write a memoir about her transformative experience, emphasizing the freedom and enrichment that come from hiking.

Beyond her impending return to regular life, DeSanctis embraces the idea that there’s always another trail to hike, appreciating the freedom and profound experiences that hiking offers compared to simply driving by.

In the spirit of her lucid dream, where she comforted a loved one facing death, DeSanctis navigated her own existential journey, finding solace, inspiration, and a renewed sense of self on the American Discovery Trail.