Family to hike Appalachian Trail

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A Lafayette family will embark on the journey of a lifetime.

"We're a strong family and we have determination. We have each other so I have no doubt we'll be able to make it," said Lisa Rainwater.

The Rainwaters are preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia all the way up to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Lisa Rainwater said her family is up for the challenge.

"We're just the average family and we think we're an ordinary family that is going to do something extraordinary," said Rainwater.

Dean Rainwater said the success rate for hikers completing the trail is only 10-20 percent. He said because of this, the family will start out hiking at a slow pace. They have experience with camping, but hiking is another story.

"We kind of consider it's going on-the-job training. It's seven months of hiking so the best thing we think is to just get out there and hike," said Dean Rainwater.

The Rainwater's fifteen-year-old son, Forest, is working hard to finish his homeschooling before the family sets out on their adventure. Their youngest son, River, will have to find time in the long days of hiking to study. The family said hitting the books on the trail will be worth it in the end.

"River will be one of the youngest 'thru-hikers' to ever hike the trail," said Rainwater.

The family said they will miss certain things like friends and pets while they are on the trail. However, they know the experience will bring them closer together.
    
The Rainwaters will begin hiking on March 13, and plan to finish the trail on September 26. That also happens to be Dean and Lisa's 15th wedding anniversary.

You can read more about the Rainwaters' journey on their web site at http://rainwater2012.com/ and their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rainh2os-2012-APPALACHIAN-TRAIL-THRU-HIKE/180547586481