Community Corner
Bergen College Alumnus Hikes Entire Appalachian Trail
Michael Hesleitner is 1 of fewer than 1,000 people in the world to hike the entire trail.

PARAMUS, NJ — A Bergen County Community College alumnus hiked the entire 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail.
Michael Hesleitner, a 2009 alumnus, is one of just 1,000 people to hike the entire trail. The North Bergen native and Eagle Scout started his odyssey in March and finished in October. He hiked between 15 and 20 miles a day.
"I've always had this desire to 'get back to nature,' Hesleitner said in a news release.
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Hesleitner hiked through eight national forests, six national parks, and several state parks, forests, and game lands.
Hesleitner even encountered a moose on his 200-day hike.
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More than 3 million people hike the trail each year and approximately 3,000 attempt to traverse the entire length, according to Bergen Community College.
Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com
Photo: Michael Hesleitner, of North Bergen, while hiking on the Appalachian Trail. (Courtesy of Bergen Community College)
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