Trek for Trevor

07/03/2026

Do you have a satellite communicator sitting in a drawer? We recycle gently used Garmin inReach, Spot GPS, and Zoleo devices and place them directly into the hands of hikers who need them. Amanda received one of our refurbished units and is already testing it on day hikes ahead of her thru-hike this July.

Here's how donating works:
Before mailing your device, deactivate it from your personal account. We'll take care of checking the battery and getting it trail-ready. Then mail it to:

Fowler-O'Sullivan Foundation
℅ Scott Kastner
P.O. Box 8
Big Bend, WI 53103

Every device we receive is one more hiker who can call for help when they're beyond cell service.

Visit fofound.org/hiker-safety-programs to learn more.

We are 100% nonprofit, powered by volunteers, donors, and supporters who believe every hiker deserves to come home.

07/02/2026

Hiking safety tip: Leave an itinerary with someone and the estimated time you think you’ll emerge from the woods. This is a biggie. If no one knows where you went and you’re injured or lost with no cell reception (or worse, a dead battery), think about how much extra time it will take a search and rescue team to even begin to look for you.

Your itinerary should include the trails you plan to hike and when you expect to emerge from the woods. If you are hiking a loop trail, it’s beneficial to tell someone which direction you’ll hike it, clockwise or counter-clockwise. What does not count as an itinerary is telling someone you’re simply going to hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Make sure you give a reasonable amount of detail.
Here is a sample Hiking Itinerary

Trip Name: ___________________________________
Date(s): ______________________________________

Hiker Information

Name(s): _____________________________________
Phone Number(s): _____________________________
Emergency Contact: ____________________________
Emergency Contact Phone: _____________________

Destination Information

Trail Name: ___________________________________
Park / Area: __________________________________
Trailhead Location: ____________________________
Trail Difficulty: Easy / Moderate / Hard
Total Distance: _______________________________
Estimated Elevation Gain: _____________________

Schedule

Depart Home: _________________________________
Arrive at Trailhead: __________________________
Start Hiking: _________________________________

Planned Stops / Landmarks:

⸻
⸻
⸻

Expected Turnaround Time: ____________________
Estimated Finish Time: _______________________
Expected Return Home: ________________________

Route Plan

Out-and-Back / Loop / Point-to-Point: __________

Planned Route Notes:

⸻

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Weather

Forecast: ________________________________________
Temperature Range: _______________________________
Special Conditions (rain, heat, snow, wind, etc.):

⸻

Gear Checklist

☐ Water
☐ Snacks / Meals
☐ First Aid Kit
☐ Map / GPS
☐ Phone + Charger/Power Bank
☐ Headlamp / Flashlight
☐ Extra Clothing Layers
☐ Rain Gear
☐ Hiking Poles
☐ Emergency Whistle
☐ Sunscreen / Bug Spray
☐ Other: ________________________________________

Safety Information

Vehicle Make/Model: ___________________________
Vehicle Color: ________________________________
License Plate: ________________________________
Parking Location: _____________________________

If I do not return or check in by: _____________
Contact: _____________________________________

Additional Notes

⸻

⸻

06/30/2026

Make sure you stay hydrated out on the trails!!

06/29/2026

One of the most significant mistakes people make in wilderness survival is failing to prepare adequately. This encompasses several errors, such as not bringing the right equipment, underestimating the conditions, and lacking the necessary skills. Preparation is the cornerstone of survival; without it, even a minor mishap can turn into a life-threatening situation.

06/26/2026

There is no single nationwide standard for hiking trail difficulty ratings in U.S. national parks. Each park or land agency may use slightly different systems, but most trails are grouped into categories like:

* Easy
* Moderate
* Strenuous / Difficult
* Sometimes Very Strenuous or Expert

The ratings are usually based on a combination of:

* Distance
* Elevation gain
* Trail steepness
* Terrain conditions
* Exposure/weather
* Technical features (scrambling, river crossings, narrow ledges, etc.)

Here is a hiking difficulty cheat sheet.

04/22/2026

How Far Away Is The Lightning?
If you see lightning, there is a way to estimate out how far away it is. This method is called the flash to bang method. When you see a flash of lightening start counting until you hear the thunder. Now divide that number by 5 and that is an estimate of how many miles away the lightning is from you.

However, several factors make it an estimate rather than an exact measurement:

Air temperature and humidity affect the speed of sound — warmer air speeds it up, colder air slows it down.

Terrain and echoes can distort the timing if sound reflects off hills or buildings.

Despite these limitations, it’s accurate enough for safety decisions: if thunder follows lightning within 30 seconds (≈ 6 miles), experts advise moving indoors immediately, since lightning can strike well beyond the visible rain area.

Stay safe!

04/21/2026

This past weekend, Trek for Trevor was back home in Ohio!

We were honored to serve as the official hydration station for the Oberlin 5k—just minutes away from Trevor’s hometown of Grafton. It was incredible to see the community come together to support health and movement.

Staying fit was a huge part of Trevor’s life. He trained relentlessly so his body could handle those grueling 15–30 mile days on the Pacific Crest Trail. We applaud every single person who crossed that finish line this weekend, whether you ran, walked, or something in between! 🏃‍♂️💨

Movement is a gift. Whether it’s 20 minutes on a treadmill, a bike ride through the neighborhood, or a 5-mile trek through nature, we encourage you to make it a part of your daily routine.

What do you do to stay in shape for your next hike? Whatever it is, make a commitment to do something. Do it for yourself, do it for your loved ones... do it for Trevor.

And when you do, stay hydrated:
https://www.trekfortrevor.org/hiker-safety/hydration-strategies-for-the-backcountry-595mp

04/21/2026

“Out here, we’re guests—tread lightly, look closely, and leave safely.” Author unknown

04/20/2026

Prepared for the Backcountry: Expanding our Mission to Scouting America!

Trek for Trevor is honored to announce our latest Wilderness First Aid (WFA) grant, awarded to Scouting America Troop 23 from Terre Haute, Indiana!

This $2,795 grant provided 16 hours of intensive SOLO WFA and CPR certification for all nine members of Philmont Crew 616-L. While Philmont Scout Ranch only requires three certified members per crew, this group went above and beyond to ensure every member is equipped to handle an emergency during their 12-day trek in New Mexico this June.

“Trevor’s accident was preventable... one gap in preparation cost him his life. We believe he would be thrilled to see his legacy fund training for nine young people who are about to walk into the New Mexico backcountry.” — Doug Laher, Executive Director.

By investing in these Scouts, we aren't just preparing them for one trip—we are giving them life-saving skills for a lifetime of exploration. We are also excited to explore a potential national partnership with Scouting America to keep even more young adventurers safe on the trail.

Congratulations to Crew 616-L on completing your training at Camp Krietenstein! We wish you a safe and transformative trek at Philmont.

Read the full press release here: https://www.trekfortrevor.org/news/6knknk2j86dn4fbp3y5t90ozdi2cp2

Trek for Trevor supports Scouting America Troop 23 with WFA grant

04/20/2026

Mission in action! This past weekend, the crew from Scouting America Troop 23 officially completed their Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification training!

Thanks to a grant from Trek for Trevor, these nine Scouts and leaders from Terre Haute are now fully equipped with the life-saving skills they need before they hit the trails at Philmont Scout Ranch this summer.

It was an intense weekend of hands-on scenarios and medical prep, but seeing these young explorers take backcountry safety seriously is exactly why we do what we do. Trevor’s legacy is about more than just the love of the hike...it’s about making sure every hiker has the knowledge to come home safely.

We are so proud of this crew for their hard work and commitment to being "Prepared. For Life."

Check out some of the highlights from the training below!

Read more about the partnership: https://www.trekfortrevor.org/news/6knknk2j86dn4fbp3y5t90ozdi2cp2