The Man on a Mission is Back!

Feb 10, 2023 | Sonder Update, student sponsorship

It’s been a year since Kurt Freudenreich hiked his last thru-hike, the Florida Trail, which covered approximately 1,100 miles from the Alabama/Florida line to Big Cypress National Preserve in South Central Florida. He sponsored 34 students with The Sonder Project through his efforts. He says the Florida Trail, which took him 62 days to complete and required excessive road walking and miles of swampy water, was even more difficult than the Continental Divide Trail (which spans 3,300 miles and took 146 days to complete in 2020). Kurt was able to fund a Sonder Project well, increasing access to clean water for a community of over 1,500 people through his CDT hike.

Kurt on the Florida Trail in 2022. It took him 63 days, and he fundraised to sponsor 34 students

Kurt on the Florida Trail in 2022. It took him 63 days, and he fundraised to sponsor 34 students.

 

On Monday, Feb. 6, Kurt set out on a lesser-known trail, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, which spans parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas, with the goal of sponsoring 50 students. The Ouachita Trail covers 223 miles, and although it may be shorter, it’s certainly no cakewalk. At this time of year, Kurt will be battling the elements, including cold and the possibility of ice. It’s also known to be a rocky trail, and most challenging of all, Kurt has been dealing with knee problems since his last hike. Of course, we know Kurt is up for the challenge!

Kurt will enjoy some company this time as he will be hiking with a friend, Aaron Sundstrom, whom he met while volunteering with The Sonder Project following Hurricane Michael in 2018. Following the devastating hurricane that heavily damaged the Panama City, FL. area, a neighboring city to our headquarters in Santa Rosa Beach, FL., The Sonder Project responded by organizing volunteers, helping with the clean-up, and rebuilding homes. You can read more about the impact of those efforts, which ended in 2020, HERE. Aaron and Kurt were our most dedicated volunteers focused on removing fallen trees, and they became close friends.

 

 

Kurt on the CDT back in 2020. It took him 142 days, and he was able to fundraise to drill a well in Burkina Faso

Kurt on the CDT back in 2020. It took him 142 days, and he was able to fundraise to drill a well in Burkina Faso.

Fast-forward four years, when Aaron decided he wanted to attempt his first thru-hike, the Ouachita Trail, he knew he had to ask Kurt to join him. After all, it was Kurt who turned Aaron and his family on to camping after Hurricane Michael.

As Aaron told us, “I remember hearing about how Kurt was going out camping, and I had never been camping much. I decided to take my whole family with his family for our first trip. We brought ten times the amount of stuff and not what we needed. We were freezing out there, and it was miserable. My kids hated it, but I loved it. Since then, I’ve learned from Kurt to pack better, and we’ve done more family trips together.”

Aaron (far left) leading a group of Sonder Project volunteers doing hurricane clean-up in 2018.

Aaron (far left) leading a group of Sonder Project volunteers doing hurricane clean-up in 2018.

Kurt’s efforts inspired Aaron’s desire to do a longer thru-hike. Aaron says, “when Kurt went on the CDT, he was a 250+ pound fat guy. He wasn’t traditionally prepared. He was out of shape, but he had endless courage. I don’t know anyone more courageous than Kurt. Just think about the fortitude it takes to do what he does. It’s inspiring. I want to do that too.”

 

Aaron and Kurt went camping together before starting the Ouachita Trail.

(L-R) Aaron and Kurt went camping together before starting the Ouachita Trail.

For Kurt’s part, he is looking forward to hiking with a close friend. “I’m going to have to slow my pace down, and I’m going to have to learn not to be as competitive. On my past hikes, I’ve missed the quiet time in my mind because I was just chasing dopamine. I would see a peak, look for one minute, and then search for the next challenge to overcome. Aaron will help keep me honest and allow me to embrace each moment.”

Aaron and Kurt began the Ouachita Trail on Monday, Feb.6. They hope to complete the effort in less than a month. Aaron isn’t one for social media, but you can follow Kurt’s efforts through his Facebook or Instagram profiles. You may also show your encouragement and support for their efforts by contributing to Kurt’s student sponsorship campaign and helping him reach his goal of sponsoring 50 students!

 

Kurt (left) and Aaron Sundstrom on day one of the Ouachita Trail. They are starting from the Arkansas side.

Kurt (left) and Aaron Sundstrom on day one of the Ouachita Trail. They are starting from the Arkansas side.

 

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