SheRa Just Wants to Transition And Hike the Appalachian Trail

Mules Brick, Cracker and I recently met SheRa on our mule ramble up the the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. “All I want to do is walk through the forest,” SheRa told me. It turns out that’s not easy if you’re transitioning from being a man to a woman.

Listen to SheRa’s Story

Click on the player below to listen to my story about SheRa and her epic backflip off Brick

Becoming SheRa

A few days after I met SheRa in Elk Park, I ran into her again in the Scales camp on top of Grayson Highlands. SheRa told me she is the first person to complete hiking the Appalachian Trail while transitioning from being a man to a woman.

We had a fascinating discussion that goes beyond the scope of what I can peck into my phone on the top of Grayson Hughlands, but I did make a recording of my thoughts that I look forward to sharing with you.

I will say that I found SheRa charming with a kind sense of humor. She grew up in Tennessee and says, “Deep down, I’m just a redneck from Appalachia.” She told me the hikers she met on the AT were amazingly supportive and encouraging of her transition. She also points out she’s suffered physical assault and social media criticism by strangers who disagree with her choice. “I’ve had restaurants not serve me, the law called on me and some guy called me a faggot while I was drinking a whiskey in a bar to celebrate the end of a hike. All because they don’t understand that I’m just want to live my life and part of that is becoming a woman. I’ve always felt that way and now I’m going through with becoming on. How does that hurt anyone?”

In that way she’s like everyone else I’m meeting on the AT.

“All I want to do is walk through the woods,” she says.

Here are some photos of our visit.

If I have one takeaway from my encounter with SheRa it’s this. If you don’t understand someone, start by being kind. Then ask them the questions you’re afraid to ask.

More about SheRa on Facebook at SheRa Be Free.