In March 2023, Nikki Bettis embarked on an extraordinary journey with 13 of her 15 children. Hiking the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail is a remarkable feat, and doing it with a large family seemed almost impossible. But Bettis was determined to reunite her family through this adventure. After facing various challenges during the pandemic, she saw hiking as the perfect remedy.

Uniting a Family through the Appalachian Trail

Starting the Journey

Bettis started planning the trip in June 2022 and left in March 2023. Initially, she had planned for 2025 but got excited and moved it up. Her main goal was to complete the trail and bring the family together. When they started, they didn't know if they would make it, but they focused on their own reasons for hiking. One of the well-known rules on the trail is to never quit on a bad day, and they stuck to this. They knew that every bad day would end and the next day would be different as long as they had the right attitude.

During the hike, they gained a following on their social media page titled "32 Feet Up," representing each foot of Bettis and her 15 children. Two of the children stayed at home and hiked sections with the family.

Overcoming Challenges

Bettis' biggest concerns before starting were the cold and safety around other hikers. She didn't want to jeopardize her kids' safety. But they had enough hiking and backpacking experience to know that most people on the trail are good. With the cold, they were overpacked at first, but they realized they had excess in their packs and began to weed it out.

The biggest challenge came when they hit the end of Virginia. They were homesick and realized they were leaving everything familiar. At the halfway point in Harpers Ferry, many of the older kids wanted to go home. But once they openly talked about their fears and addressed them, they picked up and kept hiking.

High Points and Low Points

Each child had a different high point, but for Bettis, it was Franconia Ridge and the White Mountains. It was a powerful day with clear views, and they made it along the ridge line. This was the epitome of the entire hike as it showed they could overcome any obstacle.

Despite the challenges, they also had their share of good times. The beautiful vistas and the sense of unity as a family were unforgettable.

Cost and Logistics

People on the internet said the cost of hiking with so many kids was $1,000 a month per person. But Bettis came in under budget every month. Her child support budget was $2,400 a month, and they spent between $1,800 and $2,200 a month for all 16 of them. The months that got expensive were when they needed new shoes as they changed about every 700 miles.

Family Bond and Growth

The hike helped reforge the family bond. The kids grew in ways they wouldn't have otherwise. They developed leadership and responsibility, and each found their place within the group. The 19-year-old who stayed home took on resupply duties, and there were leaders and crew members for different tasks.

Bettis loves hearing the kids talk about the hike and how it has changed them. It has given them ambition and goals.

Future Hikes

They have plans to hike the Mountains to Sea Trail in April and the Oregon Coast Trail in September next year. Then, in 2026, they will do the Continental Divide Trail. There are still discussions about how many kids will join them on these hikes, especially with the addition of a baby.

Despite the challenges, Nikki Bettis and her family have shown that with determination and unity, anything is possible.