On June 3, 2008, Aaron Warrick began a journey. His goal was to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. Stretching 2,176 miles from Mt. Katahdin, Maine, to Springer Mountain in Georgia through the Appalachian Mountains.

He was equipped only with what he could carry and the knowledge he compiled through his scouting carrier ending as an Eagle Scout -- and only a rough idea of the adventure that lied ahead of him.

A photo taken during his journey made him the winner of The Press-News annual photo contest. The winning photo was taken in front of a mural in Duncannon, a small town in southern Pennnsylvania along the Susquehanna River.

Before his trip began, Aaron planned every inch of the trip, every day through the end. That plan went out the window the first day. The trip was more mentally taxing than physical, being the first time Aaron had been away from the places he knew and the people he left behind. Being only 19 and a week out of high school, it was a challenge he did not believe he could do. His goal of becoming a through-hiker -- someone who hikes through the entire trail -- already was in jeopardy.

Fortunately, he perservered. He worked through the hardships, weather and rough terrain. And on just the second day, Aaron already was making friends and renewed his focus on completing the trip. Aaron believes that if it wasn't for the people he met, he would have been off trail long before the finish.

Aaron kept his nickname, Cubby, which he had since third grade, as his trail name -- a name which you are known by on the trail. Aaron's second day on trail he met Spoon, a fellow through-hiker who also was an Eagle Scout. But it wasn't till Andover, Maine, that the two would start hiking together.

Aaron and Spoon both were through-hikers, which is rare. But they were a rare bread of through-hikers -- they were south bounders (SOBOs). A few thousand will go south to north, the north bounders (NOBOs), with only a handful making it to the end. Only a few hundred will go north to south, with even fewer finishing.

When the two reached the White Mountains near Gorham, N.H., they met a small group of SOBOs -- Mango, Grettle and Santana -- and started hiking with them out of Rutland, Vt.

It was this group of five that gave Aaron a new perspective of the trail. They showed Aaron how to have a good time and that if you can't control something, don't worry about it. The group would stick together to the end. Seeing each other all day, every day, spending more time together than most families -- in Aaron's eyes, they were a family.

Aaron spent a total of 151 days on trail. He stayed mostly in shelters along the way, with occasional stops at motels and hostels or with strangers who would open their homes to help a hiker.

Aaron was able to enjoy a simple life away from the worries of the world. He experienced many beautiful moments and met many interesting and trusting people. The trail has given Aaron new hope for humanity.

Aaron hopes to stay in contact with all his friends along the trail. Santana (Arthur Mullen III form Massachusetts), Spoon (Josh McGrew from Tennessee), Mango (Alijandro Mates from Venezuela) and Grettle (Gretta Franklin from Pennsylvania).

Now Aaron seeks his next adventure to escape day-to-day living and just live.