by Dave Gantz, KTA Board of Directors
I’m honored and thrilled to be the newest member of the Board of Directors with KTA! At first, I was hesitant when the nomination committee approached me and asked if I’d be interested in filling the role left by Jeff Mitchell. Jeff has done so much amazing work for KTA, and I can only hope that my skills and experience will prove to be useful to KTA and the hiking community.
I was born and raised in Lancaster County by parents who are educators, outstanding community members, and avid canoeists. I spent my young years canoeing, fishing, mountain biking, and camping. Although my dad sometimes took me hunting, I never had the patience. I also loved competitive sports—playing soccer and swimming year-round. Still, my favorite week of every year was when my father would drive me to Ontario, Canada, for backcountry canoe tripping in Algonquin Provincial Park.
I earned a BS in Biology and played soccer for Bloomsburg University, which left little free time for outdoor pursuits. Then, in my senior year, I shattered my tibia and fibula during soccer training. This event changed everything. While lying in the ER, I promised myself that I would thru-hike the AT as soon as possible. From that day in August 2003 to today, I’ve hiked over 13,000 miles in 20 states throughout the country.
I currently reside in State College and work at Appalachian Outdoors. I also keep myself busy by writing guidebooks, posting blogs, and fulfilling outdoor recreation contract work with Penn State University and Purple Lizard Maps. I believe that to save our natural resources, we must get more people outdoors. No one will vote to save lands in which they have no emotional or historical ties. At the same time, we don’t want these trails to be ruined from overuse and misuse. So my goal with KTA and my professional life is to educate people on—and advocate for—the respectful and responsible use of lands and trails in our state.
I hope to be a positive and influential member of the Board of Directors with KTA, and I thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me to take on this role.
You can learn more about my hiking adventures at www.walkwithgantz.com.