Hiker Naomi Cupp Named in Columbia

There's an article by Bill Clark in the 6 June 2007 issue of the Columbia [MO] Tribune titled "Cupp proves know-it-all doesn’t always know it all" that profiles Naomi Cupp, recent winner of the Columbia Kiwanis Club's annual Don Faurot Sportsperson of the Year Award. Clark, the "know-it-all" of the article title, writes:

"In the late 1990s, Naomi attended the national meeting of the Governor’s Council directors in Denver, where she was mesmerized by Jean Deeds’ talk about hiking the Appalachian Trail. When Deeds finished, Naomi told herself, "I can do that." She began to take long walks, and in 1999, she spent a week on the Appalachian Trail with Deeds. She was totally hooked.

"In 2000, she quit her job and, at age 50, tackled the trail. She became a solo hiker, toting a 50-pound backpack when loaded. "There are no convenience stores on the trail," she said.

"Naomi made it from the southern terminus at Sprenger [sic!] Mountain, Ga., 700 miles to central Virginia before heading home. She later hooked up with Deeds to do the final 50 miles to reach the finish at Mount Katahdin, Maine."