Tom’s Charity Hike: Updates
Tom finished his quest!
Otsego County has 21 state forests and 4 state parks, and this June Worcester resident Tom “Papa” Walsh walked to them all, in one continuous thru-hike. A hiker and cancer survivor, Walsh used the hike to raise funds for the Bassett Cancer Institute and Otsego Outdoors.
Still time to donate to Tom’s goal of raising funds for Otsego Outdoors and Bassett Cancer Institute. Click on the button or mail a check to Otsego 2000, PO Box 1130, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Donations of any amount welcome!
Rick M. donated and wrote to Tom, “We saw you on your way to Robert V. Riddell State Park on our way to Betty and Wilbur David State Park. Love your passion to support such worthy organizations.” Thanks Rick and of course incredible gratitude to Tom!
June 20: Tom made it home for lunch, completing his epic Otsego County continuous thru-hike. CONGRATS to TOM!
June 19: Happy Father’s Day to Tom “Papa” Walsh! He reached Hooker Mountain State Forest and South Hill State Forest (a day sooner than planned!)
Progress 25 of 25 state forests and state parks reached, now in the homestretch
June 18: Headed to Robert V. Riddell State Park
June 17: Headed to Susquehanna State Forest
June 16: Reached Milford State Forest and Arnold Lake State Forest
Progress: 21 of 25 state forests and state parks reached
June 15: Rest Day
June 14: Reached Gilbert Lake State Park and walked into Mount Vision
Progress: 19 of 25 state forests and state parks reached
June 13: Hiked from Morris to Wagner Farm State Forest and General Jacob Morris State Forest
Progress: 143.5 miles total, 18 of 25 state forests and state parks reached
Tom’s progress through June 14: 19 of 25 state forests and parks reached.
June 12: reached Calhoun Creek State Forest
Progress: 16 of 25 state forests and state parks reached
June 11: Basswood Pond State Forest to Texas Schoolhouse State Forest
June 10: Plainfield State Forest to Hartwick State Forest to Basswood Pond State Forest
June 9: Walked from Richfield Springs to Oil City State Forest, Exeter State Forest and Plainfield State Forest
Progress: 12 of 25 state forest and parks reached.
June 8: Rest Day
June 7: Tom reached Richfield Springs on the way to state forests in the northwestern part of Otsego County.
Progress: 9 of 25 state forests and parks reached, 68.4 miles walked, 7845 feet of elevation gain, 30 hours of walking
June 6: Tom walked to Roseboom State Forest and is at Glimmerglass State Park
Progress: 9 of 25 state forests and parks reached, 60+ miles walked
June 5: Walked Cherry Valley State Forest, added in a walk to Lordsland Preserve to see the new trail on Doc Ahlers Road
Progress: 7 of 25 state forests and parks reached
Tom says he is pretty sure Otsego County has more up hills than down hills.
June 4: Bear Swamp State Forest, Honey Hill State Forest
Progress: 6 of 25 state forests and parks reached
June 3: From Westford, Tom walked to Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park and R. Milton Hicks Memorial State Forest
Progress: 4 of 25 state forests and parks reached
Totals: 23 miles, 3084 feet elevation gain
June 2: Tom left his home in Worcester and walked to Decatur State Forest and Maple Valley State Forest, finished the day in Westford.
Progress: 2 of 25 state forests and parks reached
Totals: 11.8 miles, 1,591 feet elevation gain
About Tom’s Charity Hike
This will mark Walsh’s third hike to raise funds for a charity. “I always include Bassett, they saved my life twice,” said Walsh. “I want to raise awareness about family services at Bassett Cancer Institute and also for Otsego County’s parks and forests.” He points out that most people living in Otsego County can get to a park or forest within a ten minute drive.
Tom started the hike on June 2 from his home in Worcester
Tom’s 200+ mile route, starting at his home in Worcester.
He has been training, walking more than 400 miles on 60 hikes since January 1, and visiting state forests and parks to map out his route and find places to camp. Beginning at his home in Worcester on June 2, Walsh will set out for Decatur State Forest, Maple Valley State Forest, Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest, Bear Swamp State Forest, Honey Hill State Forest, Cherry Valley State Forest, Roseboom State Forest, Glimmerglass State Park, Oil City State Forest, Exeter State Forest, Plainfield State Forest, Basswood Pond State Forest, Hartwick State Forest, Texas Schoolhouse State Forest, Calhoun Creek State Forest, Jacob Morris State Forest, Wagner Farm State Forest, Gilbert Lake State Park, Milford State Forest, Arnold Lake State Forest, Susquehanna State Forest, Robert V. Riddell State Park, Hooker Mountain State Forest, South Hill State Forest, and then back to Worcester. Walsh estimates it will take him about three weeks to walk the 200 mile route.
His goal is to raise $5,000. The funds for Bassett Cancer Institute will be used for patient and family services. The funds for Otsego Outdoors will go to trail improvements and maintenance. People can pledge per park/forest by calling Otsego 2000, 607/547-8881 or make a donation online at Otsego2000.org.
“Tom is a wonderful advocate for hiking and for all that Otsego County has to offer,” said Peg Odell, program and communications manager at Otsego 2000. She noted that Walsh has been involved with Otsego Outdoors since February 2021 when he did a Super Ultra Winter Octet, completing all 12 of the featured trails in one day, instead of just the required 8.
“We are so grateful to Tom for his generous spirit, enthusiasm, and determination,” said Odell.
“A lot of kind and supportive people come through the Bassett Cancer Institute,” says Benjamin Everidge, Bassett Healthcare Network’s Chief Development Officer. “Tom is one of the best. Year after year, his gratitude and generosity are an encouragement to the Institute’s staff and a benefit to the Institute’s patients. We are happily cheering him on as he takes on this next adventure.”
Updates will be posted here and on the Otsego Outdoors Facebook page. Walsh said he welcomes people to walk along with him.
Otsego Outdoors is a joint program of Otsego 2000, the Otsego County Conservation Association, and the Otsego Land Trust that connects people with year-round opportunities to enjoy nature and the outdoors. Otsego Outdoors offers seasonal challenges—Otsego Octets. When people complete the Octet Challenges, they earn a free patch and a listing on the Otsego Outdoors Challenge Roster at otsegooutdoors.org. A new Summer Octet Challenge begins June 21.
Bassett Healthcare Network is an integrated health system that provides care and services to people living in a 5,600 square mile region in upstate New York. Bassett Cancer Institute is a Commission on Cancer accredited program that offers screening and treatment of a variety of cancers to patients throughout that region. To learn more about these services, visit https://www.bassett.org/services/cancer-care. Follow Bassett on Facebook at facebook.com/Bassett.Network.