Rue McKenrick is a long-distance backpacker and the Executive Director of The American Perimeter Trail Conference. He grew up with the Appalachian Trail running through his backyard in Pennsylvania. After years of international backpacking, he was inspired to return to the US and complete the Triple Crown of backpacking, which includes the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide National Scenic Trails, and the Appalachian Trail. 

After the completion of the Triple Crown, he first conceived of the American Perimeter Trail as a way to see the entire outline of the US on a single epic journey. 

McKenrick moved to Bend, Oregon in 2010 and continued to hone his skills of climbing, skiing, trail running, and cycling and in 2019, he began the 12,000 mile scouting trek of the route for the American Perimeter Trail.  2 years later on October 8th, 2022, Rue had a triumphant return to Bend, Oregon where he completed the first thru-hike of the APT. 

Learn more about Rue and the APT:

• Instagram: @Ruemckenrick
• Americanperimetertrail.org
• Write up in Backpacker Magazine: https://www.backpacker.com/stories/thru-hikes/trail-stories/a-heros-journey/