We are now a 501c-3 non-profit organization!
THRU-r is a thru-hiker organization created in 2020 to give back to the hiking community. Our founder, Carol “Cheer” Coyne did her first thru-hike and missed the community when she went home. So she built a new community of thru-hikers and aspiring thru-hikers to fill the void. Since then, THRU-r has supported new and experienced thru-hikers in both virtual and in-person settings, thanks to her efforts, time, and finances. Her goal was always for the organization grow enough to have community-based leadership, but she needed to build that community first. It took a few years for the community to grow to the point where she could share the leadership roles. She enlisted the support of the Trail Ambassadors, and the community kept growing. Clearly, she wasn’t the only one missing trail life.
In the summer of 2025, she applied to make THRU-r a non-profit 501c-3. This allowed her to have a Board of Directors to help with the workload of running this active, vibrant community of like-minded hikers. The new Board of Directors worked with her last fall to build the foundation to launch this new endeavor. We had our first Board retreat at the beginning of February. Now, we are dividing up the tasks to run this organization to build capacity, grow the community, and support thru-hikers for years to come.
Eventually, Cheer traded in her dance shoes for trail runners!
Introducing your Board of Directors
Founder and Board Chair
Cheer has completed the Triple Crown of US hiking with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and Appalachian Trail (AT). Cheer didn’t grow up in the outdoors. She enjoyed dance and girly things. The few camping trips her family took were her favorite activity because they were out in nature. In college, Cheer started hiking mountains in Southern California, and gradually progressed to backpacking in the Sierras. Once she completed the PCT, her life completely changed! She is a self-proclaimed “dirtbag” and never looked back. She founded THRU-r to help experienced thru-hikers stay connected and to help aspiring thru-hikers prepare for the trail. Since then, her list of hikes to take on keeps growing. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @carollcoyne.
Paladin ended up trading in his six guns and spurs for trekking poles and a backpack… but is still roaming far off lands!
President
Ben “Paladin” Cox, has hiked the AT and PCT, as well as numerous international trails. As a child, Paladin traveled the US and abroad with his family and learned to appreciate different cultures and far-off places. He also learned to be an outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, camping, and horseback riding with his extended family. He is a skilled bush craftsman now! He earned his bachelor’s degree at Western Carolina University and, in the process, fell in love with long-distance hiking on the nearby AT. He is heading to Greece to hike this year. Follow Paladin’s expeditions on Instagram @bencox357
Cat eventually moved on from his roving rabbit and lassoed a legendary Jackelope in the Great Basin in Wyoming! He was last seen riding off into the sunset.
Vice-President
JC “Catmando” Van Etten, is also a Triple Crowner. He has also hiked several slightly shorter National Scenic Trails. Catmando grew up camping and, as the youngest cousin, would disappear for hours on unsanctioned adventures in the woods while everyone else was unloading the vehicles and setting up camp. As a young teen, he backpacked with his friends whenever they had a long holiday weekend. He had the skills and confidence for his adventures, so his parents allowed him to roam. The 60s and 70s were a different world! He is going overseas to hike the Mont Banc Trail this year. Follow Catmando’s adventures on Instagram @catmando2019.
From 4-H steers to mountain trails – Just Mike’s always been good at handling a little bull and a lot of uphill.
Treasurer
Mike “Just Mike” McClure, completed the PCT, CDT, and half of the AT. He plans to hike all of the National Scenic Trails while his body allows him. Just Mike taught himself programing in middle school, studied Mechanic Engineering in college, and had a long career in the IT world. Like many people, he started hiking during COVID to stay active. It was instant love and when he retired, he began his thru-hiking adventures with the PCT. He switched from working for a living to living to hike. This year, he plans to finish the AT and hike the Ice Age Trail. Just Mike can be found on Instagram @hikermcclure.
GG is the goofy kid in the corner with part of her family on Mt. Katahdin. She ran up this mountain as a kid!
Secretary
Kristine “GG” Hartlaub, has hiked the AT and half of the CDT. Her future hiking list is ever growing. She grew up in a family of outdoor enthusiasts whose vacations included tents and canoes. When she was 10, her family hiked Mt. Katahdin. When GG finished Mt. Katahdin on her thru, she called her mom and asked, “How the hell did you let us hike that as kids???” GG took a backpacking course in college, day-hiked all over the world while her husband was on active duty, and started backpacking again in earnest in 2021. This year, she will be completing the Colorado section of the CDT, and both the West Highland Way and Hebridean Way in Scotland. Follow GG’s journeys on Instagram @kristinehartlaub.