Hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis to lead Ferdinand State Forest walk before Scouting banquet

FERDINAND — Long-distance hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis will lead a hike at Ferdinand State Forest on Wednesday, Oct. 7, hours before she speaks at the Distinguished Citizens banquet honoring local philanthropist Mary C. Lange.

The hike runs from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Southridge Trail, a loop of about 2.4 miles. It starts and ends at the Sycamore Shelter House. To get there, take 700 South past the fire tower, then take the next right, according to the event flyer. Hikers should bring their own water and trail snacks.

Davis is the author of “Becoming Odyssa.” She has hiked more than 14,000 miles of trails on six continents. In 2011, she set the overall fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail, finishing in 46 days, an average of about 47 miles a day.

According to the flyer, she has since backpacked 700 miles while pregnant and walked 1,100 miles across North Carolina with her newborn son. She has been named a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, received the North Carolina governor’s Laurel Wreath Award and served on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.

That evening, Davis will be the guest speaker at Scouting America’s Buffalo Trace Council’s 34th annual Distinguished Citizen Award Banquet at the Ferdinand Community Center. The council is honoring Mary Lange this year. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $85. For ticket information, contact Dan Fritch at 812-481-5030 or dca@duboisdca.org.