Interview with Lunch

Lunch (Mitch) and his mom are section hiking north on the Appalachian Trail for a month before Lunch begins his new job. Lunch is a 22-year-old recent graduate of Perdue University and will be going to work for SpaceX after the hike. He is originally from Woodbridge, Virginia. The interview took place at Mountain Harbor Hostel in Tennessee.

Lunch and his mom Starbuck at Mountain Harbor Hostel

What was your motivation for hiking on the AT?

Part of it was convenience because I just graduated college, and I had time before I started my job. I really just wanted to do it because my mom has done over 1600 miles on the trail, and she's been enjoying it. And it's a good way to kind of get to know her, other than her being my mom all the time, even though she does that a little bit on the trail. So it was just a great experience to get outside, too. I love hiking and camping, and I did Boy Scouts, so I kind of knew what I was getting into it in that regard. And it’s also a transition between college and work, which I appreciate.

How did you get your trail name?

I just got my trail name at this hostel. The lady at the bar was asking what our trail names were. And my mom told her “Launch,” and she, she's like, oh, his name's “Lunch.” And so it was supposed to be “Launch” Because that's kind of related to my job. I'm working at SpaceX, launching Starship. So they mispronounced that “lunch," and I kind of like it. I want to stick with that. Who doesn't like lunch, you know? But really, I’ll have to give it some time. You never know. I guess it’s yet to be determined.