Two friends will brave the winter cold and hike the Appalachian Trail while creating a dialogue on suicide prevention and awareness.

On Dec. 13, Snow Hill resident Jean Schrecengost and friend Melissa Ordway will begin a 700-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, emphasizing suicide awareness and prevention in partnership with the Jesse Klump Memorial Fund. The hike will also raise funds for the Worcester County-based suicide prevention outreach organization.

“We take the message that suicide affects almost everyone in one way or another to schools, churches, community groups and health fairs – anywhere people gather who may have a friend or loved one at risk of suicide,” said Ron Pilling, a group board member, in a news release. “The funds raised by these two courageous women will provide ‘suicide prevention first aid’ training free of cost to more of our friends and neighbors.”

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he hike begins at Rattle River Trailhead in New Hampshire and will end by Feb. 1 in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, Schrecengost said.

The two friends hiked the Appalachian Trail previously in 2013 from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, but this time are completing a part they haven't done.

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Along the way, they will talk with whoever they meet about suicide awareness, prevention, mental health and the Jesse Klump Memorial Fund. Schrecengost and Ordway will also encourage donations to the organization.

“We want to create awareness and exposure, but also want to be there to listen and share stories,” Schrecengost said.

Hiking clubs and suicide awareness organizations along the trail have been contacted about the trip Schrecengost said, so residents in the area can make a point to talk with them if interested.

Schrecengost and Ordway first decided to hike the trail on their own, but then thought it would be more worthwhile to partner with an organization. Both women's lives have been touched by friends or family members dying of suicide, Schrecengost said, and spreading awareness on the importance of mental health and suicide prevention are two things they were both passionate about.

“It’s a subject that both of us can get on board with," she said.

The two first talked to Pilling about the idea, Schrecengost said, and then she met with Kim Klump, organization president, to plan a partnership.

“When Jean related the personal experience with suicide loss in the life of her hiking companion Melissa, I knew that we had found partners for our own outreach work,” Klump said in a news release. “Being outdoors, distant from the technology that so envelops young lives, reaching for a personal goal, is an important way to escape the stress in life that too often ends in depression and suicide. Jean and Melissa’s wintertime hike brings life to that fact.”

The Jesse Klump Memorial Fund has equipped the two women with business cards stating why they're hiking, suicide statistics and a little about the organization.

After her visit to Maryland, Ordway talked with Klump and Pilling via email since she lives in Washington state. She hopes to meet Klump for the first time and Pilling for a second time after the hike, she said.

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The two friends have gone on outdoor adventures before, but with this hike being in the middle of winter, the weather will be less on their side.

"We really don't know what the elements are going to throw at us," Ordway said.

They're bringing along a tent, dry food and other essentials, Ordway said. They are going as prepared as they can be, but hiking in the winter will still be an added challenge.

While the hike will be difficult and they might want to give up at times, Schrecengost said it can be used as a metaphor for mental health struggles and suicide awareness. While those topics can be difficult, talking about them is essential.

“I think conversation at any point about mental health and suicide is going to make it better for everybody," Schrecengost said.

Ordway agreed. While some people aren't comfortable discussing the topic, she said it's important to make people aware of the warning signs and how they can help with prevention.

The hike also allows the two women to encourage something else they find important: enjoying the great outdoors.

“For me, the outdoors is my way to relax,” Schrecengost said and she hopes to encourage that in other people during their conversations.

For photos and updates, Schrecengost and Ordway's journey can be followed on their Facebook page.

On Twitter: @The_MegRyan