- Thomas King Jackson, 18, is walking 1,000 miles to raise awareness for Tibet.
- His journey, "1,000 miles for Tibet," highlights China's control over the region.
- Jackson's trek spans Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, receiving significant online support.
REXBURG, Idaho — As many gear up to celebrate the country's 250th Independence Day this week, one local 18-year-old man will be walking 300 miles straight through Idaho, Montana and Wyoming for some folks who cannot celebrate independence.
Thomas King Jackson told EastIdahoNews.com that his upcoming trek is part of a personal project he's devised called "1,000 miles for Tibet." The goal is pretty simple: walk 1,000 miles in about two months to raise awareness of China's control over Tibet.
"It used to be a big deal 30 years ago," Jackson said. "I've heard that a lot of people knew about Tibet and Hollywood stars were talking about it. They were making movies about it. Most people I talk to in my generation don't really know what it is or what's going on. So I thought I'd do my part."
Tibet was annexed, or invaded, according to some people's accounts, by China in the 1950s. Jackson said he's lived all over the world and has seen Tibet under Chinese rule firsthand.
"I saw firsthand this culture that was different from the Chinese culture," Jackson said. "They had a different language. They dress differently. They have a different religion, a different ethnicity. They were sovereign for 1,500 years. I saw them being forced to live in a place full of hundreds of Chinese flags, occupied by the Chinese military and tons of police."
Jackson said even having a Tibetan flag or a picture of the Dalai Lama could get someone in trouble there. He said he once heard a story of a tour guide who went missing after tourists he was guiding took photos of Tibetan flags and posted them online.
"Seeing this, it broke my heart a little bit. So I decided now that I'm finally able to do something I would," Jackson said.
Jackson began his 1,000 miles for Tibet in May. Since then, he's walked about 700 miles around eastern Idaho while also balancing work and his classes at Brigham Young University-Idaho. But now in his final stretch, Jackson is set to embark on a 300-mile loop around Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
He started in Rexburg on July 2. From there, he'll hike up through Island Park to West Yellowstone. Then he'll head east into Yellowstone National Park. Then he'll head south through Grand Teton National Park to Jackson. From there, he'll trek back into Idaho to meet up with the Palisades Reservoir and make his way back to Rexburg, returning on July 7.
Jackson said he plans to set up camps along the way about every 60 miles. However, because everything is booked for the Fourth of July weekend, he said he will have to cover a 90-mile stretch between Yellowstone and Jackson before he can rest, which will likely go into the night. For safety, Jackson will be equipped with bear spray, a reflective vest and a headlamp.
He said about half of his journey will be walking along the shoulders of highways. The other half will be back roads and hiking trails.
"I'm pretty nervous about walking through the night in wilderness areas," Jackson said. "That's going to be a little scary. And there are a few big stretches through the forest in Montana and Wyoming that are not on the sides of highways. It's just these dirt roads. So, I'm definitely saying my prayers passing through those areas."
Along the way, Jackson will be stopping in cities and towns to resupply on food like ramen, trail mix and granola bars.
"That is the biggest struggle — I don't have a big backpack or anything, I only have a small one I take to all my classes," Jackson said. "It's one of the reasons I planned this walk through multiple cities and highways with gas stations and whatnot. Because I won't have the capacity to carry much food on me."
Jackson's trip will be documented on Instagram and YouTube.
The biggest surprise Jackson has had while working on his 1,000-mile-for-Tibet project has been the support he's received online from Tibetan people. He said he's had people offer to walk with him to meet the Dalai Lama and offer him a place to stay if he's ever in their part of the world. One individual even nicknamed him the "white yak" for his "incredible endurance and love for the highland."
"I've gotten all these people who are just thrilled that there's someone out there that isn't Tibetan that knows about them," Jackson said.
