By the time Judy Hoppes saw her cousin, Heather List had hiked more than 1,200 miles.

That was in mid-June - and that was just over the halfway point for List, who is walking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail.

“We met her at the top of the Blue Mountain in Schuylkill County,” said Hoppes, of Tamaqua.

Hoppes and List’s mother, Mariann, connected with List and her hiking partner, Mimi Corsetti, on a rainy Friday.

It was 89 days into their trek from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Katahdin, Maine.

“We took them down to The Mason jar (restaurant) and they really ate,” Hoppes said.

Over lunch and desserts, Hoppes learned more about the planned 2,200-mile trip.

“They are loving it,” she said.

A native of the State College area, List quit her job in Pittsburgh to take on the trail’s mountains, creeks and boulders.

Each week, she files detailed entries and photographs on her blog, www.heathertreks.com.

She’s also collecting donations and bringing awareness to Open Hand Ministries. List is a board member for the nonprofit Pittsburgh-based organization, which empowers underserved individuals to build financial skills and achieve their dream of homeownership. She hopes to raise $25,000. At the restaurant, List told Hoppes that trail hikers usually take on nicknames.

“Heather goes by the name ‘Victory,’” Hoppes said. Corsetti is called “Meadow.”

The two began prepping for the trip well in advance.

“Back in the beginning, she was making her own meals, preparing them ahead of time,” Hoppes said.

List came up with recipes for meals that could be rehydrated by adding boiling water - things like tuna noodle casserole, shepherd’s pie, potato corn chowder, coconut peanut curry and walking burritos.

She also arranged to have her husband meet her every two or three weeks to drop off supplies.

Hoppes said the duo has met others hiking the trail. A few weeks ago, Corsetti celebrated a birthday - and many friends came to meet her and List on the trail.

“She said it was the best day of her life,” Hoppes said.

List, who has quite a few relatives in the Tamaqua area, is taking pledges to donate to Open Hand Ministries based on how many miles she hikes on the trail. To pledge or donate, contact her at heathertreks@gmail.com.