As a professional photographer, Greg Eans has spent much of the last two decades capturing moments in other people's lives. But this month, he'll stop capturing moments long enough to savor some for himself.

April 1, Eans set out on a 470-mile trek along the Appalachian Trail. The Daily Reflector's editor of photography and graphics is to spend four weeks hiking and camping solo through parts of Virginia and into the Shenandoah Valley.

On his back he's carrying survival gear and one small digital camera. On this journey, photography will not be the focus.

"I've got a whole month just to stay in that moment," Eans said. "Sometimes, you'd rather just be there and experience a moment than capture it on film."