LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) — As an opioid crisis ravages the country, many in Arkansas are feeling its effects.
The crisis hit home for one Arkansas mother in June of 2017, when she lost her son, Tristan, to a drug overdose.
As part of her grief journey, she is making it her mission to share Tristan's story one step at a time.
Gina Allgaier has always had a passion for the outdoors. However, that passion turned into so much more after her son Tristan died of a fentanyl overdose at the age of 21.
“It will be ten months on April 18. It’s still really tough,” Allgaier said. "Every day I just can’t believe that he's gone. I can't believe it's been this long"
As a way of healing, Allgaier turned to hiking. It’s a love she once shared with her son.
“When Tristan died, something inside of me just thought I want to go do something that is meaningful and to help give me purpose,” Allgaier said.
This June, to mark the one year anniversary of Tristan's death, Allgaier plans to hike Mt. Rainier in Washington State. The mountain was one of Tristan's favorite landmarks.
“It’s kind of hard to train to climb a mountain when you don't live in an area that has ranges higher than 2000 feet! Mount Rainier is a 14-thousand footer so I have my work cut out for me,” Allgaier said.
Armed with a 40-pound pack of gear, she goes on four- to six-mile hikes weekly to prepare for the journey of a lifetime.
“I think it's been a big part of the healing process for me to able to get out and train for this hike. It gives me a lot of time to think,” Allgaier said.
Allgaier said the hike is a way to honor her son in the best way she knows how, while also sharing his story with others.
“I just think about the thought of what his life and death meant to our family and how we can use that to help others and that is what really keeps me going on this journey,” Allgaier said.
Tristan will also be recognized during this the 2018 Drug Take Back event happening April 28th.
Anyone can bring unused or old prescriptions to participating drop off locations across the state.
For a full list of drop-off locations, visit this website.