Do not underestimate

Whenever someone says, "I'm too old to walk the trail," or "I can't hike because of bad knees," I can't help but think of Grandma Gatewood, Earl Shaffer, and Bill Irwin. To me, walking the Appalachian Trail blind is accomplishing the impossible.

- Jeff Alt, A Walk For Sunshine

Winter is coming

"The words gave her a chill, as they always did. The Stark words. Every noble house had its words. Family mottoes, touchstones, prayers of sorts, they boasted of honor and glory, promised loyalty and truth, swore faith and courage. All but the Starks. Winter is coming, said the Stark words. Not for the first time, she reflected on what a strange people these northerners were."

- A Game Of Thrones: Book One Of A Song Of Ice And Fire

Definitely a Game of Thrones feel here on the Trail. I'm so tempted to reread the series, but other books call my name. Right now I'm thoroughly enjoying my way through Moby Dick.

Today is my seventh day on Trail, and snow has been with me consistently making an absolutely beautiful setting to hike through. 

Beautiful but brutal. 

The snow (and mud) slow me down quite a bit, but what REALLY slows me down is the terrain. Ain't no such thing as a switchback in Vermont. The trail is continuously heading straight up and straight down these mountains. There have been some gradual sections which help alleviate the pain in my legs and lungs, but for the most part... up and down.

I'm currently sitting in a little cafe called The Lovin' Cup in the town of Johnson. Came into town yesterday afternoon for a resupply and Chinese food dinner. It gets dark so early, I didn't want to hitch back to the trail at night, so I just pitched my tent behind the grocery store right by the creek that goes through town. 

It's only been a week, but I feel like I've done a lot of hitchhiking for such a short time. I was able to get from Burlington to North Troy in three rides, thanks to three very helpful gentlemen. The last guy drove me ten miles out of his way to drop me off right at the Trail. I appreciated that greatly. 

Yesterday, an older gentleman picked me up a few miles outside of Johnson. As soon as I got in I apologized for my smell (I knew it was bad because even I could smell myself). He simply replied, "Ah, we all smell the same when we step off trail."

He was local, and he said he had stuck his thumb out so many times in his youth, he owed hundreds of people rides. It's really amazing how your perspective of hitching changes once you're the one who has to put your thumb out.

I feel like there is so much to write about (my Greyhound expedition, the Canadian border, the shelters I've been staying in, the group of obnoxious prepubescent tweens who disturbed my slumber, the head first fall I had, on and on and on!)... but I simply don't have much time today to devote to those stories. 

For now, I will leave you with a selection of photos and one video. This already has been a wonderful journey, and it will continue to be great and challenging, both physically and mentally. I appreciate all you guys for following along and encouraging me. 

Happy Trails! And remember the Stark words.

Farewells & Gunshots

It's currently 6am, dark with a bright moon, and I'm about to attempt the longest hitchhike in my life... about 70 miles. Just one of the final steps in reaching the northern terminus of the Long Trail. 

This morning, I arrived at the Burlington Greyhound station, my final bus stop of my 24+ hour journey. Atlanta, Charlotte, Richmond, Newwark, New York, Boston, and finally Burlington... leaving me approximately 70 miles from the trailhead.

Riding Greyhound has been a fascinating experience. This journey definitely began in Atlanta, with farewells and gunshots. Haha (but really...)

The road goes on!

Bowlin' Boys

Where Park Rangers go to have some furlough fun.

Next

Recently purchased a one-way bus ticket to Vermont.

Day 179

08/26/12 - Mount Katahdin - 2,184.2 miles

Words cannot fully capture the emotions of this day.  We woke up early and ate our last Trail breakfast.  Packed up our gear and headed out to the ranger station.  We each dropped off a few pounds of unnecessary gear and started off on the AT.  We filled our water bottles for the last time.  Some other thru-hikers had already started the ascent.  As we crossed the campground in early morning light, we came upon a clearing... and there stood Katahdin... high and mighty looming above us.  It was to be a difficult climb to the top.  I couldn't believe that we were doing it.  That this was it.  The first mile went by pretty quickly as we passed Katahdin Stream Falls.  Then the Trail quickly started to climb.  A nice steady incline at first but soon turning to more hand over hand scrambles.  Once we got above treeline we saw other peaks around us and the lakes below us and the clouds above us.  It was truly an epic scene.  We dipped below treeline one last time then started the more scary and difficult portion... climbing straight up to the Tableland.  After this long, grueling climb, we were getting close.  The scene was straight out of Lord of the Rings... Rohan.  We stopped at Thoreau Spring for one last snack break before the end.  We had ONE MILE left on the AT.  We started up towards Baxter Peak, and as we got within about half a mile, there it was.  The sign.  A group of people were gathered around it but it didn't matter.  Right now it was just going to be me, Anna, God, and that sign.  KATAHDIN.  We held hands the last 50 yards or so.  We walked up to that sign and when Anna placed her hand on it and I hugged it, together, we officially became thru-hikers of the Appalachian Trail.  What?!  WE.  DID.  IT.  I thought I might start to cry once I reached the sign, but I only got a little misty eyed a few minutes before when I first caught glimpse of the sign.  How often I had imagined us reaching that sign when the Trail was excruciatingly difficult.  And now here we were.  Standing before it.  We let the feeling sink in a bit (though even as I write this, I'm not sure if it has fully hit me yet).  Our other thru-hiker buddies were there, too.  Whoop and Resource.  Connect4.  ManBearPig and DudeManBro.  Everyone was excited and enjoying this moment with each other.  After about 15 minutes I decided to make it happen.  I set up the GoPro in front of the sign and asked DudeManBro to take one more video of us.  Anna was happy but maybe a bit unsure of what I was doing.  "I just wanna get some video of us on the sign and stuff.  Let's yell at the top of our lungs!"  And so we did.  And then we did our high five secret handshake.  And then I stepped down from the sign and said, "Anna... KitFox... I know we just finished the Appalachian Trail, but I wanted to know if you would go on another adventure with me."  She says nothing.  "Do you wanna get a two-person tent?"  And when she said YES I couldn't stop smiling.  What an incredibly joyful moment we were now sharing!  We kissed.  She put on the ring.  Everyone cheered.  I broke out the champagne bottle I had hidden in my pack.  ManBearPig said, "Dude you guys, we just witnessed history."  We soaked it in some more on top of the mountain and then started to head back down.  We were finished with the AT, but we still had to climb back down this mountain!  Wow!  We were excited.  It took us several hours to climb down, and when we did our parents were there waiting for us.  What a wonderful reunion.  I was so glad to see all of them there together waiting for us at the end.  It was perfect.  We went out to have our celebration dinner in Millinocket.  We sat outside and ate delicious food overlooking a beautiful lake with Mount Katahdin in the background.  What a perfect day and a perfect way to end one journey and begin another.  I am truly thankful to God and his love and to all my family and friends for their love, support, and encouragement.  I am thankful beyond belief for Anna coming into my life and falling in love with her.  She is an inspiration to me.  It really is a wonderful life.

***

It really is a wonderful life.

And this is the history of our thru-hike.  As many of you may know, Anna and I are no longer together.  We split ways earlier this year.  She is an incredible person and I know she will continue to do great things.  Like I said in my final journal entry, I am so thankful for her and that we completed this journey together.  Life doesn't always turn out the way we think it will or want it to, but we keep moving forward one step at a time.  We're all on this earth for a purpose, and I think hiking the Trail allowed me to experience life on its most fundamental level.

Live life everyday.  One day at a time.  One step at a time.  Climb a mountain.  Witness a sunrise.  Swim a lake.  Smell a tree.  Walk.  Run.  Breathe.  Sweat.  Cry.  Scream.  Share.  Give.  Laugh.  Love.  Live.

I think of all the people who we encountered on our hike and the impact they made on us.  And I think of all the family and friends back home who helped us beyond count and encouraged us along the way.  Friends.  Family.  Complete strangers.  I want to thank each and every one of you who was a part of this journey.  Each and every one.  I thank you for your love.

"Strange, isn't it?  Each man's life touches so many other lives." - Clarence, It's A Wonderful Life

KitFox ascending Katahdin

ManCub ascending Katahdin

The final entry

The final tally

August 26, 2012

Day 178

08/25/12- The Birches - 2,179 miles

Five point two miles away.  We are camped at the base of the Great Mountain.  We crossed over Abol Bridge earlier today to finish the 100 mile wilderness.  Bought some last minute food at the camp store (also secretly bought a little bottle of champagne for our summit victory).  Tomorrow is the big day.  The day we have been looking forward to and striving to reach with every step we've taken.  I can hardly believe it.  I am so excited.  On our way to the top.

***

Entering Baxter State Park