Ten months ago today, I finished the AT! Where does the time go?

Thank you to all who followed my journey. In the later stages of my hike, cellular signal was spotty at best. That technological hiccup, and my own waning desire to write, unfortunately impacted my BLOG. The closer I got to Katahdin, the more time I spent on personal reflection and accomplishment. I saw it in the other hikers too…the desire to finish, the anticipation of returning to normal life, the need to be with loved ones…yet an underlying sadness that the epic trek was about to end. For me, it was a time of peace and contentment. In retrospect, these ideas and thoughts should have been shared.   My AT BLOG finished without a proper ending…my sincerest apologies!

I am proud of my accomplishment! Here are some facts about the AT:

2,190.3 miles in length / 180 days to complete

Passes through 14 States

Approximately 165,000 white blazes (trail markers)

Elevation gain/loss of ~464,000’ (equal to climbing/descending Mt. Everest 16 times)

Less than 16,000 people have completed an AT Thru Hike

Highest point 6643’ / Lowest point 124’

262 shelters along the trail’s length

More than 242,000 volunteer hours per year on trail maintenance

Approximately 5,000,000-foot steps

All cool statistics, but what does it mean for the hiker. It is a physical and mental beating. Your mind and body are in an ever a changing cycle of pain and relaxation. Some days are hell. Some days are pure bliss. The human body is amazing. It learns muscle movements, adapts to conditions, recovers from stress and injury, and even at an advanced age…it keeps going.

The mental aspect is the real challenge. If your head is not in the game, you won’t make it. I almost quit twice. Once right around Mother’s Day after suffering several weeks of sorrow/depression over the loss of my mother.  The other time was after petting a little red Shiba. In both instances, I didn’t want to choose. If anyone would have hinted it was okay to quit, or were to have chose for me, I would have punched out. I’m pretty sure my support network didn’t know I ever considered giving up, because I didn’t tell them. Never under estimate the power of encouragement…either positive or negative.

What does such a test of endurance and solitude do to a person?   There are physical changes…significant weight loss, scars from injury, more gray hair, some nagging aches and pains. Even more significant are the personality changes…calm, centered, balanced. I don’t get rattled as easily as I used too. The little things don’t bother me. The big things mean more to me. There is still plenty of room for personal growth, but I feel like I’m a better person. Hopefully, family and friends see positive change.

Since finishing, I haven’t really stopped moving. Whether it’s travel, hiking, bike riding, or household chores, I feel like I’ve been keeping busy. Moving forward, I have more trips planned, more hikes planned, and some exciting new goals.

One of those goals is to reestablish my BLOG. Stay tuned!

Growler