Date: 2009-01-17
To: Conclusion
Miles today: 0.0

It took me five months and two days to hike the Appalachian Trail. Overall, it was a little easier then I expected it to be. Sure there were days when I wished I was home, but not once did I think about quitting. The main reason I hiked the AT was for the challenge. I had virtually no hiking experience before this but was attracted to the great adventure and challenge that is the Appalachian Trail. The AT is truly a completely different lifestyle than anything I have ever experienced. Some days you feel like a hero, others you feel like you¢re homeless.In my opinion, the neatest outcome of doing a thru hike is that you experience every hiking condition imaginable. I¢ve been through rain, snow, ice, hail, floods, droughts, intense heat, bitter coldness, mosquitoes, black flies, flat terrain, steep terrain, and night hiking.   I¢ve been on crowded trails, empty trails, above treeline, under water, on grassy balds, encountered dangerous animals, harmless animals, ticks, bees, five million different types of trees and flowers, wild blueberries, blackberries, apples, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, endless views, no views, and the list goes on and on. Every part of the trail and every state is different and holds its own unique personality. Not to mention the unforgettable whistle stops along the way. Every hike is different and creates new stories and adventures.My personal hike was unique from those around me and seemed to go through three different stages. The first two months my hiking buddies and I took our time, joked around, met new people, physically got in shape, and basically enjoyed what the AT has to offer to the fullest extent. From New York to Virginia my hike brought me off the trail for many weekends visiting friends and family in nearby cities such as NYC, State College, Erie, Hershey, Washington DC, and Lexington. The trail was a Monday - Friday task with weekends off. My final 800 miles was the most challenging as I was by myself in the cold hiking big miles in order to finish by Thanksgiving. Most thru hikers experience major changes to their personal outlook on the world and even change their own lifestyles after they¢ve completed the AT. Many people realize how little they need to get by and rediscover the importance of the basics of life in food, water, and shelter. Others come to cherish the beauty of nature and value all of the splendor that it brings. I¢ve never been materialistic or dependent on worldly things and have always appreciated nature but felt my change in a different way. The biggest transformation that I became aware of was the way that the whole world seemed to slow down. Whether at the grocery store, driving a car, or fulfilling simple everyday chores, the fast-paced speedy attitude of Evan Minor is not like it used to be. Overall, the Appalachian Trail is an amazing experience and I would recommend it to everyone who has legs. I met some amazing people and experienced sincere generosity from so many strangers. I would like to thank all my friends and family who helped me along the way as well as all the trail angels I met. You have all made it much easier for me and I appreciate everything.