Date: 2009-12-23
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Miles today: 0.0

I thought I'd make some final comments about my hike this year. Even though a fell short by 63 miles from finishing the entire AT between this year's hike and my 2005 hike, I feel pretty good about what I accomplished.The adjustment from hiking almost everyday for over 5 months back to real life was somewhat strange and bizarre to say the least. For several weeks I would get up and sort of just walk around like in a daze not knowing really what to do. It was like a funk that would not go away. It was difficult to think about the trail and talk to people about it. I subsequently labeled this weird transition period as post tramatic trail syndrome. Finally, you just wake up one day and it's gone. I'm sure every hiker handles this period in there own way.I remember things about the trail like the first day, but the first several months were kinda fuzzy so I read my 216 page journal to refresh my memory of the things that happen and the people I met. I counted 39 days/nights that it rained. I remembered some of the tough climbs like Kelly Knob, the top part of Albert Mtn, the climb out of Stecoah Gap, Shuckstack going into the Smokies, Snowbird, Roan, Pond Flats, Chestnut Knob, Dragon's Tooth, Floyd with false summit after false summit, Priest, the Roller Coaster, the PA rocks, the NJ wildlife, Lehigh Gap, Lions Head, Race, Everette, Jug End, the 20 mile swamp crossing between Lee and Dalton, Mt. Greylock, Killington, Cube, the Mahoosuc Notch followed by the climb up the Arm, Kinsman, Moosilauke, the climb down N. Carter, Franconia Ridge, the climb down from Garfield Ridge campsite, Webster Cliffs, the Whites and Presidential Range, the climb down Madison, Wildcat, Baldpate, and Saddleback.I remember I did not get my hiker's appetite until 5 weeks into the trail. It was nice being able to eat anything in sight when in towns and not being concerned about weight issues. I remember how my cravings for different foods changed along the trail. I remember the many nights going without dinner because I was just to tired to eat. I remember eating dinner for breakfast. I remember giving away more food from my supply boxes than the Red Cross.I remember the many who appreciated receiving the food. Sadly enough, I remember the countless shelters that were laden with trash, articles of clothing left behind, books, gear, uneaten food, and dead rodents left to rot. All because hikers were too lazy to follow the Leave No Trace Behind cardinal rule. They disrepected the peoples trail. They should be banished from ever hiking the trail again.I remember the countless views from all the mountain tops and never took any for granted. They were the rewards for the difficult climbs up and downs. My 1500 photos are proof of the beauty and ruggedness of the trail.I remember typing my journal every night in my tent trying to remember the days events to make sure my journal readers would not be disappointed. My journalist Bob who was relentless in making sure my journal was posted the first thing every morning on Trail Journals. By the way, Bob is hiking the trail in 2010. I remember typing when my fingers were freezing. I remember typing when I was too tired to type but did any way because I could not let my readers down.I remember all the trail towns and the nice people who went out of their way to help the hikers. Some because they were former hikers and knew how we were feeling and sometimes hurting. I also remember the people that were not so nice as well. I remember the trail angels and what a surprise it always was to be treated with a cold soda, drink or candy bar when you least expected it.I remember all the hitches into and out of towns. The nice people who would just pick up a smelly hiker because it was the right thing to do. I remember waiting for hours sometimes for a ride just because I wanted some town food, a carbonated drink or a hot shower. I remember the hot showers and the nice feeling to be clean even if it was just for a few hours. I also remember the smell of hiking socks after a few days of hiking. Something you will never forget. I remember going into other hikers motel rooms and smelling the rancid air coming from hiking gear and dirty clothing. It was bad enough to bring tears to ones eyes.I remember all the falls. The ones that didn't hurt, but mostly the ones that did.Most of all, I rememeber the people. I remember the other hikers and had respect for all. The one thing we all had in common was we all had to climb over the same mountains and terrain. Some were faster some were slower. We all knew at days end how difficult some hiking days were. As hikers would arrive at shelters or campsites we knew they just hiked the same stretch of trail I did. And I knew how tough it was unless they were a blue blazer and we all knew who they were.In not any particular order these are most of the hikers I met along the way.Survivor Dave, Joe Kelly, Slapshot, Otter, Jelly Fish, Lucky Joe, Moe, Phoenix, the Freebirds, Doc, Sailor J, Spiceman, Waterboy, Panza & Quiote, Panama Bill, Blacklist, Lonewolf, Jake, Nature, Raffle Queen, Phyllis, Baltimore Bill, Couscous, Juice, Mamalama, Tag, Tagless, Mountain Man, Rocket, Moleskin, Scarecrow, Crazy Train, Nightblind, Segway, Classic Rock, Solarman, Acorn, Matt and His sister from Alaska, The Dude, Rabbit, Running Clear, Two Kids, No Worries, Phoenix Rising, Bluegrass, Hotshot, Tank, Tweak, Unionbreak, Peanut, Bronco, Hopscotch, Mostly, Fishman, Basher, Flatlander, Beaufor, Wishbone, Bark & Barry, Woody Harrell, Rockfish, Gezze & Topshelf, Lunchbox, Navigator, Bam, and Windbreaker. I know I missed a handfull and I apologize for my poor memory. The Appalachian Trail is the people's trail and without the people the experience of the AT would not be the same. It would be an empty place and an empty hike.It was an honor and a pleasure to be part of the Class of 2009.Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all.