Date: 2010-10-12
From: Katahdin

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Here is my attempt at a conclusion to this wonderfully enriching experience called a thru-hike. I'm currently at my parents house. Unemployed, bored, hungary, and trying to figure out what to do next. Since being home I have been trying to get rid of things that I no longer need. A thru-hike teaches you that the things you accumulate in life do nothing but burden you. This is something that I knew all along yet it took me a while to take action. For me, happiness doesn't come from material things. I've been trying to stay active and not eat like a thru-hiker but this is still a work in progress.My greatest joy comes from meeting people and the Appalachian Trail has an abundance of wonderful people to meet. Whether thru-hikers, section hikers, hostel owners, tourists, or townspeople the people in and around this trail are indescribable. You can literally make a friend the instant you meet someone on this trail. Needless to say this has been one of the greatest experiences in my life due to the fact that I have made so many friends. Hiking becomes boring after a while and there's really not a whole lot of grand vistas on this trail outside of NC/TN, southern VA, NH, and Maine. With a few exceptions, the wildlife mainly consists of insects, crows, and squirrels. The heat is unbearable most of the time and I hear most years there is a lot of rain which luckily I didn't have to contend with too much. Much of the trail is rocky, rooty, muddy, steep, wet or combinations of all of the above. But all the hardships and inconveniences that I had to deal with were well worth it because I have a life-time of memories and many new friends.I had great experiences both on and off the trail. Some of my best memories were in trail towns where hikers would gather and get away from the trail for a while. I loved the hostels. Each one had its own unique personality and are where I met many of my trail friends. I hated staying in shelters but would usually camp by them because I wanted to be where other people would be. The trail wasn't so much about hiking the trail to me. I could have cared less about the trail but I loved each and every person on it.A quick run-down of the trail. I didn't enjoy the Georgia/NC section too much but this was due to the fact that it was really hot, there wasn't any shade at that time of year, and I started out in horrible shape. I've done this section in the fall and it is much better at that time of year. I absolutely loved the section from Fontana Dam to the Grayson Highlands. I had really good weather and enjoyed the balds and the wildflowers. I don't remember too much about Virginia. Spy Rock seems to stand out and I remember the Mountain Laurel and Flame Azalea but I didn't like Central Virginia(too many pointless ups and downs)and the Shennendoahs even though I saw a ton of bears. Didn't particularly enjoy the trail from Maryland through New York although it was extremely hot this year and that might have had a lot to do with it. I did think there were some really nice trail towns and hostels in this stretch which kind of got me through it. Connecticut is where I started to enjoy hiking again. The scenery starts to get a little bit better and kind of builds up until you get to Glencliff, NH where the trail is phenomenal to the very end. New Hampshire and Maine were definetely my favorite part of the trail. Extremely tough and rugged but equally beautiful as well.I think this summarizes my hike pretty well. I had a great time and made the best of the tough times. Northbound is definetely the way to go if possible because you have more people to share the experience with. I would probably do it again if I ever have the chance though I think I would do it Southbound just to make it a little different and in hopes of getting cooler weather. Mount K is waiting for you if you ever decide to do this.