Date: 2013-08-31
To: San Luis Obispo, CA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Shortly after returning to San Luis Obispo on August 3, I spent the next few weeks re-acclimating to civilization, during which time, I filled out the Appalachian Trail Conservancy 2000-miler application and mailed it in. The turn around time for the patch and rocker along with membership forms and other AT paraphernalia was unexpectedly rapid. Not more than a few weeks later a second large envelop arrived, a ditto of the first with the Certificate of Completion signed by Ron Tipton. I guess who ever mailed the first one forgot to check me off the list.I do have to say that I have a lot of reverence for those south bounders who persevere and complete the AT through hike. The numbers of SoBo's are insignificant compared to the Nobo's each year. Many end up finishing in late fall to early winter. It is a common misconception that the climate will be warmer to the south in late fall. The SoBo is hiking into darkness, with progressively shorter and colder days, The Great Smokies being one hurdle that you wouldn't want to cross in an early snow storm. Aside from the obvious finishing of the trail in late fall, with the holiday season looming, mentally it is far less satisfying to know that the end of the long journey is a rounded hill top with insignificant vistas called Springer Mountain. Aside from the climatic differences, the SoBo experiences the same terrain and challenges of the NoBo, but they are largely alone, unless they manage to find a group to stick with the entire distance. Would I consider thru-hiking the AT in the distant future? The answer is NO at this time. I can not understand the logic behind those who have thru-hiked the AT several times over, since it is the least satisfying in terms of a true "wilderness" experience. Anyone who has hiked a section of the PCT in the sierra nevada or the CDT through the desolate Rockies would see why. I did not at all regret hiking the AT. It was an amazing life experience with many fond memories I will carry with me for life. If someone asked me what part of the AT would I consider returning to, hands down, it would be the Whites, followed by southern Maine. The lofty exposed ridge tops, lichens covered schist and granite, and endless rock, made me feel most at home. The Whites were sublime. The 100 mile wilderness was uniquely beautify with it large ponds and lakes and the difficult terrain. I would still cross the 100 mile wilderness off my list of places to revisit because of unpleasant terrain (endless network of exposed tree roots and slippery rocks), and dearth of grand vistas like those in southern Maine. I have the Pacific Crest Trail to look forward to in the near future. The AT served merely as a trial run for long distance hiking. It was a hike to learn from, make changes to my hiking strategy, equipment, and food. I reflect back to the 1970's when I carried an external frame- Kelty pack that weighed in excess of 60lbs, along with the heavy leather hiking boots I wore, in contrast to the UL system I used in the Appalachians. I had already come a long way! There is always room for improvement. Half the fun of these adventures was the research and development of new systems that would make longer mile days possible at great comfort.