Date: 2011-03-06
To: Final Thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

Well, this will be my final journal entry. I¢m approaching the anniversary of my 2010 thru hike start last March 15, and completion on September 15. I¢d like to summarize the good, the bad, and the ugly of my 2010 AT thru hike.First, for those contemplating a thru hike, you should know that it is tough: physically and emotionally. As I progressed up the trail from Georgia to Maine, the physical challenges diminished and the emotional challenge increased. Climbing was so difficult physically for me in the beginning that I would pick out a point ¢ a tree, a rock, or some other landmark about 30 yards up the trail as my immediate goal. Upon reaching that point, I would rest, catch my breath, and pick out another point 30 or so yards up the trail. Slow going. As the walk progressed, the climbs became easier and easier. By the time I reached the ¢challenges¢ of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, they were no more than another walk on another day.Appalachian Trail Conservancy records reflect that about 50% of all thru hikers quit the trail between Springer Mountain and Harpers Ferry, WV, which is often considered the psychological halfway point. Then, another 25% of all thru hikers quit their hikes between Harpers Ferry and Katahdin. Reasons include financial, medical, family emergencies and, finally, emotional reasons. It is my opinion that the vast majority of thru hikers who quit their hikes between Harpers Ferry and Katahdin do so for emotional reasons. The hike becomes boring in their minds. To avoid this, I suggest to those contemplating a thru hike that they commit in their minds before starting their hike that they will complete it. There are some who subscribe to the notion that they will hike until they¢re not having fun anymore and then go home. And, many others support that notion. After all, why do something you¢re not enjoying? Well, believe me, there are many, many times when a thru hiker isn¢t having fun anymore, sometimes for extended periods, and I believe that this mindset prepares you for failure. Long distance hikers have so much time while hiking with little occupying their minds that it becomes easy to talk themselves off the trail. I saw several fellow thru hikers talk themselves into going home. I vowed not to let the idea of quitting ever enter my head, knowing that if I started thinking of quitting, it would just be a matter of time until I did.So many people contributed to my success. One of the things that raised my spirits on my hike was all the support I received from family, friends and complete strangers. Unless you¢ve been there, you can¢t imagine the joy that a cooler with a cold (or warm) soda and a Little Debbie oatmeal-raisin bar can bring, no matter what kind of day you¢re having. My thanks to all the trail angels who set those coolers out; set out gallon jugs of water during the sweltering, dry days of June and July in the mid-Atlantic states; set up outdoor kitchens and cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, pancakes, made sandwiches, offered cookies and all other manner of food; picked up us stinky, smelly hikers hitchhiking into towns; drove us to doctors offices, laundromats, grocery stores, and outfitters. Of course, I enjoyed all these amenities, but more than that, these acts of kindness from complete strangers lifted my spirits immeasurably.I was also lucky enough to have friends and complete strangers put me up in their homes; some for several days. A thru hiker gets to sit down to very few home-cooked meals, a bed with real sheets, and a bathroom with shower all to themselves. What a relaxing luxury. And, someone other than another long distance hiker to talk to for an evening¢¦ It reinvigorated my spirits! As did the comments encouraging me to continue my hike, left by friends and complete strangers who signed my Trail Journals guestbook. I was lucky enough to read them right on the trail when I was able to get a cell signal. I cherish them all. I also owe my deep gratitude to two individuals who helped and encouraged me before and during my hike, both of whom hiked the AT in 2009: NedtheFed, who provided invaluable guidance to me, a complete backpacking novice, while contemplating gear selections. He also corrected all my ¢fat-finger¢ journal entry mistakes and posted my entries on Trail Journals daily. I especially appreciated his messages to me relating to trail conditions ahead, what to expect, where to stay, etc. Thanks, Ned. I considered Tagless my mentor on this hike. I was completely new to backpacking when I contacted him last spring. He provided invaluable advice, particularly on gear. I followed all his gear recommendations, and never regretted taking any. I could have researched the entire internet on gear and not ended up assembling as good a combination of gear. My loaded pack weight, with water and 5 days of food was between 28 and 30 pounds, and I never needed anything he didn¢t recommend. Thank you, Tagless. Last, but certainly not least, I¢m grateful for the support from my wife, Joann. From agreeing to let me head into the woods for six months; managing the complete household during that period; visiting me along to the trail 6 separate times between Marion, VA, and Katahdin, ME; ordering shoes and other replacement gear and having it shipped to me on 24 hours notice; and of dropping everything and driving 6 hours, ¢saving¢ me near Buena Vista, VA, when I plumb ran out of gas and just couldn¢t go any farther. Thanks, Joann, I guess I owe you (again), huh? I love you! Will I do it again? No. Will I do any other long distance hiking again? No. Will I backpack again at all? Yes. As a matter of fact, I plan to do a section hike of the AT this summer from Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania southbound to Harpers Ferry. I¢ll probably keep hiking south until I feel like going home, so we¢ll just have to see what happens. Good luck to thru hiker class of 2011. May you have good weather and smooth trails. If you have half the support and half the fun I did, you¢ll surely make it!