A few post hike thoughts...

As you can obviously see by the somewhat clear (ha!) picture I posted
earlier, I completed my thru-hike of the Appalachian trail today. The
summit of Katahdin was nothing like I expected....In a million
years. First of all, I have never, to this very moment actually seen
the mountain. Except for a glimpse of only part of it the other day,
it has been completely enshrouded in clouds from afar and very much so
close up. This will give you a little bit of insight into the weather
we have had in Maine. I would even have to go so far as to say, this
was the most intense hike I have ever done. Compounded by being the
end of an incredibly long journey, was the fact that I think I picked
one of the worst weather days possible. I say this now knowing that
tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and in the 60's as opposed to today
in the 20's with driving rain, sleet, incredible winds, and you
guessed it...snow.
I wanted to turn around and get someplace warm and dry more than once
today. But I had no intention of hiking 2,173.9 miles without
completing the last 5.2.

Remember my pants? Well. Today was their victory dance because one of
the issues I was having today was wrestling them into submission while
I climbed up the sides of slick rock faces. Not only did the snap come
off the other day, but today, the zipper fell apart (in addition to
the now 5" vent hole I had working in the back). Now,don't get me
wrong...I'm not really complaining, because they have given me not
just six months, but actually years of service. And they picked today
to die. So what happens when material gets fully saturated with water
and ice? They become really heavy. That's what. And what happens when
pants you can't keep up already become really heavy? Trouble. That's
what. So, in addition to the superbly horrific conditions, I was like
I said earlier, wrestling with pants all day. I did not see the naked
guy on the mountain today, but thankfully I didn't join him either.

As I sit here in Millinocket, Maine, warm and dry (finally!),
reflecting on the day, I am really still in shock that I am finished.
I do not have to get up and hike tomorrow? Saying goodbye to people
all afternoon that have been like family has been unbelievably sad.
Even though we were all celebrating and yelling and screaming and
wahooing all day, I will not see any of these people probably ever
again. Finishing is bitter sweet I must admit.

So what did I learn in six months of living outside? Simplicity, my
friends. There is so little we truely need. Shelter, food, water, and
a little help from our friends. Speaking of which, I want to send a
special thank you to all of you. All the support, love, comments,
emails...I cannot tell you how much it helped me through this entire
odyssey. This journey has completely restored my faith in humanity
and I am full of gratitude.