View Full Version : Getting to The Sign
ChinMusic
09-20-2013, 23:25
My son captured the moment I approached the sign atop Katahdin. I am not usually that emotional but certainly was this time.
http://youtu.be/QxOGdcNqdvs
Northern Lights
09-20-2013, 23:27
Congrats Chinmusic. I cried just watching it. I can't wait until I can touch the sign. Thank you for sharing your journey
hikerboy57
09-20-2013, 23:30
thank you,cm
Butterfly58
09-20-2013, 23:33
Awesome! Congratulations!
Why did you get so emotional? It's only walking and walking and walking and walking and walking........................................... ........................................:D
ChinMusic
09-20-2013, 23:48
I really didn't see that happening to me. I started to "fall apart" with about 2-3 miles to go. Some of it was being so proud of my son as he helped pull me up some difficult sections.
Actually, it's a major achievement considering in today's American culture how little the population walks.
Congrats CM for living outside the confines of the box.
Studlintsean
09-20-2013, 23:56
Great story. Congrats
I really didn't see that happening to me. I started to "fall apart" with about 2-3 miles to go. Some of it was being so proud of my son as he helped pull me up some difficult sections.
That was awesome your son was there with you! What you shared will be taken into eternity. My two younger brothers drove up from NJ and NC on our summit day me finishing up my thru. LOL. As good a shape as they were in I helped them up the difficult sections of Mt K. Then we took the Knife Edge back down. That feeling of exhilaration on the Knife Edge with my two bros I felt in the crisp Oct air with the colors of Fall below was truly something I will take with me into eternity too.
Teacher & Snacktime
09-21-2013, 01:19
Ok....you made me cry. Congratulations, Chin.
Chair-man
09-21-2013, 05:08
Congratulations Chin, you're a true inspiration to all of us older folks who are planning a thru.
You should post a link to your trailjournal, I found it to be a great read and great photos too.
Tri-Pod Bob
09-21-2013, 06:51
Congrats, cm!!
Starchild
09-21-2013, 07:13
Congrats Chin Music, yes very moving time for me too, thanks for sharing and hope it's OK that I pass along the video to help others understand this moment. It was great to hear that you made it.
Starchild
9-1-13
Water Rat
09-21-2013, 07:17
Congratulations!!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us via your journal and video!!! :)
I can understand the emotion completely. It's been over 6 months of total dedication to the task and now it's done. Did you have any thoughts of heading back to Springer? :)
Congratulations! One heck of an accomplishment. Is there another LD hike in your future?
HikerMom58
09-21-2013, 08:21
Congrats Chin... so happy for you!! Such a perfect summit vid.!! So PROUD!!
Scooter2
09-21-2013, 08:46
Thanks for sharing, and HUGE Congratulations!
windels11
09-21-2013, 09:23
Made tears come to my eyes!! I can't wait to get onto the trail!
atmilkman
09-21-2013, 09:48
Congratulations Chin. Good stuff.
Wise Old Owl
09-21-2013, 10:29
Thanks for sharing Chin Music.
joshuasdad
09-21-2013, 10:35
Congrats! I'm glad you had a great summit day!
Congratulations. I've been enjoying following your hike at trailjournals.com and, numbers nerd that I am, really appreciated that you included your elevation gain and loss for each day at the end of each entry. What kind of device did you use to keep track of that?
kayak karl
09-21-2013, 10:43
Congratulations :) What's next? :sun
Congratulations, Chin Music. I've been following you in trail journals all along the way, looking forward to every update. Thanks for sharing your trip with us and congratulations on your amazing journey and your beautiful finish!
wornoutboots
09-21-2013, 11:02
Congratz Chin!!! :clap Thanks for taking us along with your journal! :)
johnnybgood
09-21-2013, 11:17
Thanks for keeping us entertained the last 6 months with your journal.
Congrats !!
Leanthree
09-21-2013, 11:17
Well done, been lurking your journal since May. A great read!
I enjoyed your hiking and writing style.
Congrats!
Kerosene
09-21-2013, 12:58
What a great day to finish up! By the time I get there, it will have been 40 years of anticipation. Congrats.
Old Hiker
09-21-2013, 13:28
Nice. Congratulations. I choked up and teared up at Max Patch, the first REAL Trail name I knew. It's gonna be GREAT to get to Katahdin.
Congratulations Chin Music. I have enjoyed reading your trail journal. Thanks for taking us along.
I loved this video. Your son asked, "How's it feel?" and you just had no words. Beautiful!! Congratulations :)
scooterdogma
09-22-2013, 07:06
thanks so much for taking us with you. I enjoyed your journal and your summit brought tears to my eyes. What an adventure you have had this year. Big hugs of congratulations from an admirer. So happy for you and your son!
Thanks Chin, I was an avid fan of your journal.
Congrats ChinMusic
really appreciated that you included your elevation gain and loss for each day at the end of each entry. What kind of device did you use to keep track of that?
I think he had a Suunto watch/altimieter.
capehiker
09-22-2013, 10:57
Gave me goosebumps. Thanks for sharing your moment.
Biggie Master
09-22-2013, 11:10
Congratulations CM! Your reaction as you reached the goal isn't surprising. I met another thru hiker at Abol Bridge just a few weeks ago, and his video was very similar -- an extreme and unexpected emotional release. You probably could never describe to anyone what that felt like - I'm sure that words just wouldn't do. Congrats again, and thanks for sharing your experience!
CarlZ993
09-22-2013, 11:47
Congrats!! I know how you felt. I was surprised how emotional it was for me when I got there (8/19/13).
Tigerslair
09-22-2013, 21:24
You did it! Thanks for sharing, ChinMusic! It's been a pleasure following your journey. Blessings!
Autummyst
09-22-2013, 22:02
Wow, thank you for posting this. That was really moving. Congratulations!!!
Way to go CHin. You re da man. Thanks for sharing your amazing journey
Congrats again, Chin. I had a similar reaction at the top of a mountain only once - when I summitted Mt. Washington after having had it kick my butt twice (usually, it's joy and relief and exhilaration atop a big new mountain). Wanted it bad, had to struggle and fight for it, had it strike fear, loathing, awe and doubt into my mind, body and heart. It was a major personal quest, and when I made it to the top, what had welled up came out in the moment. Maybe it was something like that for you, and on a larger scale because so much larger a quest.
Sandy of PA
09-23-2013, 08:30
Thanks for sharing, inspiring, and living the dream. Congratulations!
FarmerChef
09-23-2013, 10:52
Thanks for sharing, Chin! I get emotional every time I see my kids having an experience on the trail that I want for them but can't "force" to happen. Magic. I have no doubt I too will probably have at least a few tears when we finally reach the sign. How do you keep all that emotion from coming out at the end of journey with so many strong memories? :) So very proud of you and your accomplishment.
slbirdnerd
09-23-2013, 12:10
I'm just starting out, but I get it. Thank you for sharing, Chinmusic.
congrats CM! maybe i'll get there someday! I have hope though, I hike in the same hat as you!
Congratulation Chin Music!
The only problem is you really make me want to drop the section hiking and do a Thru. Plan to make it to Harpers Ferry next summer, then I will have to sit down with my wife and see if a Thru in 2015 is a possibility.
johnnybgood
09-23-2013, 15:56
Same thought crossed my mind as well Astro.
wonderful, my sentiments exactly!! i just wonder what floppers do, how they feel....
It's the journey, AND the destination. Reaching the summit of Katahdin is much more than touching an wooden sign.
Congratulations on an epic hike.
Rain Man
09-23-2013, 20:49
My son captured the moment I approached the sign atop Katahdin. I am not usually that emotional but certainly was this time.
CONGRATS!!! Looks like a BEAUTIFUL day to reach the sign. We're all proud of you.
Rain:sunMan
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Enjoyed your journal as you made your way north. Congrats.
Another Kevin
09-28-2013, 21:10
You had a whole lot of people lurking here and on trailjournals following you. Congratulations on the finish, and thanks for sharing how the moment really went. Lots of hikers would be too proud to let people see it.
As Clarence used to say, "Mighty fine carryin on!" Just reading the thread made me cry! Will have to pull myself together before watching the vid. Way to be Mr. Chin Music. Good on ya!
Congrats Chin! I just missed you in VA when I was doing a section hike this spring, was near the Guillotine in early May. I followed several nobo Trail Journals this year, and by far your TJ was my favorite, you had some really great photos. I admire your perseverance in sticking with the hike thru the weather, bugs and physical challenges. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors, hope to see you on the trail some day. "Florida Mike"