One week ago I stood atop Mcafee Knob, had my picture taken as is the custom, walked 4 miles SOBO to Rt. 311, crossed the road and stepped onto the gravel-paved parking lot, completing the entire AT and a goal I had desired for a long, long time. My section-hike of the AT took nearly 5 years, was interrupted by job changes and injury, but was a pilgrimage I felt compelled to make.
This post is to express my gratitude to all the people who post their experience, opinions, knowledge, educated guesses and wishful thinking on this website. I have learned a great deal from you: about shelters, sleeping systems, clothing, water management, cooking, food planing, hygiene, trip planning, hitchhiking, shuttle arrangements and even weather. My pack was lighter, my confidence was greater, my skills improved through my reading of the posts on this website. As the disclaimer goes, all remaining errors are my own.
Further, it has been a pleasure to see many of you on the trail, and connect the names and words of black and white with hikers of flesh and dirt and funk. That might not read well to others, but the hikers I have met know what I mean.
Thank you.
What next for me? I still have a lot of adventure left in my bones, but I think I will spend some time with trail maintenance organizations. It is time to feed the community that has fed my dreams.