Finalllllllllllllly but sadly it's over!!

[Quicksilver]

Completed Ga-Me on October 6, 2007. Section hiked the AT over 12 years in light of family and career. Can't imagine (and really don't want to) the cost per mile to do it. If I had ever thought about it I'd probably wouldn't have ever stated. Now looking in my gear closet, it's strange to look at all the gear I've accumulated over the years. Yet, looking at all of it I see a progression from a truly inexperineced neophyte to a reasonably savy hiker. Did I mature in mind and soul or did I just spend more money? I hope the former.

Summit day: There was no way I could have ordered a more perfect day. Crisp air, bright sun and deep blue skies plus a great bunch of other hikers at the top..Rex, Breeze, the Twins, Nobody and my long time hiking partner Captain Bacardi. Decending via Knife Edge and the Helon Taylor trail were a fitting end to the journey.


As Jan D. Curran wrote in his book, 'if you think you're finished when you've done Katahdin--you shouldn't have started".

To all who went before and to those who will follow: Hike your own hike.

Happy Trails,

Quicksilver
GA-ME

[bigmac_in]

CONGRATULATIONS ! I'll be there someday - I'm on the same plan.

[Lone Wolf]

i'm more impressed with someone like you than a one season thru-hiker. way to go!

[Jack Tarlin]

Nice work!!

[shades of blue]

Congrats on your journey. Now you can begin again. I know there's no way to describe how you feel. Awesome isn't it?

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

::: Dino does cartwheels for Quicksilver and hopes to join him one day :::

[spunky]

Congrats Quicksilver!! What's next??? Hike it again? Hike it in a different direction? Different trail? It take a lot of dedication to hike it in sections. It would be interesting to have kept up with mileage, costs of shuttles / public transportation, etc. It would be expensive, but still cheaper than most vacations! Hopefully I will complete my hike in two more years. My husband said that he'll be glad when I finish it and "get it out of my system". Little does he know.....

[Jim Adams]

Congrats!!!!
I think LW is right...your way is much more difficult and actually requires more dedication.

geek

[Quicksilver]

To all who replied, Thanks for the kudos! I can tell you I'm really proud to have that bumper sticker on my car that reads '2175' . I've seen several drives wrinkle their brows trying to figure out what it means.

As far as keeping up with mileage, shuttles, expenses,etc. well I kept a pretty decent record but my hiking buddy, Captain Bacardi, has it all. He's got dates, mileage, loads of photos, who shuttled.... the whole enchilada.

I was thinking about the international AT and have just started reading up on it. So far, the info is pretty scarce and what I have read isn't too flattering. But hey, this is hiking in the woods not Cancun.

[Lone Wolf]

Do the remaining 160 or so miles of the Long Trail

[Quicksilver]

L.W.

The Long Trail is on the short list.

[Marta]

Congratulations!

[stickat04]

CONGRATS Great that you stuck with it.

[Roots]

You are my inspiration!! My husband and I are section hikers on the 30 year plan. We love it!! There is nothing better to us. We get to enjoy it at our own pace and it couldn't be better. One day we might be able to thru, but until then we're just going to take it section by section. Your completion is amazing and thanks for sharing!!

[Spirit Walker]

Congratulations! It takes a lot of dedication to complete the AT over several years. In many ways it's harder than thruhiking. Way to go!

[Smile]

Way to go!

[Bearpaw]

L.W.

The Long Trail is on the short list.

Don't forget the Benton MacKaye Trail virtually in your backyard.

And congratulations. After 12 years, it REALLY has to be a sense of great accomplishment.

[Nightwalker]

Time to start over!

[Sly]

Very cool.... Kludos!

[LIhikers]

A big congrts to you!
It's no small feat to stick with a plan as long, in miles and time, as you have. Pat yourself on the back and then sit down with a cold beer and some maps to start planning where to hike next