Hello friends!
Geeze, looking back through the blog and seeing that I haven't posted a word since Wingdale! Seems like a long time ago. Writing this time from the "Hikers Welcome" hostel in Glencliff, NH. I am ducking in for a quick lunch of microwave pizzas and soda before fording a river and starting the first of the Whites! The first mountain is Moosilauke, which is an imposing 3700 vertical foot climb that I will take on immediately after leaving this lovely hostel. Moosilauke will also be my first foray above treeline on the AT, the imaginary boundary of altitude above which no full size trees can grow. I am excited to get into the beautiful and unique alpine ecosystem that can only be found in the high peaks of the Northeast.
It's surprising that these truly immense peaks will not be the highest point on the trail, elevation-wise. That honor is reserved for Clingman's Dome, a comparatively tame mountain in the Smokeys.
Even though I still have a long way to go (Just under 400 miles), I can't help but feel that this is finally the home stretch. As the hostel owner here said, we've been through the appetizer (the mountains of North Georgia and the Smokeys), the main course (everything from there to here), and we're just now getting into the dessert. The spectacular wilderness ahead is what I've been waiting for this whole trip, and without question some of the premier backpacking trails in the nation, if not the planet.
At the same time, I am starting to get eager, if a bit apprehensive, about the return to civilization that is now just a month away. I cannot wait to see my family and friends, but I have a hard time imagining what it will be like to live normally after over half a year of such a uniquely free and distinctly different lifestyle. For now, my solution is to just enjoy the miles and nights I have left as much as possible, and listen quietly to whatever lessons the next 400 miles have to teach me.
I can't wait to see you all, and to take an extended tour of visits as soon as I get home in early to mid October. I plan on doing a lot of couch surfing for about a month, so let me know if you have room for a wandering hiker!
Happy trails,
Rob
Bigby
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Well, it's over. Between April 1 and October 13, 2007, I hiked the 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail between Georgia and Maine. Now, I'm back in the real world and getting ready for whatever comes next!
4 comments:
I can't believe you're almost done!!!
I'm sure these last few weeks will be the most wonderful. Savor them!
happy trails :)
There's always room for a wandering hiker at our lodge.
Best of luck,
the Murphys
p.s. I see environmental writing in your future. That last entry was poetic!
Seems like it's gone by so quickly (says the girl who's spent the past year in front of a computer, writing a dissertation). What amazing adventures you've had! This is an experience you'll treasure for the rest of your life. Enjoy these precious final months on the trail!
Cheers,
Nicole
Though I'd assume you'd rather stay at Mart/Patr/Tom's swanky pad, keep in mind that I'm in a single room now and can always offer you an air mattress on the floor.
In other words, hurry up and come to DC!!!
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