Backpacking

I feel an overwhelming level of positivity about these upcoming final few days on trail and the thruhike as a whole. It’s a level of excitement and contentment that’s surprising even to me. What I’ve come to realize is that those consecutive weeks of rocks, bugs, mud, and rain that I dealt with in the middle of this trip were an integral part in making this the Hero’s Journey it’s become. It was overcoming those obstacles that’s making this final chapter so magical, and the entire story so meaningful.

he rainy and muddy conditions continued throughout the day, making it tough to keep my spirits up. Most of the day’s walking was through slippery ankle-deep muck. Overall, I’m not sure I would describe what I’ve been going through out here for the last week or two as “fun”, but I still feel stoked on finishing what I set out to do and continue to feel like this is a worthwhile experience. Despite it all, I think I’m very lucky to be out here thousands of miles from home, pursuing my hobby in nature with the support of both my loved ones at home and the trail community out here. There’s really nothing I’d rather be doing. Except maybe, you know, hiking the Appalachian Trail in dry conditions.

Bro, I’m straight up not having a good time.” was the phrase that echoed through my head for most of the morning leaving Duncannon. The first couple miles were sidewalks and shoulders along noisy roads, including the Clark’s Ferry Bridge where I amazingly walked through more spider webs across the walking path than anywhere I’ve ever experienced. The spider webs continued for hours as I gained a rocky ridge above the valley. I moved slow because of the terrain and just mental fatigue. I wasn’t enjoying myself.

It would alternate between clear skies and rain for the rest of the day, with the booming of distant thunder threatening me from all sides until the evening. I’m learning to be stoic about this kind of weather, and I think I’m starting to get pretty good at it. It’s just water, after all, and it’s thankfully been hot enough out that staying warm hasn’t really been a factor. It’s probably some useful lesson in taking things as they come and not stressing about things I can’t control.

While the beauty of the Appalachians is subtler than the mountain ranges out west, it’s not at all hard to appreciate how nice it is out here. Open views of the landscape have been few, but the forest itself is wonderful. It’s so full of life and activity, with birds and critters of all kinds constantly talking away or zipping all around. And being here in May means that I’m treated to wildflowers and trees blooming in shades of orange, purple, and white, although I don’t recognize most of the plants.