Perspective From a Former Thru-Hiker; and (Mon. 4/30/12) E-mail From Brett

In preparing for his hike Brett read a lot of trail journals, including the blog of Lindsey, a girl who finished her thru-hike last year. On a whim I went back to her blog and saw that she had recently posted on the anniversary of her start date. I e-mailed what she wrote to Brett. I think it helps to see it from this point of view.

Springer Fever

Has it been a year already?

I remember the nerves I felt as I left Amicalola Falls State Park a year ago. I kept questioning myself and my decisions. What made me think I could complete such a seemingly impossible task? Would the reward be worth the effort?

Today, a year since I started and roughly five months since I finished, I wonder why those questions were even in my mind. Impossible? Hardly. The reward? Greater than I could have imagined.

It's amazing how much my experience still affects me. I feel a strange ache in my left foot when I walk, I refer to grocery shopping as "resupplying," and I crave Pop Tarts, peanut butter, and Knorr sides. I'm so jealous of all the people starting their thru-hikes this year.

Seth and I are going back to the trail this weekend/next week to do some trail magic and hike for a few days. I'm curious how the hike will be mentally, as well as physically. I can't wait to see a white blaze,  and I'm almost looking forward to waking up with a hiker hobble again!

Brett's E-mailed Response:

Thanks for that update.  Everything helps. I already know everything she said is true.  It's just in the middle of the journey when the effort and struggles are tough. Today was good. Feeling good, but tired now. 20 mile day.