Q&A

- Having completed south to north, would you consider going north to south and make it a round-trip?

Hell no!  Haha.  I am fine stopping with a simple through-hike.  Returning is called a "yoyo," and does not interest me.  Not only am I not wild on doubling the physical effort, but the opportunity cost in time and treasure wouldn't be worth it, what with diminishing returns and all.  There are many things I'm interested in doing in the coming months that involve relatively little hiking.  Or no hiking.


- Noteworthy random acts of kindness during your journey (both given and received)?

Hikers have very little, but are often the most generous people.  There is something called "trail magic" that happens with astonishing regularity.  A kind person -- often a former or sometimes hiker -- will leave food and/or drinks next to the trail, often with a note that it is intended for through hikers.  The "magic" most prized by hikers is cold soda.

Every once in a while there will be a "staffed" hiker magic point.  I came out of the snowy woods early in my journey to find a huge mobile home parked next to the highway.  The owners were giving out hot tea and soup to cold hikers.  Warmth is bliss when you're living outside in winter conditions.

Hikers constantly help each other, whether through sharing information, providing duct tape to repair a tent or clothing, or sharing food.  Again, most hikers will offer up what little they have to help another hiker.

I rationed food so I could give some to another hiker who was short, carried phones into town to charge them, gave away fuel and an emergency blanket, and on several occasions carried treats as a surprise for individuals or groups.


- Can you describe the feelings you had standing on top of Mt. Kalahdin (sp?)?

Wow.  This is a hard one because it's mixed and complicated.  Relief.  Accomplishment.  A twinge of sadness.  A small amount of worry about the descent.  Excitement. Pride, but more in the reasons behind the trip than in the finishing of it.

One realization I had during the journey is that endings exist only between our ears.  "Goodbye" is rare.  "Goodbye for now" is often more true.  The great people and experiences of our lives don't end, they manifest in our understanding, thinking, and behavior forever.  I felt this quite intensely on the summit.


- First three things you want to do AFTER you unlock your front door at home?

1. Pet the fur monsters and spend some time with them.

2. Have my first spectacularly perfect cup of Barry's Irish black tea in five months.

3. Plan a few days of meals and make a grocery list of all the fresh vegetables I've been fantasizing about for months.  Slim Jims, ramen, and peanut butter will not be on this list.