Tuesday, August 27, 2019
The final day. A very reasonable 14 or so miles ahead of me and my mission would be complete. I was ready for it to be done but still had to get out on the trail and do it.
I took my time getting out of camp but was still on the trail by 8:00 a.m. There were a few small mountains to get up and over but I found the trail to be pretty easy to hike overall. I had 10 miles to the Massachusetts border and the end of the Long Trail.
I hiked strong that morning. The weather was perfect, if a little warm. While the quality of trail was really good in this stretch, there always seemed to be another uphill climb around the bend. I'm sure it was the anticipation of reaching my goal, but those miles were like the hours before you're allowed to get up out of bed on Christmas morning.
At long last, I saw it, the big sign welcoming hikers to the Long Trail. I looked at my watch and saw that it was just after 12pm. It seemed to be a long ten miles but I had made decent time. A strong way to end while also being a relief that it was done. 273+ miles. Canada to Massachusetts, down the spine of Vermont through the Green Mountains. 23 days.
I really wasn't sure if I could pull it off. I'm not young anymore. I'm not in the greatest of shape. And I have a couple of bum knees. I never took it for granted that it was a sure thing. Hikers stronger and younger than me have had to give up the hike because of one wrong step. Yes, I was elated, but really, I was relieved. I did it.
Fun Size, the triple-crowner, was there waiting for me (or someone, at the very least). She always left camp early and was a fast hiker. She knew either me or Zach and Francesca would get there soon enough so she stuck around so we could take photos of each other at the big sign at the southern terminus of the trail.
We exchanged phones to capture each other's special moment and then had lunch together. Her husband was picking her up in Bennington the following day so she had to hike the 10 miles back to the shelter. Me, on the other hand, I was going home. I happily planted my feet on the Massachusetts side of the border and began the 3.8-mile hike to Williamstown.
The hike out is on the AT. It was all downhill for the four miles or so with only one sketchy rock scramble near the beginning. Remarkably, no mud, no big roots, no rocks, no blowdowns of trees to impede my way. Not sure why the big difference even though it's essentially a continuation of the same trail. Perhaps it's because the Long Trail is older (it is America's first long-distance hiking trail). Who knows and who cares at this point. I was just glad it was smooth hiking!
I met up with my dad at the Stop & Shop on Rt. 2 in Williamstown around 3:00 p.m. and he drove me to the motel we were staying at. He had been such a big help mailing out my resupply boxes and sending me my spare trekking poles. Now he was there for me again.
I quickly showered and we had a very nice meal in town.
All in all, it was a great day. I was so glad to be done but also so grateful for the opportunity to do something crazy like this. I'll provide some other random thoughts and thanks to certain people for the help they gave me along the way in the next few days but I want to thank all of you for following my adventure on FB and encouraging me along the way. I appreciated everyone's likes and comments. It meant a lot to me and really helped me keep my eye on the prize.
In the meantime, don't hesitate to reach out if you want to learn more, even if it's about doing a day hike or a two- to three-day hike. I'm happy share what I've learned and the mistakes I made along the way. If I can do it, anyone can. Trust me on that.
Comentários