The end summarized

Soooo.

For a few different reasons I never finished this thing. 

I did actually write 3 blog posts for my last ventures on the trail.  They got dark. 

I last left this in Vermont.  The next day, through a series of unfortunate events, I left my trail family for what I didn't know at the time was for good.

I was back to hiking by myself and it got cold and rainy for the rest of Vermont.

I decided I would keep the last 3 posts private as they have a lot of emotional times in them I just can't put out publicly.

Alright that all being said the end of my trip was just crazy. 

I got my wind back halfway through New Hampshire and just pushed hard to the end.

Now I sit in a normal life trying to find a way to cope. 

The only way it feels ok to be in an office is because I have a few real awesome trips coming up with some great people.

Without further ado.  Here are all the pictures from the end of this hiking thing I did.  Here's to a great 2018 full of adventures with the greatest people.

Pawling, NY -- Stratton pond, VT

Day 100

Mileage 5

New York was a great break!  Thanks to everyone who let me stay with them

As with all 0s hiking out sucks.

So we do it late in the day and barely hike

I don't have a lot of motivation to hike right now.  I am really hoping tomorrow brings a new light...

Day 101

Mileage 21.3

And so I hike on.  Back to the normal mileage and my legs are super tight.  Its like they forget what I'm doing after a day off...

Made it into Connecticut today!

Its 91 degrees today.  Why.

I don't know if I can sweat more. 

Also Connecticut has a bit of climbing in it. It feels good, but these climbs are still real short. Not to say it isn't hard hiking all day, but I want big mountains and grueling climbs again.

Got to camp and immediately waded out into the river.

Fuck mosquitos.

Day 102

Mileage 20.4

My legs are back to normal.  Which just means only my feet hurt at the end of the day.  CT provides more climbs today which is nice. 

Climbing a mountain, albeit small ones, still gives me a rush.  I'm not sure anything can compare to that feeling when I reach the top and can see for miles.

Oz decided to get off trail. Fuck.  I'm sad

Alright I made it to some cool falls and decided to eat dinner on top of them.  Hung out there for a few hours before climbing 3 more miles into a campsite. 

Saw a bear on my way to camp!!!  Well just his ass as he ran away...


Oz just needed a day and is coming back tomorrow night!!!

Day 103

Mileage 17.5

I woke up feeling sluggish.  Guess I stay in bed all morning.  Started hiking at around 11.

Our whole group is spread out a bunch of miles.  I think I'm only doing a 17 just so we all can meet back up again. 

I can do this.

Welp I hit my mental low point today.  Hit me like a ton of bricks.  I rounded the corner to see a sign that should have made me excited.  It read: mile 1500, 689 miles left to go.  Likely a normal person would have said; fuck yes I made it 1500 miles.  Nope, not me.

I sat down and cried for 23 minutes.  I have so much more left to do. 

Ok get your shit together. 

I hike up the next mountain and nap for an hour. 

Guess I keep hiking... 

Met up with Darwin and Legs and they bring some happiness back into my life.  We chill on top of bear mountain until like 4pm.

One last climb.

Finally get through this miserable day and Oz's aunt has trail magic for us!!!

Just going to sleep today off and come back swinging tomorrow.

Day 104

Mileage 21.3

I guess I feel better today

Either way fuck I guess I hike.  This is not a day of pictures.  This is not a day of cool views.

This is a grind.  This hurts.  This day will take everything I have to smile and move forward.

And so it goes...

Day 105

Mileage 16

Get to see Erika today!

I am both excited and nervous.  Seeing people from the real world is weird.

But seeing my best friend is great either way.  She can handle how weird I am right now.

She takes us to an Indian lunch buffet, then to laundry and a grocery store.  So good to see her right now.  This has definitely reinvigorated me.  The push to Vermont is real.

Oh yeah I made it into Massachusetts yesterday!

Stayed at upper goose pond cabin tonight.  It was full...  had to tent out... 

Day 106

Mileage 21ish

Stayed in dalton MA and got a shower!!!

Everyone is afraid of the thunderstorn tomorrow.  It is supposed to be crazy!

I feel back to normal motivation.  I am even getting excited to hike again.  I know Vermont is coming and can't wait!

Day 107

Mileage 10

The storm cometh.  I got caught in it for the last 30 minutes of my hike into Cheshire.  We are holding up there at a church hostel.

The storm is fucking epic.  4 inches of rain and crazy lightening.

Day 108

Mileage 21

Hiked Mt. Greylock today!  And made it into Vermont.  I am so happy.

The trees changed to a coniferous(carnivorous) forest and the smell is enchanting. 

The world is beautiful.  The last few days have taught me a lot.  Today is proof that I can be alive and I can get through this.  Great things come to people who work for them.

Here we are in Vermont with real mountains again.  Everyday going forward has a big climb and beautiful scenery.  This next month is why the push was worth it.

Day 109

Mileage 21

Today features 0 views minus an enchanting forest we are buried in all day.

I resupply in Bennington and stay in town until 4pm.  Still have a 10 mile climb to finish the day.

I crush the climb and stay at Goddard shelter.  The black flies are crazy right now.

Day 110

Mileage 21

Today features two fire towers!

The first is right at the start of the day. 

The second is after climbing Stratton Mt.

We obviously climb both of them.

I made great time today.  I am absolutely loving the climbs again.

The forest is alive.  There are lakes and ponds and beavers and flies. 

I finish the day camped at Stratton pond.  We listen to the beatles and Neil Young by the fire as darkness approaches. Fucking hippies.

--Strider