It was four weeks ago today that my family kicked me out of our rental car at Amicalola State Park, Georgia and told me to walk back home. It sounds cliche, but it seems like both yesterday and years ago. Rather than the usual blog of our daily activities (we covered a little more than 14 miles over steep terrain today and encountered one trail magic), I’m going to share a few thoughts on my experiences the past month on the AT.
Physical Challenge – I have done more than a few extreme adventures in my life but this is the most physically difficult of them all. Almost everyday on the trail my mind tells me I cannot go any further, yet I know there is no other option accept to push on. On a good day that feeling hits with one or two miles to go, on a bad day it hits when there is 10 miles or more to go. If you ever plan to hike the AT DO NOT listen to those idiots who say (probably from the comfort of their sofas) that “the trail will get you in shape”. I did not listen to that non-sense nor should anyone else. You need to arrive with all the spit and vinegar in you that you can possibly bring.
Surrender To The Trail – From the first step you take on the AT every single aspect of your “normal” life disappears. You eat differently, sleep differently, wear the same dirty clothes all day and all night, get soaking wet and cold, smell so disgustingly bad that you just hope it’s not as bad as you think it is (but know that you are kidding yourself), get rid of your bodily waste in ways that are both disgusting and disturbing, trust others (whom you barely know) with your very life, greet a stream of water spilling out from under a rock with the same appreciation as gifts on Christmas morning, look forward to an apple or banana as if it’s manna from Heaven, lose almost total touch with what is happening in the real world (and could care less), go to bed at night wishing you could give a hug and kiss to the ones you love the most, see random acts of kindness on a daily basis, learn to strike up discussions with anyone anywhere on any topic, experience nature – it’s beauty and fury in ways that put the Discovery Channel to shame. Yes, you surrender every aspect of your old life with that very first step.
Love Your Neighbor – The trail is the great equalizer. Whether rich or poor, gay, trans or straight, religious or non-religious, everyone on the trail has a backpack that contains all they have to survive for 2,198.4 miles and nothing more. The trail community is amazing. Everyone supports each other in whatever ways they can. You give things away when you see someone in need, and you don’t hesitate to ask others for something when you need it. Everyone offers each other encouragement and positive comments. It’s a bit like we acted in first grade, before we grew up and became adults.
Positive Comments – Each day I receive a few positive and encouraging texts or messages from people I know well and people I don’t know at all. Often I read these after just waking up in my tent, before the day starts and it provides the mental spark I need to get up and get going. I so very much appreciate those of you who have taken the time to do this. It makes such a big difference.
Common Goal – Everyone on the Northbound journey of the AT has a single goal – Mt Katahdin, Maine. Within my tramily we talk often about how that day will look and feel and wonder just when that day will arrive even though we know it’s months away. And while we know only 20-25% of thru hikers will be successful in our attempt, we all realize the importance of keeping that distant vision and goal alive on an almost daily basis.
Trail Angels Are From Heaven – I can barely comprehend what motivates some people to come out, sometimes in the most difficult weather conditions, to provide food, drinks, medicine, bandages, hot coffee and much more to us hikers. They are the most kind and generous people you can imagine- and often they seem to be people who may not have a lot of money or resources, yet they do what they can to help us out. Simply amazing and so appreciated.
Hand Sanitizer – Can’t imagine what life on the trail would be like without hand sanitizer – we go through it like water day in and day out. Despite some of the worst hygiene situations you can imagine, hand sanitizer seems to keep us safe and the germs away.
Missing My Family – Worse than the physical challenge is the daily gnaw of missing my family. It’s always worse at night and never seems to get easier. You just have to compartmentalize those feelings and relish the phone calls and texts, and remember that one day this journey will come to an end. I am so fortunate to have the support and encouragement from my family while in this adventure.
I could go on and on about what I have learned and experienced the past month, but will stop here. Looking forward to what the second month of this crazy adventure will bring! 😬
Pics – Trail Angels (Alex and Erin from Wisconsin), pic and video from the top of Max Patch)
And the journey continues… 
Enjoyed article which was so informative. Always good to see you. Keep safe❤️🙏
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Thank you Nancy!!
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Great summary of all the aspects you are encountering! Keeping you in my nightly prayers for safety and good weather! Can’t imagine how brutal it is when it’s raining and cold!
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Thanks for all the support and messages Tom! So very much appreciated!
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Alan – you are such a great writer! Your blog reminds me so much of when the boys did their bike trip! Listening to them tell about their daily adventures made me realize that their trip was such an unbelievable learning experience for all of us. I had underestimated the people they would encounter – I was so worried that someone would kidnap them, run them over, take advantage of them that it never entered my mind that people would show them so much kindness. Strangers offering shelter, drinks, meals, tools to fix their bikes & some donating money to their cause. Like you, they lived for the phone calls, texts messages and responses to their blog. You are definitely an inspiration to all of us and we are in awe of your physical & mental strength! One day at a time!
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Hi Carolyn! Thanks for all the kind words and support!! The Thomson family has been great!!!
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Hi Alan, we love reading your posts and seeing your photos every day! We enjoyed hearing you talk about Clingmans Dome and Charlies Bunion, both places we visited in spring 2021. Keep on keepin’ on!
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Thank you Monique. Appreciate you guys following my blog and the kind words of support. Very much appreciated!
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Really enjoying following along on your adventure. Keep on truckin’. Prayers for you and your tramily for a safe journey to Katadin!!!
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Thanks for your kind words and support Kate!! Hope you have a great summer!
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Hi Alan, first thing I have done each morning when I started my computer in the last weeks was to read your daily news (as I have always done when you were on the hike in the past!). This one seems totally amazing and challenging when looking at it from a nice and comfty office chair. Nevertheless, I think what you describe today is more than true and I would hope that more people have the chance to make such an experience – it would bring them closer to what life really is about and what matters. What you personally will have experienced with that tour will always be in your memory – no one can take it away – and you alone will know and understand what you will have achieved in the end. That is why here are all my good wishes that you will be able to move on and finish the trail. I am convinced you can and will do it !!! Best regards from your colleague Klaus (still struggling with the office work)
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Hi Klaus. Wow – what a great surprise to hear from you, and for the great message you sent. It means so much to hear from old friends and colleagues. I hope all is well with you and that you have a great summer. Thanks again for your support!!
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I love reading these Alan – I can remember feeling all those emotions on the bike trip. 1 month is a crazy feat in itself, keep pushing. We will be rooting you on and sending prayers
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Morning Dylan. Thanks so much for the kind words and good wishes – I sure need them. 😊Sure has been nice getting so much sip from the Thomson family!!
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How did you love Max Patch??? I have heard a lot about it.
Thanks for the recap on learnings. Can’t wait to chat with you live sometime (when you are closer and we either hike or I enlist friends to do trail magic!) about your experiences and compare 🙂
Stay well.
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Hi Jodi. Max Patch was amazing. Hope you can make it there someday. Hope to post a short video of the site tonight or tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you when we hit NH!!
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I left a message for you in the register in the cabin on Smart’s mountain yesterday!!!
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Thanks Jodi!
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Hi Alan! I don’t believe we have met but I am newly apart of the Thomson family. You mention not being able to comprehend trail angels motivation, which I agree, but I also cannot comprehend a thru hikers motivation like yours! I can’t imagine waking up each day and knowing what you have to accomplish. I am always in awe of anyone, stranger or friend, who puts their mind to something like this and succeeds. Kudos to you and one day at a time! I hope your tramily and other trail angels keep you safe!
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Hi Madison. So nice to hear from you and I really appreciate your kind words. I know I don’t have to tell you that you married into an awesome family – the Thomson’s are the best! And, I’m sure you are a perfect fit. Wishing you the best!
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