The Homestretch

I’m writing this from Shaw’s Hiker Hostel in Monson, Maine. Shaw’s is one of the most famous hostels on the AT. Tomorrow, I’ll depart to embark on the final stretch of the trip, known as the 100-mile wilderness. This is the most remote section of the trail, only accessible by a few logging roads, and it ends about 15 miles south of the summit of Katahdin (the northern terminus of the AT). Shaw’s marks the final hostel and opprotunity to enjoy civilization while being a thru-hiker. It serves a very different purpose for southbound hikers: it’s their first time off trail. There have been a handful of southbound hikers staying at Shaw’s during my few days here, chatting with them has served as a bit of a time machine for bringing me back the first hostel, gear shop, and resupply I encountered 4 months ago in Georgia.

Maine, hands down, has been where I’ve had the most fun on the trail. It’s had some of the best hiking I’ve experienced in my life; beautiful exposed ridgelines and summits and countless peaceful lakes. I’ve returned to staying in hostels, which has been a great way to soak in as much of the trail community as possible. The hostels have been welcoming, clean, comfortable, and spacious. I’ve met some wonderful people here. And the hostel owners have not seemed overwhelmed, but really to enjoy the work. When I think back on the feel of the trail community, I’ll be thinking of the first weeks in Georgia and North Carolina, and the final weeks in Maine.

The funny thing about the hike being so long is that I hit a feeling of “it’s over now” when I had about 200 miles left. I went through some sadness and acceptance, but on the other side of that, I realized I still have a lot of hiking left; the last 115 miles is still longer than nearly any hike of my life. While I don’t want the adventure to end, it seems intuitive and appropriate that it will end soon. That’s not to say it won’t be painful nor that I won’t be doing some other comparable endeavor in the coming months or years, but making an honest effort at returning to civilization and a more traditional existence feels like the natural next step. Until then, I’ll soak up everything I can during the final stretch of the hike.

Tentatively, my last day of hiking will be one week from today!