One year later, moving forward

One year ago today I stood on the summit of Mount Katahdin. One year ago today I completed a 2,176.2 mile walk through the Appalachian Mountains. One year ago today I completed my through hike of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

I can't believe it's already been a year.

Finding closure for the journey that was has been a rather difficult experience. One year later, I still think about the trail as if I just finished yesterday. One year later, I still long to be placing one foot in front of the other with the simplistic objective of walking through the Appalachian Mountains. One year later, I have an overwhelming desire to be back on the trail.

One year later, I may have finally found closure.

Two days ago, I once again climbed Mount Katahdin. While most of the time I climb mountains to be able to say, 'Yeah, I've climbed that mountain', this trip was different. I climbed for remembrance. I climbed for reflection.

I climbed for closure.

And then I reached the summit. I paused for a moment to gaze at the faded wooden sign. I paused for a moment to understand where I was standing.

I paused to understand exactly what I completed one year ago today.

Grasping the affects that the Appalachian Trail has had on my life has been rather difficult. Conveying what my through hike means to me has been a rather daunting task. I often find myself speechless when people ask me how it was. Summing up an AT through hike into a short statement to answer such a question is not something I can do.

One year later, I am preparing to move forward.

One year later, it's time for one last good bye. I will never forget my through hike. I will never forget the people I met, the places I saw, and the memories that were created.

I will always remember the Appalachian Trail. Always.

Ga>ME 2008.