Hi all! I am doing well in Monson, Maine - the last trail town on the AT. This area of the country is wild and remote, so posting to my blog has not been possible. I'm sorry.
I'm about 115 miles from finishing. Today I enter the 100-mile Wilderness and then Katahdin! I came into town limping on an injured left foot. I didn't do anything precipitous to cause the injury, it just hurts to stand on it. I guess hiking 2,000 miles is taking it's toll. There's no visible sign that there's anything wrong, it's not discolored or swollen, the bones on top of the foot just hurt when I stand up and occasionally the area throbs. If it were raining I wouldn't hesitate to take a zero, but the sun is shining for the first time in days and a number of my friends are heading out today. With so few miles left to cover, it's getting to the point that it is impossible to catch up to someone ahead. A number of people I don't really care for are in town and taking zeros, and I don't relish the idea of summiting Katahdin with them. I don't think one day of rest will help much, so I'm going to give it a shot. I am HUNGRY to finish! Wish me luck!
I assume this will be the last chance I have to communicate with you before finishing. I'm still enjoying myself, but I'm ready to put the finishing touches on this thing and be home. All of us are!
Thank you all for your support through your actions, messages, encouragements, and love! There is no way I would be where I am without you all!
I was wondering about you Stats. Sending good vibes your way, may your foot feel better and your adventure come to a close, hope that when your finished, you write a book of Stats on the A.T. Will def. buy it, when it (if) comes about. Enjoyed all your posts, and will remember the day myself and two other friends crossed paths with you up on Tinker Cliffs. We still hike and it always come to pass that your name "Stats" comes up in our conversations. Kudo's to you, envious I am! Journey well ...
ReplyDeleteDoris
Hey, Chris,
ReplyDeleteGo easy on yourself. I know you must be hot to finish, but still make sure you listen to your body. You WILL finish, it's just a question of when. Enjoy your last few days on the trail and I'll look forward to seeing you in Newtown. What you have accomplished is simply amazing. I'm holding you in the Light.
best,
cp
Hi Chris, It's been a pleasure following your progress! Hoping your last miles are full of smiles and laughter. Best of luck in that the foot cooperates for the remainder of the trip.
ReplyDeleteKKR
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteWow!! Awesome! Be careful with your foot and enjoy that final climb at Katahdin. Wahoo!!!
Chris,
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog all the way through (though not everyday). You're almost there brother so don't do anything foolish. Much respect. I believe you will remember this experience virtually everyday for the rest of your life and have plenty of stories to tell. It will be great to see you back at GS. Much love from all the Falks.
Nils
Hi chris!
ReplyDeleteI am currently on the Appalachian trail leading a trip with ten campers from Onas where im a counselor. We saw your entry in the logbook here at the Kirkridge shelte and I thought I should say hi. Hope your thru hike goes well and you are enjoying Maine! We are doing a challenging but Not too bad hike from Wind gap to Delaware water gap.
-caleb savage
I have so enjoyed reading your blog, Chris, as thru hiking the AT is something I've thought about for a long time. Stretch, rest, relax. You'll get there!
ReplyDeleteChris - enjoyed meeting you in NJ and have totally enjoyed hiking the trail vicariously thru you - wishing you well with the remaining miles to go - take care of your foot - the 100 mile wilderness section can be hard - many streams/rivers to ford so please take care. Hope to hear from you on the other side - God speed. Jeff Hansen
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your hike with everyone. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't have to apologize for not being able to post enough! As one commenter so well put it a while back, this is your hike, not ours. Anyway, being away from technology is part of what makes a long hike like this an experience to remember. I'm not normally a nature girl, but I have enjoyed following this blog and cannot believe the hike is almost over! Please post the rest of the daily entries if you get the chance!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every step/moment left in your journey!! Soooo excited for you! Wishing I was still hiking with all of you! Such a wonderful group of people, miss everybody! Can't wait to see your summit Picture of Mt. K! Hope your foot heals and doesn't give you anymore trouble. Almost there! Woohoo! Have FUN!!
ReplyDeleteTake Care,
"T"
Chris - I so admire your setting this goal and going for it. What a journey you have taken and how generous of you to share it with all of us! I have read every page and look forward to the book. Just talked to Beanie as your text came in to your dad that you are two days away from finishing - will be thinking of you all day Tuesday. So proud for you! Frances (a.k.a. Frankie in Jackson)
ReplyDeleteIt was great to meet you at Mizpah and have a brief minute to chat. Glad to hear you are in Monson and still walking North. Wish I was back out there as well. Take your time up K and enjoy the reflection.
ReplyDelete180 and Data
Can't wait to see the picture of you on top of Katahdin! Take care of yourself these last few miles, enjoy the time on the trial, and most importantly, enjoy the time you're able to spend with your family afterwards.
ReplyDeleteWish I could have joined you even for a day. I'm looking forward to your book later (no pressure!).
Godspeed, and you're in my prayers.
Jim Irwin
Are you there yet? I was glad we had a chance to spend a few days together in the woods.
ReplyDeleteCongrats and see you next week!
Ozzie
It was great to meet you at the little store next to Abol Bridge. We were worried about you when we didn't see you on the trail or in the register Tuesday. Then we met Nitrous Oxide at the B&B we were staying at and he told us you went into Millinocket Tuesday to get some medical attention. I sure hope you got to feeling better! He told us he heard you summitted on Wednesday. Congratulations!!! Hope you're feeling much better and getting back home to your loved ones. Hopefully our trails will cross again someday. - Sam & Stan from Tennessee
ReplyDeleteIt was great to meet you at the little store next to Abol Bridge. We were worried about you when we didn't see you on the trail or in the register Tuesday. Then we met Nitrous Oxide at the B&B we were staying at and he told us you went into Millinocket Tuesday to get some medical attention. I sure hope you got to feeling better! He told us he heard you summitted on Wednesday. Congratulations!!! Hope you're feeling much better and getting back home to your loved ones. Hopefully our trails will cross again someday. - Sam & Stan from Tennessee
ReplyDeleteAre you dead?
ReplyDeleteBeas
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear that you finished and are ok. I'm a GS alumni and have been following your blog since the beginning. It's been a fun adventure hiking with you in your blog. However, I feel that we're still in Monson, Maine! I keep checking for an ending but there is none! I'd really be happy to hear you made it and are doing fine! Best, Teri Van Solkema-Waitz
I've found your blog for most of the journey to be very illuminating about the AT and the conditions and your responses. Would you be able to post a post completion entry and put my mind to rest about whether you summited or not. You get mentions from time to time in other people's blogs and TJs but so far nothing from you.....did you complete?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYes, he summited weeks ago actually (read it in an article on his school's website). Though I would love to see more posts as well. Sorry to be a stand-in poster but just thought I'd mention it.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you not on the ATC 2000 miler list?
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