Sometimes I want to stop hiking so hard it hurts.

I woke up this morning at the Woodstock Inn and listened to the sound of the rain drumming on the windows. It would be so easy to go home. To be with Heather, to stay warm and dry, to not hurt every day and to have my life back.

Thanks go to Heather and Rockhound for keeping me on the trail. Heather is simply wonderful and supportive. Rockhound’s the opposite. He stopped by my room, took a look at me, and called back over his shoulder as he walked away “Fuck you, Squish. You’re not quitting.” It was the same thing expressed in two different ways by two very different people.

I am seeing this trip through and still finding beauty and grandeur every day. But I am eagerly looking forward to returning to the life that I love.

Heather dropped Rockhound, Einstein and I off at the AT crossing on Rte. 93 at 11:30 and we started climbing in the light rain and blowing mist. Franconia Ridge is one of the most beautiful parts of the trail on a good day. Today we climbed above the tree line to find visibility limited to 100 ft, but the severe landscape was still stunning. We crossed the ridge with a few slips and spills. I scraped up my shin pretty good but it isn’t anything that won’t heal.

The AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) runs all the huts and tent sites on the AT in the Whites on a charge-for-stay basis. For that reason, we are camped in the woods, just 100 ft. from the trail. Not the “legal” 200 ft, but it is an established campsite. Fifteen people passed by without seeing us and we are not hurting anything, so it’s good enough for me!

It’s a breezy night at 3600 feet, 55* with a mist blowing through and I am in my winter hat for the first time in 2+ months. I’m warm and comfy with a good book and my Jelly Bellies.

Section hikers Aussie Charm and Six-Two just showed up to join us so it is one big stealth party.

This morning I was ready to pack it in and go home, now I am ready to walk 365 more miles. The lesson? Stop wasting time and energy dreading doing something you know is right. Just do it and you’ll feel good about it afterward.