Today in class we watched a video of some through hikers finishing the trail. It was interesting seeing how each person responded to their journey coming to an end. We discussed the symbolism of seeing the sign atop the mountain at the end. I started to think what I would do when I saw the sign. Some of the through hikers got very emotional, and understandably so. To travel this 2200 plus mile journey, how it must feel to finally cross that finish line, I can’t even imagine. I wonder if I could through hike the AT. I feel I would need to be in much better physical shape, and be ready to invest in the journey. I wouldn’t want to do it half way.
We continued to talk in class about the through hikers. We talked about the dilemma that one of the members of the through hike faced about what to do with his hiking poles. He wanted to leave his hiking poles atop the mountain as a token of his journey. I thought this would be a great idea, leave your mark. Then Dr Redick said it would not be a good idea, I disagreed at first, but then I realized his point. He said leaving your mark would mark would have effect on other through hikers who climb the mountain. I thought to myself, if I found a spot in the woods that I really liked would I want to know if someone had been there before. I thought about it and decided I definitely would not want to know, it would have ruined the coolness of the moment.
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