Week 16: Tell Me Who Are You

It’s now been four months since I started the Appalachian Trail. Some particularly fast hikers would be done by now. Many more who started when I did are in northern Pennsylvania by now. But I’m not quite halfway through Virginia.

And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

It's a little known fact that the ATC has a secret control room that only turns on the great views when a slow hiker comes by

It’s a little known fact that the ATC has a secret control room that only turns on the great views when a slow hiker comes by

I find it strange that I’m catching myself in conversations now with section hikers where I’m taking the role of “experienced knowledgeable hiker.” Talking about gear I’ve liked or not, comparing sections of the Trail, giving advice on the best trail head for reaching a particular point, at no point did I make a conscious effort to behave that way, I’ve simply found myself more and more in conversations where they have questions and I just so happen to know the answers. Inside I still think of myself as the fatso IT guy (indeed, even after the significant weight loss of the Trail, I’m still very chubby, a mark of just how overweight I was when I came out here) It’s amazing how quickly a few months living on the Trail can change you, often faster than the psyche can keep up with. My internal picture of myself doesn’t match quite who I am anymore. I actually have had a few instances of looking in the mirror and not recognizing who it was looking back. It’s an incredibly strange, and even frightening, feeling to stare at that polished piece of glass in the public restroom while your mind runs in circles “That’s me” “no, that can’t be me” Turn around “Well, there’s no one else in here, so that’s me, but it sure doesn’t look like me”

I'm pretty sure it's not connected to these berries I've been eating

I’m pretty sure it’s not connected to these berries I’ve been eating

I’m still finding myself completely fascinated by random bits of wildlife along the Trail. I stopped to gaze at a black snake as I went by. It apparently paid me no mind as I got within half a foot of it to simply sit and watch it taste the air looking for prey. I’ve also seen a lizard scurrying along a mountain top, and plenty more spiders and other creatures that remind me just how fascinating the high woods can be.

Pardon me sir, but do you have a moment to talk about our lord Thulsa Doom?

Pardon me sir, but do you have a moment to talk about our lord Thulsa Doom?

I did have one major creature encounter this week that excited me, I saw my first bear! Coming along Kelly Knob, there were two of them sitting next to the Trail, but they took off running as soon as I turned the corner. It was odd, because it took my brain a second to catch up with what was happening. They were each about 3-4 feet high at the shoulder, and were not only running along but had their mouths hanging open, so for a second my mind filed them as really big dogs, and I actually had an incredibly brief desire to pet one. As they lumbered away and my brain shifted into gear, I was overcome by just how thankful I was to be there and to see them. They were beautiful creatures and the fact that I was standing merely ten feet away from an animal I normally would have no hope of running into outside of a zoo in my normal life just brought home in a completely new way how awesome an experience it is to be out here.

The bears ran away too quickly for me to get a picture, so here's a toad, just pretend it's a bear

The bears ran away too quickly for me to get a picture, so here’s a toad, just pretend it’s a bear

It hasn’t all been peace and rest though. I’ve definitely had some hard days this week. Only once or twice have I been able to go an entire day with dry socks as periodic Thunderstorms have pretty much been the norm. I’ve had enough days of struggling to find water though that I cat bring myself to be too grumpy about the rain. At least I have to spend less time worrying about dehydration. I did have a scary afternoon when a thunderstorm came in as I was spending a few miles walking along a ridge. The day started off as blue and beautiful as a certain ELO song, but quickly turned dark. As the rain came down, I found myself hiking through a patch of smooth and slanted rocks, seemingly designed to risk my falling down to the valley below. The rain only exacerbated the issue, making me slow down to test each individual step before shifting my weight, hoping to avoid a dramatic tumble. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited and relieved to find the end of flat ground.

Hey look! It's like a slip 'n slide, except there's death or injury at the bottom (so pretty much EXACTLY like a slip' n slide in my neighborhood growing up)

Hey look! It’s like a slip ‘n slide, except there’s death or injury at the bottom (so pretty much EXACTLY like a slip’ n slide in my neighborhood growing up)

I also experienced some personal losses this week. My shoes, which had been purchased in Franklin, have finally bitten the dust 600 miles later, splitting down the side, not to mention several other holes and an increasingly thin tread. I’ve switched them out for a pair of trail runners which I’m particularly excited to break in.

Pour one out for the old friends. Then set em on fire, cause that smell is never coming out

Pour one out for the old friends. Then set em on fire, cause that smell is never coming out

I’ve also replaced my pants. The seat of the pants have ripped several times, leading to multiple hack stitch jobs done by me using random sewing kits in various hostels. Finally, the legs tore in two as I was climbing up a particularly rainy day. I’ve decided to switch to a hiking kilt from Mountain Hardware after talking to several other hikers who spoke highly of the comfort of the item. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my waist size is now 16 inches down from where it was when I started. When I go home, for the first time in my life I’ll be able to find pants in Walmart without having to dig through the extended sizes boxes.

I'm not sure who this guy is, but he's wearing my clothes

I’m not sure who this guy is, but he’s wearing my clothes

Overall, I continue to be enjoying my time in the Trail and continuing to experience personal transformation. I may not be the fastest person on the Trail, but I’m still on the Trail, and I wouldn’t trade a minute of it.

"Wherever you go, there you are"- Is it too late to change my trail name to Buckaroo Bonzai?

“Wherever you go, there you are”- Is it too late to change my trail name to Buckaroo Bonzai?

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 12

  • Colleen : Jul 18th

    You are an inspiration!!!!! I love your blog posts!!!! Don’t give up!!! I’m cheering for you. 🙂

    Reply
  • Tracy Rinesmith Cumberledge : Jul 18th

    James, I am so proud of you. You are a true inspiration to me and a lot of other people to get off their butts and do something. We won’t all go hiking but maybe we will at least stop and smell the roses a little more frequently and appreciate God’s beauty because of you.
    God Bless you and please stay safe.❤

    Reply
  • George (Old Growth) Turner : Jul 19th

    Great post, James. Are you thinking about flipping up to Katahdin and going SOBO?

    Reply
  • Auto Draft : Jul 19th

    Great post! Keep it up!

    Reply
  • John Sartain : Jul 20th

    If I were to have a trail name it would be “Slow and Steady”, I am not fast either but I will get there eventually.

    Reply
  • Jennifer : Jul 20th

    Love reading your posts! Keep it up, VA is beautiful. (And I see you were at 4 Pines)

    Reply
  • Veronica : Jul 20th

    Great job James, keep it up….. Only you can make the changes in your path thru life and I’m sure this will be one of your biggest accomplishments. You are not losing weight, you are regaining control over your life … and what a wonderful way to do it!!! Good Luck!

    Reply
  • Pam Yates : Jul 21st

    Great blog! I was excited to see your post, as I have been wondering how you were doing. Good for you! You should feel so proud. Keep going:)

    Reply
  • Kestrelchick : Jul 21st

    LOVE reading your posts! The smile in your picture says it all – you TOTALLY ROCK!!!

    Reply
  • Katina : Jul 23rd

    Ditto. I look forward to your posts so much! Leep hoing strong.

    Reply
    • Katina : Jul 23rd

      KEEP GOING Strong!

      Reply
  • NurseRachit : Aug 17th

    Your story is very inspiring to me! My bff and I just hiked to the top of Blood Mountain via the Freeman Trail and back to the Byron Reece trailhead parking lot. We are both chunky monkey’s too! I haven’t been hiking in years and decided to start living again. Needless to say, it took us 7hrs via the Freeman trail to get to the top. We were slow, but we didn’t stop. Knowing that you are still going gives me the courage to continue to hike no matter how many people pass me on the way up ( and back down lol). Keep going! We are cheering you on!

    Reply

What Do You Think?