Wild Country

[peter]

Hey Everyone,

A quick update of my AT hike - tomorrow I will reach Massachusetts, and surpass the 1500 mile mark on the Trail. I still have about one-third of the Trail remaining in front of me. This last leg, which includes Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, will be the most challenging of the hike thus far, but it is the region and mountains for which I am most excited about hiking.

In addition to my progress, I have very good news to share. I have been offered an internship with the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy and the position will begin immediately following my hike. Allison and I will be moving to Hendersonville upon my return, and will finally reside in western North Carolina and our beloved mountains. No more long trips from Charlotte. In fact, my position begins September 1, so I will be finishing the Trail on or before August 30. This will require a dedicated and steady pace to reach Katahdin by that time, but one I intend to keep to fulfill both of my dreams. Allison will already have us moved in when I return (on August 31st) and she will already be teaching up there by the time I get back. My double adventure of an AT thru-hike followed by a new job & new place to live in WNC is coming to fruition.

I am excited to report that my Shuckstack fundraising goal of raising a dollar for every mile that I hike has been reached. I have raised over $2,200, thanks in part to contributions from many of you. I can't emphasize my appreciation for your help & generosity enough. With still over 700 miles left to hike, I have raised my Shuckstack goal to $3,000 by the end of my hike. Please help me reach this next goal, too!

I can't wait to see everyone again when I return from this adventure and begin my next one in September. I look forward to the proximity to hike with everyone more frequently, living in the same neck of the woods as Dave, Joey, Mark, et al., and just always being in the mountains. To think, finally I will get to spend every day of autumn where I want to be the most. At some point in September, Allison and I will put together a party for everyone to come to meet up and share my AT photos & stories. Can't wait to see everyone soon and thanks for all the support along the way!

Whippersnap
GA->ME 2010
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http://www.PeterOnTheAT.com
http://www.twitter.com/whippersnap

[griztrax]

It'll be good to have you here in the mountains - we oughta be able to put together a good bushwhack or two this winter in our local hills. One thing for sure, you'll not miss the long commute to the Smokies.

[SloWalk]

All I can say is, Welcome HOME