2nd Annual 3/4 Commemoration Post, High-5!*

Two years ago I started the Appalachian Trail. It was certainly one of the best experiences of my life thus far, even though it was cut short for my move to South Africa. In turn this has also proven to be one of the best experiences of my life but the rest of my blog is about that part, so that should be evident. There were many parts of the trail that I loved like the physical and mental challenges, the simple way of life, the ample time for reflection, the camaraderie among hikers (hello AT family!), and the ability to be immersed in nature every day. I also liked the fact that not only are beards acceptable, they are encouraged! At last it was time for one of my only true talents to be put to good use.

Last year I had meant to post some of the pictures from my hike but my computer was zapped by the sky. So here are some of the highlights that make me look cool (if that's possible). If you pay attention closely, you can see my metamorphosis from clean-shaven citizen Noah Prescott into beardy-weirdy hiker "Presco".

Atop Springer Mountain. You have quite the trek ahead of you, young man.

Out of Georgia and into whatever state N.C. is supposed to be. That first border crossing is a special feeling. Fun fact: Georgia is where the fictional events of Deliverance took place, not West Virginia.

This sign was at a very busy tourist spot in the Smokies. I felt like a big shot hiker strolling through there. Once everyone got a sniff of my 4 day hiking musk, they knew I was backpacking for keeps.

I had tendinitis around my knee and it was excruciatingly painful to walk down this mountain. There was nothing for me to do but make unhappy faces to the camera to remind myself later on that at one point I had tendinitis around my knee and I was in pain.

Absolutely pathetic. Get yourself together VA/TN border-crossing sign. All the other states make fun of you behind your back.

It snowed about 7 inches in Southern Virginia at the start of April. Very tough hiking but very beautiful. How do you like dem apples, global warming-advocating freedom-haters!? Saying that made me sad.

Famous AT hiker photo location. I am not going to tell you where it is, you have to find it for yourself.

The mother of all blow outs. My attempts to keep the sole attached only made things worse it seems. Shenendoah's were not fun having to drag that stupid thing around.

Virginia has the longest stretch of the trail, so I was exhilarated after hiking the whole blasted thing. I also think I just had some peanut M&M's.

Halfway (Sort of) Hurray! A couple days after this, I found out that I got accepted to go into the Peace Corps and that I should start preparing to leave for South Africa.

*Note the American form "3/4". While in South Africa the law mandates that I write it 4/3, the joke nor the catchy-ness of the date for hiking (March Fortt) make sense so I had to go with what's right rather than what's legal. Don't tell the South African Date Formalism Police.