AT The End: Franklin, NC to Springer, GA

Catwater 2023 Catwater Hikes

7/7-12/23 87 miles

Springer Mountain, GA

Flip pages to the end of the mystery book— I did it! I finished the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain on July 12, 2023.

I’ve been ridiculously anxious the last couple hundred miles about something happening that would make me get off trail. Maybe it’s weird but I just wanted to complete this trail. This time it hasn’t been about the journey, it’s been about the achievement. For myself. I did it.

The weather north on the AT has been really bad, the flooding in Vermont has washed out at least one bridge, and caused hikers to slog through “Vermud” where they could. Hikers have been asked to get off the trail for their own safety. I was so lucky last year to have way better conditions, just a couple of days where I was wet, cold and miserable.

Meanwhile the record snowfall in the Sierra has been a massive challenge for people trying to thru-hike the PCT.

My decision to walk these last 470 miles from Damascus to Springer in June and July means I’ve been in the lush rainforest, the green tunnel with very few other hikers. If I’d continued last October I would have had better views since the trees and bushes are deciduous and drop their leaves in the Fall. Doh. But I wanted to finish the AT in time to apply to get the Triple Crown of Hiking at the Fall Gathering of the American Long-Distance Hiking Association-West (ALDHA-West) this September. I did it.

I’ve barely had to pitch my tent the last few weeks. I’ve taken advantage of the unique situation along the AT. There are numerous shuttle operations that will pick me up, drop me off and pick me up again and bring me back to a motel or hostel for a dry comfortable place to sleep. It takes quite a bit of cash but I’m no purist, as anybody who’s hiked with me knows. I connect my footsteps so I’ve not missed a mile. Platinum blazing has kept me injury free and given me the social connections that keep my anxiety at bay.

The Hidden Pond Hostel was the last place I stayed. I hiked off trail about 0.5 miles and Potholder picked me up for the short ride. Along with M&M and Pootz, he’s keeping the place open for hikers. Many hostels are closed now since the NOBOs are long gone. Two women I’d met briefly a day or two previously, Strider and Feral, were staying there on their section hike from Hiawassee to Amicalola State Park just past the Springer terminus. Sitting in the common area, I expressed my dream that I wouldn’t have to pitch my tent again, that there was a slackpack option to get me 15 miles the next day, leaving just 9 for my last day. M&M and Pootz (2007 AT hikers) calmly started talking about it. And made it happen, yay!

GA, the 14th of the 14 states the AT travels through
Rock wall with culvert holding up the trail
Spider web
M&M, Pootz,Feral, Strider, Catwater celebrating at the top of Springer
M&M made me this sign!

P.S. I wrote a little essay in 2019 after I finished the CDT about hiking the AT in 2020. Which I didn’t do that year because of the pandemic. It follows this post, unedited.

20 thoughts on “AT The End: Franklin, NC to Springer, GA”

  6. Congratulations on finishing your AT hike and your Triple Crown. Catch up with your sometime in Anchorage. David Odell. 907-539-5597

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  8. Congratulations on the triple crown! I believe the AT is the most difficult of the three trails, due to weather, crowds, and steepness. I enjoyed the essay you wrote about fearing the AT.

    Well done!

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  11. Thank you for all your posts! It has been an experience to “travel “ with you through these trails! Congratulations!

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