Written by: Brandon “Monkey” Imp
One of the most common questions I am asked is, “Will you thru-hike the AT again?”
For those of you that read the blog in 2010, you may recall my “one and done” phrase. I hiked the AT once, and now I am done. At that time, the phrase came about because I was exhausted and was looking forward to propelling my career forward. Two years of additional reflection has added to the “one and done” phrase: I do not want to alter the memories formed on the thru-hike. I have revisited places before, and I tend to automatically recreate (or relive) the original episode. I do not want to spend my entire hike trying to relive the past or outdoing what happened before – it is not fair to me or the people around me. Who likes to have a moment brought down by someone saying or thinking, “This is where XYZ happened last time!” Additionally, I hiked the trail for the experience’s adventurous and transformative natures rather than the natural beauty or love of hiking. Becoming an athlete and seeing interesting sites were added bonuses. There are a ton of adventures to get into around the world, like manning a film tour, going through medical school, and making a perfect batch of cookies; the AT was an adventure, it happened, I am proud of accomplishing a thru-hike, and I am content to never thru-hike again.
One does not need to thru-hike to experience the Appalachian Trail though. The AT continued to be a central part of my life as Beauty Beneath the Dirt was created over two years. The majority of the work was placed in the hands of the production team, Kate, Jason, Topher, and Heather; I was like a consultant that chipped in where I could. Film post-production was an additional chapter to my AT experience.
This summer, I get to travel the length of the AT and reconnect with the community for the G2M Tour. I am not hiking (I have to schedule a climb of Mt. Katahdin with Kate, the schedule is so tight.) I am not terribly smelly or dirty (just what is expected from somebody living out of a car.) My body is not transforming in a muscular machine (because it is already! Well, not really, but I like to think so!) I do, however, get to relive highlights of the Appalachian Trail: hikers, trail magic, trail towns.
The screening in Hot Springs was one of my favorites so far. The hiking-oriented community came to watch – they laughed, cried, and chatted with their neighbors. Some admitted they were not very interested in watching a film about three twenty-something hikers but came in support of an AT film; afterwards, they were surprised by themselves for feeling so invested in the cast and their emotions rode up and down with the film. The reactions were incredible compliments, something to be cherished forever.
Hot Springs was more than the screening though. I got to stay at Elmer’s Sunnybank Inn. The Inn is a historic landmark known on the AT for its hominess and top-notch communal meals. When the Traveling Circus came to town in 2010, Elmer’s was full and we completely missed the experience. Now, two years later as a visitor, I got to stay in Elmer’s for two nights. I got to re-live the AT by filling in a missing piece from our thru-hike. I ate walnut pancakes with fresh strawberry sauce topping. I cleaned off the porches to contribute to the house’s maintenance. I read “The Soul of a Doctor” in a rocking chair while Professor strummed in the music room. Emily explains in Beauty Beneath the Dirt the difficulty of hiking your own hike (literally and metaphorically) while hiking in a group – groups miss or sacrifice AT experiences, like Elmer’s, because of the group dynamic. Now, solo, I am allowed to relive the AT and experience what I missed. This is a gift.
Thanks Rob and Elmer. Hot Springs, take two, was a genuine pleasure.
