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The Mahoosec Notch

A bit ago I mentioned about a section that took 3 hours to go one mile. I went through in group of 6 hikers, and had a absolute blast. One of those hikers, Reddmage, keeps a video journal of every day and is kind of AT YouTube famous. I'm featured quite prominently in his video that day, so if you have a couple hours to kill and want to see the Mahoosec Notch, click on the link below. https://youtu.be/FKzdL5s9PHo

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Pure, unadulterated joy, and total satisfaction.

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The End of a Journey

It's over. After 2,189 miles, over nearly 5 months of hiking (with a 2 year lapse in the middle), it's over. A forecast of hail sped things up a little more than expected, and after covering 80 miles over 4 days I reached the summit of Mount Katahdin this morning, completing the entire Appalachian Trail for me. What a special feeling. At the ranger station at Katahdin Stream Campground, just at the base of the final climb for northbound AT hikers, there is a log book, an opportunity for hikers to write in their final words to the trail before completing it. In it, I wrote that I feel blessed and honored to be able to complete this trail. AT hikers of today stand on the shoulders of everyone who makes this trail possible, from the AT's original designers, to the countless volunteers who keep it operational today, to all the supporting business on which hikers rely, to the trail angels and countless family members and friends who allow each backpacker to go out and live their dreams. Without all of those efforts, this experience is not possible, and I am truly grateful for all of you. I wish I had something profound to say to send this off. I've learned a million different life lessons from the trail (if you want a slight glimpse into some of them, go ahead and re-read my post from when I got off the trail two years ago). But I'll spare you the ongoing rambling rant and leave you with a seemingly simply idea, which is more or less a reiteration of an idea I talked about two years ago. Simply put, figure out what in life makes you happy, and then make time for that. It sounds infinitely easier than it is. Now more than ever, figuring out where your true happiness comes from can be an immense challenge. Is it a fulfilling career, time with family, playing music, competing in sports, getting drunk with friends, reading quietly on the beach, or one of the million distractions that technology offers us. No matter what it is, to figure out what makes you specifically happy, you have to try new things. If you never try new things, you will never find out what makes you happy. And not just like one time half try to do something. Like actually sit down and put in time and effort and give something a shot. Let me give an example. If you've ever thought maybe you would be happy being an amateur photographer in your spare time, you can read some articles on different cameras, go out and buy one you think you'll like, go for a walk, take some pictures, get them developed, and see if that process makes you happy. But have you really tried being an amateur photographer at that point? Bluntly, unless you're some savant photographer just realizing your potential, most likely your photos will suck and every part of the process will be challenging. To really try something, you have to put in some effort and give it a shot. Go to a seminar on photography. Read books on how to become a photographer. Take a class on photography at your local community college. Make some prints and try selling them to friends. Or even better, to strangers. Like, actually put some effort in and try it. If there's one thing hiking has taught me its that most likely, when you try something new, you're going to be the worst one around at it. But to really find out if you like something, you gotta put some time and effort in. And inevitably you'll get better at it. Then, evaluate if it's making you happy. If it's not, there's nothing wrong with that- not everything is for everyone, and you're no worse off than you were before trying. If, however, you do find it makes you happy, move on to Part B. And Part B of this whole thing is to make time for whatever it is that you find that makes you happy. Clearly this can be equally challenging, and obviously there are no sure ways that will work for everyone. Among the most heartbreaking things I've seen on this trail are people who waited too long to try to through hike on the Appalachian Trail. Their heart is in it, but their bodies simply won't allow them to live out their dreams (at least, not without extreme pain). Your body (and your mind) only gives you so much time. Use it wisely, on what truly makes you happy. And that's it. That's life. A series of iterations of finding what makes us happy, and then doing it. If that's not what life's about, I'm not sure what is. End of the life ramblings. You may, once again, be wondering what's next for the Ox-man. Two years ago when I got off the trail, I joked that I was not riding off to a dream job with a beautiful girl. Wellllll.... I have been pretty lucky in some ways. Tomorrow I am getting picked up by a beautiful, supportive and loving girl who I am lucky enough to call my girlfriend. And in a short time, I start a new job which, at least at this point, is my dream job. In another blitz of life that I seem to be making a habit of, over the next 10 days I'll be driving from Maine to Boston, then to Baltimore to see my family and pick up my dog, then to Boston to move my girlfriend into her new apartment, then moving myself into my new apartment, and scrambling to get my life in order before starting a new job with The Art of Shaving in brand management. All within the next 10 days. Should be fun. For anyone who has been following along throughout the duration of this blog, I hope you have enjoyed it. I know thinking about this blog helped me get through a lot of days. I'll post some more pictures that I couldn't before due to lack of cell service, but besides that, this is just about the end of Ox as a blogger. Once again, I'll close by offering my contact info out to anyone who even remotely thinks they may be interested in the AT, or in backpacking in general- please never hesitate to reach out or to pass along my info. All the best, Ox Email- kjvoshell@gmail.com Phone- 410-925-6893 Facebook- Kenny Voshell

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Sunset and sunrise from my camp spot last night, looking out on big K

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The last stop to refuel on calories before Katahdin- The White House, a hostel you have to take a boat to from the AT. Baxter State Park tomorrow night.

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I see you looming in the distance

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Lunch spot on Whitecap mountain. Where ya at Kathdin?

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Lunch spot on Chairback Mountain. Perfect weather so far in the second day in the 100 mile wilderness

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The ominous start of the 100 mile wilderness. Sparse cell service between here and Katahdin

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Steve's vision come to life- The Hiker Hut

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A Sacred Trail

Steve Lynch was born in a suburb north of Boston, to a big Irish Catholic family, one of 13 ("since contraception wasn't allowed"). After a semi professional career as an athlete, he found himself in a a bit of a midlife crisis, trying to find himself in a cave in India, meditating for two months. There, a vision came to him of a triangular house like structure. Several months later, he found that structure, sitting idle on the backwoods of Maine, in an overgrown area with no apparent owner. Steve found the owner of that property and eventually turned it into a sanctuary for AT hikers. Now, he spends half the year running this peaceful and restful place for weary travelers, and the other half using the funds he makes from the hostel to help sick children in India. Meeting people like Steve are what makes the AT so powerful- people who have had a calling in their lives, and have responded to that calling. "A lot of people come in carrying a lot more than their backpacks," says Steve. "I believe it's a sacred trail." I have to say, I agree.

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A perfect sunset from my camp spot on West Carry Pond

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The river crossing on the Kennebec, where the trail becomes a canoe

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It's a Bigelow morning

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Horns pond, on a rainy day in the Bigelows.

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Blessed to have such a loving and supportive girlfriend and her pup visit me in Stratton

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Maine wilderness