I pooped and packed up, then squeezed my feet into the same pair of saturated socks that I was wearing yesterday and laced up my soggy shoes. I couldn’t remember the last time that we had felt rushed, but this morning was particularly care-free, and we read a few chapters from the Lord of the Rings before making our final arrangements to leave the refuge. I woke up gradually, relieved to find myself hydrated and headache-free, and eventually moved to the table for breakfast, splitting the remaining portions of granola, chocolate, and coffee with Spice while watching the trees bob in the wind through the front windows. The refuge floor held me comfortably, and the smoldering fire held the temperature warm, but not too warm, all night. Well, here goes anything…Īnything is possible after such a fabulous night of sleep. I’m open to anything as long as there is sun. Now that we are facing the end, what more could we ask for than one more opportunity to give ourselves to the experience, and for the openness to accept what comes? Sunny skies. We’ve given so much in this pursuit already, and gained so much more. Like Gaspésie before, I had faith that this national park was going to be special, and after days of imploring the rain to give us a clear finale, it seemed like the weather would grant us this one final wish. It was also obvious that this would be one of the more epic places to finish a thru-hike. It was obvious that we were running out of land on which to walk, that the vast landscape of possibilities lying at our feet had dwindled over the days to an inescapable and specific end. After our last resupply run, SpiceRack and I entered Forillon National Park and climbed along the spine of the narrowing cape, soon seeing water nearby both to our left and right. I am excited to reach the lighthouse, to touch the white walls at the edge of the world, but not as excited as I am for the final miles to get there. It was a rare perspective and privilege to have both. The stresses of the unknown and unexpected relaxed their grip, even if they didn’t release me completely, and I could begin to bask in the sense of achievement while still enjoying the journey. So yeah, the present was sweet, especially so near the end, when the hard work is all but complete, with the goal all but assured.
The steeps burned less in the knowledge that eventually this one would be the last. Even the morning raindrops caressed more gently and soaked less thoroughly. Each one was warmed by the glow of pre-nostalgia.
The endless supply of moments has nearly depleted, so each mile, laugh, and cookie break held more weight than usual today. Thru-hiking is about the journey, not the destination (or so I tell myself), so it was my goal to remain in the present moment as much as possible.
It’s thrilling to be so close, yet today I refused to get ahead of myself. The lighthouse at Cap Gaspé that I had for so long envisioned and hoped to reach is now practically in sight. And honestly, I tried to keep that thought far from my mind as SpiceRack and I hiked today. After so many of both, stretching in a long line behind us, it is hard to comprehend that the end is just a half-day of walking ahead.
#Owen total drama full
Today was our last full day on the IAT, and tonight our last night.
L’Érabliére Refuge to Les Crêtes #1 CampsiteĮlevation change: 3468ft gain, 3360ft loss
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