Peter Flamming - Post 3

I think that Bryson, above all, has learned that the AT is wondrous, majestic, and unconquerable. Bryson proved to himself that, unlike Katz, he is a competent hiker but also that the AT is beyond his limits. When Bryson and Katz look at the AT map in Gatlinburg, they saw that they had only done an inch of the trail. I believe that the map finally released Bryson from his obligation to do the entire trail when he realized it was pretty much impossible. The AT taught Bryson that there are some things in life that, though you try your hardest, cannot be done completely.

Bryson also learned that there is still much wilderness in the Appalachians, despite the facts and declining numbers. Bryson experienced nature at its most primal and rugged, and experienced America at its most ancient and majestic level. Despite all his tid-bits about declining populations of animals, trees, and forests in general, he was still hiking through millions of acres of pure, untouched woodland.