I have hiked five miles or so of the most famous footpath in the world. The Appalachian Trail runs approximately 2200 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, and I’ve hiked only a few miles of it in Pennsylvania. What I’ve seen of it and read of it makes me want to hike the whole thing. And, if possible, in one shot. In other words, as a through hike.
However, I have several concerns that give me pause.
One is my physical condition. Yes, overweight people have hiked the AT. And people with knee replacements have hiked it. And I assume people with bad backs have hiked it as well. However, all three?
There’s also my balance problems to contend with. Although my vertigo might be able to be addressed through balance training and exercise, and an increase in confidence.
Then there is the time involved. At the present top distance I have for hiking in a day, which is six miles, it would take an entire year to through hike the trail. If I were to get to ten miles a day, I still would need 220 days to complete the hike. That’s a large amount of time to literally be doing nothing but hiking.
And by doing nothing, I mean NOT engaging in earning a living. Committing to a through hike means giving up an income. And giving up everything supported by that income. Its easier to do when you are young and just starting out, or retired and comfortable. My leaving for a through hike means not only banking thousands of dollars to finance my life on the trail, but also either setting aside more money to maintain my ‘real’ life during this time or giving up everything. As a person who once lost everything, I’m not sure I’m comfortable going back to that. And I realize many people set up campaigns on Kickstarter or GoFundMe, but begging people to fund a vacation isn’t something I’d like to do. Although if the kid who raised a fortunate with potato salad on Kickstarter wanted to throw money my way I wouldn’t object.
And finally, there’s this website. Yes, I could probably keep the lights on while on the trail. I could probably update from the woods, and I’d certainly have a ton of stories to share. But the goal of the website isn’t just my diary, although that’s an aspect. Its also about showing that the outdoors is for everyone. And there is a hands-on business aspect to A Taste For The Woods that I am working on. Going on the trail for nine months means delaying that.
If this sounds like I am talking myself out of a through hike, perhaps I am. But the fact I’ve gone public with this shows how strongly I WANT to do it.
Your thoughts, dear reader, are welcome. Should I follow this dream, and if so how should I handle it?
August 21, 2014 @ 3:59 pm
Before committing to the whole thing and saving that much money, why not do some several day section hikes? If it’s really for you it will reinforce your desire, and if not it will save you many thousand dollars.
August 21, 2014 @ 8:37 pm
I agree with Mrs Joy. I just finished backpacking all of the PA AT having never hiked a mile in my life, and now I’m hooked! I chose to do PA as one long section hike totaling 27days. My suggestion is to start with day hikes, maybe slack packing, and work your way up to some longer sections. I am unable to complete a thru-hike at this time, but will be completing the trail one section at a time. I hope some day to be able to complete a thru hike, but right now there is no way I could swing it. A 2000 miler is a 2000 miler. It doesn’t matter how lon I it takes you to complete it. If it’s something you really want to do, just start doing it.
August 22, 2014 @ 12:31 am
I just read an article on a couple from Quebec that sold everything to go on a 1000 day canoe trip. No record setting, and the only goal is to meet as many people as they can, and hear their stories. Sounds like as good an idea as any. When we get caught up in the rat race, we end up trapped like mice. I say go hiking, don’t hold back, enjoy what you have. Do what you can with what you have.
August 22, 2014 @ 1:30 am
I think you are too Appalachian centric Neil. As far as you wanting to through hike it, I say go for it. You have to realize though that even though it is a big undertaking it is infinitely doable by you. It’s just like doing any other huge undertaking. You set your goal, you take baby steps to get there and before you know it you’re there. There will be setbacks along the way and at times it will look insurmountable but if you persevere you will get there. Does that type of journey sound familiar to you? It should. So what if your longest hike to date is 6 miles. Training and the proper mindset will get you past that before you know it. Chin up, set you mind to it and make it happen. We’ll all be here to support whatever you decide to do. Happy trails my friend, no matter how long they are!
August 22, 2014 @ 9:51 am
You should follow your dream!