*sighs*
Friends are pushing me to through-hike the whole of the Appalachian trail. Normally, I would be properly dismissive if my life and move on, but, these friends are the type that are rarely wrong about things of this sort.
I am reluctant to go for financial and time related issues.
I am far too lazy to want to do such a thing.
All through-hikers eat poorly and having just learned to eat better, I'm exceedingly reluctant to give that up.
I also do not wish to be away for ~6 months with my parents' health being a very unsure thing.
I would have to quit my job.
Annoyingly, I already have 85% of what I'd need for the trek, at least as far as equipment and clothing goes.
There are "scholarships" available for veterans to be able to afford to do this.
I'm cowardly and don't really want to face myself that intensely for that period of time.
I hate parts of hiking culture which is why I tend towards solo camping and hiking when I do go.
I have no real conclusion about this at this point in time. I'm just whinging.
I'd wait for your dad to stabilize, at any rate.
The thing is, he hasn't and won't fit any significant period of time.
This won't be until next year at the earliest, anyway. There's a lot I would need to situate before I do this, and that is only my own personal stuff. This would not be good for a few relational things, as well, so I'd need to resolve myself to being even more isolated after a jaunt of this sort.
Good luck with the decision. It's something I've always wanted to do but I understand what you're saying in resource commitments
Yeah. I wasted my youth. I should have hiked the trail instead of joining the army. 🤷♂️
I'd like to do it. I've heard many times that it's basically a frat party now. People suggest the CDT or PCT instead. Doesn't matter, I can't disappear for 6 months. When our son gets bigger and can haul a full pack load, we're sectioning these things.
The frat party is actually easily avoided if you do the really hard thing and start at the north end and head SOBO. The 150miles near the northern terminus is stupidly hard to do if you haven't got a really good set of trail legs built. People do it, and the two friends who are pushing me to do it did that themselves, so it's obviously possible.
I just... Can't be bothered at the moment.
That makes sense. They won't be taking the hard way.
Adding to what others have said, there's nothing wrong with saying, "I hiked X sections on the AT."
Nope. The addicts and party people are mostly weeded out (pun intended) by then, anyway, so, while you might meet up with some of them in the middle, it's evidently progressively better as you go.
Nope. Nothing wrong with that at all, really.
Its def something you would really want to do, not just because others think so. Also, you could choose to do a section, instead of the whole thing. Dont feel pressured.
Lol!
"Don't feel pressured."
That's not possible. I feel all sorts of pressures. I likely always will.
But I understand what you mean, and, thank you.
Could always section hike it and take it in chunks 🤷♂️👍
Honestly, in my case, that's much worse than just getting it over and done with. I never finish anything. Section hiking would just be added to the list of stuff I wanted to do but never did.
I did a through hike of the at in 2014 and it was amazing. It had some party vibes, but you can somewhat avoid that. Some shelter sites can be party sites, so I recommended earplugs (also for whippoorwills). There are less people that hike southbound, so this may be a good option to avoid people.
The day I finished, a 73 year old lady finished a thru hike. Age is not necessarily a restriction, but it helps to be young.
This is not a decision to take lightly. Feel free to ask any questions.
That's way up there on my bucket list. But sadly by the time I am able to afford it I'll probably be too old.
If you're healthy enough, age legit doesn't matter. I was talking to two hikers two days s ago and they were both well over 70 and through hiking. It just takes longer.
You do you, boo. I hate pressure from outside sources and dig in my heels. Same old story everyone else has already commented, but I feel like if it's something that you want to do then you should make it happen at some point. And also, don't think of section hiking as not doing it, if that's the only way to do even part of it then it is time well spent...something something life is about the journey. Motivational rant over 🫂
Yup. I'm aware. I just don't think that I'd ever finish it if I section hike. 🤷♂️
I guess my thing is why do you have to finish it 🤷♀️. If you never start it, you'll never finish it either... I'm in full on waderlust mode and want to see all the things, so I guess I'd be happy with an I got to do some of it. We put too much pressure on ourselves to complete the things, but what if you're only meant to do part of it. Sometimes, something is better than nothing and small commitments lead to bigger ones.
That's... Interesting. Hmmmm....
Lol, I'm just out here trying to make everyone happy and to get them so see a positive spin on negatives. It's apparently an INFP thing 🤣. I just hate to see people miss out on things that can bring them joy. Also I sound naggy, but I promise I'm not nagging, lol.
I don't think you sound naggy. At all. You're a concerned friend and I am thankful for you.
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