I know this is really early but i was wanted to see who was planning to thru hike in 2011. it has recently been all i can think about. this maybe due to the fact that i just began taking the extra classes i need to graduate a semester early. i will only be 18 when i hike and im a girl, because of that my mom would like me to know some people i could possibly run into on the trail. so here i am typing this up. hopefully someone will respond...
_Katherine_2011 - Appalachian Trail
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#1
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#2
I'm thinking of skipping a semester to thru hike in 2011, but I think I might get anxious before then and do it in 2010.
_JD_
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#3
and you will have plenty of people you will "know" better than anyone typing away at a computer...you will meet true friends.
_fishngame_
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#4
I'm not trying to make friends right now. I'm trying to show my Mom she has nothing to worry about. I know typing to people on the computer isn't the way to get to know them because you can type whatever you want and be who ever you want. And I actually do know when to leave, I wouldn't work this hard to make it happen if I wasn't sure I could handle it. Thanks for your imput though. Sorry if this sounds mean I just wanted to clarify what I was trying to say.
_Katherine_
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#5
You might want to check out The Appalachian Trail Conservancy For Teenagers at Facebook.
_yuk-yuk_
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#6
Maybe you can have your mom read some of the journals on this site written by single females, would that ease some of her worries? In my experience, the community of thru hikers is usually is a pretty tight group with people looking out for each other.
_Apple Pie_
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#7
Katherine, check out the hiking groups at Yahoo groups. There is an AT all women's group with lots of veterans and newbies. Really good advice and always someone planning a thru hike. Also look for an AT 2011 group, or start one. Another idea would be to run an ad in the AT magazine and start an e-mail group, that's what we did and it was great to have familiar names and faces. GOOD LUCK!!
_Janet_
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#8
Katherine,
My Pard and I will be starting in March 2011 so perhaps we’ll see you along the way. Bu everone that has posted above has valid points. My wife was amazed at the closeness that develops among thru-hikers along the trail. She was concerned that I might have to do a week or so “by myself” and after reading a number of the trail journals she remarked that thru-hiking is almost like a band of nomads all heading in the same direction with the same purpose. :lol
So have your Mother read a few of the journals and she might change her attitude.
Hardcharger
_Hardcharger_
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#9
like perhaps to a White mountain hut for the night, late August. Or hang at Bear's Den Hostel a few nights in July. She'll get to see a glimpse. Good luck.
_fishngame_