Before and After 5 million steps

imported
#21

I was a veterinarian who owned my own practice before my hike, and now I’m a veterinarian working in someone else’s practice. While I’m not sure it’s an improvement, at least I can leave more easily when I decide to hike again!

My husband was a chemical engineer before and after, still with the same employer. I know he regrets going back.

It’s was really easy to fall back into the same old patterns. The hard part is that our hike changed our outlook so much that we are even less satisfied than we were before we left. Unfortunately, other than hike, we’re not really sure what we would rather be doing, so we just keep on keeping on, saving for our next escape.

Chipper

#22

Before my AT hike I was on the right track after being on the wrong one for a while, managing a music venue and staying up entirely too late.
Now I’m almost done w/my master’s degree in recreation ecology, and just finished the PCT. Mostly, I spend of lot my time now swimming in positive emotions, sunshine, piles of leaves, the forest behind my house, and in good company. All of the current joy was always readily available, but I didn’t have the perspective to see and caress it. Now I do.
Also, I make some money doing things that I love by keeping my pack light, so to speak, and following the path that is meant for me. I used to think it’d be hard. Turns out it’s the easiest thing. i suggest the positive and openminded to check out Ray Jardine’s Connection Camps at rayjardine.com if one desires to cultivate a deeper connection with nature, thusly learning to take that “trail magic” home. P.S. I’m still staying up too late.

Tha Wookie

#23

Before: Dreamer and AT Wanna Be
After: Dreamer and PCT Wanna Be

Yo-YO

#24

It seems the AT attracts people from all walks of like. It should make for interesting conversation at the shelters.
Can’t wait. Time is definitely passing by too slow.
Thanks all for the replies.

Bigfoot

#25

<<It’s was really easy to fall back into the same old patterns. The hard part is that our hike changed our outlook so much that we are even less satisfied than we were before we left. Unfortunately, other than hike, we’re not really sure what we would rather be doing, so we just keep on keeping on, saving for our next escape. >>

Man, can I relate to that…

Like her husband, I was a CPA before, still a CPA now. Hate it even more, can’t figure out what to do now. I’ve said this before in my post-hike journal entries. If at all possible, if you don’t like what you’re doing now, DON’T GO BACK TO IT. Everyone thought it was great my firm gave me the time off to hike, so plunk I could go right back to it afterwards. Problem was they thought 2.5 weeks off was enough time, 2.5 months would have been more like it, but unfortunately I was the chief breadwinner at the time and we couldn’t afford to pay COBRA one more month.

Stay tuned, I’m still working on this. :x

Bluebearee

#26

This topic is great and it brings up a great question. How does one have a life filled with adventures and backpacking? I’d love to hear from those who’ve figured out how to make it their lifestyle. Obviously owning property, having kids, possibly being married could get in the way :slight_smile:
I mean it seems fairly easy to earn 2000-3000 bucks in the span of 6 months just to have the other half a year to hike. The only difficuly i see in that is having to find different work every winter unless your lucky enough to have an employer who’ll keep takin ya back. What do you all think about this? Ridiculous? I know a few folks have managed to do this such as Baltimore Jack but I also heard he worked a good deal before starting to hike. Especially regarding younger folks?

A-Train

#27

A-Train:

Good question. But, I guess the answer is all in your priorities for life. Certainly for much of my life it was raising a family, and everything that goes along with that. But, after a major wake up call and becoming empty nested, I figured it was time to some things that I really wanted to, rather than doing what someone else wanted me to do.

For a younger person, it’s still about choices and priorites.
If you want to hike the trail in the summer, then find jobs like ski bums and keep a modest life style. Or get into teaching, which gives you a couple of months off every summer.

If Jack pops up on this thread, he will tell you that he works his butt off for 6 months, and lives very modestly.

Peaks

#28

I am one of the younger folks you speak of. I’m 26, have no qualifications (worth having), and stopped formal education when I was 17. This did not mean i was’nt intelligent as when my buddy’s were off at college I was earning good money and learning my trade. Even though I now detest what i do, it gives me the freedom to pack it all in and leave whenever I want to. I’m single, rent an appartment, have no kids. I think the less responsibility the better (if people want to hike as much as possible).

Personally, I’ve worked at so many different companies I’ve lost count. I do not attach myself to any one company which means i never feel bad about leaving. In the last 3 years I’ve probably only worked for 20 months total. I guess i have’nt found that “thing” that will tie me down and make me happy where i am. I’m sure this is how most young people in my situation feel to.

One more thing. Now I’ve had 8 years experience in my job i can work pretty much anywhere. My buddys who got degree’s…find it hard to get work as a garbage man…and i do mean that.

Ross - (From England, i’m sure you know me by now)

Ross

#29

Before I hiked I worked for EZGO supervising the golf cart assembly line. I got laid off and hit the trail. I hiked in between job interviews. Interestingly enough I ended up working for Georgia Pacific. I wasn’t able to finish but hiking the AT was an integral part in getting what I now consider a wonderful job.

Sleepwalker

#30

It’s interesting how many people changed jobs after the AT, but I guess it makes sense that hiking for 6 months would change your priorities a bit. I was a HS senior two days before the trail, and a programmer about three days after the trail. My lifestyle hasn’t changed very much, but I think I’m a little more focused now than I was last March.

                             -S-

Skittles

#31

LOL, mention that I work with computers, then screw up posting to a forum.

Skittles

#32

I don’t think that people change jobs because they hike the AT.

I suspect that many people hike the trail at a time when they have a change in their lives anyway. For many, it’s graduating from college. For others, maybe a job layoff. For some, early retirement or mid-life crisis. So, all these people would be changing jobs anyway.

Peaks

#33

Of course people change jobs/lifestyles because of the AT. It’s kind of hard to argue that going on a 6 month backpacking trip won’t change some people’s priorities, so that when they get back in the job market they look for a different job. Also, I think that a desire to hike the trail can trigger the ‘life change’ that you mentioned, which creates a chicken-and-egg situation. Finally, a person could easily be exposed to a new occupation or idea while on the trail that influences their occupational choices later in life.

Skittles