Fear of the unknown

imported
#1

I am contemplating a 2006 thru hike. i’m physically in shape and i have the support of my loved ones. i can visualize myself thru-hiking…until Harpers Ferry, that is.

I’ve had a good deal of experience on the trail in the southern states, so “seeing” myself hiking from GA to WV is easy. After WV, I draw a blank and get really anxious about not knowing what’s coming.

Has anyone else experienced this “fear of the unknown”? when it comes to new or unfamiliar parts of the trail? I won’t have time this year to get up north for a “preview” of the trail up there, so i need to find another solution if i’m ever going to make it to katadin!

any suggestions?

southern boy

#2

The unknown was what made it fun to get up and hike each day! We started with snow and ended with snow. We had -15 wind-chill and 102 feels-like. Rain was cold in GA-TN but became our friend when is was hot. The rocks in PA are “rocks.” The climbs in the Whites was awesome! The famous “Notch” became a boulder playground that we played in for an hour and a half. The rugged trail in Maine was fantastic. We found we wanted to slow down when our hike was coming to an end because of the enjoyment of the “unknown.” Forget the “preview” just hike and enjoy the unknown. The “solution” is to put your pack on and head north (or south). happy trails!

Papa Smurf

#3

The trail from Harpers Ferry through the middle of New Hampshire is not all that different from the southern half of the AT. There are some hard sections and some easy sections and everything in between. Don’t let people scare you about rocks in Pennsylvania - they are not that big a deal. The New Hampshire Whites and Maine are challenging, but certainly nothing to fear.

Turtle Walking

#4

Southern Boy,
By the time you get that far north, I’m sure it will be just one step after another and expectation as to what’s new around the corner.

When I start next week every step, except the Smokies, will be a new adventure for me. You should have a lot of hikers with you, may see SOBOs depending on the time you begin, and should have your trail legs so it will be “just another day” on the trail.

Best of luck-good hiking.
BDD

Big Daddy D

#5

PA …sure it has it’s rocks…BUT NOT THE ENTIRE STATE!! Originally i thought I was going to be rolling ankles from the MD border to NJ, but it wasn’t that way at all. Don’t get me wrong, the sections that are rocky ARE rocky, but they are few and far between. Acutally, there was a section about 2 miles long just before Mohican Outdoor Center in NJ (which is about 10 miles after leaving PA) that I thought sucked MORE than any section in PA. Very loose small rocks…man I HATED that section. Slow-going and miserable.
But there are also VERY easy sections in PA. Cumberland Valley comes to mind. Ah yes…Cumberland Valley. The first true FLAT stretch of trail. And you only have to hike over 1100 miles to get to it!

Leki-Less

#6

If you want to have some idea of what to expect, read some of the AT books or follow some hikers on trailjournals this year. “Walking on the Happy Side of Misery” is a good AT book. It is very realistic.

Every section of the AT is different, but they are all good in their way. When you are going through a rough patch, just remember that the next section will be different - whether because of the land, the weather, the flowers, or the people - and some of the most interesting sections are in the north.

Ginny

#7

Worry about the unknown haunted me all the way to the tableland atop Katahdin. But most of the worry was for nothing and I got there.

As for the north. Think berries. I had berries every day from the Mason Dixon Line to Mount Katahdin. Mmmmmmmmmm!!!. :girl

Mouse

#8

I’m interested that with your apparently considerable experience you think you will have something to fear after hiking 1000 miles to Harpers Ferry. By then I thought I was pretty much indestructible! I learned otherwise, but despite some of my “lowest” days in CT (food poisoning) and NH (rainitis), I was only seriously concerned for my health when I got a ride into Bennington VT with a guy who was on his way home after drinking his lunch. You can do it! And you won’t be alone.

Northern Harrier

#9

Whats around the next turn? Thats part of the thrill. Dont fret none Southern Boy, yankees aint so bad.Hell,they bought me beer in Unionville N.Y. for saying “ya’ll”.

Virginian

#10

Politics and history and agendas aside, a once leader of the United States said it best:

“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance” FDR, spoken March 4th, 1933, during his first inaugural speech.

If you don’t go beyond the farthest you have ever been, how will you ever know???

-xtn

airferret

#11

Being born and raised a southern boy I also had a slight fear of the unknown past the Mason/Dixon line. My only major problem was that you could no longer find a place in town that actually served Sweet Tea.

The trail and the views do change as you head onward - you cease having to worry about tripping over mountain laurel roots and more about rocky areas. Also, there will be views that fully take your breath away. When you get above tree line that first time and you walk through the Presidential range in NH you will fully enjoy being out of your southern element.

One of the things that the trail teaches is to stretch you beyond your comfort zone. Stay positive and you will have an experience of a lifetime.

I wish you the best of luck,
Crockett

Crockett

#12

I agree with Papa Smurf - not knowing what was coming around the next corner was one of the best parts of the experience. Being from Texas, I had never even been to most of the states the trail meanders through. Some of the most amazingly beautiful parts of the trail are north of the Mason Dixon line. You will have made lots of friends by then and it will seem like a terrific adventure, not like anything to fear. By that point you will know you can handle anything. You won’t be afraid of the rocks in PA or the climbs in the whites or the brutality of Maine. You will just take it as it comes and be glad for each day.

camera1

#13

I hiked most of the trail with guys from South Carolina… I learned a lot about regional differences from them… being from Indiana I am neither a Northener or Southerner…please take this advice:)

  1. Try not to use the term “Yankee”… the war is over, we are one nation.
  2. Don’t cover your accent, it will win you points.
  3. Don’t complain about not having grits or sweet tea… orer hot tean and a cup of ice… stir sugar into the tea and pour over the ice… viola… you have sweet tea.
  4. Keep an open mind about the way that North lives, talks, etc…
  5. Try to remember that the trail is bigger than North or South or whatever… it is the trail, so take it for what it is… one big road of experience.
  6. Eat a Whoopie pie, a philly steak sandwich, blueberry pancakes, and the regional beers and sodas that you will come across up “north”… I reccommend Ying-ling beer (the only beer I actually like).
  7. Don’t wear a dixie flag on your backpack. :wink:

Good luck and don’t worry every part of a thru-hike is unknown until you do it. There is nothing like a thru-hike.

windex

#14

i have to admit that i am a northerner and had misgivings about being south of the mason-dixon like. and to boot, a minority! but i found that most of the time, people were friendly and helpful. something about the trail seems to leak into nearby towns and the locals appear to simply say to themselves, “so that’s what _____er’s are like!”

the only things i have to say that are different are: 1) the northern sections of the AT tend to be more expensive and 2) i really do believe that it’s more difficult to get a hitch, but not a lot more difficult.

zero

#15

thats the whole point. when you are anxious that means you have something to learn. and learning makes changing and changing makes rockin trips. i mean its not like you are going to asia. i think you should fly to maine and start there, for the shock. thats the fun of it.

milo