i’m a senior in high school and badly want to through hike in '04. It has been a dream of mine since forever. I hike in the smokies for atleast 2 weeks a year, but that isn’t nearly enough to quench my thirst. I tried to graduate early so i could start in march, but my high school said the hiking the A.T. was not a legitimate reason to forego half of my senior year. I need some advice on how to fulfill my dream sometime in the near future. Anything will be helpful
thanks
Clong
I agree with both of the previous posts, they are both solutions, and it is also possible to do a thru-hike from May to mid-October (that’s presupposing you don’t graduate any later than May???). People are leaving earlier every year but that doesn’t mean that it’s a rule. I am beginning my hike at the end of April so that I can finish my last semester of college as well. Good luck whatever you decide!
Lauren
clong,
I was in a similar situation. High school was boring me as senior yr tends to do and the trail was tuggin on my pant leg. I stayed and graduated with my class, had prom etc… and now I’m really glad I didn’t miss out on that stuff. Long story short I started college got a yr and a half thru and took off spring semester of 03 to thru-hiked. It was the best thing I’ve done in my life and I feel it greatly enriched my present and future college experience and life in general. As Wof says, the trail ain’t goin anywhere, but if you want it bad enough so that its the most important thing to you in your life, i say go do it.
Schools not going anywhere either…
A-Train
A-Train
Don’t let short term goals wreck your long term future. The trail will be there after you finish. It’s very difficult to return to high school. It’s not the same as taking off time from college. It also takes a bit of money to hike the trail, so finish school, get a full time job, and save enough money to make the dream happen. Southbound, is also a very good option, because it is difficult to hike before Memorial Day in Maine due to ice and snow.
Alligator
Read Rocket’s journal from this year. His high school allowed him to graduate early and hike, I’m fairly sure. So there is a precedent for you. Also contain him via email and he may be able to help you.
You will probably learn a lot more spending a few months on the trail than you will in that last few months of high school.
See you out there.
Maintain
Don’t ask them your school if you can leave early, ask them what you need to do to complete your requirements early.
I finished my HS requirements at the end of my Junior year, but stuck around for my senior year anyway because I thought I would miss too much (and my parents weren’t real thrilled about a 16 yr old going away to college). Looking back, I wish I had that year back.
You don’t mention your age, but one thing to think about. If you are under 18, it could complicate things for you. You may find hotels/hostels etc less willing to have you.
Scott Hauser (no trail name yet)
Do not listen to all these know-it-alls. Drop out of school and start hiking. A high school diploma isn’t worth a hill of beans anymore. I spent five year graduating high school and didn’t learn a thing.
tam
tam
thanx for all the help everyone, i guess i just get frustrated sitting in school all day when i wish i could be out hiking, i did a research paper on the trail for one class, that atleast helped a little except noone had any clue what i was talking about, i will be attending the university of kentucky next year, and will be running track and cross country there,so i really wanted to try to fit my hike in sometime before i head off to college, but i also want to enjoy every step of the hike and not be on a set schedule the whole time, so anyway thanks a lot
clong
Clong
Clong,whatever you do don’t quit High School.You should be able to work something out.Also,a HS diploma is worth alot more…when you don’t have one.
Remember,dropping out or quitting is the easy way out.It can also become habit forming.
Bill Harris