Correct me if I wrong but I’ve noticed that if you start on Jan 1st, you can count on spending a lot more money and having a lot more zero days. I’ve also noticed they have to carry a lot more weight. I’ve noticed nearly all of them have had to spend a ton of money in towns waiting out the storms. I almost don’t see the point. Also heard that bluevist has dropped off the trail for now but plans on coming back in a few months.
Sean C
Remember, it’s not a race. No one counts your zero days but you. You can only spend the money you have, so whatever you spend will be more than some and less than others. And as to the point…walking alone through a forest of untrodden snow might indeed be the point.:cheers
Po Campo
I personally think of lot of them start on Jan 1st in order to be first to finish or to get much more hits on their online journals. But here is another question. What if I would start a thru hike on like Dec 28th. Would I be the first 2005 thru hiker or the last 2004 thru hiker? I would probably be number 1 in the sign in books until getting passed.
Sean C
Would not be a good starting time for me either although I enjoy reading the early journals. Some people just like a more challenging hike which I kind of admire. Or, maybe they just can’t wait to get started. I doubt the early start is for journal hits or to be the first to finish. Does anyone really care about either?
180
This year, none of the NOBOs starting January 1 were out there to finish first. The opposite actually, starting in January gives you plenty of time to hike the trail, no pressure to get to Baxter. Two 1-1 hikers Hercules and Fal want to take their time, there last thru was too rushed. Alpha and I were both stir crazy at home and just wanted to start the adventure. It has nothing to do with getting more online journal hits, or being in “first place”! Never even thought about that. Winter conditions have different challenges, but can be beautiful, depends on what you are looking for. I started Jan 1, 2005 and am already taking time off. I had a probable case of Giardia that had me down for over a week, but hiking alone and empty shelters were getting old. So was the frozen food, water, boots—frozen everything. I’ll go back in March and still get enough winter I’m sure!
Hydro
Bluevist has already completed a Feb. thuhike and is just hiking this time for the fun of it…give her a break…last time she started in early Feb. with a 30 degree bag and completed her hike!
I commmend her attempt, regardless of the outcome!!!
Happy
Bluevist has already completed a Feb. thuhike and is just hiking this time for the fun of it…give her a break…last time she started in early Feb. with a 30 degree bag and completed her hike!
I commmend her attempt, regardless of the outcome!!!
Happy
That’s pretty cynical, saying that someone would start a thru-hike on January 1st simply for extra journal hits or to be the first to finish that year. And even if that WERE the case, I think the only person who’d care would be the one hiking and journaling. Besides, if that were truly someone’s motivation at the outset, things sure change once you’re on the trail. The trail changes most anyone who hikes it, especially for weeks and months on end. I wouldn’t think motivations like that would be enough to get you from one end to the other. One’s gotta have a lot more going for them to hike a couple thousand miles. (Not to mention the fact that if a journal isn’t good reading–slept here, ate this, walked this many miles today, blah, blah and blah–I dare say the hits aren’t going to last, no matter how early you start.)
ramkitten
More midwinter silliness on the forum. Hiking for hits? sheesh.
It’s great to be reading the early journals. JAWS and Hydro have seen some stuff already–great pics. Check out the icy trail picture in Hydro’s journal. ick.
All the hits on my journal are from me going there to check and see if I have any new hits eighty or a hundred times a day. :nerd
Less than 30 days now…:tongue
Tyger
or to get much more hits on their online journals.
Ha! To what end?
While it’s personally gratifying, it’s not like you win a lollipop or anything.
Worth freezing your nibbies off? I don’t think so.
The only value to journal hits is messing around and putting on with your other friends on TJ (ie, Stumpknocker).
So, since you have so much time on your hands, how about going over to Stumpknocker’s guestbook and giving him some ****.
Jan LiteShoe
As far as journals go, I usually read ones from previous years, just b/c I don’t have the patience to follow them in realtime. I like plowing through 20 entries in a sitting.
Besides, the only one I’ve ever finished was the first I read…Jane Liteshoe’s; a classic to be sure!
I :lol , I :bawling , I :girl :pimp …
Nomad