How often do former thrus go hiking?

imported
#1

Do former thru-hikers go backpacking very often? In reading thru-hiker journals and forum entries, I don’t see many of them mention that they go hiking very much. Many mention the next big thru they are planning, such as the PCT or doing the AT again. But it seems many are sitting at home cooling their worn heels, and not much else.

I have not done a thru hike yet, but take the chance to go backpacking whenever I can (which is miserably seldom). But a short b’packing trip undoubtably pales in comparison to the experience of a 6-month thru. So, do former thrus even bother?

steve hiker

#2

I backpack every year. Have since 86 when I did my first thru-hike. I’ve done 5. Heading to Springer in March for the 18th year in a row. Gonna hike to Damascus.:cheers

Wolf

#3

steve,
you bring up a good point. Seemed at the end of my hike people either went one way or the other. There were those who altho they loved their hike, never wished to do anything of the sort again, then the other group (myself included) who saw the AT as a stepping off point to different trails and adventures. I have plans to hike the Long trail this summer and the PCT is on the horizon, probably 3 yrs away. I’ve done a bunch of day hikes, and one overnight on the long trail. Im planning a 2-3 day hike over christmas and a bunch of day/overnight next march for spring break.
I think with a lot of veteran thru-hikers that its not that they dont wish to get out there again, its just that after taking a half year-year leave of absence, quitting a job or postponing school/work there is a need financially and/or physicologically to work a lot and get back into the swing of things or whatever. Not many people are lucky enough to backpack regularly while working, unless you live close to the mtns. Then there are those who fall in love with the lifestyle, that they hike yr after year, or go to PCT, CDT, LT, ECT. etc etc etc

A-Train

#4

im not a former thru. i guess im technically a section hiker; cause ive done 2 attempts and just finished what would amount to sections;right? i keep starting off with the idea its going to be a thru hike though. anyway. my experience has made me want more hiking; every year. I don’t know what will happen when i finish a thru-hike this year. I can’t see myself just selling my pack and saying ok; i guess i will take up kayaking now. maybe i will try some other trails in other years; but i think I’m always going to have a very special place in my heart for the AT. I would love to be able to come back every year; forever. Maybe thats why I can’t complete the hike; cause im afraid of what will happen; it gives me a reason to plan to come back. who knows. but I will be back

Big Boy

#5

We hike there for we are. I and my wife made a gap in the 80’s only to rediscover with free time what we missed. I’ve been “hiking” since 1968. Oh crap, now I’m old. I was three then and earned my trail name. If you love the woods you always find a way to get out. I’m out Saturday night to tell you about sleeping with clothes on. But I do see those that do it once and move on. Steve, if you can camp out and get up at midnight and shiver while watching a full moon on a fridgid winter night and love it, you’re there. You’ll always be there. Its a small group that would rahter be in the zone than at work. I day dream all the time, and as you seldom get out right now, but I dream and make the most of it. After a thru hike, I was out with in a month. I WASN’T DONE YET! www.trailjournals.com/rudolf just for fun

Bushwhack

#6

When I got home (Sept 26, 2002)I hung all my stuff up in the basement. I just took it out about a month ago and hiked about 12 miles over Humpback Rock. I would love to go again, but have so many thing I need to do. I guess if I work my ass off now I wont feel so guilty about hiking for 6 months later.

Virginian

#7

I was a hiker and a backpacker before I did my first long hike 15 years ago. I loved hiking, and thought that going out for six months in the mountains was a great idea. When I finished my AT hike, I still loved hiking and backpacking, so I kept on hiking. Because of house, work, trailcare weekends, grandchildren, etc. we don’t do as much backpacking as I would like, but we still manage to hike between 500 and 700 miles a year. Vacations are always hiking ones. And I’ve managed to do three other long hikes.

I’ve known several people for whom a thruhike is merely one brief episode in their life. Once they’ve experienced it, they have no desire to keep on hiking. But some of us are born wanderers and we never stop, if we can help it. I love the way I feel when I hike. I love being in the woods every chance I get. I can’t imagine not hiking.

Spirit Walker

#8

It seems to me that people that don’t hike anymore wouldn’t be here. Of course people that can’t spell are here , like myself.Is there anybody here that doesn’t hike anymore and why would you be here ? Any anti hikers out there? Maby that would make an interesting topic. Just a thought from a wannabe thru .

used to be yang

#9

I’ve been a hiker most of my life, and a backpacker and that hasn’t changed. Thing is, many thru-hikers have never even put a pack on before, some end up converts, maybe some aren’t. Some live in IN (poor souls) and some like me, live in Maine. I’m out almost every weekend, for a day hike or a backpack (usually once/month). Unfortunately, I work a standard M-F 8-5 job, so this time of year it is only weekends and holidays I can get out, but I do. I talk about it in my post-hike entries on my journals here. Problem is a day hike or a weekend, has not become enough time to clear the crap. Even a two week trip (which has become my base for a standard hiking vacation) barely gets you “out there” mentally. That’s what I seek. I don’t know anywhere else to get the fix.

Bluebearee

#10

When I did my “Survival” Hike on the Ozark Highlands Trail I was sold out. Now I hike when ever I can get out of this Flatland city called Dallas. I have a bumper sticker on my bike and toolbox at work that says “I’d Rather Be Hiking”.:pimp

Spacewalker

#11

BW and I are like Bluebearee, attempting to get out for weekenders or vacation hikes. It all pales in comparison to our thru hike, but it still gives us a break from the work-a-day grind. It’s tough here in Ohio to get to interesting trails, but we manage. In the last 2 years since our thru hike, we’ve been backpacking in CA and been back to the AT multiple times. BW’s all ready for another long distance trail. I’m not so sure my feet could survive. Besides, I’m back in school til '09 anyway.

Bramble

#12

I still try to get out at least once every two weeks. Those mountains are in my blood.

Bankrobber

#13

I hadn’t really done any backpacking before I did the AT, but had spent many a summer vacation hiking up in the Smokies. I did the AT in 2000 and the LT in 2001. I’ve also done about 500 miles of the AT over again in several different jaunts, and done a x-country road trip where I did as much hiking as possible in OR and WA. I try to get out as often as possible (meaning 4-5 times/year) for as long as I can (usually several weekend trips locally and a longer 1-2 week trip or two in the place of my choice). I hiked the AT after graduating from high school, so I’ve been in and out of college since then. I’m trying to finish up now (still have another year…) so I’m currently taking the maximum number of hours that I can while working 20-30 hours/week. It’s a busy life, but there’s always summer. Can’t WAIT to get out to the Olypmics again…maybe in a couple of years. Anyway, I’m goin on a 3-4 day deal in a couple of weeks so I can’t complain too much. So far this year, I’ve gone winter backcountry-camping in Michigan along with some minor hiking, done some beach hiking/backpacking on the gulf coast, 1 or 2 small weekend trips up to Talladega National Forest (my favorite place in Alabama, and the same place I’m going presently), and taken a 1+ week trip through the Roan Highland area of the AT. Could be better, but it could be a whole lot worse too.

-Howie

Hungry Howie

#14

In a note to Hungry Howie, have you ever done any hiking in the Sipsey Wilderness Area of Bankhead Forest in Northwest Alabama? I noticed that you mentioned Talladega and wanted to recommend the Sipsey. I’m located in North Alabama and really enjoy the Sipsey. Let me know and I’ll be glad to elaborate further.

Lucky One

#15

Yeah, I’ve done some hiking in there. I’ve mostly had bad experiences there…but the last time was a couple of years ago. I should probably give it another shot. I may be headed there (instead of Talledega) in the next couple of weeks…the venue could still change at this point.

I also just realized. I forgot to add in my last post that I’ve also done most of the Pinhoti and a good portion of the Benton Mackaye Trail since the AT (I would have done more, but those damn 804s tore my feet up…NOTHING whatsoever like my precious 803s or 704s).

-Howie

Hungry Howie

#16

Didn’t thru, but sectioned. I try to either dayhike or overnight backpack every week. And strive to do an extended (more than a weekend) hike about every two to three months.

I have no plans or even a desire to completely do another “long” trail, but hope to concentrate on doing all of some shorter trails like the Foothills Trail and Wonderland Trail. Also want to do certain sections of long trails–in particular parts of the North Country Trail in Ohio-Pennsylvania-New York.

“Skyline”

#17

Do you care to elaborate on your bad experiences at the Sipsey? I’ve never had any trouble with locals or anything else when I’ve been there. We’ve parked overnight at the Thompson Creek Trailhead without incident. Truly a beautiful area of waterfalls and rock formations.

Lucky One

#18

I’ve fallen more times in the Sipsey than I did on the entire AT (of course, this was pre-AT…). I fell off of a cliff there once and grabbed hold of the only thing I could…a thorny vine. I spent the next hour pulling thorns out of my hands and arms and then just went home. It sucked. I’ve had one friend nearly die after he fell off of a cliff near the river, and another whose dog died after it fell off of a different one. Nothing to do with locals or anything…just bad vibes and bad experiences.

But like I said, I should go back and give it another shot post-AT.

-Howie

HungryHowie

#19

Stay away from cliffs.

Wise One