IAT and GA>ME<GA

imported
#1

So I have got the most of my planning out of the way and now the 2.5 month wait till I can really hit the trail is killing me. Not to sound to bold, but I have the whole year at my disposal in 2003 and I am thinking maybe I will hike to Maine and then hike back home, but also in my extreme need for input a guy on this forum had mentioned the IAT into Canada. So checking this out it sounds rugged and a hell of a way to cap a trip. Does anybody have first hand experience with either a GA>ME<GA run or the IAT.

Bono

#2

OOPS longwinded.
Does anyone have firsthand experience with GA>ME<GA Run or the IAT

Bono

#3

GA>ME and Back to GA
or the IAT. (I hike better then I type)

Bono

#4

Just start walking. When you feel like stopping, stop. Doesn’t matter whether you’re in Virginia on the way there or in Virginia on the way back.

Grimace

#5

You should concentrate on just getting through the state of Georgia on the AT before thinking about the IAT or starting in Florida. MOST folks never make it to Maine. You might find within a week that you don’t like hiking. Thru-hiking is a lot different than just being in the woods and enjoying “nature”

Lone Wolf

#6

Certainly Lone Wolf & Grimace make a valid points. Historically, 85% to 90% of people who start a thru-hike don’t finish. So, in that context, let’s get the AT done first, and then make a decision on yo-yo or do the IAT.

If you are looking for something to do before the AT, then do some shake down hikes.

Peaks

#7

Don’t expect too much. Long distance hiking is a different
animal from even a two week hike.
Shakedown hikes/training are good ideas.
Tha AT’s more work than most people think.
Think continuous hills…

Scamp

Scamp

#8

After 3 or 4 weeks, most hikers are in good physical shape, possibly the best physical condition of their lives, or at least in a long time.

But, after this, a couple of things start to happen. First, a typical thru-hiker needs about 4000 calories per day. And, if you aren’t eating well enough, then the calories come from our body fat. At a certain point, all this body fat is gone, and then you are just plain hungry all the time, and have no energy. So, people loose interest in the trail and drop off.

Second, people quit the trail for all kinds of reasons. Some run out of money, some get injured. But, by in large, most drop off the trail because of mental reasons. They run out of will, they miss the comforts of home, they miss family, the trail was not what they expected, the daily routine gets to them, etc.

Certainly the trail is demanding. There are a lot of mountains to climb, and so forth. But hikers get into condition for that. Predominately, people quit the trail for other reasons.

Peaks

#9

The question was in regard to someone with experience doing IAT and any relevant knowledge they would care to share this humble hiker, the same in regard to a GA>ME<GA hike and the mental riggors and challengees in returning. NOT the stats and probabilities of my failure to complete a thru-hike. I am quite aware of the failure rate. My fear is hike stopping illness, mainly lyme desease. No disrespect to you guys who have done a GA>ME but if you have no info on the subject and just want to rant on failure then save the keystrokes.

Bono

#10

Your post was exceptionally infomative AND enlighting. Real info I can use.

Bono

#11

Bono, Sorry if I offended you. I was merely trying to focus on my experience as a long distance hiker. I completed a thru-hike of the AT, but not without a lot of pain, both physical and emotional. When I finished, I was ready to be finished. Responsibilities at home, family, friends, finances, physical ailments are all forces that conflict with trail life and are forces that would have ended my journey after 5 months whether I was on Springer or not. It is my attitude that you should take the first step and experience your rewarding journey, no matter where it takes you, rather than planning and scheduling your year off to the T.

I think we are all just trying to give you realistic expectations. It takes an extremely determined person to complete a thru-hike. It’s gonna suck for you to invest 2.5 months of your life researching something and planning for something you might not feel like doing after 2200 miles or even after 200 miles. Just my 2 cents…

Your request for info on the IAT…
http://www.internationalat.org/SIAIAT/
There is a list of people on the this site who have complted thru-hikes. Look them up.

Also, 2 days before your post Linguini wrote in from Cape Gaspe after finishing the IAT. Why don’t you send him an email?

Lastly, read your last two posts again. Being a prick isn’t going to make you any friends on the trail. Trust me, you’re going to need friends while you’re out there.

Grimace
ME->GA '01

Grimace

#12

The point made on not being a destination hiker could not be more true. I am finding that it sucks the enjoyment from the Backpacking experience. I admit I am the type who sometimes must find things out for myself regardless of popular thought or advice. (Take my boots for example, heavy)

But I digress…
I am still seriously looking at a longer journey and would appreciate any insight on what is south and north of the AT. I have found some sites that are pretty good, but would like to hear firsthand from the guys (and ladies) that monitor this site. A chat would be ideal.

Bono