When hiking, what is the one thing that you found the most discouraging? Or what is the one thing that made you quit hiking?
I know this sounds pesimistic, but I want to know the mental challenges, that try to take people down or do.
Lizz
Quiting - Appalachian Trail
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#1
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#2
We had a few humdingers when it came to getting on each others nerves…over stupid things. Injuries and being able to keep up with friends.
Bramble and Bushwhack
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#3
Not to sound like a complainer but I think my husband and I both found multiple days of continuous rain to be one of the most challenging aspects mentally. It really gets depressing when everything is wet and you just can’t dry off. The skin on your feet turns pruney and gets really tender when wet. Plus you have no views from the overlooks because of the clouds and fog. Of course weather is one of the things you just can’t control on the hike, so you have to learn to deal with it.
Budder Ball
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#4
Budder Ball nailed it. This hike was a dream come to true but honestly i coulda lived without it raining every day from may 3rd to june 14th (not kidding). Not discouraging you, its just part of the Trail.
A-Train
A-Train
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#5
And i just discovered, that is why my photo album thins out from waynesboro until vermont. hmmmm:)
A-Train
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#6
Rain never really discouraged me on my thruhike, but I’ve found that it discourages me a lot more three years later. It’s different for different people. I hiked in 2000 during El Nino and had over 100 days of rain (more than 30 days of continuous rain). I just maintained that I would have to come back and hike the trail again to experience what I missed. On later section hikes, I’ve found that the rain sometimes depresses me (I feel like I’ve already done this rain thing once).
On the subject of the presence of water “thinning” out your photo album…I experienced a similar problem. I have no plictures for northern Mass or sothern Vermont because of this…although not because of rain, just because of jumping into a lake with my camera (forgotten about until 1 milisecond before I hit the water) still in my pocket.
-Howie
Hungry Howie
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#7
Somewhere along the way, hiking became work for me. Yeah, there were great days, and magical moments, but I got tired of the day in & day out. I missed my family too.
I called home from Gorham, NH and was ready to cash it in. My wife got pretty annoyed with me, and said, “So, quit then”. When she put it that way, I decided to keep on keepin on. Turned out I had a stomach bug in Gorham that nailed me when I was in the Mahoosuc Notch. I ended up in Andover, ME for 5 days sick as a dog. Once that passed, I was able to enjoy (in my opinion) the best state on the trail - Maine. “The way life ought to be”.
Little Bear
GA-ME 2000
Little Bear
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#8
(rain+cold)*dayafterday= the toughest part of my hike.
The good thing about it is, when you complete your journey, you are that much tougher. When you realize the things that bother you the most on the Trail (both physically and mentally), and force yourself to overcome them, you can feel yourself change as a person.
I’d still rather hike 12 mi. in the rain than walk thru the parking lot to work in it!
macgyver
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#9
I didn’t really mind the rain most of the time. I did not like thunderstorms though. What was most discouraging to me was that it was soooo much harder than I expected. I knew there were mountains (duh!), but I did not expect so much rock climbing. I expected more of a trail than I found. I guess maybe my idea of a trail is not what the AT is. Warren Doyle says “don’t fight the trail, flow with it”. I didn’t flow when I should have and regret it now.
oldkathy
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#10
I never wanted to quit. It did get to be a job of sorts. You know"Ive got to do 20 miles today" that kind of thing. But then i just said “hold on” I thought about this being the chance of a lifetime that so many dreamed about, but I was doing it. I got a second wind and was sad when it was over. Looking back now, I loved every minute, and wished I was there today!!
Virginian
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#12
Did I think of quiting during my thru? Sure did. But I stuck with it and was so glad thad I did.
I think it’s normal to think about quiting while doing a thru-hike. You just have so much time to think about everything and being some place else enters your mind often. When the hiking is tough, bad weather, bugs, tough climbs, etc. quiting will enter your mind. Somehow the good stuff comes along and the thought of quiting soon leaves. Quiting is a battle that goes on in your mind. You have to overcome it like any other hardship that you endure.
Grampie
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#13
Most of the responses here are from those that have completed the hike. Like the rest, we (Flame and I) had a great hike. Yea it rained, sleeted, snowed… it was hot, cold, buggy and all the rest, but it was a great adventure. There were alot of hikers that quit in GA, NC, TN and Virginia. Of that group I would put them in three categories, (1) injuries, (2) home sick, and (3) just couldn’t hack the day in and day out walking 15 to 20 miles. It was just not their “cup of tea” or as some said “this is not what I thought it was going to be like.” Prepare for and adjust to the trail, the Trail treats everybody the same. It is up to you to make the physical and mental adjustments.
I’m like the Virginian, I wish I was out there now! Flame and I took our grand children hiking and camping for 4 days last week. I hope one of them decides to go do the Trail with Pop before he gets too old!!!
Papa Smurf
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#14
the toughesat times for me were when friends/family came to visit. it was great to see them but it was hard to see them go. but as soon as you start walking you remember why you are out there and you keep on going.
WISE OWL
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#15
For me, the reason behind the thought of leaving the trail is because of all the rain we have gotten over the last week + and will be getting over the next few days. It’s been soooo wet this year. There have been very few rain free days this year. A few days ago we were walking in knee deep water on the trail. Makes things intresting, that’s for sure.
Lizz - Thank you for posting this questions. I am hiking the trail right now and the thought of quitting is starting to become more action than than thought. After reading some of these responses, I now know I have to and want to continue. 
I will regret it if I don’t.
Thank you Grampie for your answer. I needed to hear (or read) just what you wrote to know that my decision to get off the trail was not the right one.
Pushing Up Daisies
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#16
Remember why you’re there. Its all good…for the most part. Nothing a little Ben and Jerrys won’t fix. And every day on the trail is a new door opened and more whacky adventures to play out.:tongue
Bushwhack
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#17
I was quitter this year. For 2 reasons – 1) the typical rain every day, missed my gf and family, and my feet and knees hurt without 8 Vitamin per day. 2) I found that in 600 miles I accomplished everything I set out to do. Katahdin was never as important to me as the adventure and having a good time. I simply wasn’t having fun any more…
Parkway
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#18
I started a winter quilt this spring and have gotten discouraged at times too. Main reasons: broken threads, uneven seams where I have to rip it out and start over, and of course the tediousness of it all every day makes it tiring. But then I keep thinking of how lovely it will look and how soft and warm it will be on chilly nights this fall and winter, and I keep going.
Pocket Full of Daisies
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#19
I just wanted to say a big thank-you to everyone for their input, I never thought it would get such a response and it is helping me understand. Please keep posting.
Lizz