Random thru-hiker praise

imported
#1

This Post is about nothing. I’m just a rather intermediate mountaineer who for some reason has been lost in thru-hiking dreams for the past month. I first read dozens of the journals on this site, and just now checked in here. Ooooo aaaa, i actually recognize the trail names of some of you guys!

You guys are all-stars. Bask in it for a little bit. For every one thru-hiker, there are a couple thousands of us wishing we were you, and looking at what you do with awe. Cheers.

p.s. 3 weeks is the best i can muster for now, so i’m just starting to plan my John Muir Trail hike for this summer. psyched.

markv

#2

I agree with what Mark has said in this post. I am a beginner hiker and have only done day hikes on the AT in Maryland. I too have been lost in dreams of hiking the entire AT. I first started reading journals back in '03 when a hiker named Mt. Dew had an online jounal posted at www.at2003.com. Then i found this site and was inundated with journals I wanted to read. I am, indeed, one of those thousands of people who envy all of you who have had to opportunity to thru-hike. Hike on!

Jeremy R.

#3

I do presentations from time to time on my thru-hike and the fundraising for autoimmune diseases. I did it yesterday and thought “those people who do the trail are nuts, but man that is an amazing thing to do” Then I realize that for 4 and a half months in 2001, I lived that dream. It is fascinating, as the faces of my students who heard my presentation showed. If I could hike for a living, I would. The thing that I realize is that NOTHING, not even another thru-hike, will be like what I did in 2001. Thanks for reminding us of how fortunate we are, those of us who have been able to live the dream. :girl

windex

#4

I remember when I was hiking into Daleville in '03. It seemed like it had rained for a month straight. It was pouring again that morning, and I was miserable. I just wanted to get to the motel. I was about 3 miles from the road, when I saw kid (he looked about 20) hiking toward us. He had on tennis shoes, shorts, and a tee-shirt. “Oh my god, you’re thru-hikers!” he yelled. “You guys are my heroes! You are living out my dream!!!” He stopped to talk to us for about 5 minutes. It was amazing that this kid was out in a downpour, completely drenched, calling us his heroes. It was a humbling moment.

Thanks again for the reminder, Markv (& Jeremy). Sometimes I take my thru-hike for granted. Enjoy your John Muir hike.

TANK

#5

“Now that you have built your castles in the sky, it is time to put foundations unfer them.” -HDT

Enjoy your JMT hike. Leave your expectations at the trailhead and get ready to be inspired!

Tha Wookie

#6

markv…thank you.

LekiLess