Folks:
My attempt this year at a thru-hike was foiled by a pre-existing injury which seems to be healing(slowly). I am considering making another try in '07. Anyone had any experience with a second try? Any problems related to such an idea?
Rattler
I would think that a second try would be the same as a first other than the waiting for next year
Virginian
My first try ended because of a family crisis Second try a foot infection I’m going to try again, so will I finish? I hope so but the hiking is the oject I’ve hike other trail but still have this obsession with the AT the anticipation seems as high and the only change I plan is not to hike the approach trail this time and no dog as I lost my shepard and won’t get another. Happy feet.
cowboy
Just do it!! Hike the AT!! It doesn’t matter if you’ve tried 15 times…how many times did we all fall down before we learned how to walk…and obviously you can walk! Go for it!!!
Michele
It depends, really. Are you, or will you be, ready for a second try the next year? And by that I mean, mentally, physically, and financially. All three have to be there in order to successfully complete a thru-hike.
I’ve tried 2 years in a row - the first did not specifically end with an injury, but I did incur an injury that kept me off the trail for a little while, and killed my momentum. The second time, ultimately, ended due to a death in the family, but my heart was certainly not as into it as my first attempt. I decided on the second attempt at the spur of a moment, however, and didn’t give myself the time to mentally prepare for getting back out and attempting a thru. So, I don’t think I would have had a successful thru-hike the second year, had I not been brought home for the family emergency that ensued.
The next time I get out there, I will be as mentally, physically, and financially prepared as I can possibly be. It doesn’t guarantee success, but then I know that is much harder to attain when you go into it unprepared.
If you’re ready, go for it. By all means. However, make sure you’re ready to go out again, and don’t let stubbornness or impatience decide for you.
bearbait
I know the feeling, man. I did a third in 04, got injured, and did a full thru in 05, re-covering the miles. Pretty much if you liked hiking the AT the first time you’ll like hiking it a second.
Covering the same miles was tough in some ways, but I’m glad I did it, and no doubt, when I finally got to Katahdin the accomplishment became all that much sweeter.
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