Section hiker - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Is there a place on the web similar to the thru hikers journal for section hikers? I really want to do the whole thing but I am in a situation where I can’t take 5 to 7 months off. Any information would be helpful

Danny

danny

#2

I cant speak for the thru hikers but as a section hiker having done Springer thru Damascus so far, I can say the advise I have seen here is the best. The old Trailplace site ( Wingfoot’s site) was like this, but apparently was politically edited at times. I think most thru hikers here have the love of the trail first in mind and arent petty about whether or not one has or is doing the whole thing at once. I too, would love to thru hike but job considerations force me to do it in sections. Still, you do at times meet some of the thru hikers along the way. I met Hungry Howie one night at Siler Bald shelter (with my 8 yr old on his first 32 mile hike) and my son still talks about it, especially when he posts here at the site. Some of the things to consider when thru hiking dont apply as much to us sectioners, but much can be learned from those who have done the distance. In some ways, this site is an extension of the shelter registers in the development of the AT hiking community. You may not meet on the trail, but you still get to know many interesting people by their posts here. Ask away, there is someone with an answer to most any question. Happy Trails.

Cutman11

#3

There really seems to be an attitude on this forum, as on others, that section hikers are second class citizens or something. I will be doing 450 miles a year for the next five years because I’m not ready for retirement and can’t take a leave of absence from teaching. That is still long distance hiking! I hope to meet many thru hikers on my journey, and I am looking forward to it.

oldkathy

#4

oldkathy, thru-hikers are just section hikers too. They hike 4-6 days then take a day or two off thus breaking the continuity of a “through” hike. They’re just doing more sections with a short amount of time in between those sections.99.9% of AT users are day/section hikers. MOST thru-hikers never make it. They’re all through before Katahdin.

nobo

#5

I remember our meeting. Tell you son Hello for me. :wink:

oldkathy,

I don’t think thruhikers in general TRY to convey that section hikers are “second class citizens.” I do agree that often times it does happen unintentionaly, however. When I hiked the AT in 2000, I remember looking at it from the perspective of not better than, just perhaps different. Most thruhikers are very proud of their lifestyle. hiking the trail is not the only accomplishment, quitting their jobs, shunning society, the entire experience is what makes it so special.

In retrospect, after finishing the trail and going back successive years, I realize that it does often come off as arrogance and a definate holier-than-thou attitude.

In 2001, I hiked the Long Trail, a 170-mile footpath that shares ~100 miles with the AT in southern VT. While hiking the trail I heard it over and over and over again: “You thruhiking or just doing the LT?” Just…just… It comes over to the section hiker like we’re second-hand citizens, doesn’t it? Having realized how arrogant I had unintentionally sounded just a year earlier, I refused to tell anyone that I had done the AT previously, a claim that few of them could have matched, unless they asked first.

The AT is not a trophy. It is an experience. There are infinite ways to experience the AT, and doing it in your own ways is what is important.

Happy Trails -Howie

Hungry Howie

#6

oldkathy, I am a newbie at backpacking, but have been reading, researching and studying it a lot and will be taking my first serious dayhike this weekend. As others said, thru and sectionists are the same with one exception-thru’s have the luxury of being able to leave society for half a year and live their dream. I will do the same, but must wait until I retire to do so, hopefully in about 7 years. As the ATC says, 2,000 milers are not differentiated between section and thru. If you do it, you do it. To each his own. You are the only one you have to answer to. Good luck and happy trails.

Gramps

#7

Howie, Excellent response to the Section and Thru-hiker statements. I am an AT 2000 miler (section hiker) and thoroughly enjoyed the hike. Yes, I too, heard the words “JUST a section hiker” and it rankled me a bit, but I understood and let it be. Looking forward to being a 2000+miler on the PCT, also. “Ain’t hiking great!”

Take-five

#8

Yep Howie, I was the nut who set up the tent in the shelter, as im sure you remembered. I have since abandoned that craziness as my son has gotten used to the idea that the mice are around but will leave you alone for the most part. Seeing someone go as lite as you were was a real eye opener for my pack. I met a nobo in the smokies later that year named Highlander, from CA, who hiked with the barefoot sisters for 1000+mi the previous year and some guy who thru hiked with only the emergency foil blanket for shelter and sleeping bag, no stove, etc. The extreme ultralight I guess. I think some of the sectioners are a bit sensitive about the whole thing too, tho, maybe some subconciously are just jealous/resentful that they for whatever reason cant be doin the thru hike thing when they are out there.

Cutman11