Singles on the trail

imported
#1

OK, theres a thread about couples hiking the trail. How about singles? Have any of you ever hooked up with someone on the trail. Did it work out after you stopped hiking. What were the obsatacles in the way of a relationsihp?

Bachelor

#2

We passed sobos Caveman and Spike in '01. Caveman was south bound through Hanover and Spike was going to school there. He popped the question, “Wanna go for a walk?” She dropped school and headed south. They got married after the hike.

Bushwhack

#3

It’s a great dating seen for a single woman but men well the averages are against you. Women are about 20% of the hikers and most of them have boyfriends/ Husbands hiking with them. However, I do know one couple who meet on the trail in 2001 and they’re still dating.

Darth Pacman

#4

I started my 2000 AT thru hike solo but meet my partner Belcher at the NOC. We finished the hike together and here we are planning to do the PCT in two months.

Puck

#5

In 2000 there were couples that came together, left together, met on the trail, broke up on or after there hike.Im attending a wedding in 2 weeks of a couple who initailly met in2000. As stated before single woman are definetley in the minority, it seemd like wherever there was single woman there be 20 guys, at least in the beginning. If you dont find your love on the trail, theres always next year.

Chef

#6

We met and knew several singles that met on the trail. Two we know of are making plans for it to become permanent. But, very few have the time or inclination to find romance on the trail. You are more concerned about miles, food, water and shelter. There is something about walking 20 miles in 90 degree weather for several days, no bath, dirty clothes, dirty sleeping bag… that has an impact on finding romance. You will enjoy your hike, romance or not.

Papa Smurf

#7

At one point I was hiking with a group of 8, including me. Three couples ended up forming within that group - two of the couples got married and 10 years later are still together. The other couple was not able to reconcile very different off-trail lives (east coast v. west coast), though they did try for a while.

As Chef said, it happens both ways. Some couples find that 24 hour a day togetherness is too much, others find it a good way to really get to know each other. I’ve seen relationships made and relationships broken, and a few who went from one trail partner to the next without a qualm. I’ve also seen couples who got together on the trail who discovered a year or two later that although they hiked very well together, their off trail goals or lives were too different and they couldn’t maintain the relationship. And some are only looking for a partner for the duration of the hike and have no desire to continue the relationship later.

I certainly wouldn’t expect to find someone out there, but for a few of us, it doesn happen.

Spiritwalker

#8

Lots of married folks who leave a spouse at home end up meeting someone on the trail and cheating on them. I’ve seen that a LOT in 16 years. Oh the book I could write! “As the Trail Turns”.

Lone Wolf

#9

Unfortunately, you’re right. Being apart for six months, especially if the marriage already has problems, can be too much. And the soap opera aspect is true too. With the trail grapevine, it is amazing how fast the stories spread. I’m sure there was a lot of gossip about us as we hiked. And we heard our share about others, sometimes it was even true! (i.e. remember Moses?)

Spirit Walker

#10

I had one guy say he didn’t like what I did in my journal. I would mention the trailnames of people I was with at the shelters at night or met along the way for that matter. He was pursuing two different female hikers and I think he was afraid I would expose him. It was common for hikers to read other hiker journals at the libraries in town. You can get an idea where people are that way. He was a fast hiker so he could keep things going.

Two Scoops

#11

You guys are really starting to worry me…my boyfriend is thru-hiking the at…i am suppossed to meet him in damascus, am i suppossed to be thinking…after 31/2 years he is cheating on me and it is common…

V

#12

I haven’t read the thread yet, but to respond to your post…don’t worry about it. Not every guy is a horny, sex-hound.

 Well, ok.  Most are.  BUT...the good news is, many are also LOYAL horny sex-hounds.  Guys who wouldn't DREAM of cheating on their girlfriend of 3½ years.  

 Now, I don't know your boyfriend, but thru-hiking the AT is NOT spring break in Cancun.  Are you supposed to be thinking that your boyfriend of 3½ years is cheating on you while thru-hiking the AT??  No.

Leki-Less