Teenage Hiking Crisis!?!?

imported
#1

I love to go backpacking, as probably most of y’all do. But my dad and I normally only go on only one trip in the fall and one in the spring because we never have time to go. My dad scheduled a trip for this weekend, but he didn’t know that my homecoming is this weekend. To a high school freshmen, homecoming is very important, but I really love backpacking. Please helo me decide which to go to! I don’t want to let my dad down, because he won’t go without me, but I don’t want to let my friends down by missing homecoming. There’s no other weekend we can go for a long time and by then it will be too cold. What should I do?

Emily

#2

Well Emily, it seems that what you have here is a choice, not a crisis. Life is about choices, and you are the one that gets to make them. You see, its time to grow up and life is presenting you with choices that only you can make, so just make them. I read other posts of yours stating that you want to thruhike the AT, but your parents wont let you. Hmmm… well are you old enough to make a thru hike, but not old enough to make a choice here. Sorry, but asking other people what you should do is for kids. You are on the road to adulthood, and therefore you should start makeing these difficult decisions for yourself. Sorry Im not much help here, but thats life. For me personally, I would do the hike, but Im A Guy, and I didnt like dances anyway. Just my own opinion.

Doc Holiday…(not the AT Doc who normaly posts here.)

Doc Holiday

#3

Your homecoming (and other dances and school events to follow) happens only in your HS years, the trails will wait for you.

But also, like the Doc Holiday said above, you are approaching adulthood and this is a choice you need to make, not others. Either way, I think you would enjoy both.

-xtn

airferret

#4

Oh what I would give to go back to a time where Dances seemed like important things.

Hammock PhD

#5

I would go hiking with my father. You are only a freshman in school, there are plenty of dances left to go to. Memories being what they are you would remember the hike with your father the rest of your life. I can’t even remember the name of the girl I took to my Senior Prom, high school memories are fleeting, family is forever. Good Luck with your decision, and as Doc Holiday said, ultimately it is “your” decision.

Almost Therre

#6

On my final section hike on the AT this summer, I met a wonderful father and son combo. They section-hiked the AT over an 8 year period. They managed to do this by the father’s arranging his vacation time for the dates when his son had school holidays. The son was only ten years old when they started the AT; 18 years old when they completed it. Their trail names were Big Rock and Little Rock. Talk about family memories! I felt privileged to meet them.

Emily, good luck in your decision-making. I would have chosen the Homecoming Dance when I was your age, and I would have been making a mistake according to the values I have now.
Two Hats.

Two Hats

#7

Emily, some things to consider. Not everyone stays nearly as close after high school as they were. I graduated 7 years ago and still live in the same area, yet have an entirely new set of friends. Family is forever though. If the dance is truly that important, go ahead. The trail will be there when you are ready. But if you look at the pros and cons of each side, it might make it easier. Dance: Good time socially, interaction with other people, get better at dancing (I never was any good), etc.
Hike: Physical excersize, quality time with the pops, setting a goal and finishing it.
As a guy, I would totally choose to hike. But I’m also not 15 any more. Hiking might take precedence over social things later on. Just depends on what’s more important.

Josh

#8

I think that spending time in the woods, in nature, is a more lasting and valuable fun than yet another time in town hanging with your friends, even if it is homecoming. If you are into hiking, there will certainly be the time in your life when you feel you have plenty of time with your friends and not enough with Mother Nature. Also, it’s not too cold in winter if you have good warm gear (especially in the south as it sounds like you’re from there). Have fun either way!

zach attack

#9

Wow, y’all gave me a lot of stuff to think about. I’m supossed to decide and tell my dad tonight, and I’m actually pretty sure I’m going with hiking even though it’s snowing in the mountains in VA right now. Thanks for your advice. Keepin’ it real Doc Holiday!!! Oh and yeah zack attack, I’m from the south (I guess the y’all gave it away)!! Thanx ttyl!! :girl

Emily

#10

Good luck Emily whatever you decide! I agree that it’s your “read”…& that if you’re trying to prove that you’re mature enough to go on the trail, you need to be able to make those kind of decisons. Important to know that there’s no black or white “right decision” here; just a kind of weighing it all out.

PS…I recall clearly the angst I felt in trying to decide whether to participate in my HS musical (a bit part, but loads of fun) or participate in Model UN in Washington DC. I chose the musical. Now in my adult life I doubt very much that I’d do the same thing. If I were in your situation, I’d go hiking…tho not cuz of the trail, (as was said, it’s going to be there for a while!) as much as the fact that it’s with your dad. Those kind of memories are often what lasts for literally the rest of your life, not one dance. My thoughts for what it’s worth.

leah

#11

There may be plenty of dances, but there is only one freshman year Homecoming.

Plus, it sounds as if the weather may veto the hiking :frowning:

Wild Hare

#12

What will you look back and feel you missed out on the most?

I think the Dance. The Trails and Trips with your Dad will be there for other opportunities. Some soon, some later.

Hike TO the Dance and dad can hike along-then go home- and make sure your date(if this is appropriate) likes to HIKE. MAKE SURE.

The Domino