I did my first long hike at age 31, the next at 35 the next at 42, the next at 43, and the next at 49. We’re going hiking again this year for several months (G.E.T. and GDT). So though the body wears down, the desire to be out there doesn’t necessarily stop. My husband is in his 60’s and he still has the desire, and even though the knees have given him a lot of grief, he’s still out there.
Ginny
Having now reached retirement age, I can tell you sincerely
that the long distance hiking bug never leaves. All winter
I wait for this years trailjournals to start. I start laying out the maps for the section of the AT I think I can
manage this time. If it weren’t for the fact of hiking the trail, where would I ever find something as fulfilling?
In betwen times I go geocaching to find some new adventures.:happy
Old Gray Mare
Not your GET – we’re starting the Grand Enchantment Trail tomorrow – 720 miles from Phoenix to Albuquerque.
Ginny
…i did stay at a Holiday Express Inn last night. And i’ve only done the JMT, but still since nobody else has brought this up i will. I’m sure you already have done this, but think about what specifically made you happy (or in retrospect has made you happy) about the trail. There may be regular-life non-trail ways you can replicate or replace what made you happy on the trail, either as a short-term pain reliever, or as a long-term solution.
For me, i cope with all the time i want to be out on the trail by planning. I know that 90% of my plans won’t come to fruition, but for me the focus, goal mechanisms, and puzzle-solving is a big part of the trail appeal. And that’s stuff i can enjoy from home, by reading journals, checking and rechecking mileages, reading historical weather reports, and poring over maps. The other part of the trail i miss is the people, and to some extent i can deal with that by planning little hikes and get-togethers.
For me, it’s tough in advance…i want to do the PCT this year, and it seems to be shaping up as a great year with great people on the trail. When late April comes around, it’s going to suck for me. Hope i can take my own advice.
markv
I was only out maybe 3 weeks, but I still have dreams of meeting hikers that I met along the way.
The dream will be like, “Oh, so and so is hiking this year?” (cause somehow I know its not 2005) “Where are they?”
And then they turn the corner and its a great reunion.
And then I wake up and have to shovel 2 feet of snow and I just want to . . . :bawling
I can only imagine if I’d been out for six months . . . or six weeks!
Kineo Kid
Leif said something –
“I don’t know if its because it’s March, or because we just got a bunch of snow and I thought spring was here . . . but I miss the trail”
A quick way to prove or disprove his theory is to start grilling Southbounders.
And right away, I can’t ever think of anyone mentioning “Katahdin Fever”.
Unless they were a northbounder, but that’s different.
Kineo Kid
What it disproves is not just Leif’s idea, but the entire concept of it being a Seasonal Disorder thing - like the winter blues.
Southbounders, starting when you’d expect them too (summertime), have more than enough daylight (but start losing it immediately).
Their blues would center more around mosquitos . . . and the Whites.
Kineo Kid
Try having two thru-hikers living in one house. It tends to amplify the Springer Fever. Last year we gave in for a month but just can’t this year. Having a wedding messes with hiking. And about once a week I think about how the money spent on one party!!! would have easily funded TWO thrus for both of us. But now we’ve started with the whole thing and can’t stop.
Lately we have taken to distracting ourselves with rock climbing. The climbing community feels alot like the hiking community so that helps. Otherwise we are obsessing over the PCT!
Bubble Toes
Two thru hikers in one house is tough. Rain Queen and I get itchy feet this time of year too. I think the key to the hiking-job thing is to find a job that allows you to balance the two. If not a job then a career that allows you to hang everything up for a while and get out there. Teaching, restauraunts, construction, are a few. Not telling anyone anything new, but you can’t ignore the feelings of wanting to take an extended hike/adventure. If you put it off for too long you just get bitter and what fun is that? Rain Queen and I are both teachers and are looking forward to a cross country bike trip this year. Granted this is not a 5 month endeavor as a most thru hikes are but it is a life long dream and will allow us to live outdoors for the better part of two months…which to me, is what it is all about. We are still searching for our “balance” and hope that the teaching gig is the way to go. Did the restauraunt thing before the AT and PCT, but we are kinda done with that scene - it will be interesting to see if two months scratches those itchy feet. Everyone must find their own hiking/job balance - I think too much of either just burns people out. Interesting thread
jym beam
Sorry, reading this ‘try two hikers in one house thing’ fills me with jealousy. Can’t see how it would be any tougher. You have someone there that understands you. Yep, jealous. 
(I’m green but still happy for you guys)
Apple Pie
It gets a little easier with time unless I read about the trail. I have found that I can’t read outdoor magazines, catalogs, or journals this time of year with an intense desire to take a long walk. I hiked SOBO in 1999 but the spring and the fall always call to me. Spring because I want to get out and hike. Fall becuase I finnished in November with spectacular weather in the south.
Darth Pacman