Time for Long Hikes?

imported
#1

Just curious but how does everybody manage all this time off for long hikes? I have been wanting to do the AT forever but am tied down to a job(bummer) and a wife and step kids(no comment). Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Daytripper

#2

Follow your priorities, which right now are your family and job. Mine are different. I never had kids and always lived below my means, so for me, now, it’s easy to leave a job (a career is a job that has lasted too long) and go travel. It may take many years to change those priorities–to raise a child, pay off a mortgage, work to retirement, get a new degree, etc. For me, it took 20 years of hard work and disciplined saving and budgeting to get to a financially secure point. Keep working for the dream, and good luck.

Garlic

#3

Every body has time. It’s what you do with time that matters.
Quit whinning about your job and a wife and freakin’ step kids (a deal breaker IMO) you’re just raising somebody else’s kids.

Quit all that crap and go hike. Man I would hate to be you.

:mad :mad

David Duke

#4

Daytripper, Please IGNORE some of the insensitive remarks that appear on here at times. Garlic is 100% correct that there are always priorities that have to be handled. I think you seem to have yours well in hand. I did the same thing you are now doing. Often felt lucky if I could get in a day hike or an overnighter. Hang in there and take care of things and your time will come also. Some people obviously don’t handle their responsibilities as well as you are doing. Good luck and know that you can look at yourself in the mirror each morning!

Poptop

#5

Kids grow up all too quickly. Time spent with them is so important.

There were times I felt I could hardly wait until I could get out for my thru hike; section hikes just didn’t seem like enough. But now the kids are off on their adventures, and I’m heading out next year for mine!

Hang in there. Your time will come, too.

Second Stage

#6

Well, some people are pure numbskull material…(referring to this idjit who posted a previous reply).

I feel your longings, Daytripper. I want to hike the AT, but a family, job, and other responsibilities have to take priority now. I don’t know if I’ll ever get a chance to do something like a thru-hike, because to shirk my duties elsewhere would be the height of selfishness on my part. But, if I’m fortunate, there may come a day…

Until then I’ll have to be satisfied with section hikes and sharing as much as I can with my children, wife, and friends.

The Orphan

#7

Thanks for everybodies input. I guess the saying holds true there is time for everything and everything has its time! I guess I figured I could hike the AT get discovered by Gregory or NorthFace and they would hire me to hike forever!!! Perhaps not but what a great thought! See you on the trail!

Daytripper

#8

celebrate that diversity:lol

David Duke

#9

They don’t make time. Take advantage while you can walk. You can’t escape anything you put thought toward.

farsang

#10

I work for the state and therefore am limited to a couple of weeks at a time. Starting when my daughter was little we would use school breaks or holiday weekends as a time to get out on the trail. We get in at least 3 section hikes a year! This summer I met a family of 19 who were celebrating their family reunion with a week long hike. This was their 7th year doing a hike. They had kids as young as 11-ish to Grandpa.
So if you want to get out there you can figure a way to do it. Maybe section hikes now…later long hikes. Meanwhile an introduction to the trail can create great memories for the kids and start another generation of hikers.

Happy Trails!

Filly

#11

I just happened to have all the stars align at the same time so I was able to quit my job and take off. When I saw that I had the opportunity I just took it. You’ll know when the opportunity arrives just be ready to take it, until then enjoy your family.

Big B

#12

Filly is right. Not sure where you live, but find a trail close by and hike that even if it is just a day hike. Built up to an over night and then a 2-3 day hike. Take your step kids with you, if that is what you need or want. Make it enjoyable for them and before you know it, you will find a week here or there. When the kids are grown and you have more time, hike the long hike. If your close to the AT start section hiking.

Bilko

#13

Hike with your kids. A three year old can walk several miles. They just do not want to! 10 and 11 year old kids can hike hundreds of miles. I know that some have thru-hiked the AT and JMT at that age.

rambler

#14

First, I read a great book called " Awol on the Appalachian Trail " by David Miller, that I recommend to anyone to read. AWOL hiked the trail in 2003. He decided to quit his job. He also has a three kids and a wife who supported his decision. They even met him a couple of times along the trail to hike with him. It is not common for people our age to thru- hike, I think , but may be something that is beginning to change. I am 32 and I want to thru-hike in 2010. I am very lucky to live so close to the Trail. And surprisingly I didn’t know existed until last year, when I also I was lucky to hike Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Wow! This summer I have taken my days off to hike sections, completing Massachusetts. I have met nice people as well.

Christine

#15

I had to put my long hikes on hold like you, Daytripper, for most of the last 20 years, but I’m preparing to hit the trail again for an AT thru-hike in either '10 or '11. It’s been a long haul behind a desk, but the kids are almost done with college and the mortgage is paid off. The problem with long hikes in retirment, of cours, is that you don’t know how many years of good health you have left. Enjoy life while you can!

Jerry

#16

My family always made it a point to have us learn about nature, that’s just how I was raised. We used to go on hikes on the Appalachian trails in PA where I was born.

I heard of a statistic published by the University of Michigan which said that kids spend about 50% less time outdoors than they did 20 years ago.

I do marketing and my company started a recent campaign with the Ad Council which is promoting outdoor experiences in families with kids. They are partnering with the U.S. Forest Service to increase the average family’s time spent in nature.

They’ve made a pretty good resource for families looking for ways to promote enjoyment in nature with their kids as well. Their “Where the Other You Lives” site is pretty useful. Check out the page: http://youcastcorp.com/discovertheforestlink

I think that kids make for great hiking companions and it will only foster a good relationship with your step kids.

At first when I was growing up we didn’t go far, but as I acclimated to the lifestyle we used to walk for hundreds of miles in the summer. Living that lifestyle has put me in touch with nature even though I now live in a city lol.

Steve

#17

I thru hiked this spring with my son and it was the experience of a lifetime. Convince you boss that it will be an experience that will make you a better person and a better worker and take your step-son along.

Birdman