Unplanned thru-hike

imported
#1

Just about everybody I’ve read about here planned their thru-hikes months and months in advance. Anybody ever just say screw it and quit their jobs and go? I’m at that point. Did it work?

Durnas

#2

Steppenwolf did that last year. I think he made it to Harpers Ferry and left due to injurey.

Nokia

#3

The thing is, you can never plan to the point where you know everything that’s going to happen out there. I’m pretty sure one of the most important aspects of hiking the trail is a robust sense of day-to-day pragmatism anyway, or at least that’s what I’m hoping. I’m starting in ten days, so I’ll let you know.

john

#4

Dumas:

You ask a fascinating question that I’m surprised hasn’t been asked before.

My hike did not require me to quit my job.

Rather, at some point in life I came to realize that there were “natural breaks in the action” of life. Upon realizing this, I began to use those natural breaks to have adventures, as all that was required was to expand the time frame of the “natural break.”

My decision to hike was quite spontaneous. I had a small sum of money, wondered how I could best stretch it out, and was also wondering how I could arrange massive, almost full-time working out.

The thought quietly crept in. Walk the mountaintops for a few months. As I already have equipment my cost will basically be for food.

And just like that I was gone.

And just like that I was in the forest.

A totally different world.

To answer your question: It worked out just fine.

One of the best things I ever did.

And that, I think, is the most common conclusion among long-term hikers of the trail.

Sincerely–Conan.

Conan

#5

On my first AT hike in 1997 I read about the trail, bought the basics or what I thought of as basics and just started my hike in about a months time.
In my life that was deep planing.
Of course my life is a soup sandwitch so not much planing goes on!
I’ve been hooked on the AT ever since.

tybeepete

#6

Just because people think about there thruhikes for years, it doesn’t mean they’re actively planning. It’s more likely to be 6/7 years of daydreaming and 2 weeks of planning.

If you really want to go, believe you have the cash and are reasonably fit, (these can be big ifs) just go for it. I expect that most folks who quit their jobs don’t tell their bosses 'til they really have to anyway.

There’s no need to get bogged down in the whole ‘mail drop and spreadsheet’ thing. Just get a bounce box going for spare gear, this will generally be sent hundreds of miles ahead of you on the trail, and GO!!

Of course, some of us have work/family commitments that will delay an extended period of time on a long trail for years; but, I am aware that many people erect unnecessary obstacles and invented hurdles that effectively sideline their hikes, often under the guise of planning. DON’T DO THIS!

It will probably be one of the best decisions you ever make.

St Rick

#7

Having done all but five miles of a thru hike I can see where little to no planning is necessary. I did no mail drops, though I bounced a couple of times. I think a person could get on the trail with there gear and a wingfoot and be okay. Once you get into the rhythm it’s possible to anticipate where you will be on what day. From that you can develop a plan of resupply. I’m guessing there aren’t any major trails that are amenable to doing it that way, but with the easy town access (in most cases), the AT seems so situated.

Nimblefoot

#8

Three years back, I had planned to hike a section from Georgia to Damascus. When I got to Erwin I decided that I was going for the whole thing. I did have to take a week and move out of and sublet my apartment, but I got back on trail and finished a few months later. Last year I hiked a majority of the PCT with about a month to leave my job, finish “real world” stuff and prepare for the hike. It’s totally do-able.

One of the things that I learned on the AT and That I carried over to the PCT is that you can resupply and re-gear as you go. This is far easier on the AT than on the PCT. Buy wingfoot and figure out where you might want to send food b/c of limited resupply and do it on the trail. For example, there is a large grocery store in hiawasse, so buy some extra food, packgage it up (the USPS flat rate boxes are perfect for this) and send yourself food to Fontana before the smokies, b/c of questionable resupply. or if you find that you will need some new socks or shirt, order them and have them sent to a PO ahead. Campmor and REI and other outfitters all have 1800 numbers. You will have a better idea of your appetite, your cravings, and how large your feet are getting. This is good also because if you do end up having to quit the trail b/c of injury or personal reason, you are not stuck with pounds of nuts and 5 pairs of sneakers.

Money is a definate issue too. While the dollar per mile thing might be fine if your rarely stay in motels or get a burger, I would say that I easily spent double than that.

Good luck with whatever you chose.

njw

#9

Hoss completed his thru in 2004 and he’d never even been camping before Hawk Mountian Shelter! He bought his gear and Wingfoot book on a Wednesday and was on the trail 3 days later.

Brakelight

#10

I left a dummy in my chair at the Indian Point Nuclear plant control room and collected eight checks before they knew I was gone. Just pack up and go! :eek:

CitySlicker

#11

Was it your point that they didn’t know the difference?, lol.

Nimblefoot

#12

I thru hiked the AT in 2001. I made the decision to accompany a friend for the first 4 weeks, three days before she left. I thought I’d just tag along. She got injured - I went on, with the help of a guide book I found on top of a trash can at a trail head…All went well, I loved the adventurous part of it, not knowing what would be on the “menue” after the next town stop. I have decided to approach the PCT next year in a similar way.

jules

#13

In 2002, Hopfrog started at Springer just planning to hike for a couple weeks. Six months later he finished at Katahdin.

Just do it.

Radar

#14

Let me load my pack and I am ready to go. A thru-hike takes slightly more planning than a multi-day hiking trip. You have to plan for your house, car, and employment but other than that you can buy most of your supplies along the way. If you need gear just stop at Mountian Crossings in Georgia and they can hook you up with the last hiking gear for a price. You don’t all the latest ultra-light gear but it does help.
If you don’t have a job you love, a house or car payment, and a few thousand dollars saved up then go for it. Just remember to hike your own hike.

Darth pacman

#15

Ride off into the sunset man… don’t bother looking back. So much hype is made about gear, about… $ And about planning. Hands down… Get to Springer and go. Follow the blazes. If you get stuck or need advice there are plenty of hikers along the way, also good people with experience at Hostels and towns. Last year I hiked the 1st 480 miles on $330. While it was frugile, It was still a GREAT hike. Ive spent 5 seasons as a trips leader and outdoors guide. Ive had about the best clothing and gear $ can buy. And yet I khike with a $4 sweater from goodwill and my 3 year old boots. Just go… Just go and be tru to that small voice inside you… it’s just gonna get louder. And seriously… just pack & go

Ride off into the sunset man… Enjoy it out there!!!

~KTR8)

KTR