what are you giving up to hike the trail?

[achangeincourse]

"your sanity may require and imediate emergency hike. it can only be declaired by you. as fellow hiker, i give you leave to hike sir. gentelmen, fire your packs, hike at will".

that has got to be one of the greatest quotes i've ever heard

[Pages]

i originated this post just about two years ago, and have yet to hike the trail.
two more years have passed while fears of an unknown and insecure future if i "leave everything behind to hike" have paralyzed me and kept me from trying to achieve a life-long dream. last year i was 52 and i watched as the class of 2010 set out. this year, at 53, i'm watching as the class of 2011 set out.

i have resigned myself that i WILL BE DAMNED IF I AM GOING TO BE WATCHING AGAIN IN 2012. I will not be watching. I will be hiking.

thanks everyone for all their replies and thoughts in this thread. it has provided much inspiration.