Originally Posted by
Another Kevin
These are very good words to live by - if you are questioning yourself because of physical condition, or experience, or general "coolness." You don't need to be a world-class athlete to hike the Trail. Just start slower. There's no shame in doing 8-mile days at the start. By the end you'll be in awesome hiking fettle no matter where you started.
But don't extend the words to encompass inconsiderate behaviour. Being scrupulous about LNT practicies is not an "arbitrary benchmark," but should be thought of as the price of admission. You will unaviodably do damage, but try to leave the trail better than you found it.