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  1. #1
    Registered User Mulungu's Avatar
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    Default When to get the tattoo

    To all the wise hikers out ther ... here is the Dilemma

    my wife (Dandelion) got the AT symbol tattooed on her calf as inspiration for her to finish the thru hike. I say she is wrong

    i say you you can only get the tattoo when you have completed the hike. You don’t wear the T-shirt unless it is earned.

    please help
    The At leaves you breathless and gives you stories to tell. Scatterlings of Africa on a long walk to freedom

  2. #2
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    its her skin----its her tattoo.......

  3. #3
    Wanna-be hiker trash
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    Quote Originally Posted by TNhiker View Post
    its her skin----its her tattoo.......
    Pretty much.

    Personally if I were into that sort of thing I'd opt for making an AT symbol brand out of some wire and heating it in the fire on trail.
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  4. #4
    Wanna-be hiker trash
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    Then again, Baltimore Jack used to say to never buy all your maildrop food ahead of time because if you get injured in Georgia, the last thing you want is to get home and have 3,000 Poptarts sitting in the corner laughing at you. That advice might be applicable to this situation as well.
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  5. #5

    Default

    Hey, as long as it’s schpelled write.

  6. #6

    Default

    If she has to rely on a tattoo to motivate her to keep hiking, it might not go well. It's just a mark on your skin, and will become simply "part of the scenery" after the newness wears off.


    However, I'm sure she has motivations outside the tattoo (or she wouldn't be hiking in the first place), and wish you both the best on your thru.

  7. #7
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    Why not get the line work done as inspiration, then have the color applied to celebrate completion?

    Hmm, I think I might be on to something...

  8. #8
    GSMNP 900 Miler
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    TYOT

    (Unless you're not a tattoo artist, then perhaps you should pay a professional to do it)

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by HooKooDooKu View Post
    TYOT

    (Unless you're not a tattoo artist, then perhaps you should pay a professional to do it)




    thats funny cause i has written out almost the same thing but then deleted it...

    i had more of saying "a scratcher".............which is a term an tattoo artist refers to someone who is just scratching one out on the skin (like prison tattoos)...

  10. #10
    Registered User Christoph's Avatar
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    I met a few that made it to HF and got theirs. Same idea I reckon. Personally, I'll get mine in a week or 2 after having finishing this year. To each his (or her) own I guess, I wanted to wait. Same as ordering the 2000 miler certificate.
    - Trail name: Thumper

  11. #11

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    I don't believe there's anything inherent in the AT symbol that requires the whole trail to be hiked. When I see an AT tattoo I simply conclude that the Appalachian Trail is important to the person with the tattoo. So I am siding with your wife.
    Life Member: ATC, ALDHA, Superior Hiking Trail Association

  12. #12

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mulungu View Post
    To all the wise hikers out ther ... here is the Dilemma

    my wife (Dandelion) got the AT symbol tattooed on her calf as inspiration for her to finish the thru hike. I say she is wrong

    i say you you can only get the tattoo when you have completed the hike. You don’t wear the T-shirt unless it is earned.

    please help
    Hold off on adding the year.
    "Sleepy alligator in the noonday sun
    Sleepin by the river just like he usually done
    Call for his whisky
    He can call for his tea
    Call all he wanta but he can't call me..."
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  13. #13
    Registered User John B's Avatar
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    I think it would be of greater motivation if she got only half of the AT tattoo at the beginning, the idea being that she can't have it finished until she actually finishes the trail.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by John B View Post
    I think it would be of greater motivation if she got only half of the AT tattoo at the beginning, the idea being that she can't have it finished until she actually finishes the trail.
    That's the intent of my suggestion of doing line art now, coloring in later.

  15. #15
    Registered User tawa's Avatar
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    I have the AT symbol on the back window of my truck and have only completed 700 miles thus far---so no big deal.
    Pick your battles---this is small stuff! Encourage her and go with it.

  16. #16
    Registered User swjohnsey's Avatar
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    Never! Tramp stamp.

  17. #17

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    Get a henna, save some dough.

  18. #18
    Wanna-be hiker trash
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    Quote Originally Posted by swjohnsey View Post
    Never! Tramp stamp.
    By definition, all tattoos inspired by vagabonding are tramp stamps.
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  19. #19
    Registered User Old Hiker's Avatar
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    You are seriously telling your wife what she can and can't do?

    BEFORE going into the woods alone together for an extended period of time with NO witnesses?

    Good luck on THAT. I mean, your AT hike, of course.
    Old Hiker
    AT Hike 2012 - 497 Miles of 2184
    AT Thru Hiker - 29 FEB - 03 OCT 2016 2189.1 miles
    Just because my teeth are showing, does NOT mean I'm smiling.
    Hányszor lennél inkább máshol?

  20. #20

    Default

    First- let’s squash the notion that one must be a through hiker to get a tattoo. I know lifelong section hikers (including myself) who have put more time and work into the AT than a one and done through hiker ever will.

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