"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
lol, i'm not, what i meant was that you guys r so awesome, that i wish i could do some of the stuff that you do.
Important Notice:
Due to recent budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sincerely,
The Government
David just keeping learning, reading good books, studying, make the grades, honor Mom and Dad and hike when you can...you're gonna do just fine and do even greater things. Glad you're on here.
P.S. That's my son with me on our hike on my avatar - we did the whole AT. He was 16 (turned 17 in Maine)
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
yes, well... I am in awe of the dedication of these determined hikers, so their dedication is worthy of awe, but we all should be looked upon with equal respect (unless proven useless and banned)
Important Notice:
Due to recent budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sincerely,
The Government
Some knew me as Piper, others as just Diane.
I hiked the PCT: Mexico to Mt. Shasta, 2008. Santa Barbara to Canada, 2009.
distance is key, to get a key, i need to have a permit, when i have a key, i can go distance.
-David
Important Notice:
Due to recent budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sincerely,
The Government
Jonnycat,
I think you hit the nail on the head. Prepare for the worst and the rest will take care of itself. That's what we did in the fire service and it carried us through many a rough time. It is, however, a hard concept to understand that someone would just be reading the paper one day and say, "Oh, by the way, I'm leaving to thru-hike the AT tomorrow", then get up, go to Wally World and buy all the equipment they need in one fell swoop. I think that is setting yourself up for failure. There are exceptions to the rule and for some folks it may be that simple. For me, I will absorb all the knowledge I can get prior to beginning my attempt in 4-5 years, including several multi-night hikes. But no matter what one does, there's always going to be curveballs thrown your way. But bottom line, there is no right or wrong way, only your way. 'Nuff said.
pffff come on guys, you aint something special....like i've been told so many times; it's just walking, you guys aint nothin special!! if you feel it thru your body then you might be a little different but you aint better than the rest!! everybody feels like they can conquer the world thru a thru hike but what do they really have???? everytime you think that you can do it; the chances are you can't!!! alot of you guys can't even get thru the average day life; hence the reason you feel you need to walk!! what ever it seems it's not!! there are plenty of challenges in life that will push you to the limits, dont expect that you will solve all your problems walking thru the woods!!
i hate to be the bearer of bad news but you just aint cut out for it!! why?? well the thing is, is that most people really dont like the idea of being different! it sounds great but when it comes down to it everyone just wants to be like everyone else; dreams are wonderful, but what do they really mean?? it doesn;t really matter how you look at the situatuion you still can't see what is the truth! Why? because the truth hurts!!! there aint nobody who really likes the truth put in front of them!!!! walk all you want but you're not going to get any further then you would if you really knew who you were!! i'm just saying that play all the games that you want; if you know that you can compete, then all the power to you! for those that try and can't; well i'm sure there are other things you can entertain yourself with! Dont think for one minute that anybody that can walk is better than anyone that can't; just think about everybody that has the opportunity!!
the lick of life is all we have, dont feel that you are more entileted than me!!
Grandma Gatewood :On one of her hikes, at least, she used a shower curtain as a raincoat and protection while sleeping (she did take advantage [in a nice way] of the kindness of strangers and slept in houses, garages, sheds, etc. as well as shelters along the trail.
Earl Shaffer: He never hiked in socks. He poured vegetable oil inside his boots, rubbed it in, and put them on his bare feet.
Just a couple of interesting factoids.
As I live, declares the Lord God, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn back from his way and live. Ezekiel 33:11
Is this guy for real? If so, who the hell does he think he is? I've heard some real wack-os in my life, but he definitely is near the top. Fella, I'll assume you're making comments out of sheer ignorance. I don't believe hardly anyone thinks they are better than anyone else. People walk/hike because they want to prove something to themselves, not anyone else. And as to being able to cut it in real life, I've already done that 3 times over. Thru-hikers are not out to conquer the world, just see more of it. And anyone who doesn't succeed isn't a failure. Why don't you get off your fat rear in your yatch and do something for once? Nobody really gives a horse's patootie what you think anyway. Better still, why don't you stick your johnson out there and let the sharks have it?
(Note to mods: sorry about the outburst, but I hear enough idiots in my life that sometimes I just go off. My apologies!)
I agree with all of the above statements. A Whiteblaze hiker is probably more likely to complete the trail because they will be less likely to make certain gear mistakes... such as starting with 65+ pounds of car camping equipment. Some of these folks will tough it out, others buy new gear at Neels Gap, but many others just go home.
This may only affect a small percentage of hikers, but it's definitely something.
Over the years, I'd say that Whiteblaze has been directly responsible for a great deal of successful thru-hikes
My Web Site: Parkaymaps
that was one part of what i was asking for... i wasnt looking for someone to say that people make it on thier own or that i'm not going to finish just bcuz im sittin on whiteblaze (its true though. if i sit here, ill never get a hike. if i get up, ill b able 2 hike atleast a little.)
Important Notice:
Due to recent budget cuts, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Sincerely,
The Government
i'm not really quite sure that my above post came out the right way! i admire all thru hikers and believe they are a tenacious and courageous breed! i only hope to be half as tough as most of the people walking along the trails! now in regards to my earlier post; i think what i was trying to say is that anybody that that thinks they can read a whole lot of information and think they can do it, can't! i think i was trying to get across is that there is a special breed of people out there that don't even realise what it is about them, that they can complete anything they set their minds to. they dont know what it is in side them they just feel it. what i said earlier wasn't out of ignorance it was just wrongly expressed and i do apologise for getting such a rise. next time i've had a few too many, i'll try and chose to keep my mouth zipped up!
sorry Gramps........ but do you mind if i keep my johnson away from the pointy end
I'm awesome.
This was an excellent attempt at replicating a Matthewski post. Major mistake: too many words spelled correctly.
Plenty of people have finished thrus with 65+ pounds of car camping equipment. The mistake would be trying to carry the car.
Okay, here's another question: If it is all about attitude & perseverance, then why has the % completion rate changed?
It used to be that of those that attempted an AT thru-hike, only 10% would make it. Successful thru-hikers were called "10 percenters."
But according to the AT conservancy figures, in the last 10-15 years it seems that closer to 20% make it.
Why is that?
Obviously, no.
As a side note, I am constantly amazed at the number of folks that I meet in the back country that do very little research. Anywhere. Maybe its my personality, but I like to, at least, have some idea what I looking for when I go to a store, new trail, etc. I can understand this behavior 15 years ago when it was harder to find information, but now 10s on google...
But then, this seems to be quite common in other areas as well. Recently, I've been looking for a new cell phone. I go to a store, and 99% of the time, the salesperson doesn't mention anything other than "the looks" or the "the price" of the device. They don't have a clue how to sell it. Or understand any of the devices real features that make it "better" than another phone. Which makes me think we have way too many impulse buyers out there....
Yellow Jacket -- Words of Wisdom (tm) go here.
Excellent point. I've pondered that, too, and my guess is that it's at least partly because of the use of more appropriate gear for a thru hike (lighter pack and shoes, for instance). Why has this usage increased? In my experience, it's mainly word of mouth out on the trail (look at how many people refit during their hike), but certainly internet forums have something to do with it, for some at least.
One related issue--I think one of the driving forces behind the availability of lightweight gear is the adventure racing phenomenon. There is actually prize money there, and that drives competitors to seek an edge. Those competitors spend big bucks on entrance fees, travel, support, etc, so a few thousand on gear is no big deal, and manufacturers market to and sponsor them. Then hikers have access to 5-oz ice axes, better running shoes, UL shelters, etc.
"Throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence." John Muir on expedition planning