This is ALL really great advice, on both sides of the equation. My brain would tell me to take the job, save, and pay off my debt, but keep planning a hike (and section hike for now if you can). My heart would tell me you only live once, you have the freedom, go and hike!

I'm a single mom and am section hiking until my son is finished high school in four years. I have a desk job that is ok, but not what I want to be doing, so I just downsized my house, paid off debt, shrank my budget, simplified my life and am putting myself in a position to be able to do whatever I want in four years: finish the AT, hike other trails, get a job in an outdoor-related field, etc.