View Full Version : Young Hiker
Bob Baker
05-10-2005, 22:20
Me and two friends of mine are in the process of planning an 06 thru-hike of the AT. I will be 16-17 during the hike and my friends will both be 17. I was wondering what are the youngest through hikers you have heard of/met. Thanks Alot
Me and two friends of mine are in the process of planning an 06 thru-hike of the AT. I will be 16-17 during the hike and my friends will both be 17. I was wondering what are the youngest through hikers you have heard of/met. Thanks Alot
I hiked with 3 different 17 year old thru-hikers in '00. Whiteblaze's very own Hungry Howie, Backdraft, and Wholesome. They were three of the nicest folks I met all year. They all made it to Katahdin too.
A youngster finished with their parents several years ago. Don't remember the details. My husband thru hiked with a family of 4 on his way to Maine. Never found out if they finished. hikerwife
A youngster finished with their parents several years ago. Don't remember the details. My husband thru hiked with a family of 4 on his way to Maine. Never found out if they finished. hikerwife
I think the youngest thru hiker was 6 when he started, seems to me he is mid 20s now. I used to have his e-mail, had a copy of the backpacker story on him, looked for it for months, lost it and his name / addy. :datz
16 - 17 aint too young. However, as you are undoubetly aware, teenagers (especially the male version) have an almost unending appetite. Almost all thru hikers double their appitites or more. Just be ready for that, K. :jump
Doctari.
I think the youngest thru hiker was 6 when he started, seems to me he is mid 20s now. I used to have his e-mail, had a copy of the backpacker story on him, looked for it for months, lost it and his name / addy. :datz
Doctari.
If I recall correctly, he is an member of Whiteblaze. Isn't everyone though? :D
The Solemates
05-11-2005, 10:44
I think the youngest thru hiker was 6 when he started, seems to me he is mid 20s now. I used to have his e-mail, had a copy of the backpacker story on him, looked for it for months, lost it and his name / addy. :datz
16 - 17 aint too young. However, as you are undoubetly aware, teenagers (especially the male version) have an almost unending appetite. Almost all thru hikers double their appitites or more. Just be ready for that, K. :jump
Doctari.
we met him at white house landing in maine on our thru. he was attempting a SOBO, but made it less than 200 miles before dropping out. i forget his name, but he is probably almost 30 now.
there is a family of 3 with a 10 year old on the trail now. they started at springer and are somewhere around damascus by now. they are going quite slow, but making steady progress. check trailjournals for "oblivious."
MileMonster
05-11-2005, 12:07
The Witcher family from the Roanoke area hiked in 2002 with their 11 and 8 year old children. You can find articles on them in the archives section of the Roanoke Times.
Kerosene
05-11-2005, 12:47
Age isn't the issue as much as lack of parental supervision. If you guys are mature and don't take a lot of stupid risks (even supposedly mature males take risks that look stupid to others in our society), then you should be fine. I did week-long section hikes starting when I was 15 with other 15-year olds and we did fine despite our lack of hiking experience. Of course, your moms are going to go crazy after a week or so, in which case, arrange to have them meet you every month or so with a food cache!
the family a couple years ago Mom dad and four children maine to georgia the kids where 10 yr +8 yr + 6 yr + 2yr old I beleive but not sure...
Me and two friends of mine are in the process of planning an 06 thru-hike of the AT. I will be 16-17 during the hike and my friends will both be 17. I was wondering what are the youngest through hikers you have heard of/met. Thanks Alot
If you are thru hiking without a parent/adult with you, I would say that 16 would be about the youngest age for a boy. (17 for a girl)
Panzer
I met a 17 year old hiking with his 13 year old brother. They seemed to be doing just fine, both respectful and trail savvy, they showed me how to wash (and rinse) my clothes (away from the source) in a large ziplock bag!
I'm not sure if they hiked the entire trail but I'm fairly sure they hiked atleast half of it.
I just came up with a "Problem" (sorry!!)
Well, a possible one:
You are both underage, "unable to make your own decisions" at least leagaly. BUT, perhaps you can carry a letter or other document from your parents/guardians stating to the effect that you have their permission to seek healthcare (& whatever). Any lawyers have thoughts on that?
Yea, a hassle. Didn't say I agreed with it, still think you should go for it.
Oh yes; the 6 YO thru hiker I was talking about was a NOBO, hiked with his mom & step dad, took 9 months but he made it all the way. As did mom & dad, because HE refused to let them quit.
Doctari.
Youngblood
05-13-2005, 10:56
Are there going to be any problems renting motel rooms because of their ages?
the family a couple years ago Mom dad and four children maine to georgia the kids where 10 yr +8 yr + 6 yr + 2yr old I beleive but not sure...
I believe that's right....