Hey fellow thru-hikers, I'm writing an article about the changes your body goes through when you hike 2,000 miles (mainly on the AT, but I'd also love to hear from PCT, CDT, or any other thru-hikers). Would you mind sharing your experience with me? Do you remember how much weight you lost? When you got home, did the weight stay off, or did you gain it all back? Did your feet ache (as much as mine did)? Did you acquire any injuries? Any weird rashes? Any toenails fall off? Anything else I'm probably not even thinking of?...
And then what about the mental aspect? Do you feel like the Appalachian Trail had any effects (either lasting or temporarily) on your brain? Did you find you were calmer, or were less depressed, or had a longer attention span, etc.? And if so, did those changes last when you got back home?
thanks for your help!
Spaceman (NOBO '09)