Is there such a thing as a professional hiker? With the thought of "if you love your job you will never work another day of your life" I wonder who or how many have figured a way to make hiking their job. Obviously Ridge Runners and Park Rangers spend much of their time on the clock in the woods, but what other ways could one become a professional hiker?
My entrepreneurial mind never take a day off and these are the things I wonder while trekking in silence. Immediately I think about Philmont, which I believe is on a state park. Why are there not more of these? A high adventure type camp with experienced "pro's" leading the way teaching good habits and helping with problems. This seems like a descent business model. If there is a slack pack company who will help you thru Georgia with nothing more than a light day pack (they even supply one to you), why not a hiking guide company on the major US trails.
Is money making and hiking two completely separate things? They can't be, most of the cottage companies are hikers who came up with a better solution to a problem.
This will clearly take a few more miles to figure out.