​All...It has been my dream to hike the AT Thru. I am in my mid forties now and have 3 kids, wife, mortgage, job. I live 1 hour from Springer (can you believe that and have never been there!!) Several questions:

  1. How many of you have quit your job and just taken it on??
  2. How much did you spend on the thru hike? I have saved enough $ to support my family for a year.
  3. Were you successful (if you quit your job) in finding a job when you were through?
  4. How did you handle the family aspects of being away? Did they meet you every few weeks??

I really want to do it soon. I have most of my equipment ready (need a internal frame pack instead of my old Jansport Frame pack.

Just not sure of the timing in my life. I know each person has their own situations to overcome to do the trail. Just looking for some good dialog and feedback. Thanks in advance for taking time to respond!! Hope to see you on the trail!