Getting Off

[Monkeywrench]

A question for those of you who started a thru in the past and got off the trail before completing your hike: Why did you get off?

I know the odds are against completing a thru and I am just trying to do what I can to improve my odds. I figure knowing why others got off and trying to prepare, either physically or mentally, can only help. In addition to knowing why you got off the trail, I'd like to hear what you think now. Do you regret your decision? Do you now think you could have stayed on if you had [rested for a couple days / seen a doctor / not listened to that other person / taken the advice of your fellow hikers / called home more often / ???????]?

[Lone Wolf]

A question for those of you who started a thru in the past and got off the trail before completing your hike: Why did you get off?

wasn't fun anymore

[_terrapin_]

Agree with LW. Actually, it was only a few weeks after meeting LW.

[Wise Old Owl]

wasn't fun anymore

Agree with LW. Actually, it was only a few weeks after meeting LW.

Hmmm something going on here...

[fiddlehead]

I believe that if you know you are going to finish (when you start) then you will finish.

If you are not sure, your chances are not so good.

[modiyooch]

I got off due to weather. It was 1980 and there wasn't much advice to be found while I was planning. I was 21 and definately waited too late in the year to get started. I'm still working on that trail, but I am enjoying each trip. I moved to NC in 1981 to be closer to the trail to accomplish my goal. I notice the thru hikers that concentrate on high mileage everyday, and it makes me think that their only goal is to reach the finish line. Are they enjoying their hike or are they just trying to get it over with? It seems to be another "rat race" but different venue. If you get to the point where you are just trying to get it over with, I would reevaluate why you are even out there. Then there is the thru hiker that has to quit. They beat themselves up over the fact that they have to quit, but don't realize that they have accomplished so very much to reach the point where they quit. What they have accomplished is admirable. It should be a trip of memories, not regrets because you didn't finish in one season. And I really can't relate to the ones that start completely over at Springer because they had to quit somewhere inbetween. Personally, I want to see the rest of the trail AND I WILL eventually get there. And when I do, I don't feel that I have achieved any less than the thru hiker because I had to do it in sections. Everyone's hike is unique. Enjoy it.

[Lyle]

I got off due to weather. It was 1980 and there wasn't much advice to be found while I was planning. I was 21 and definately waited too late in the year to get started. I'm still working on that trail, but I am enjoying each trip. I moved to NC in 1981 to be closer to the trail to accomplish my goal. I notice the thru hikers that concentrate on high mileage everyday, and it makes me think that their only goal is to reach the finish line. Are they enjoying their hike or are they just trying to get it over with? It seems to be another "rat race" but different venue. If you get to the point where you are just trying to get it over with, I would reevaluate why you are even out there. Then there is the thru hiker that has to quit. They beat themselves up over the fact that they have to quit, but don't realize that they have accomplished so very much to reach the point where they quit. What they have accomplished is admirable. It should be a trip of memories, not regrets because you didn't finish in one season. And I really can't relate to the ones that start completely over at Springer because they had to quit somewhere inbetween. Personally, I want to see the rest of the trail AND I WILL eventually get there. And when I do, I don't feel that I have achieved any less than the thru hiker because I had to do it in sections. Everyone's hike is unique. Enjoy it.

This is all true, I agree whole heartedly. I also agree with Lone Wolfs very succinct. "wasn't fun anymore". Two ways of saying the same thing.

Gee, not often I get to say I agree with Lone Wolf!!

[Jack Tarlin]

The main reason people get off has nothing to do with boredom, loneliness, injury, lack of money.

Like Wolf said, people quit when they're no longer having a good time.

Or to put it a different way, people quit because the Trail fails to live up to their expectations, and this is often because people had unrealistic expectations from the outset. The Trail tends to be overly glamorized, and all these NOVA or National Geographic specials, or attractive articles in glossy outdoor magazines, well this only helps portray a not necessarily true picture of the realities of life on the Trail for six months.

I think the Trail proves a lot tougher than most people (both in terms of mental and physical challenges) are expecting. And when it gets too tough, people go home.

[jersey joe]

I agree with Jack, most people that drop off the trail do so because they had unrealistic expectations at the outset.

Also, it takes a decent amount of hard work to complete a thru hike, it isn't ALL fun. Many people can't handle the hard work involved, stop having fun and drop off.

[_terrapin_]

Also, it takes a decent amount of hard work to complete a thru hike, it isn't ALL fun. Many people can't handle the hard work involved, stop having fun and drop off.

That's a good point. But not so much "can't handle" as "choose not to."

There's a natural urge to use our free time to be lazy and not work too hard. Nothing wrong with that. It's more than a bit weird to want to use your free time on something that's going to involve a lot of hard work and discomfort. At the start of a thru-hike, the freedom and sense of adventure are powerful, and doubts are easy to suppress.

Some folks, after a few days or weeks or months on the trail, re-evaluate the balance sheet and decide that whatever they're getting from the trail just isn't quite worth the work and discomfort.

[jersey joe]

That's a good point. But not so much "can't handle" as "choose not to."

There's a natural urge to use our free time to be lazy and not work too hard. Nothing wrong with that.

I personally think that there is something wrong with choosing to fail to meet a goal that you set for yourself because you are lazy and don't want to work to hard.

[Lone Wolf]

I personally think that there is something wrong with choosing to fail to meet a goal that you set for yourself because you are lazy and don't want to work to hard.

it's just hiking. katahdin is just a mountain

[jersey joe]

it's just hiking. katahdin is just a mountain

You can pretty much say "it's just" about anything...not putting value in anything would make for a pretty miserable life. Thru hiking the AT is a pretty good accomplishment in my book.

[_terrapin_]

I personally think that there is something wrong with choosing to fail to meet a goal that you set for yourself because you are lazy and don't want to work to hard.

Not saying you're right or wrong -- just that it's not your call to decide what folks do with their time, or their lives.

[4eyedbuzzard]

I personally think that there is something wrong with choosing to fail to meet a goal that you set for yourself because you are lazy and don't want to work to hard.

No matter how hard you try to spin it, it's a 6 month vacation from the real world. Lots of leisure activities require dedication and hard work. The trail isn't unique in that regard. And plenty of people choose not to follow through on their leisure and recreation plans. If it's that important to you, and you prove something to yourself by doing it, fine, but for 99.9% of people hiking is something they do to have fun. For most who attempt a thru hike the thrill and novelty wears off within the first month or two. To continue on, miserable for 3 or 4 more months, while they are supposed to be enjoying themselves is pointless. People find thru-hiking interesting, and they'll congratulate you on your personal accomplishment but there ain't no tickertape parade or prize. It ain't worth being miserable over.

You can pretty much say "it's just" about anything...not putting value in anything would make for a pretty miserable life. Thru hiking the AT is a pretty good accomplishment in my book.

Compared to what? A shorter hike? Sure. To an education, a career, raising a family, serving one's country, contributing to one's community? Things that take an entire lifetime, not just 5 or 6 months? Hiking is a selfish pastime. Sorry, but it's way down my list of life accomplishments.

[Sly]

I personally think that there is something wrong with choosing to fail to meet a goal that you set for yourself because you are lazy and don't want to work to hard.

If your only goal was to reach Katahdin maybe you're the one that failed.

[_terrapin_]

If your only goal was to reach Katahdin maybe you're the one that failed.

Ouch. That's a bit harsh.

[jersey joe]

Not saying you're right or wrong -- just that it's not your call to decide what folks do with their time, or their lives.

I don't want to tell folks what to do with their time or lives. But I can have an opinion about it. Someone who really wanted to hike a thru hike and dropped off because they were lazy and dropping off was just easier might look back on the experience and wish they hadn't dropped off the trail and stuck with it.

Compared to what? A shorter hike? Sure. To an education, a career, raising a family, serving one's country, contributing to one's community? Things that take an entire lifetime, not just 5 or 6 months? Hiking is a selfish pastime. Sorry, but it's way down my list of life accomplishments.

I wasn't comparing a thru hike to any other accomplishment.

Adopting and raising 2 children in addition to having your own special needs child is an accomplishment.Makes you feel like your life really counts for something. Don't see how hiking nearlly 2200 miles would compare but would like to try it.

Of course some will have other bigger accomplishments in their lives...

If your only goal was to reach Katahdin maybe you're the one that failed.

Not my only goal, but it was a goal.

[ofthearth]

deleted/double post

[ofthearth]

All of the above. I think if you read what the posts say, including Jacks, it comes down to not having fun. "boredom, loneliness, injury, lack of money" sounds like not having fun to me. If your feet are hurting you it's hard to "enjoy yourself". I think LW was in the Marines and I somehow think that would be a little more challenging, both mentally and physicllay, than the AT. It just takes a little more to say "This is no fun for me". If it is a goal that you set for yourself and you enjoy it then you will get it done. Enjoy your walk in the woods.