Should I Hike This Thing Or What?

[Summit]

Some really, really good advice and ideas from all who've posted. The only thing I'll add is if you're worried about winter on the southern end, I've seen many SOBOs in NC and GA in November and December. So if your 'few months' is five, that makes for a reasonable daily mileage. You'll need to buy or get some cold weather gear sent to you around October, but based on what you divulged in your first post, I don't see any show stoppers.

[Camping Dave]

Go for it!

What are you gonna do, wait until you have kids and a job and a house?

Dave

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"Well son, the funny thing about regret is, it's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't done. Oh, and if you see your mom, be sure and tell her ..."

The Butthole Surfer, of the Hairway to Steven album

[leeki pole]

Go for it!

What are you gonna do, wait until you have kids and a job and a house?

Dave

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"Well son, the funny thing about regret is, it's better to regret something you have done than to regret something you haven't done. Oh, and if you see your mom, be sure and tell her ..."

The Butthole Surfer, of the Hairway to Steven album

And your 401 (k) is now a 101 (k)? Do it while you can, no kids, no house, no job, no pets, sell the car, Dave is spot on. You'll make it work.

[chrishowe11]

go for it! you always have that 6 month break period after college where you dont have to pay back your loans, thats my plan!

[hootyhoo]

Future conversations can start with ''I coulda" or "I did".

[Deadeye]

Quit thinkin' and start walkin'

[prain4u]

If I were you, I'd probably attempt to do the thru hike this year.

I made some BAD choices when I was in my late teens and early 20s. I thought that I would try to be "RESPONSIBLE" --go to college, start a career, get married, have kids--THEN ONCE I WAS BETTER ESTABLISHED "and better off financially" I would start to do the "fun" things like hike the AT and/or hike across Europe.

BOY WAS I STUPID! I had the formula completely backwards! One should enjoy the fun stuff when they are still young (and financially broke)--because once someone starts being "responsible" and "settled"--they might not ever get another chance to do the fun stuff until they are in their 50's--or retired. (IF their health still permits!)

BEING A "RESPONSIBLE" ADULT CAN ALWAYS WAIT (and please don't believe anyone who tries to tell you otherwise!).

In 2009, you tell yourself "my situation will be a little bit better in 2010 or 2011--so I think I will wait until then to do my thru hike". When 2011 rolls around, you tell yourself: "I COULD hike the trail this year--but by 2013 my situation should be even better. So, I will wait just another couple years." Sooner than you think, it is the year 2039, and you are telling yourself: "Dang, I should have thru hiked the AT back in 2009! Now, I have two bad knees, a big mortgage, two kids in college--and I will loose my health insurance if I quit my job to hike the trail".

LIFE IS UNCERTAIN--EAT DESSERT FIRST!

[wrongway_08]

Do it! Try to start at the end that will be the hardest for you to finish section hiking. This way, if you dont get the whole thing done - you will at least get the hardest part (as far as planning/rides are concerned) over with and that will make it easier for you to complete later.

Dont keep waiting, I made a ton of reasons for not doing it year after year, finally I said, screw work and every other reason I keep making not to do it. Was the best thing I ever did!! I regreted - year after year - making all those excuses. Now that I did it, they only thing I regret, is being fool enough to put it off for so long

[BR360]

Just go out there and do SOMETHING. And have fun, dammit.

The termini of the AT are arbitrary, established by convention. Possibilities along the AT corridor are vast.

The person who hikes "only" 500 miles and loves every second is far, far richer than the one who hikes the whole thing just to say they "did it."

Just GO, and enjoy the journey, however far you get.

[Flush2wice]

Don't hike it. It's long and tough. There are bugs and rodents. It rains a lot too. Save your money. Go to Cancun instead. It's quicker and the girls are prettier.

[Kanati]

I'm gonna be looking for you in Maine in July. You better be out there!! I'll be NOBO'ing

[George]

A few months could be to Harpers Ferry a nice place to start and stop

[superman]

You're damn right don't hike. If he goes out there and gets his ass whooped his self esteem will crumble. It will cause the pattern of his life to be failure. If Cameron stays home he won't risk anything but a few travel tickets. If he goes to Cancun he can tell people that he was like thinking seriously about hiking the AT and they'll say "awesome" or "why."
What kind of a sane person would pay money to do something with only a 10% or 20% chance of success? I don't mean to sound negative but...

[Gaiter]

I have only a few month timetable and limited funds for my SOBO starting the 30th of June. My question is, in your opinion, should I attempt to thruhike under these conditions (skipping town stops, passing scenic views, etc.) while I have a definate chance?

Or should I turn this year's hike into a monthlong section hike starting in Maine (already bought my plane ticket, bus ticket, reservations at AT Lodge) and hope that I get a better chance (hopefully a longer timetable, more money.) at backpacking the entire trail in a few years after college? The thing about that is that you never know where life may take me. I'm having a hard time considering passing up this sure shot at it now. But I also want to make sure it'll be enjoyable.

I know its my decision when it comes down to it. I just want to know what someone else thinks.

Go for it or take my time this year and hope that things work out in a few years?

its all what you are comfortable w/..... i'd say just go and go w/ the flow... just see how far ya get, but don't be disappointed if you don't get 'all the way' the trail will always be there