Thru-hikers - how do you do it?

[RED-DOG]

For me Thru-hiking the AT 3 times just finished my 3rd, I don't have any kids or Wife or any other kind of responsiblities. the jobs i have are useally dead end type jobs so i just save up my money and every few years i go for it, but right Know i am thinking about going back to college , but i need to say next time i get the Thru hiker urge i will do the PCT or the CDT i think i am finished with the AT unless i do a SOBO.

[rocketsocks]

the other way is to do what many of us do, section hike as you find the time and the money.
its not the destination, its the journey.

That's my plan,couldn't have said it better HB.

[stranger]

I would love to attempt a thru-hike, but unless I win the lottery or until I retire, I can't see it.
I've long wondered how those who do it are able. How do you find 3-7 months off work? How do you manage without the income for that time? What do you do with other resopnsibilities - family, house, etc.?

I dare say there are many possibilties but I'd be curious to know how you do it.

I've never thru-hiked but I take long periods of time off all the time. I've taken around 70 weeks off since 2008, I've never gone into debt, I'm about to head to the US and South America for 9 weeks, then taking another 3 weeks over Christmas, etc...

What YOU need to do is figure out what you want to do in this life - then go do it. This probably means looking at different areas, countries to live in that are more agreeable to time off from work. Here is a little hint: no one NEEDS to buy a house, have children or go massively into debt. This assumes, perhaps incorrectly, that you are not below the poverty line and already massively in debt, which you may be.

I find for me, if I accept the consequences of my adventurous lifestyle...it's relatively easy. If I want to live a typical life, then it's extremely hard. If you buy a house, you are going to have to pay for it for a long time. If you have kids, you are going to have to raise them...it's pretty simple.

I'm now actually leaning the other way, settling down, which for me will mean perhaps one month off per year, buying a house with a 11 year mortgage and moving back to New Zealand. We'll see. Extremes are, well...extreme. But it can be done, but it requires action and a fairly substantial leap of faith. You have to believe in what you are doing, otherwise people are likely to back out.

Final comment...I never found luck BEFORE doing anything, only during.

[Coffee Rules!]

For me, even though it's in the future, I'll be at a point in life where things just fall right. I've worked overseas for 6 1/2 years now (it'll be 8 when I leave and plan to start my thru), I've made decent money and saved a bit during that time, I'm divorced with no house and my kids are grown and on their own. Perfect time to do it before getting back into the world and finding a real job again.

TL;DR - No ties, no obligations, no roots, and a bit of money to enjoy.

[hikerboy57]

thru hiking the at has been on my bucket list for a very very long time. but life is about choices and priorities. i chose to get married, i chose to have kids, and being there for them was always more important for me, and i never evr once felt i was sacrificing anything in any way.it was what i wanted to do! After I got divorced i found a lot more free time on my hands and i was able to go on longer sections, take more weeks off and 2 week hikes, and still be able to take care of my obligations. My kids are grown now, and last year i had been given permission from my boss to take off 3 months to do the southern half from springer to dwg. my child support is done, i have no debt, thankfully, and there was nothing preventing me from finally taking my journey(with the intention of finishing the north half next year). but life has a habit of "interfering"with my plans when my daughter told me she was pregnant , and expectiong again (she gave birrth to my first grandaughter,Fia on May 31), so I decided to postpone my trip, just in case there was a need for me to be around, i didnt want to be a thousand miles away. i made the decision to stay ,and again, i never once felt disappointed that i had once again to postpone a dream.it was what i wanted to do and i was exactly where i wanted to be! and i know now i made the right decision. this august im hiking ME SOBO, and i can hardly contain myself. its the longest time ill have spent on the trail in one shot, and i already know maine will have plenty of challenges.
there is nothing wrong with having that all consumng "burning desire" to acheive a goal, and i do hope one day i can proudly say i ve completed my thru hike(NOBO), but for me, life is about finding balance in a turbulent world, and section hiking helps me find that balance.
but thats just me.

[Rain Man]

... Life is not all work and doing what everyone else thinks is right.

I think Thoreau said that! ~wink~

But sadly, most people think otherwise. They are sheep, comfortable in the herd. Or maybe just too scared to "hike their own hike" or even to live their own lives.

Rain Man

.

[Giantsbane]

If anyone ever tells you that "the trail will always be there, but this opportunity won't" don't listen to another word they have to say.

I agree. That's part of the reason why I'm taking a semester off to go hike the trail.

[MuddyWaters]

But sadly, most people think otherwise. They are sheep, comfortable in the herd. Or maybe just too scared to "hike their own hike" or even to live their own lives.

Rain Man

.

++

Every day of your life that goes by, is one you will never get back. You will never be the same age, etc either.

It is ironic that in the past, our ancestors had to work hard, every day, just to have food to survive.
Today, we could survive on MINIMAL working time due to technology. We choose to work hard, every day, to have useless crap that isnt actually needed to live. People have traded life and experiences, for possesion of material goods . People work . It is actually pathetic.

If its something you want to do, go do it. You will find a way. If its really not, you will make excuses.

Most people with stable careers, have debts and obligations they use as excuses. Thats not really true. There is always a way, its just that while they like the idea of hiking the trail, they dont like it enough to make the sacrifices necessary.

The bottom line is that dieing with a nice house, and a 401K full of money, and having never really lived or had adventure in your life, is stupid. Trading your life for money is what you do EVERY day you go to work.

You need to first answer to yourself WHY you would like to thru-hike. Then answer that question again after a week long 100 mile section hike in the rain.

[SHerpa 2003]

Okay, here's my take.......you better do it soon, as I told a Croo member last week at Zealand Hut, because when your life is "just right " it may no longer be important to you AND it will have been a lost opportunity in your life. I HIKED IN 2003 And took a child for 1000 miles -- and he really wanted to go for the 1st 100 or so -- but needed and was very capable physically to do this hike, but at age 12 eventually he needed to be around more kids his age and I sent him home in Maryland....had he not gone probably my wife would have been overburderdened as there was also a twin boy at home and a business that we own......I needed to do the trail, I sold 2 other business to do the trail.....I set an expensive priority.....and I'M Very glad I did! GO FOT IT! Your brain travels with you and the trail changes your life......you'll find a way ! Sherpa

[fiddlehead]

I would love to attempt a thru-hike, but unless I win the lottery or until I retire, I can't see it.
I've long wondered how those who do it are able. How do you find 3-7 months off work? How do you manage without the income for that time? What do you do with other resopnsibilities - family, house, etc.?

I dare say there are many possibilties but I'd be curious to know how you do it.

You probably won't understand how lucky you are to be able to do almost anything you want, until you go to a third world country (try India or Nepal for a start) and see how some people, born on the wrong side of the planet, are forced to live.
After you do, you will find it much easier to live below your means and easily save money for whatever it is you choose to do.

If you can't afford to travel there, buy or rent a movie called "Baraka" Excellent camera work and shows some of what I'm talking about although it is better to see it in person.

By the way, I rented out my house while I did my first 2 thru-hikes.
I have never paid more than $3,000 for a vehicle in my life.
I've sold most of those a few years later for what I paid for them or slightly more or less.
I ALWAYS buy my clothes in thrift stores when in the US.
I cook and discovered ALDI's stores years ago. (and I love rice and fish)
I ride a bicycle or motorcycle whenever I can.
Run a marathon (or half sometimes) at least once a year which I consider my health insurance. The last one cost me $24.

Some say I don't have much. I feel like I have much more than 75% of the people on this planet.

[splash1986]

One of the great quotes I have heard ( not sure who said it): "you can have anything you want in life, but you can't have everything." It's all about what is most important to you!

[Firefighter503]

I simply saved up, and quit a job that I didn't like.

[OzJacko]

WIAPilot's list of people who thruhike and all the posts about priorities sum it up best.
I am a combination of semi-retired (about to be by March 2013 anyway) and having a supportive spouse.
Thru hiking my local track and then the AT is something I have wanted to do for years (more than 5 anyway).
Then through chance I discovered I have one of those time bombs in my head called an aneurysm.
More people die with 'em than of 'em but it rocked my sense of mortality a bit. You find you reassess priorities a lot.

So I thru hiked my track in 2011 and am coming to do the AT in 2013.
My 25yo son is coming with me. He loves hiking and is paying his own way but I think he will get support from my wife to "watch over me".
It helps that he has no longterm attachments or commitments (he's available girls...)

[bert304]

I wish I could thru hike but I guess I have to wait unitl I am 50. That is going to be my 50th birthday present to my self

[OzJacko]

I wish I could thru hike but I guess I have to wait unitl I am 50. That is going to be my 50th birthday present to my self

Great decision!
I wish I was thruhiking at 50....

[NLaeger]

I am planning to do my thru hike next year. I guess for me it might be easier as I will be in a transition between careers and I don't have a husband or kids to worry about. But I am giving up a job that pays really well but doesn't make me happy anymore. This thru hike is something that makes me smile on a daily basis just thinking about it, so for me it's worth giving up the job! If it's meant to be then you will always find a way to make it happen!!!!

[Dash]

I would say..."GET RICH OR GET REALLY POOR" . For me getting rich was taking to long!!! For many of us it's a very long process.. I avoided having anymore children after one daughter (19 soon). I Avoided any bank loans (car and house). I pay cash for everything (no credit cards). I asked my brother to buy me out of my half of the company. Also in my case avoid long term relationships. Keep your youthful physique while you wait for responibilities to vanish. Then give up whatever is left.....carry your life on your back and never look back. I HAVE THE TRIPLE CROWN IN MY SIGHTS I will bond with my grandson when i return due in october 2012. See you extremists on the trail........

[Josh Calhoun]

saved for over a year. took a LOA from work. and prepare your body.

[Hairbear]

thru hiking the at has been on my bucket list for a very very long time. but life is about choices and priorities. i chose to get married, i chose to have kids, and being there for them was always more important for me, and i never evr once felt i was sacrificing anything in any way.it was what i wanted to do! After I got divorced i found a lot more free time on my hands and i was able to go on longer sections, take more weeks off and 2 week hikes, and still be able to take care of my obligations. My kids are grown now, and last year i had been given permission from my boss to take off 3 months to do the southern half from springer to dwg. my child support is done, i have no debt, thankfully, and there was nothing preventing me from finally taking my journey(with the intention of finishing the north half next year). but life has a habit of "interfering"with my plans when my daughter told me she was pregnant , and expectiong again (she gave birrth to my first grandaughter,Fia on May 31), so I decided to postpone my trip, just in case there was a need for me to be around, i didnt want to be a thousand miles away. i made the decision to stay ,and again, i never once felt disappointed that i had once again to postpone a dream.it was what i wanted to do and i was exactly where i wanted to be! and i know now i made the right decision. this august im hiking ME SOBO, and i can hardly contain myself. its the longest time ill have spent on the trail in one shot, and i already know maine will have plenty of challenges.
there is nothing wrong with having that all consumng "burning desire" to acheive a goal, and i do hope one day i can proudly say i ve completed my thru hike(NOBO), but for me, life is about finding balance in a turbulent world, and section hiking helps me find that balance.
but thats just me.

congrats grandpa and good luck on your hike.

[4shot]

I was lucky...fortunately my job quit being fun so I was able to quit it and go hike.

Do it as early in your life as you possibly can....there is absolutely nothing on earth like a 2,000+ mile hike. No matter how good you imagine it might be, it's better than that.Plus it won't get any easier. If you enjoy your work, keep your job and hike when you retire . If not, go hike.