Why do so many worry about finishing a thru-hike?

[rocketsocks]

I did not know that the trails intent was not to be hiked in one attempt,herd someone else say that the other day too,maybe Lone Wolf? interesting.

[Penn-J]

Wow. So you started with $4000? I agree that the trail is so much about what you enjoy along the way and the friends that you make and share good times with. But I think this also gives an indication of just how expensive things are getting out there.

Yeah, I agree. California is expensive! The whole damn country is expensive.

[Kibble n Bit]

Which direction are you Goin' sublimety.. NOBO or SOBO

[OzJacko]

This is a good thread with some interesting entries. Without any certainty that I am in anyway right I'll throw in a couple of thoughts.
I am still to set foot on AT but hope to thru in 2013. I do claim some cred as a hiker in that I thruhiked my local track (Bibbulmun) in 2011 and have done many section hikes on it as well. It is 600miles and I did it in 36 days - it's on TrailJournals.com and YouTube.

Section hiking and thru hiking are different mindsets. I read somewhere on WB recently that section hikers enjoy their hiking more and I think there is a lot of merit to that statement. When I section hike I just go out and enjoy myself. I carry more "goodies", take more photos, don't stress and relish the experience.
When I did my thru I had a goal and each day was a step towards it. I still "enjoyed" the hike but I pushed through pain and weather far more than on a section hike.
There was always that goal and while I still looked at sunrises and sunsets, marvelled at views and treasured some moments such as wildlife encounters they were inconsequential to my goal and I would have done the hike without them.
When you set yourself to do a thruhike it is the accomplishment you seek, not the journey. Your attitude may (will) change during the hike and this can make not finishing easier but if it doesn't not finishing can leave a feeling of failure.
Personally I love both and get differing satisfaction from both.
Re old and young hikers, I suspect young hikers have a greater % fail due to finances and older hikers for injury. (Not rocket science that one) :-)
When I come to Springer in March 2013 I will be looking to thru hike (on MY standards of pure), and to experience the social side of the AT that makes it unique.
In 2014 I am tentatively going to do the Camino de Santiago with my wife and will treat that one more like a section hike (very grey for purity as befits my heathenism).

[WIAPilot]

This is a good thread with some interesting entries. Without any certainty that I am in anyway right I'll throw in a couple of thoughts.
I am still to set foot on AT but hope to thru in 2013. I do claim some cred as a hiker in that I thruhiked my local track (Bibbulmun) in 2011 and have done many section hikes on it as well. It is 600miles and I did it in 36 days - it's on TrailJournals.com and YouTube.

Section hiking and thru hiking are different mindsets. I read somewhere on WB recently that section hikers enjoy their hiking more and I think there is a lot of merit to that statement. When I section hike I just go out and enjoy myself. I carry more "goodies", take more photos, don't stress and relish the experience.
When I did my thru I had a goal and each day was a step towards it. I still "enjoyed" the hike but I pushed through pain and weather far more than on a section hike.
There was always that goal and while I still looked at sunrises and sunsets, marvelled at views and treasured some moments such as wildlife encounters they were inconsequential to my goal and I would have done the hike without them.
When you set yourself to do a thruhike it is the accomplishment you seek, not the journey. Your attitude may (will) change during the hike and this can make not finishing easier but if it doesn't not finishing can leave a feeling of failure.
Personally I love both and get differing satisfaction from both.
Re old and young hikers, I suspect young hikers have a greater % fail due to finances and older hikers for injury. (Not rocket science that one) :-)
When I come to Springer in March 2013 I will be looking to thru hike (on MY standards of pure), and to experience the social side of the AT that makes it unique.
In 2014 I am tentatively going to do the Camino de Santiago with my wife and will treat that one more like a section hike (very grey for purity as befits my heathenism).

Excellently stated! Really enjoyed reading this!!