Coffee
06-22-2014, 10:38
I'm planning to thru hike a long trail in 2015, which may either be the PCT NOBO (more likely) or the AT SOBO (possible but less likely) depending on a number of factors that I'm still working out. Part of my planning involves whether to give up my primary residence for the duration of the hike. There are obviously financial benefits associated with doing so, but this comes at a certain risk if all doesn't go as planned and for some reason I am forced off the trail. I view the probability of not finishing as low but not zero, certainly below 25%.
I am curious to know whether other potential thru hikers, either on the AT or PCT, had a "plan B" in mind before the trip (other than simply returning home) that would consume the remaining time for the planned thru. So far, if on the PCT, I've come up with spending an extended amount of time either in Mammoth Lakes and/or Tahoe, exploring the California and Oregon coasts, possibly renting a small RV for a while, etc. Doing some outdoor related volunteer activities (trail crew, etc) is also possible. Obviously the reason for being forced off the trail would impact things to some extent ... a broken leg would eliminate outdoor activities while something less serious physically but still thru hike ending would likely leave open possibilities.
Anyway, I'm not expecting failure but sometimes things come up beyond our control that cannot be avoided.
I am curious to know whether other potential thru hikers, either on the AT or PCT, had a "plan B" in mind before the trip (other than simply returning home) that would consume the remaining time for the planned thru. So far, if on the PCT, I've come up with spending an extended amount of time either in Mammoth Lakes and/or Tahoe, exploring the California and Oregon coasts, possibly renting a small RV for a while, etc. Doing some outdoor related volunteer activities (trail crew, etc) is also possible. Obviously the reason for being forced off the trail would impact things to some extent ... a broken leg would eliminate outdoor activities while something less serious physically but still thru hike ending would likely leave open possibilities.
Anyway, I'm not expecting failure but sometimes things come up beyond our control that cannot be avoided.