View Full Version : Why do you think you were able to complete a thru?
There is a thread going on about why people quit- so I am wondering- what do you think are reasons or factors that contributed to you successfully competing a thru hike? For me- it was my need to do it. I needed the challenge for many reasons. And I have a high threshold for pain. And I had a very supportive family. I wanted to do the whole thing.
To be clear- I have a high respect for section hikers, and my hiking in the future will be in sections- no matter which trail I choose.
I believe there were three main reasons.
1) I love walking.
2) I am very goal oriented.
3) I was realitive experienced with a couple thousand miles of very similar hiking prior to my thru.
What Malto said. :)
I will say thru-hiking Vermont's Long Trail the year before was extremely helpful.
A three-week thru-hike was far more helpful that anything I've read about online or in books or the typical "It is all mental. Anyone can do it. Go for it! " feel good tripe usually given out as advice.
garlic08
06-21-2016, 18:29
Malto nailed it for me, too, Number one is definitely loving to walk--REALLY loving to walk. And there are certain people who just like, or need, to finish what they start.
Being able to sustain one's health over a long season with proper diet, sleep, skin care, and clothing is where prior hiking experience comes in. Ditto gear selection and field repair.
As Yogi Berra said, 90% of the game is half mental.
swjohnsey
06-21-2016, 18:38
Some folks are quitters and others aren't. You can always find an excuse.
Adding to what Malto already said have always been a curious fan of Nature, diversity, being outside whenever, and behavior. Since being a 4 yr old child have always exhibited a high degree of adaptability and wiliness to consider and contribute to other's welfares. Have always embraced adventuring to new places, meeting new people, putting myself in new environments, and overcoming new challenges that all these entail. I thrive on it. Thought a 2200 mile hike through 14 states provided infinite opps to practice such attributes. Solution mindedness rather than having a complaining ungrateful mindset. Took on the trail mindset "this too shall pass." Applied Sly's notion that thru-hiking is about so much more than hiking. It broke up the 2200 miles and activity of hiking with so many other things which kept me always interested in a life quest for knowledge and wisdom.
I wanted to be better; do better. Here it was Amicalola Falls SP.
In Maine Tigger, another thru-hiker, said a thru-hike can be the most healthiest, self actualizing, mind expanding, diversifying, sobering, ways to contribute, and gratifying experiences one can have. He's right. Always knew it in my heart and soul with every step of the AT journey as the soles of my feet anchored into the core of the earth and spirit soared into the heavens.
Adding to what Malto already said have always been a curious fan of Nature, diversity, being outside whenever, and behavior. Since being a 4 yr old child have always exhibited a high degree of adaptability and wiliness to consider and contribute to other's welfares. Have always embraced adventuring to new places, meeting new people, putting myself in new environments, and overcoming new challenges that all these entail. I thrive on it. Thought a 2200 mile hike through 14 states provided infinite opps to practice such attributes. Solution mindedness rather than having a complaining ungrateful mindset. Took on the trail mindset "this too shall pass." Applied Sly's notion that thru-hiking is about so much more than hiking. It broke up the 2200 miles and activity of hiking with so many other things which kept me always interested in a life quest for knowledge and wisdom.
Man, that sounds like it ought to have earned you a Nobel Peace prize, at the very least. :rolleyes:
My reason for completing my thru-hike was self satisfaction. I was 66 years old and when I started I had vary little reason to believe that I could walk the required 2000+ miles. Once my body got into "trail shape" I started to enjoy the freedom a thru-hike gives. I had a wife and family back home giving me the support that was needed to succeed.
firesign
06-22-2016, 10:21
1. Pre-training/ Conditioning/ Weight loss - body & pack
2. Hiked my own hike/avoided people where possible.
3. Priority was the destination and not the journey. The challenge for me kept me focused and fired up.
1. I allowed myself enough time (6 months plus)
2) I had adequate funds
3) I love being in wild places.
4) I knew that the farther north I got the better things would be (scenery wise)
5) I left with the mind set that there was no way I would end my trip in Dixie. Plus, by the time I got out of Dixie.. I had come too far to quit now!
I posted this bit of philosophy from a best selling business book some years ago. I googled it up again to see if I would still think that Admiral Stockdale's wisdom still applies to thru hiking success.
http://jobtransition.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/The-Stocksdale-Paradox-from-Good-To-Great.pdf
I think it does apply.
It resonated with me, anyway.
One group of hikers that seems to have a remarkable success rate are those that travel with Warren Doyle's so-called expeditions. While the differences between those hikers and a traditional thru hike are many, his success rate statistics are so off-the-chart high that "something is going on".
I don't have a great deal to base this on, but I would bet that Doyle fosters Admiral Stockdale's philosophy with in his circle's from day one.
Worth pondering?
I posted this bit of philosophy from a best selling business book some years ago. I googled it up again to see if I would still think that Admiral Stockdale's wisdom still applies to thru hiking success.
http://jobtransition.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/The-Stocksdale-Paradox-from-Good-To-Great.pdf
I think it does apply.
It resonated with me, anyway.
One group of hikers that seems to have a remarkable success rate are those that travel with Warren Doyle's so-called expeditions. While the differences between those hikers and a traditional thru hike are many, his success rate statistics are so off-the-chart high that "something is going on".
I don't have a great deal to base this on, but I would bet that Doyle fosters Admiral Stockdale's philosophy with in his circle's from day one.
Worth pondering?
I can really relate to this as an optimist. I remember on the PCT in Tahoe, I believe we were done with the snow. A hiker that I was with at the time said we would have snow all the way to the Canadian border. He was right and as a pessimist he was very likely pleasantly surprised on the handful of days that were snow free.
Just guessing a bit about Doyle and his group hikes, but they were highly "supported" hikes. And a whole lot of pre-selection going on. He went out of his way to create group cohesion, with all that implies.
From what I've seen, factors for success:
1. Having a truly dedicated, compatible, and totally understanding partner or group of friends. Most groups on the trail are volatile, but the ones that hold together yield real benefits.
2. A mindset that simply won't countenance "failure." I see that in a lot of journals. I never really had that. For me, hiking is just a recreation and if it ceases to be fun or rewarding, I'm outta here. Come back when the weather's better, or when my attitude's improved.
3. A light heart. Being able to shrug off and smile through disappointment, discomfort, deprivation, etc. That's the part I had to learn, over time, and I'm still working on it.
rocketsocks
06-22-2016, 11:40
I'll never understand the mentality that a trail is something to be finished and hung on a wall like a trophy...as far as the AT goes, that's a far cry from its original intent.
warren doyle
06-22-2016, 12:16
Thank you for mentioning the extraordinary high completion rates for the AT Circle Expedition. Even the last expedition, which was a non-circle expedition, had 11 out of the 12 who started finish.
As was mentioned by someone previously, my doing the Long Trail in 1972 certainly helped me complete my first AT hike in 1973.
It is all about proper pre-hike preparation - getting advice from someone with a good track record. College Basketball (men) - have a seance with John Wooden; (women) spend a few days with Geno.
and "One must know the end to be convinced that one must win the end." (Mallory)
I'll never understand the mentality that a trail is something to be finished and hung on a wall like a trophy...as far as the AT goes, that's a far cry from its original intent.
The AT's original intent was merely one man's notion, and he's long since dead. Ideas and intentions die, new ones come along. Everyone carries his or her own definitions. I'm just thankful Mr. MacKaye had enough foresight to create something lasting, so that we could all decide what it means to us in our own special ways.
It shouldn't be too difficult to understand this trophy mentality since it's completely ingrained into US culture. You're nothing if you're not successful! It's driven by all the usual factors (the Jonses, status, accomplishment, self-worth, ego, history, and so on). We feel worthy when we've done something special or unique or difficult.
When it comes to long trails I certainly fall for this mentality (as does nearly every thru-hiker I've met, especially those reaching to attain the 'Triple Crown,' or those, for example, who post their hike resumes here on their signatures. It reeks of "Look what I've done!"
I know as soon as I've completed the length of a trail, I'm mostly saddened by the fact. And so it's onto the next one. Not necessarily to "bag them," but to experience them. After all, having done something you enjoyed is nowhere near as enjoyable as doing something you enjoy!
There are two types of people who complete thru-hikes.
The first is someone who loves the trail and there's no other place they would rather be. The other is too stubborn to quit.
MuddyWaters
06-22-2016, 14:13
It shouldn't be too difficult to understand this trophy mentality since it's completely ingrained into US culture. You're nothing if you're not successful! It's driven by all the usual factors (the Jonses, status, accomplishment, self-worth, ego, history, and so on). We feel worthy when we've done something special or unique or difficult.
When it comes to long trails I certainly fall for this mentality (as does nearly every thru-hiker I've met, especially those reaching to attain the 'Triple Crown,' or those, for example, who post their hike resumes here on their signatures. It reeks of "Look what I've done!"
Yep.
People dont want to hike a trail untill someone officializes it.
Sierra is a huge, spectacular place, with numerous routes that can be hiked.
If it not a named route, no one cares to hike it.
Same with AT, some spend 20yrs hiking all the mundane parts, just to say they hiked ALL of it. Foregoing all the better places around the US to hike.
All about bragging....when theres no one that even cares.
Look at peoples taglines here where they list what theyve hiked. Down to the very mile occassionally. Ive even seem some list to tenth of mile...really?
Im always reminded of the phrase from winton porters book by Billy Bumblefoot:
"Miles, months, days, hours, and minutes are for those who choose to keep a scorecard in life. Son, someday you will come to know... . It ain't about the miles; it's all about the smiles."
Slo-go'en
06-22-2016, 15:24
It helps if you can avoid injury and malnutrition. If you get hurt or don't eat well, everything else doesn't matter.
There are two types of people who complete thru-hikes.
The first is someone who loves the trail and there's no other place they would rather be. The other is too stubborn to quit.
It could be that simple.
Pre hike prep is great. It lays a solid foundation. But what is pre hike prep? I observe rather clueless to backpacking AT hikers adapting along the way on their hikes finishing the hike they anticipated. Being open to expanding comfort zones, being adaptable, finding ways to overcome goes a long way in finishing hikes especially of longer and longer length.
In light of another recent thread "why did you quit your thru-hike?" and this one "why do you think you were able to complete a thru?" this was explored before in this thread. http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/90482-
Characteristics-of-successful-thru-hikers was detailed in Spirit Eagle's Papers. It's a good read read detailing LD hiker mentality and general characteristics that apply this thread.
Most of the regulars in the LD hiking community well beyond the AT community exhibit a combination of a "go with the flow" mentality", planning, and regimen.
I thought about quitting in Mass. Had a crown come off one of my molars and I was in pain for several days.I told my wife on the phone i wanted to come home. She said ok but with the caveat that "you will spend the rest of your life regretting not finishing the trail". I knew in an instant that she was correct (yet again) and that advice was spot on so I got into Dalton and had the tooth fixed. I married someone way smarter than myself, which ,ay not have been a difficult feat in hindsight.
as my fellow thru hiker Tour Guide said somewhere along the way, at a certain point in the hike you get "pot committed" like you do in poker...you have so much invested in the hand that you can't fold. that comment still sticks in my mind. After you get 1,000 + miles into the thing, you are pot committed. You have to see the thing through.
CamelMan
06-22-2016, 21:16
Yep.
Ive even seem some list to tenth of mile...really?
I'm only a 279.6 miler! I'll never be as good as a thru hiker, damn it! My life has no meaning.
I think LW's thing he always says- when fantasy meets reality- is the biggest factor. When I started I had never backpacked before. I had a fantasy that I had nurtured and grown for about 30 years- a fantasy that involved swimming holes and rope swings and views galore. A fantasy that was confirmed by youtube:) Reality takes a swing at you within the first few days and it is one hell of a wake up call- especially if you are out of shape and overweight like I was. Adopting a one day at a time mentality is crucial I think- not painting the entire experience with one bad moment.
When I go back and read my journal I am amazed at all of the falls and hard days and discomfort I experienced.. but I really loved it. I have to read about the hard stuff to even remember it because in hindsight the reality has turned back into the fantasy.
Marriage is supposed to be a life-long deal but many (what, 50%) aren't. No simple answers for why marriage succeeds or fails. Same with thru hikes. Yeah, I see a lot of parallels.
When I go back and read my journal I am amazed at all of the falls and hard days and discomfort I experienced.. but I really loved it. I have to read about the hard stuff to even remember it because in hindsight the reality has turned back into the fantasy.
a female thru hiker friend once compared a thru hike to being pregnant...when you are in the middle of both, you swear that you will never ever do it again. but over time, the discomfort and pain are forgotten and only the good memories remain. Although I have never been pregnant, that comment stuck with me and I can relate to it. When I was thru hiking, i can remember telling myself that if I ever got to Maine and climbed Mt K., I would never set foot on a trail again. However, i have done 2-6 week section hikes(some on the AT, some on other trails) every year since. And love it! although I miss getting into real trail shape that months of continuous hiking provides.
firesign
06-23-2016, 09:20
Marriage is supposed to be a life-long deal but many (what, 50%) aren't. No simple answers for why marriage succeeds or fails. Same with thru hikes. Yeah, I see a lot of parallels.
No one whining, nagging or b1tching, yeh totally agree!
Starchild
06-23-2016, 09:30
1 I was destined to walk this path and it was foretold many times that I would and complete it, It was also needed to start the second half of my life.
2 I am a very obedient 'child' of the AT, open to her teachings and guidance, wanting and willing to learn her ways, and as such I was greatly blessed and supported and loved along the way which is very encouraging and what I needed.
3 As opposed to goal oriented, I am faith oriented, Sensing and knowing I am at the right place and time and knowing that the path will get me exactly where I need to be (in that Katahdin was not a goal, just a sign that I was on the path which continued way past Katahdin - this was revealed to me as I got there - the journey continues to this day), but there were many 'goals' revealed to me along the way, I just have to look for the signs at the moment, make sure I am on the right path (also looking for signs that I am at the right place in time) and just need to take the next step and everything is and will be provided for me.
evyck da fleet
06-23-2016, 21:21
Because I didn't get bored...
I had no prior hiking experience other than training hikes before I started but I think that also helped my attitude as I had no expectations. I don't mind being outside or disgusting so that's a plus. I had enough savings to overcome the learning curve of the trail. In my case, switching from trying to eat cereal with powdered milk to oatmeal and getting my own hotel room in Hiawassee(sp?) to catch up on sleep because I had been too lazy to sleep on my kitchen floor before I left to realize my arm was going to fall asleep five minutes after I did every time I tried to sleep as a side sleeper.
I found I didn't like being in town two out of every three days to resupply but enjoyed spending a night in town every fourth or fifth day to clean up and put some weight back on. I also figured out what was causing me to have a bad day and avoid that again in the future.
Being in shape from the start also helped as it allowed me to adapt more easily and overcome obstacles if I needed to get to town a day earlier than planned. if necessary and to finish in under 4 1/2 months. I also found wisdom in other hikers advice. Most of the days that suck will be reflected on fondly. They only suck the day you're living them.
The biggest mistake I see dreamer's making is starting too early because they want to beat the summer heat in a couple of months when they are not prepared for the cold at the start. By the time it got hot I was used to being sweaty or wet from rain and it wasn't a big deal. But the idea of sitting around a shelter or alone in my tent when its in the 20s or 30s after having only hiked for four or five hours does not sound like fun to me. And that's before considering hiknig through snow or cold rain or hiding out in town for it to pass.
I'm sorry, there's some sickness here actuallly...
I met so many Nbound thrus in Maine who seemed to hate the trail, and only talked about how many more days they had, and what they were going to eat. They were miserable and wanted to be done.
Joyless, desperate hiking is nothing to celebrate.
rocketsocks
06-24-2016, 22:21
I'm sorry, there's some sickness here actuallly...
I met so many Nbound thrus in Maine who seemed to hate the trail, and only talked about how many more days they had, and what they were going to eat. They were miserable and wanted to be done.
Joyless, desperate hiking is nothing to celebrate.thats insane, in the truest sense, I'd 've drug-up.
rocketsocks
06-24-2016, 22:24
Some people can't handle thier disappointments, so they suffer and spin it till it becomes a reality, wow that's really living.
Mamabear17
06-25-2016, 13:57
Simple I have to make it all the way this time or I never will.
I would have to carry the regret for the rest of my life and,
that's a lot harder the carrying 35Lb. for 3 months.
LittleRock
06-27-2016, 08:21
I met so many Nbound thrus in Maine who seemed to hate the trail, and only talked about how many more days they had, and what they were going to eat. They were miserable and wanted to be done.
I've read several thru-hiker trail journals that said exactly the same thing. Rushing through Maine, one of the most gorgeous and scenic parts of the AT, hating every step, just to reach the sign on top of Katahdin. Reading those journals made me sad every time.