View Full Version : Trail withdrawal
It's been one week since I got back from my FIRST section hike of the AT. Never before in my life had I been so tired, so sore, and so disgustingly dirty as I have been on this trail, so much that on my last day I couldn't wait to get out. All I wanted was to stop walking and take a shower, yet now I miss it and can't wait to go back.
It's true what they say, the trail really is addictive!
Mountain Wildman
08-07-2017, 02:15
I'll be hitting the trail on Wednesday or Thursday for several days, I'll say hello for you. ;)
illabelle
08-07-2017, 05:52
Haha! :D Aaaah, you've discovered how wonderful civilization can be: the incredible luxury of warm abundant water streaming over your body cleaning away the sticky stinky funk. You emerge from a big fluffy towel and put on dry fresh-smelling clothes. After a hot meal prepared with the assistance of electric appliances, you lie down and melt into your bed.
Next morning you flex and feel a newly hardened muscle in your thigh. Oh wow, I'm strong! And in that moment, you can hear the trail calling, feel the trail pulling you back. The climbs, bugs, aches - all get brushed aside. Small things. Somehow the physical act of walking through the woods fills your soul, and you must have more!
rocketsocks
08-07-2017, 10:00
Haha! :D Aaaah, you've discovered how wonderful civilization can be: the incredible luxury of warm abundant water streaming over your body cleaning away the sticky stinky funk. You emerge from a big fluffy towel and put on dry fresh-smelling clothes. After a hot meal prepared with the assistance of electric appliances, you lie down and melt into your bed.
Next morning you flex and feel a newly hardened muscle in your thigh. Oh wow, I'm strong! And in that moment, you can hear the trail calling, feel the trail pulling you back. The climbs, bugs, aches - all get brushed aside. Small things. Somehow the physical act of walking through the woods fills your soul, and you must have more!Beautifully put!
Deer Hunter
08-07-2017, 10:12
Illabelle hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned. "Somehow the physical act of walking through the woods fills your soul, and you must have more!".
Tipi Walter
08-07-2017, 11:10
It's been one week since I got back from my FIRST section hike of the AT. Never before in my life had I been so tired, so sore, and so disgustingly dirty as I have been on this trail, so much that on my last day I couldn't wait to get out. All I wanted was to stop walking and take a shower, yet now I miss it and can't wait to go back.
It's true what they say, the trail really is addictive!
For me, the more I go out and the longer I stay out the easier it is for me to stay out without ever thinking about returning to civilization. In that case the real "wilderness" becomes town life and civilization while my home becomes the woods. When I do get wiped out or too tired or sore I just hunker in my tent for a zero day and knit up and recuperate.
Plus, getting disgustingly dirty is easily solved---go swimming in the closest creek you can find. Even if the creek is too small you can use your cook pot as a shower head. In the summer I thoroughly bathe using bronners soap (rinse away from creek) and in the winter hiker funk can be bad too so I take special effort to thoroughly wash my face and scalp and hair (with bronners).
You'd be surprised how a good creek bath can renew the spirit and give you renewed motivation to keep hiking and camping---and take away the bug-out desire to bail into a town or go home.
Rain Man
08-07-2017, 12:02
It's true what they say, the trail really is addictive!
Tell me about it! I first set foot on the AT just over 14 years ago, while taking my daughter to see if she really wanted to do a long-distance hike on it. She did her thru-hike. But me? I was addicted too! Loved it! Couldn't wait to go back, and so I did, and have, for 14 years. Will be in Maine the first half of September to finish off that state. In October, I'll finish the entire AT.
Am already "worried" about what I'll do next! LOL
BuckeyeBill
08-07-2017, 13:09
Tell me about it! I first set foot on the AT just over 14 years ago, while taking my daughter to see if she really wanted to do a long-distance hike on it. She did her thru-hike. But me? I was addicted too! Loved it! Couldn't wait to go back, and so I did, and have, for 14 years. Will be in Maine the first half of September to finish off that state. In October, I'll finish the entire AT.
Am already "worried" about what I'll do next! LOL
Go west young man. Go west.
Beautifully put!
AMEN!!!!
I was on trail (AT) from July 7 - July 24 (New Jersey to Cheshire, MA), and I have been having major trail withdrawal since I got off! (Difficult to get into life at home!)
my feelings exactly after every section hike
It's been one week since I got back from my FIRST section hike of the AT. Never before in my life had I been so tired, so sore, and so disgustingly dirty as I have been on this trail, so much that on my last day I couldn't wait to get out. All I wanted was to stop walking and take a shower, yet now I miss it and can't wait to go back.
It's true what they say, the trail really is addictive!
ldsailor
08-08-2017, 15:30
I did a 491 mile section hike in Virginia from May 3 to June 16 this year. As I got closer to Harper's Ferry, I promised myself that was it - no more! The last night at the Teahorse Hostel in Harper's Ferry, I started planning my return. I'm heading back September 12 for 250 more miles.
A fellow hiker one night at a shelter during my LASH asked me what was at home. I couldn't immediately answer and then finally said, "My house." I should have stayed on the trail.
Talk about screwed up. I'm home right now and can't wait to get back on the trail.
dcdennis
08-08-2017, 15:35
Joined ten years ago but first section last week? Confusing.
Glad to see I'm not alone!
LittleRock
08-08-2017, 16:17
Yep. The hardest part of being a section hiker is waiting to start your next section.
Joined ten years ago but first section last week? Confusing.
So one can only join this site if able to hike the AT right away? I'm a single mom, it's not always easy to coordinate working and parenting responsibilities with time off and babysitting. Also one of my kids has health issues which means I can't always get away when I want to. I've been wanting to do this for a long time but couldn't make it happen before this summer, should I have unjoined until I was able to???
BuckeyeBill
08-09-2017, 01:44
So one can only join this site if able to hike the AT right away? I'm a single mom, it's not always easy to coordinate working and parenting responsibilities with time off and babysitting. Also one of my kids has health issues which means I can't always get away when I want to. I've been wanting to do this for a long time but couldn't make it happen before this summer, should I have unjoined until I was able to???
Nope Suzzz you stay right where you are. You can learn, suggest and talk all you care to. I know of a few people who are members and have never set foot on the trail. You just got your first taste of the trail. You're hooked and got to stay.:D
Nope Suzzz you stay right where you are. You can learn, suggest and talk all you care to. I know of a few people who are members and have never set foot on the trail. You just got your first taste of the trail. You're hooked and got to stay.:D
Thanks BuckeyeBill. You're so right, I am hooked! I also hike locally but the AT has been a long time dream and I was very excited to finally set foot on it this summer. And now I want to go back!
saltysack
08-09-2017, 14:13
Joined ten years ago but first section last week? Confusing.
Same....
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saltysack
08-09-2017, 14:14
So one can only join this site if able to hike the AT right away? I'm a single mom, it's not always easy to coordinate working and parenting responsibilities with time off and babysitting. Also one of my kids has health issues which means I can't always get away when I want to. I've been wanting to do this for a long time but couldn't make it happen before this summer, should I have unjoined until I was able to???
Congrats I was confused also.....join the off trail depression forum.....welcome
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What the trail can represent is what makes it desirable.
BuckeyeBill
08-10-2017, 06:11
Suzzz, The AT was the first long trail I was interested in when I was 8 years old. Told my parents I was going to hike it one day. I got lots of short section hikes in and quite a few LASHes in, but no Thru Hike. I have two PCT thru-hikes and one CDT thru along with a lot of short trails. Unfortunately my parents both died before I got back to hiking. Now I am just trying to find a break in business so I can get away for 6 months to do my AT Thru. I know the trail will always be there, but she's starting to call my name again.
ClayTurner
09-23-2017, 23:23
I joined 03/22/09 and will be on the approach trail at Amicalola on 05/04/18. I have learned so much from this site that I have used to hike locally in Missouri on the Ozark Trail. My family also builds trail, and maintains an adopted section of the OT. I have had the bug to hike the AT for a long time, but I have been raising a family, so I section hiked, close to home. Several members of my family have spent a week with the Konarock crew working on the AT, my oldest daughter Sara worked a rock drill building stairs. She got the bug from me I guess, and she will be at the approach trail on May 4th too. I got a chance to hike a piece of the trail in Maryland a couple of years ago, nice little adventure. Anyway, a big thank you to all who shared their knowledge and advice through these forums that I have read over the years, I learned a lot of valuable information here and recommend it to folks I run into that are just getting in to hiking and backpacking.
Stone1984
09-24-2017, 06:55
I only did 7 days a couple weeks ago and had to just go for an overnight on the foothills trail thursday and friday. I am still itching to get back out.
rocketsocks
09-24-2017, 08:24
Scratch that itch!
Best itch you'll ever scratch!
rmitchell
09-24-2017, 15:06
If you want to add another layer to it you can get into trail maintaining. You will not be able to look at steps or water bars the same way again.
But it seems as you have enough on your plate for now.
I went over 1000 miles this year, having gotten to Harpers Ferry. I started doing sections in 1998, interrupted by a few crew weeks. Although my first long hike was the Smokies section in 1976. Is there a record for the longest time to section the trail?
Rainman, I am watching your progress and am admittedly a little jealous.
Trail maintenance on the AT would be a little complicated for me as I live in Canada but it's a great way to give back and I'd definitely like to get involved in my area once my kids are groan up.
rmitchell
09-24-2017, 22:10
Maine is right next door, eh?
Keep in shape for when the nest is empty.
Trail maintenance on the AT would be a little complicated for me as I live in Canada but it's a great way to give back and I'd definitely like to get involved in my area once my kids are groan up.
the iat goes through new brunswick
the iat goes through new brunswick
Yes it does but it's in the north west of the province and I live in the south east... about six hours away. And there are plenty of cool trails around my neck of the woods where I can volunteer.
Yes it does but it's in the north west of the province and I live in the south east... about six hours away. And there are plenty of cool trails around my neck of the woods where I can volunteer.
do it you will not regret it find a trail that needs help and volunteer. its a great way give back...