What's your age at the start of your hike? [Archive]

1Pint

07-19-2006, 17:33

Another section has a discussion going on the age distribution of thru-hikers. Most people are saying that it's pretty much people in their 20s and retired people in their 50s+. It'd be fun to know what the class of 2007 will probably look like, so I'm starting the attached poll.

Old Hillwalker

07-19-2006, 18:54

The upper age bracket needs to be raised.

1Pint

07-19-2006, 19:44

The upper age bracket needs to be raised.

Sorry Hillwalker. I was just trying to get a feel for it. I'm sure the 24 year-olds don't feel they belong with the 17 year-olds either. I didn't want to have 100 categories, so I lumped those upper decades together.

Footslogger

07-19-2006, 22:04

53 at Springer ....54 in July, shortly after Harpers Ferry.

'Slogger

onicoe

07-19-2006, 22:46

i'll be 24 by the time i start next year.

VictoriaM

07-19-2006, 23:26

I'll be 26 at the start, and turn 27 on the trail.

WhoAh

07-20-2006, 00:07

57 at Springer, 58 in June - where ever I will be on the Trail....

Heater

07-20-2006, 02:30

Looks like it will be in '08 for me and I'll be 48.

Ali Baba

07-20-2006, 04:31

Question: How old is too old?
Answer: Depends on the Individual.

Some people are too old at 30 and others too old at 90.
Lets hope I'm at the upper limit, 60 on Springer and 61
on the trail.

Lots of luck to the 2007 AT er's

Grampie

07-20-2006, 08:56

I was 66 years old when I did the trail in "01". I meet quite a few older folks who are thru-hiking and enjoying it with few problems. Two things you need for a sucessfull hike are; time and money. These hikers have both.:sun

frieden

07-20-2006, 12:54

Wow, I wonder why many are in the mid-30s. You wouldn't think that would be a big thru-hiker time.

I'm 37 for Springer, and 38 in June.

Alligator

07-20-2006, 13:25

Wow, I wonder why many are in the mid-30s. You wouldn't think that would be a big thru-hiker time.

I'm 37 for Springer, and 38 in June.I would guess divorce.

1Pint

07-21-2006, 18:30

I would guess divorce.

I've been burned out for a little bit now. Our newest union contract added a tiny paragraph called "voluntary pay reduction" that allows a person to request up to six months off without pay in an effort to help the state budget. Some of us started talking and everyone kept saying how they couldn't afford to quit their jobs for 6 months even with the health coverage. I realized I was in the perfect place in my life for taking that kind of time and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. So, AT here I come. If they deny my request for time off (which is their choice), I'll simply quit and look for another job when I'm done with the trail. But the provision for the leave and hearing everyone say how locked in they felt by their material world helped give me that kick in the butt I needed.

mweinstone

07-21-2006, 19:38

my start date is feb 18th.

my age is 45

my 1st 2nd 3rd thru hike atempts i was ,...22,33,and 44!

so in 07 ill be 45 when i start and 46 around max patch.

max is my 16 year olds name.when we spoke from the trail this year on my birthday via cell phone, it was a nice spiritual gift rather than a phisical gift.

maxNcathy

07-21-2006, 21:14

Imayroam

07-22-2006, 17:19

I'll be 20 when I start, as will be my friend who is hiking next year as well. Its kinda difficult to plan a hike at this young of an age w/ school and everything, but my fear is if I don't do it now, I may never.

Johnny Swank

07-22-2006, 21:17

"I would guess divorce."

That was what finally got me off my butt to make a stab at the AT at 30.

As far as planning, you can spend 12 months planning the trip, or about 12 hours. After about 12 days you'll have about the same result. The AT is a very forgiving trail, just make sure you have time and $.

FWIW, I've heard that some folks take a couple of grand out for their hike from their student loans.

Sundancekid

07-23-2006, 10:45

I'll be 26 at the start and turn 27 in june

Michele

07-23-2006, 10:45

I'll be 33 when I start, and turn 34 in July. I'm not in the middle of a career change, I've just never figured out what it is I'm supposed to be doing! :) Can't wait to see everyone out there! Start date = March 15

Heater

07-23-2006, 10:52

mister pooh

07-25-2006, 19:35

37 at Springer, 38 at Katahdin.

I guess I'm the classic 30's hiker- divorce, just out of the Navy, and I need a break before I return to school.

mambo_tango

07-26-2006, 11:13

Wow, I wonder why many are in the mid-30s. You wouldn't think that would be a big thru-hiker time.

I'm 37 for Springer, and 38 in June.

I would guess.....generation-x.....I think it is one of the nomadic generations....

tomman

08-09-2006, 03:04

I will be 71 years old at the start and hope to finish on my 72nd birthday 6 months later.

Tomman

Footslogger

08-09-2006, 08:42

I will be 71 years old at the start and hope to finish on my 72nd birthday 6 months later.

Tomman
=================================

You GO Tomman !! Hope to still be sloggin in my 70's and beyond !!

'Slogger

texangie

09-27-2006, 02:17

I'll be 44 when I start and turn 45 on June 18.

Has anyone noticed that there seem to be a lot of June birthdays? Sounds like an opportunity for a party!

:banana texangie

rockrat

09-27-2006, 06:55

I'll be turning 18 two days before my start on Feb 27

spandau

09-27-2006, 10:51

I'll be 39 when I start, and I'll turn 40 in mid-October, soon after (hopefully) finishing my hike.

No divorce or huge life disruptions here; I just decided it was time to hike, and everything has been falling into place ever since - it's rather odd, actually, how that has been happening. Anyone else experiencing this kind of serendipity?

highway

09-27-2006, 10:59

I have done others but for the AT I will be 63 when I start and 64 when I finish.

I have underwear older than some of the above posters:D :D

bido7614

09-27-2006, 21:13

i'll be 17 when i start.. but it's not a family thing..
Lissie

deadair

10-05-2006, 22:37

ill be 27 when i start in march, turn 28 in april

Dancer

10-19-2006, 10:33

I will be starting SOBO on my 34th birthday, June 14th. Not a divorce or career change, just learning to work to live and not live to work. See you all on the trail!

Sly

10-19-2006, 10:46

Breakdown update...

20's- and under 49
30's- 22
40's- 21
50's- 27
60's + 17

Johnny Swank

10-19-2006, 11:00

I did my master's thesis on thru-hikers, and that jives pretty well with my sample.

Paul Bunyan

10-21-2006, 19:22

i'll be 17 when i do NOBO in '07

Paul Bunyan

11-13-2006, 16:33

Sorry, thats 16 when i start, 17 when i end.

rockrat

11-13-2006, 19:20

Damn son, how'd you pull that off. Did you have to go to like a school board hearing to get off that long? Thats pretty cool though however you did it.

Jack Tarlin

11-13-2006, 19:23

I'll be 48 in mid-March at Springer.

I expect to be 39 twenty-seven weeks later in Maine.

Ponce de Leon's quest would've ended on a happier note if he'd taken up thru-hiking!

Footslogger

11-13-2006, 19:26

[quote=Jack Tarlin;270609]I'll be 48 in mid-March at Springer.

I expect to be 39 twenty-seven weeks later in Maine.
=========================

What ...are you hiking backwards Jack ??

'Slogger

Paul Bunyan

11-13-2006, 19:42

Damn son, how'd you pull that off. Did you have to go to like a school board hearing to get off that long? Thats pretty cool though however you did it.

I am homeschooled, so i was able to graduate early.:)

The only schoolboard i had to go through was my mom (Blissful), and she's the reason i am going.:D

tha

11-13-2006, 21:09

Looks like it will be in '08 for me and I'll be 48.

'08 for me as well. My hiking partner and I will both leave Amicalola @ age 60 and hit 61 somewhere in the north of the smokies. Our b-days are 2 days apart.

Lacbe

11-14-2006, 16:25

I turned 54 Oct 8th. I hope to summit when I turn 55. This is a dream come true for me. Jack I look forward to meeting you. What date do you plan to start?

Cherokee Bill

11-21-2006, 18:29

:welcome I'll be 66 and a member fo the class of "2013"

MrHappy

11-25-2006, 00:52

I'll be camping on top of Springer for my 19th Birthday on Dec. 31st, ready to start on jan. 1st '07!

Paul Bunyan

11-25-2006, 11:27

I'll be camping on top of Springer for my 19th Birthday on Dec. 31st, ready to start on jan. 1st '07!

Your starting pretty early.:eek:

peanuts

11-25-2006, 11:48

good luck mrhappy. you will be in good company that night. its the sehha new year eve get together. will be lot of fun!!
happy hicking!!!

dsg

11-30-2006, 11:13

52, 52 in mrch

laniamore

11-30-2006, 12:05

21 at the start 22 when i finish. and then i have to get a job... ehhh.

REBELYELL

12-01-2006, 21:17

Starting at 48, Sept.And hopefully Maine I'll turn 49

tiamalle

12-02-2006, 04:07

Starting at 48, Sept.And hopefully Maine I'll turn 49Rebel You'll make it

Grandma Dixie

12-13-2006, 21:21

I'll be 17 along with Paul Bunyan. It's gonna be the longest break I've ever had off responsibilities, and probably wil lbe until I retire, in about 50 years. (High school -> TRAIL -> College -> work) In response to the post earlier, It really isnt a problem graduating early in my school, (I live in NY) As long as I have all the requirements, I can leave whenever I want. Cant wait to see everyone!

rafe

12-13-2006, 23:05

37 when I meant to thru in 1990. Hanging with L. Wolf did me in. With luck, I'll be finishing up in 2007 just shy of 55. What a long range strip it's been...