Appalachian Tater
07-10-2007, 11:37
http://tinyurl.com/3bzqt3
From the Noblesville Indiana, Daily Times:
Vinona Christensen abandons quest to hike the Appalachian Trail
http://www.county29.com/images/07.09.07.Christensen,%20Vinona002.jpg
Monday, 09 July 2007
Hanging up her boots
Only a day after returning to complete her quest of the Appalachian Trail, Vinona Christensen has decided to hang up her hiking boots.
“I am sad and disappointed at not being able to finish the entire trail, but am content with what I have done and with my decision,” she said via e-mail.
Christensen set out March 25 to cover the 2,175-mile trail from Springer Mountain, Ga. to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, but after two months of hiking and covering nearly 800 miles, the emotional strain took its toll. She left the trail at Glasgow, Va. and returned home to Noblesville June 16 for a much-needed break.
Christensen returned to the trail July 1. This time starting from Mt. Katahdin, she hoped to work her way back to Glasgow to cover the entire distance. She spent July 2 climbing Mt. Katahdin with some other hikers but by nightfall, it became clear to her that she could not continue.
“All of a sudden I had all of the answers as to why I had needed to get off the trail, why I hadn’t been able to leave the hiking partner that I didn’t think was right for me and why I would not be able to go any further,” she said. “Even though I had hiked for nearly two months all by myself and spend much of my time alone as I live alone, I could not face the thought of spending any more time hiking alone.”
The next day she caught a ride to the airport and came home. But, she hasn’t ruled out another attempt in the future.
“Perhaps one day I will hike more of the trail, but I don’t think that I will again try to hike for an extended time by myself,” she said.
By William Fouts
From the Noblesville Indiana, Daily Times:
Vinona Christensen abandons quest to hike the Appalachian Trail
http://www.county29.com/images/07.09.07.Christensen,%20Vinona002.jpg
Monday, 09 July 2007
Hanging up her boots
Only a day after returning to complete her quest of the Appalachian Trail, Vinona Christensen has decided to hang up her hiking boots.
“I am sad and disappointed at not being able to finish the entire trail, but am content with what I have done and with my decision,” she said via e-mail.
Christensen set out March 25 to cover the 2,175-mile trail from Springer Mountain, Ga. to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, but after two months of hiking and covering nearly 800 miles, the emotional strain took its toll. She left the trail at Glasgow, Va. and returned home to Noblesville June 16 for a much-needed break.
Christensen returned to the trail July 1. This time starting from Mt. Katahdin, she hoped to work her way back to Glasgow to cover the entire distance. She spent July 2 climbing Mt. Katahdin with some other hikers but by nightfall, it became clear to her that she could not continue.
“All of a sudden I had all of the answers as to why I had needed to get off the trail, why I hadn’t been able to leave the hiking partner that I didn’t think was right for me and why I would not be able to go any further,” she said. “Even though I had hiked for nearly two months all by myself and spend much of my time alone as I live alone, I could not face the thought of spending any more time hiking alone.”
The next day she caught a ride to the airport and came home. But, she hasn’t ruled out another attempt in the future.
“Perhaps one day I will hike more of the trail, but I don’t think that I will again try to hike for an extended time by myself,” she said.
By William Fouts