PDA

View Full Version : 12 Week Challenge



tlw08
02-23-2008, 19:55
I have 12 weeks (84 days) available to me for my NOBO hike. I will be using maildrops & starting March 7th.

I am taking wagers on how far you all think I will make it. The one who is closest will receive a prize! :banana


Some additional info - My packweight before food/water is ~18lbs. I am an above average hiker who will be taking it slow for the first 7 days. I will be hiking the Approach trail.

Kirby
02-23-2008, 19:59
I say make it as far as you can without killing yourself, and finish the rest at another time.

Kirby

warraghiyagey
02-23-2008, 20:00
Besides - as far as prizes go - we've mostly all got smelly used hiking shirts anyway.


:p

warraghiyagey
02-23-2008, 20:01
I have 12 weeks (84 days) available to me for my NOBO hike. I will be using maildrops & starting March 7th.

I am taking wagers on how far you all think I will make it. The one who is closest will receive a prize! :banana


Some additional info - My packweight before food/water is ~18lbs. I am an above average hiker who will be taking it slow for the first 7 days. I will be hiking the Approach trail.
At certain paces suggested here you could do a flip-flop in that amount of time.

gungho
02-23-2008, 20:05
okay I'ii Bite I say you'll make it to Mt washington.

tlw08
02-23-2008, 20:10
I'm not talking about making records, or about killing myself. I'm asking for some wagers, and the winner will take home a prize. :)

Kirby
02-23-2008, 20:14
Depends on how fast you move, I am thinking somewhere in northern Pennsylvania, or maybe even into NJ.

Kirby

tlw08
02-23-2008, 20:22
For the sake of the challenge (if you are choosing to participate) I will need specific guesses, like the one by gungho.

The closest person will win a (useful) (hiking-related) prize! :)

shelterbuilder
02-23-2008, 20:26
The odds of you making it are directly related to your mental preparation, so let me ask you - how committed are you to making it all the way?

The Weasel
02-23-2008, 20:30
I'll pick 15.0 miles/day x 84 days, of 1,260 miles.

TW

STEVEM
02-23-2008, 20:36
Duncannon, Pa. 1135 Miles.

shelterbuilder
02-23-2008, 20:36
The odds of you making it are directly related to your mental preparation, so let me ask you - how committed are you to making it all the way?

OOPS - mis-read your original post. How about Hanover, NH?

rafe
02-23-2008, 20:41
I'll say Front Royal, just for jollies.

Jack Tarlin
02-23-2008, 20:47
I think it's kind of amusing that so many speedy hikers insist that it's all about a "personal challenge", yet the rest of the world always seems to know well in advance what they'll be doing.

One has to wonder how many of these speed hikes would actually be made if they remained anonymous.

My guess is not many. :rolleyes:

tlw08
02-23-2008, 20:48
I think it's kind of amusing that so many speedy hikers insist that it's all about a "personal challenge", yet the rest of the world always seems to know well in advance what they'll be doing.

One has to wonder how many of these speed hikes would actually be made if they remained anonymous.

My guess is not many. :rolleyes:

I think you misread the word "challenge", Jack. :)

Wilson
02-23-2008, 20:50
Port Clinton, Pa.

A-Train
02-23-2008, 20:52
Delaware Water Gap.

Jack Tarlin
02-23-2008, 20:58
Actually, I know nothing about this guy's motives, so I'll retract my last post.

I wish him well, and I hope he gets as far as wants, and has fun in the process.

If he's fit, fast, stays healthy, and keeps out of towns, there's no reason why he shouldn't get to southern New England.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

rafe
02-23-2008, 21:03
Well, let's see. What do we know about the OP? He's a WB newbie, from Wisconsin, asking relatively newbie questions. Recent college grad, from the photo, looks fit. No mention of previous hiking experience, at least not on or near the AT.

Might be capable of big miles, but who knows if he'll go the distance? If he does 20 miles per day (long-term average) that puts him at Killington. I'd say that's the upper bound. Or he could be the party type, in which case his average will be considerably lower, and he'll end up in PA or NJ, or wherever...

Do I really care? Not much. Though, having launched this thread, I hope he has the courtesy to let us know, one way or another, when his hike is done...

fiddlehead
02-23-2008, 22:01
Doesn't look like anyone has picked completion of the whole trail. So, I'll pick Katahdin.
Of course the black flies will be tough that time of year, aye?

shelterbuilder
02-23-2008, 22:04
Doesn't look like anyone has picked completion of the whole trail. So, I'll pick Katahdin.
Of course the black flies will be tough that time of year, aye?

WOW! That's almost 26 miles a day. How dedicated IS this guy?

warraghiyagey
02-23-2008, 22:08
Salisbury, Connecticut.

Kirby
02-23-2008, 22:11
Port Clinton just to make an actual guess, I think that is somewhere in mid Pennsylvania on the trail.

He might decide to leave at the half way point in Pine(grove?) Furnace though.

Kirby

wrongway_08
02-23-2008, 22:13
PennMar PA. Nice area to sit and wait for your ride to come get ya!

Programbo
02-23-2008, 22:44
Some additional info - My packweight before food/water is ~18lbs. I am an above average hiker who will be taking it slow for the first 7 days. I will be hiking the Approach trail.

Before I make a guess..How do you know you are an above average hiker as far as the AT is concerned? :-?

rafe
02-23-2008, 23:59
PennMar PA. Nice area to sit and wait for your ride to come get ya!

LOL, you're right. Coke machine, nice views. Food if you get there at the right time...

rafe
02-24-2008, 00:15
WOW! That's almost 26 miles a day. How dedicated IS this guy?

Not that dedicated, I'd guess. 20 miles/day long-term is seriously fast on the AT. This whole thread is kinda silly, but W. T. F., ya know?

warraghiyagey
02-24-2008, 01:46
Before I make a guess..How do you know you are an above average hiker as far as the AT is concerned? :-?
Good point. I thought that too til I left Katahdin the first time.

tlw08
02-24-2008, 09:26
Before I make a guess..How do you know you are an above average hiker as far as the AT is concerned? :-?

I think additional information would be inherently dishonest to the spirit of the challenge. :)

Lilred
02-24-2008, 11:20
Pine Grove, PA

trailfoot
02-24-2008, 12:28
I think additional information would be inherently dishonest to the spirit of the challenge. :)

"inherently dishonest" what exactly does that mean? How can you expect people to make a wager without any facts?

Lone Wolf
02-24-2008, 12:29
I have 12 weeks (84 days) available to me for my NOBO hike. I will be using maildrops & starting March 7th.

I am taking wagers on how far you all think I will make it. The one who is closest will receive a prize! :banana


Some additional info - My packweight before food/water is ~18lbs. I am an above average hiker who will be taking it slow for the first 7 days. I will be hiking the Approach trail.

i bet you don't even start

trailfoot
02-24-2008, 12:33
i bet you don't even start

I with ya Lone Wolf

Lone Wolf
02-24-2008, 12:36
I have 12 weeks (84 days) available to me for my NOBO hike. I will be using maildrops & starting March 7th.

I am taking wagers on how far you all think I will make it. The one who is closest will receive a prize! :banana


Some additional info - My packweight before food/water is ~18lbs. I am an above average hiker who will be taking it slow for the first 7 days. I will be hiking the Approach trail.

25.8 miles per day average. you will fail :) amicalola to woody gap the first day

jersey joe
02-24-2008, 12:44
My guess is Bear Mountain.

SassyWindsor
02-24-2008, 12:54
I'll bet you won't make it out of Wisconsin :p

dessertrat
02-24-2008, 13:11
It it were me, I would yellow blaze some of it and summit Katahdin at the end of the hike. I just wouldn't tell anyone I was a "thru-hiker". Maybe skip some of the midatlantic, so as not to miss New Hampshire and Maine.

spittinpigeon
02-24-2008, 13:18
I'll second Katahdin.

tlw08
02-24-2008, 14:04
25.8 miles per day average. you will fail :) amicalola to woody gap the first day

You also misread the word "challenge", Lone Wolf. :)

Programbo
02-24-2008, 16:02
I think additional information would be inherently dishonest to the spirit of the challenge. :)

Maybe..But if he is supplying information that is misleading that would be "inherently dishonest" as well...But in all seriousness...IF the original post was legit..I will suggest NOT to try and do a "thru-hike" on such a tight timeline..I can`t imagine starting a thru-hike and knowing before hand I didn`t have time to complete the whole thing...That's the kind of thing that haunts you the rest of your days (I should know)..And you can`t go back a few years later and finish up what you didn`t get to because in most peoples eyes that isn`t a legit "thru-hike"..I think it would be wiser to just accept before hand you were only going to do say GA-MD (Harpers Ferry) and take a more leisurely hike without the pressure of trying to go as far as you can

dessertrat
02-24-2008, 16:06
Who cares if "in most people's eyes" it isn't a thru hike? What a terrible way to make a choice for oneself.

The Solemates
02-24-2008, 16:20
My guess is Hot Springs, NC.

mrc237
02-24-2008, 20:07
::::: DOT's :::::D:D

Marta
02-24-2008, 21:54
Harper's Ferry.

rafe
02-24-2008, 23:09
Yo, folks. The OP said, "my NOBO hike." Notably absent was the qualifier, "thru."

tlw08
02-25-2008, 16:37
"inherently dishonest" what exactly does that mean? How can you expect people to make a wager without any facts?

I mean that others have already wagered, and to provide more information would put them at a disadvantage.

I think a whole bunch of people are getting worked up over an easy opportunity to win a simple prize. I can't believe some of you. I mean seriously - Do you tear apart everyone who disagrees with some major tenant of your hiking philosophy, or just the ones who aren't 10,000+ post members? :( :( :(



Here is the challenge, once again: I am hiking NOBO on the AT for 12 weeks. You guess where I end up. If you are the closest to where I actually end up, you win a prize. :)

rafe
02-25-2008, 16:42
What's the prize? A white-box alky stove? ;) :banana :p :rolleyes:

hobojoe
02-25-2008, 16:43
Do you tear apart everyone who disagrees with some major tenant of your hiking philosophy, .........? :( :( :(
Well, duh.......
I'll bet you drop out of school when you realize how much fun it is.

DesertMTB
02-25-2008, 16:45
WOW! That's almost 26 miles a day. How dedicated IS this guy?
Yeah, he's no wildcowboy:D

stacy324
02-25-2008, 16:59
My guess is Erwin -

Programbo
02-25-2008, 19:39
Yo, folks. The OP said, "my NOBO hike." Notably absent was the qualifier, "thru."

True enough..BUT..This is the 2008 thru-hikers forum and he does have "Year of thru-hike: 2008" in his info/bio line indicating he plans one this year and his post vaguely implies he means to get as far as possible towards completion as he can in 12 weeks...But since he didn`t specifically say "thru" I shall concur

Frosty
02-25-2008, 20:18
Winding Stair Gap.

I'll take a Hawaiian pizza (ham, sausage, pineapple), a pulled pork BBQ sandwich, and a liter of Diet Dr Pepper for my prize. Leave the money at Budget Inn and I'll pick it up later. Thanks

Jack Tarlin
02-25-2008, 20:27
Ya know, tlw, with all due respect, I'm not entirely sure that too many folks really give a s*** where you end up. :D

Meaning, instead of publicizing your trip and trying to get people to bet on it, maybe you should spend more time actually preparing for it.

I'm begining to go back to my earlier train of thought, which is that you seem inordinately interested in making sure as many folks as possible know about what you are allegedly attempting.

Meaning it's NOT a personal challenge.

It's sounding more like a publicity stunt.

Sly
02-25-2008, 20:40
If I had 12 weeks I'd shoot for Harpers Ferry.

rafe
02-25-2008, 22:05
What exactly is the OP allegedly attempting? It's clear as mud. There's a vague suggestion of a 12-week thru-hike (by virtue of the post's placement, etc.) but by the same token, the OP is strongly hinting that GA->ME isn't a given. He's said that he's doing the approach trail; most speed hikers wouldn't bother. As for folks advertising their upcoming hikes, the OP is hardly unique... Just another silly thread... no harm in it that I can see.

Yahtzee
02-25-2008, 22:07
Duncannon, Pa. 1135 Miles.

I agree. Will split the prize down the middle.

GGS2
02-25-2008, 22:10
I agree. Will split the prize down the middle.

So, what? You're going to wear half a tee-shirt?