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Wildflower_90
08-13-2013, 02:50
Since I made the decision to thru hike the AT I have had this obsession with it. Hiking is all I think about, at work, at home. I'm constantly researching, it's my main focus. Is this a common problem among thru hikers or is it just me?

hikerboy57
08-13-2013, 06:17
Of course we are all obsessed what do you think we're doing here?

Grits
08-13-2013, 06:43
Obsessed with a gear addiction. How many have at more than one tent and a hammock or two???? Maybe more than one cook set, different sleeping bags for different time of year, dehydrate your food and of course you took over the spare bedroom as a gear room. :rolleyes:

Jeff
08-13-2013, 06:45
Wait a few months....it gets worse.:)

Double Wide
08-13-2013, 07:25
Same here. On a rainy day off a few weeks back, I spent the entire day bouncing between here, Trail Journals, and YouTube watching AT videos.

Seven more months, and then I'll be obsessing about food, warm soft beds, and chairs with backs on them....

coach lou
08-13-2013, 08:59
I love how no matter how tough the walk is, no matter how much I piss and moan while I'm climbing down some nasty pitch......as soon as I get home, I've got the maps out and am planning the next walk!:)

rjhouser
08-13-2013, 10:51
Planning is half the fun

Onedawg
08-13-2013, 10:54
I'm at work now! Plus, I have GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)!

coach lou
08-13-2013, 11:00
I'm at work now! Plus, I have GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)!

GAS is not a hiker only affliction:)

I have 4 bicycles
5 Fly Rods
3 pairs of ice skates
6 tents

Ktaadn
08-13-2013, 11:05
I have no current plans of thru hiking but I still think about and talk about hiking so much that it freaks out my wife sometimes. Especially when I tell her about the elaborate plans that I've made up in my head that involve her shuttling me to various trailheads for section hikes. She always wants to know why I didn't consult her before making these plans. 'Just thinking out loud honey...'

icdaywee
08-13-2013, 11:55
Yes! I am planning on starting in March/April of 2014 and I cannot stop looking up gear/reading trail journals everyday/visiting Whiteblaze everyday! Good thing I have a trip abroad first to distract my mind, otherwise it would be a LOONG 7-8 months.

Teacher & Snacktime
08-13-2013, 12:06
I'm at work now! Plus, I have GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)!

painful, isn't it?

Teacher & Snacktime
08-13-2013, 12:10
GAS is not a hiker only affliction:)

I have 4 bicycles
5 Fly Rods
3 pairs of ice skates
6 tents

6 bikes, 4 fresh-water poles, 2 salt-water poles, 2 sets of golf clubs, 3 bowling balls, 5 sewing machines, wall-to-wall fabric collection, 3 easels, 2 bins of art supplies, a ping-pong table and a dart board. Artifacts of past pasttimes and passions. :)

Now, talking hiking gear........

Ezra
08-13-2013, 12:14
You will find that everytime you are shopping for groceries, you will be be scanning the shelves for new trail food ideas.

Oh it's a powerful addiction...enjoy it.

coach lou
08-13-2013, 12:14
6 bikes, 4 fresh-water poles, 2 salt-water poles, 2 sets of golf clubs, 3 bowling balls, 5 sewing machines, wall-to-wall fabric collection, 3 easels, 2 bins of art supplies, a ping-pong table and a dart board. Artifacts of past pasttimes and passions. :)

Now, talking hiking gear........


:D.........................:banana

coach lou
08-13-2013, 12:15
You will find that everytime you are shopping for groceries, you will be be scanning the shelves for new trail food ideas.

Oh it's a powerful addiction...enjoy it.
I suffer from that also!

Ezra
08-13-2013, 12:21
I suffer from that also!

Always, always watching for pouched chicken (like tuna) to appear. Just can't find it in my area! :(

Onedawg
08-13-2013, 13:10
GAS is not a hiker only affliction:)

I have 4 bicycles
5 Fly Rods
3 pairs of ice skates
6 tents

23 guitars!

capehiker
08-13-2013, 13:25
G.A.S is very powerful when you're waiting for the next trip. I can spend hours making gear lists for different scenarios. I'm getting 3 days on the trail starting tomorrow. It's a quick fix to quell the shakes (and to try my new alcohol stove). 😀

Plodderman
08-13-2013, 13:30
Welcome to our obsession, a healthy addiction of the next whiteblaze. Just cannot get enough of them.

PeaPicker
08-13-2013, 14:59
I have decided instead of seeking counseling,I'll seek the nearest trail

Teacher & Snacktime
08-13-2013, 15:38
Yes! I am planning on starting in March/April of 2014 and I cannot stop looking up gear/reading trail journals everyday/visiting Whiteblaze everyday! Good thing I have a trip abroad first to distract my mind, otherwise it would be a LOONG 7-8 months.

You could try what Snacktime and I did.....a way to "pay it forward" to keep us busy while waiting. Volunteer, trail maintenance, REI classes, anything that keeps you in tune yet is somehow beneficial.