Originally Posted by
Starchild
I disagree and would tell you to HYOH. A thru hike is what one makes of it. If a person does it for the reason that you state, that's what they will most likely get out of it. For some it can be a period of soul searching, or outreach to be helpful, which the AT is a excellent place to give and have others received , it can be a spiritual pilgrimage or a educational experience. Getting in touch with one's self, who they are and meant to be, is a service to humanity, as one can't help others till they first 'know thyself'.
To me a vacation is a escape from real life, a thru hike is real life and becomes real life and helps one define what is important in real life. Many have expressed that a thru hike is more real life then their off trail life, which is a fundamental difference.