Originally Posted by
MDSection12
I'm glad this got bumped. I was actually wondering this today, coincidentally... I'm out at least once a month for an overnight, but more often it's two or three overnights and a multi-day trip each month. I generally hike close to home, so I repeat sections often, though I'm always looking to do a new section as well. I'd like to someday complete the trail, in some fashion, but I can't say I 'plan to.' I guess I'll stop calling myself a section hiker.
In reality I know what I am; a backpacker. The AT itself holds no special lure for me, in fact places like Dolly Sods are much more my style... The AT is just the closest and easiest place to get my fix. My 'dreams' for hiking don't involve six months on the AT, they're more like ten days in the Andes or a week in Yosemite.
It actually helps to discuss these terms, regardless of their arbitrary nature. We all have different aspirations in hiking and they shape the way we discuss the hobby... Best to make them clear at the outset. :)