I just got into backpacking last summer. Probably put in 400 miles in 5 months almost exclusively on weekends. As I learned about other long distance hikes (initially it was all about the AT), I became obsessed. There was a time span that I hiked 12 out of 14 weekends straight. I couldn't help myself. There were so many hikes I wanted to do. I wanted to get to Fontana. Now I want to get to VA border this year. I want to finish the GA portion of the BMT. I want to complete the Bartram Trail. I want to start the Pinhoti trail. I want to conquer the smokies. This doesn't mention the several day hikes I want to do. There is just so much I want to do and what feels like so little time.
I fear I am becoming a checklist hiker. Before backpacking, I used to go up for day hikes. I didn't care I was only going to do 4-5 miles. I would spend a lot of time at sights enjoying it. I stopped day hiking because I felt like I was no longer seizing the day. A 4-5 mile day hike? What about the other 8-10 hours of daylight I thought.
So I started to look up some local day hikes I wanted to do. However, now I just have a check list of day hikes I want to do.
Anyone else have a similar experience? Is there a cure? lol