WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 1 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 106

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Registered User TylerJ76's Avatar
    Join Date
    06-09-2016
    Location
    Lisbon, IA
    Age
    39
    Posts
    18

    Default Thru Hiking Sober?

    I am just curious if anyone else was/in my boat.

    January 1st of 2017 will be my 2 year sober anniversary.

    I am not planning on my Thru until 2020.

    That being said, everything I have read, seen on YouTube depicts this drug and alcohol scene that just isn't a part of who I am anymore.

    I have a pretty good control on my sobriety, I am just curious if anyone else has been in my shoes?

    Are my concerns legit? Or am I worrying about nothing?

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-10-2005
    Location
    Bedford, MA
    Posts
    12,678

    Default

    It's part of the scene, sometimes in an obvious way and sometimes not so obvious. You'll need to exercise the same self-control that you use to get by in the real world.

    Pot use is legal in at least one AT state at this point. Yay.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    08-08-2012
    Location
    Taghkanic, New York, United States
    Posts
    3,198
    Journal Entries
    11

    Default

    People have done it, and I have met some on my thru, it does have a party element, and it does happen, but that's not an accurate portrayal of what one's AT hike has to be, there are plenty of others who are far less into that aspect. Private rooms and dry hostels may help.

    Quote Originally Posted by rafe View Post
    It's part of the scene, sometimes in an obvious way and sometimes not so obvious. You'll need to exercise the same self-control that you use to get by in the real world.

    Pot use is legal in at least one AT state at this point. Yay.
    I believe now 2, MA just voted it in.

  4. #4
    Some days, it's not worth chewing through the restraints.
    Join Date
    12-13-2004
    Location
    Central Vermont
    Age
    68
    Posts
    2,661

    Default

    I still love a beer or two, but the party scene is the last thing I want, too. It's there, but pretty easy to avoid.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    05-05-2011
    Location
    state of confusion
    Posts
    9,866
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    You get to choose who you hang out with.
    Its that simple.

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    02-18-2016
    Location
    Wabash, IN
    Posts
    744
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    1

    Default

    Am I correct to assume that the number of partiers decreases significantly after the Smokies?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk




  7. #7
    GA-ME 2011
    Join Date
    03-17-2007
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Age
    66
    Posts
    3,069
    Images
    9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Greenlight View Post
    Am I correct to assume that the number of partiers decreases significantly after the Smokies?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Yes, along with the number of hikers.
    "Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011

  8. #8

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TylerJ76 View Post
    I am just curious if anyone else was/in my boat.

    January 1st of 2017 will be my 2 year sober anniversary.

    I am not planning on my Thru until 2020.

    That being said, everything I have read, seen on YouTube depicts this drug and alcohol scene that just isn't a part of who I am anymore.

    I have a pretty good control on my sobriety, I am just curious if anyone else has been in my shoes?

    Are my concerns legit? Or am I worrying about nothing?
    Let me guess, these videos talked about lots of "safety meetings." When I first started researching a thru hike I stumbled across the same videos and was pretty horrified. Thankfully, that element isn't really present unless you seek it out. Also, stay away from shelters (particularly the ones near roads).

  9. #9
    Clueless Weekender
    Join Date
    04-10-2011
    Location
    Niskayuna, New York
    Age
    68
    Posts
    3,879
    Journal Entries
    10

    Default

    Don't hike with Terry Coyle. His videos, to the extent they reflect reality at all, reflect only a small slice of it.

    You pretty quickly get a feel for who's there to hike and who's there to party. It's pretty easy to avoid the second group, particularly if you avoid the crowded shelters near the highway. That's no easier, and no harder, than not walking into the gin mill that you pass on your way home from work.

    The only joints I roll on a trail are my ankles.
    I always know where I am. I'm right here.

  10. #10

    Default

    "The only joints I roll on a trail are my ankles."

    Ha! Good one.

  11. #11
    Registered User Engine's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-29-2009
    Location
    Citrus Springs, FL
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,673
    Images
    10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Another Kevin View Post
    ...The only joints I roll on a trail are my ankles.
    I think I'll borrow this one on occasion.
    “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” –Socrates

  12. #12

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
    You get to choose who you hang out with.
    Its that simple.
    This is only true on the AT if you never camp near the rat-box shelters and spend minimal time at the shelters.

    Quote Originally Posted by cneill13 View Post

    But we sure did have some fun on those early nights.

    I had no fun in the North Carolina section. That is why I have been sticking to Georgia.

    In case you haven't figured it out, I am exactly the type of person you want to avoid.

    Carl
    You definition of Fun is different than my definition of fun. Of course I dumped demon booze and pot way back in February 1973 and see the use thereof as a temporary inertial-station on the ladder of life. No movement forwards, probably going backwards etc etc.

    So when I'm backpacking the AT and come across dope smokers or drunks (esp at shelters) I reflect on my personal life-and-death struggle with drugs (alcohol is a drug) and know eventually these boys will have to quit when they hit bottom. Just not there yet.

    I have an especial low regard for so-called "nature lovers" who worship in the church of the outdoors and yet bring booze (or pot) on backpacking trips and into camps and then suckle for hours on the Demon Teat. I question their intent. It's all about intent.

  13. #13

    Join Date
    05-05-2011
    Location
    state of confusion
    Posts
    9,866
    Journal Entries
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tipi Walter View Post
    This is only true on the AT if you never camp near the rat-box shelters and spend minimal time at the shelters.



    You can stay at shelters (tenting) and never even talk to another soul if thats what you like. Aint hard at all.

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-10-2005
    Location
    Bedford, MA
    Posts
    12,678

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
    You can stay at shelters (tenting) and never even talk to another soul if thats what you like. Aint hard at all.
    Or hike off season and have the shelters to yourself. Gets lonely.

  15. #15
    Wanna-be hiker trash
    Join Date
    03-05-2010
    Location
    Connecticut
    Age
    42
    Posts
    6,922
    Images
    78

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
    You can stay at shelters (tenting) and never even talk to another soul if thats what you like. Aint hard at all.
    Agreed. If you have even a modest tolerance for being around others there will be little issue. I'm around "party" hikers often enough and I barely notice since they tend to be low key.

    Up on Southern New England where I do most of my backpacking, we are required to stay in established campsite or shelter areas. I routinely share sites with others. The only time I recall having a even a slight problem was at a campsite that was directly next to a road and effectively had vehicle access. There were a bunch of Jersey Shore rejects partying there who had hauled in all the comforts they wanted. Even then I walked about 300 yards past them, setup out of the way and had a good night.
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  16. #16
    TOW's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-13-2005
    Location
    Damascus
    Age
    63
    Posts
    6,527
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    53

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Another Kevin View Post
    Don't hike with Terry Coyle. His videos, to the extent they reflect reality at all, reflect only a small slice of it.

    You pretty quickly get a feel for who's there to hike and who's there to party. It's pretty easy to avoid the second group, particularly if you avoid the crowded shelters near the highway. That's no easier, and no harder, than not walking into the gin mill that you pass on your way home from work.

    The only joints I roll on a trail are my ankles.
    Talking about Terry Coyle which goes by "7" on the trail, has anyone heard from him recently?

  17. #17
    lemon b's Avatar
    Join Date
    06-17-2011
    Location
    4 miles from Trailhead in Becket, Ma.
    Age
    69
    Posts
    1,277
    Journal Entries
    1
    Images
    56

    Default

    It is a huge concern and if I am reading the post correctly several years away. We live day by day. It is a day by day choice not a contest. More and more of us know that life on life s terms is a rewarding method of life. Plus I am someone who respects the unique private conversation with a sponsor. IMHO this is a decision you two make together. Good luck, planning and projection are very different concepts.

  18. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    09-11-2002
    Location
    Manchester Ctr, VT
    Posts
    2,367
    Images
    13

    Default

    Consider a Flip Flop hike starting northbound in or around Harpers Ferry in mid April. You will find it to be much less of a party.
    Order your copy of the Appalachian Trail Passport at www.ATPassport.com

    Green Mountain House Hostel
    Manchester Center, VT

    http://www.greenmountainhouse.net

  19. #19
    Registered User q-tip's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-04-2009
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Age
    68
    Posts
    1,034
    Images
    54

    Default

    People figure out pretty quickly you cannot get wasted every night and walk 10-20 mi/day That said, with now 31+ yrs of sobriety, it is your spiritual program that provides the margin of safety in sobriety. People drink, some get drunk, you will pass them easily going up the next mountain.

  20. #20
    Registered User cneill13's Avatar
    Join Date
    07-14-2015
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Age
    56
    Posts
    321

    Default

    I have hiked from Springer to the NOC during two years beginning the first week of April, the heart of the northbound thru-hiker season.

    The difference between the Georgia crowd and the North Carolina crowd is extreme even though the Georgia trail is only about 75 miles.

    Most of the hard core partiers (ie- the nightly drinkers and smokers) drop out by the time they reach N.C. Heck, I saw nearly 1/4 of my crowd drop out at Neal's Gap, mile 32.

    But we sure did have some fun on those early nights.

    When you get into N.C., people tend to get serious about hiking. In bed at dusk, up at daylight.

    I had no fun in the North Carolina section. That is why I have been sticking to Georgia.

    In case you haven't figured it out, I am exactly the type of person you want to avoid.

    Carl

Page 1 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 ... LastLast
++ New Posts ++

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •