Anybody who never intends to hike the whole AT but still loves this website?

[Gray Blazer]

For whatever reasons, I never intend to hike the whole AT. I still admire those of you who do, and, who knows, maybe some day I will hike the whole darn thing. Is there anybody out there who loves the AT, but, for any reason, does not intend to Thru-hike the whole thing at least for now? I'm not trolling or trying to stir the pot. I don't intend to make people with health reasons feel bad that they can never hike the whole thing. I just love the AT and this website. Anybody else?

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Due to a permanent injury to my right leg (paralyzed vastus lateralis) there is some question that I will be able to hike certain sections that require climbing. I still intend to give it my best shot and to hike every inch I can.

[Ewker]

I want to hike it but it will be at least 10 yrs before I can. What keeps me motivated is to see folks in their 60's and 70's thru-hiking the AT

[Gray Blazer]

Fro, I know you love the AT and this website.

[Amigi'sLastStand]

Now that I'm healthier again, I have lost interest in thruing the AT, but am determined to thru the FT first and then the PCT once my finances catch back up. I've cooled on WB some, but this is still a great website.

[Gray Blazer]

Ewker, I know we'll get together someday. I won't be able to do the Suothern Get Together we talked about earlier (in September). I hope you'll be able to get out to the 2nd Annual Rocky Bald Hiker Feed. Looks right now it will probably be the 1st week in April.

[Gray Blazer]

Amigi, maybe you and I can thru it someday together. JJ

[Gray Blazer]

Well, I knew there weren't many of us. I think there may be some more. They may be afraid to come out of the woodwork. WB is supposed to be a Community of AT Enthusiasts. It seems to me to be a community of mostly elitist thru-hikers and section hikers trying to impress the thrubees and get a trophy under their belt. I can't help it. That's my opinion. I'm certainly enthusiastic about hiking on the AT. I'm sorry I'm just not enthusiastic about thru-hiking it right now. Maybe later. Maybe not. Although I'm not a part of the elite group of former, future and present thru-hikers, please accept me as part of the fringe of the community, ready to help with my limited knowlege and experience. You can think of me as the black sheep of the WhiteBlaze family. Good at a lot of things, expert at nothing. I do have some nice, framed in barn wood, photos of the AT in GA, NC and TN. I have been on the AT in a lot of other states. I just don't have those pics digitalized yet. They are for sale and when I figure it out, I'll have a website where people who truly love the trail could, if they wanted , purchase an authentic Appalachian Style framed pic of the AT. I love you guys and I've loved the AT ever since my Dad took me and my brother up to camp on Blood Mountain when I was 9.

[speedy]

You aren't alone on here. Me and a friend have this conversation almost every time we go (he's a member, but I'll let him expose himself). Even though there's parts I've done multiple times and enjoyed it, I do tend to look at most things as challenges. I think he'd be content to never leave GA whereas I'm hopping to do a tripple crown someday. speedy

[Gray Blazer]

I knew it. BTW, love your avatar.

[WalkinHome]

Hi Gray Blazer,

Why all the angst? I am confused by your post alluding to an inferiority complex due to your not caring about doing an AT thru hike. IMHO your broad generalizations are unfair and unfounded. Are there elitists out there? Sure. Are there fair minded, concerned and selfless types out there also? Sure and everything in between. The AT and WB community are a cross section of humanity which brings with it all of the attendant virtues and flaws. IMHO this is life. Most of the members of the Maine AT Club barely acknowledge there is an AT beyond the Maine/New Hampshire border LOL. That does not automatically categorize them as anything other than an AT supporter. It does not make them good, bad or indifferent. Their focus and attentions just happen to be on Maine. There are many negative and confrontational words in your post that I think does the AT/WB community a disservice. Just my two cents, excuse the soapbox, sleep now. Be safe.

[Sly]

WB is supposed to be a Community of AT Enthusiasts. It seems to me to be a community of mostly elitist thru-hikers and section hikers trying to impress the thrubees and get a trophy under their belt. I can't help it. That's my opinion.

Thrubees?

Thru- and section hikers are elite by virtue of their hikes, but hardly elistist as most are willing to share in their experience to help wannabes.

[toddhiker]

Due to two knee (ACL) reconstructions and my job as a financial consultant, I can't do the whole thing. Just parts of it and other hikes. (Will do the Foothills Trail in March)

However, I've read more great, HELPFUL advice on this site than I recall! I've sensed very little "elitest" attitudes. I acknowledge there is some, but those folks are the minority - and even they are helpful most of the time. Most are willing to help each other, which we need more of in all aspects of society!

Keep hikin', making stoves , and pushing the envelope...even the fanatics!!!!

toddhiker

[FanaticFringer]

Hi Gray Blazer,

Why all the angst? I am confused by your post alluding to an inferiority complex due to your not caring about doing an AT thru hike. IMHO your broad generalizations are unfair and unfounded. Are there elitists out there? Sure. Are there fair minded, concerned and selfless types out there also? Sure and everything in between. The AT and WB community are a cross section of humanity which brings with it all of the attendant virtues and flaws. IMHO this is life. Most of the members of the Maine AT Club barely acknowledge there is an AT beyond the Maine/New Hampshire border LOL. That does not automatically categorize them as anything other than an AT supporter. It does not make them good, bad or indifferent. Their focus and attentions just happen to be on Maine. There are many negative and confrontational words in your post that I think does the AT/WB community a disservice. Just my two cents, excuse the soapbox, sleep now. Be safe.

I do believe your post is the one with many negative and confrontational words. You really need to take a chill pill.

[dixicritter]

Well I'm with y'all. I'm not going to thru hike... ever. Not my thing, even if my health would let me. The most I do is day hikes currently.

Oh and I suppose I support WB

[FanaticFringer]

I dont ever plan to hike the whole thing. In sections over a long period of time is not out of the question though. If I did a thru I would be a bag of bones at the end and my hard earned muscle I have killed for over many, many years would be eatin up

[The Old Fhart]

Gray Blazer-"It seems to me to be a community of mostly elitist thru-hikers and section hikers trying to impress the thrubees and get a trophy under their belt."

That is not correct. All you have to do is read the articles section to see how these seasoned hikers with many miles have gone out of their way to provide information to others who may be planning to do anything from a day hike to something a little, or a lot longer.

You constantly see threads about someone wanting info on shuttles, resupply, what gear to use, what stove might fit their needs, and on and on. The WhiteBlaxe community goes out of their way to help these people.

There is a big difference between having knowledge based on experience and being an elitist. Sure there is a spectrum from the helpers down to the negative types you perceive dominate this site, but you are wrong. Walkin' Home just pointed that out quite nicely and only the fanatical fringe would misconstrue what he said.

It is also interesting that after painting everyone who has hiked the trail as elitist and being self-centered you conclude your post with a sales pitch for photos you've taken on the trail. I believe there is another section in the forums for people who want to buy and sell stuff. .

[StarLyte]

Now that I'm healthier again, I have lost interest in thruing the AT, but am determined to thru the FT first and then the PCT once my finances catch back up. I've cooled on WB some, but this is still a great website.

Hey Amigi-
I've been wanting to thru the FT....I was supposed to start this Dec. 31 but felt I should wait another year; I didn't want to hike by myself---thought I did, but I don't.

Maybe we'll talk about it - form an FT hike group or something, or whatever-just a thought. I have a few friends who want to rendezvous with me on certain parts.....talk about it on another thread....

[vf457l]

Since I am unable to take off of work for 6 months straight until I retire in 19 or so years I will not be able to thru hike the entire trail now. I do plan on section hiking the entire trail until then since I may be able to take a month off every now and then. Hopefully, God willing, when I retire I will still be in shape and healthy enough to thru hike the entire trail. I have been camping since I was 10 and I love being in the outdoors wether it be fishing, hunting, car camping with my family or the Boy Scouts or backpacking a small loop trail here in Jersey. I find all the posts on this site informative and they relate to any camping trip, not just the AT. Reading about other peoples thru hikes gets me all excited and tingly inside thinking that someday I will thru hike the trail. Until then will still visit this site and be part of the hiking community taking my weekends and week long trips.

[Disney]

I'm in the same boat. It'll be quite some time before I can attempt another thru. I will try though, come hell or high water, I'll keep trying till they put me in the ground.