It is not possible for me to free up 5-6 months for a thru hike, however as a teacher I do have summers off, a week in October, a week in April and a couple weeks off around Christmas. In contemplating possibilities I could:
1. Section hike half one summer and half the next with a few weeklong sections in spring, fall and winter.
Or
2. Devise some type of express thru-hike, 20-mile-a-day deal.
Or
3. Section over an extended period of years.
Ideally of course I'd like to plug along for 5 months. That won't happen for me for 10 years or more and I am concerned that my joints may not be able to make the trip at that point.
Question:
Given the choice of a 2-summer section hike or an express thru hike, which would you pick?
I guess its a trade off between the satisfaction of going all the way in one continuous attempt or the enjoyment of slowing down and taking it all in.
Regarding an express trip I probably could take off a week or two prior to the end of a school year which would bring me up to 3 months off.
Thanks for any input.