Section va Thru-hike
I have a question that is mainly just because I'm curious.
If someone is on a thru-hike how many off days away from the trail would it take before it became a section hike?
42.
Actually I am going to have to say it is a personal decision. To me the definition of a thru hike is a personal one.
a through-hike is going from one end to another with no days off. hence the word through. take a day off then you've broken the continuity. it's just a bunch of section hikes thrown together then.
Don't expect clear definitions that are agreed upon
The kind of question you asked gets asked here often and is debated endlessly. When all is said and done, what's been posted is a bunch of of opinions. There is really no answer as to what seperates thru-hikes from section-hikes.
That's part of why the term 2000 miler makes so much sense to me.
By the way,to WhiteBlaze.net!
Last edited by emerald; 01-29-2007 at 01:40. Reason: Splint my 1st sentence into 2.
something about doing it in a year...
Originally Posted by L. Wolf
a through-hike is going from one end to another with no days off. hence the word through. take a day off then you've broken the continuity. it's just a bunch of section hikes thrown together then.
dont pay no attention to lonewolf,he is trying to steal my girl hillary
neo
It's an opinion only, but my take, uninfluenced by the likes of certain fellers, is a matter of intention. Take it from there.--Kinnickinic
You never know just what you can do until you realize you absolutely have to do it.
--Salaun
See what I mean?
What about the NOBOs we're now reading about here who began last year? Perhaps I'm wrong to conclude you mean a calendar year?
What if someone skips hiking in the summer months, because he doesn't like hiking in the heat? Does that constitute 2 section hikes?
Ya'll argue about it and have fun. I'm going to work!
Thru Vs. Section hike
Hey NEO!
good to finally meet U in person @ the Nashville-WhiteBlaze Get-together!
i willbe posting some photos very soon.
as per the question....i have to agree w/ WOLF...which means that most hikers are section-hikers!
i wouldn't fornicate her with your penis
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Thru-hike defined at last!
Wolf, you've almost got it! I would add a through (or thru)-hike is going from one end to another without stopping, no days off, no camping and no sleeping. A continuous hike indeed, now we've got it!A through-hike is going from one end to another with no days off, hence the word through. Take a day off then you've broken the continuity. It's just a bunch of section hikes thrown together then.
Everything else is a section hike and we're in reality all section-hikers, no one any better than anyone else.
I always have thought if the AT is HIKED, end to end ,within a year,purists credit it as a thru.I'd like to say, if you are satisfied that you did,even though you did take a break, thats all the cred thats needed.I'm no purist by any means,just my opinion.
I agree that you`ll get 1,000 different answers so I will throw in my 2 cents....I think as long as you finish the whole trail from end to end within one calendar year you would have a "Thru-Hike" regardless of the number of days off..If you take it into another year(s) you have hiked the entire trail and are a 2,000 Miler but not a "thru-hiker"
Sometimes you can't hear them talk..Other times you can.
The same old cliches.."Is that a woman or a man?"
You always seem out-numbered..You don't dare make a stand.
What about skipping hiking in the summer as I suggested above.I can hear it now: "That hypothetical hiker skipped the hard part! He's no thru-hiker. He's just a section hiker."
Works for me. Given a choice, I hike in late summer and early fall. Usually by mid-August it's starting to cool a bit in New England. Nice time to hike.What about skipping hiking in the summer as I suggested above.
alternative thru-hike itineraries
By mid-August, it's just starting to get hot and dry in the middle states. I expect you'd probably like this hike, but some people would have you believe it's not a thru-hike.
OK, let's get specific. You've got, say, six weeks to walk 600 miles from Lehigh Gap down to south/central VA. What are the ideal dates? My plan is to start 8/15, and walk thru September. Or I could walk from 8/1 thru mid-Sept. Comments?
Message 4 T2
I hope you are not allergic to ragweed pollen!
It's all summer and varies from year-to-year as to what period would be better, but, rather than flip a coin, if I had to choose, I'd opt for the later period and hope for rain.
At that time of the year, it would be thunderstorms late in the day. That would serve to cool things off somewhat and perhaps recharge the springs.
You should practice what c.coyle referred to as 10 before 10 in a thread some time ago. Get most of your miles in before 11 and find a place to spend the warmer portion of the day in the shade when the sun is high in the sky. Hike again after 3 or even 5 in the evening when it's cooler. Those times are the best to observe wildlife anyway.
At that time of the year, you will almost certainly see rattlesnakes, but if you don't bother them, they won't bother you.
What else do you want to know? PM me for more.
Last edited by emerald; 01-29-2007 at 01:15. Reason: Spelling.
No, 42 is the meaning of life, but I love the philosophy behind your answer. To ask this question displays a complete lack of awareness about thruhiking.
Time has no meaning on the AT.
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