Hello,
I am planning a 2004 Thru-hike with my 13 year-old daughter, a recovered Autistic (NOT retarded. It's similar to ADHD). I've never done anything like this--well, I grew up on a farm and did a lot of hiking--but that was YEARS ago. My hubby can't make the hike with us--can't get the time off from work, so it would be just the two of us. Hubby says we CAN"T hike alone (I wouldn't want to). I am hoping to find some hiking companions.
I am a short 4' 11'', 42 year old female with fibromyalgia, 25-30 pounds overweight and very out of shape due to a sedentary lifestyle (which I'm heartily sick of, BTW, it's not how I grew up). I've have had both feet operated on for problems stemming from high arches and I have a lower back and cervical disk bulges from a car accident (Can't carry heavy loads). I am a nurse--an LPN and have had some experience in camping and hiking, spent a lot of time in the woods. I am a nurse (LPN), so have first aid knowledge.
My daughter, on the other hand is 5' 7'', all muscle and energy, loves hiking and camping and is gung-ho to make this trip. She will be 15 by the time we attempt it. Her big challenge is her diet--she cannot have any form of gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats) or milk products (icluding casein and whey).
We'd have to prepare and drop-ship most of our food, due to her diet needs, but other than that, have no serious health problems like Diabetes, heart or lung issues.
I'm carefully reading and researching this and I know it is not without its challenges. But we plan to train for the hike and prepare well. I point out to my family that people in their 70's have successfully made the hike. I do not want to so section-hikes, I want the experience and challenge of the Thru-hike.
My idea is to hike carrying as little weight as possible. We aren't experienced enough to hike Ultra-Light, but many of the ideas and gear items would work for us. I plan to take 6-7 months to do the entire trail, hiking 10-12 miles per day, not taking as many rest days as some so we don't have to do high-mileage hiking.
I've thought of doing a story on the hike, making it a "Walk for Autism Awareness--There IS a Cure" type of thing, finding sponsors and all that. Just a thought.
My extended family thinks I'm crazy. Their objections range from the 'crazies' on the trail who would murder us to bears to hypothermia to the physical impossibility of the feat.
I have several questions:
1) Does anyone know of any Autistic that ever hiked the entire length of the AT? (My daughter wants to be the first )
2) Has anyone known or heard of folks with fibromyalgia completing the AT?
3) Does anyone know if any of the supply towns have health food stores in them? Most of our alternative grains (rice pasta, millet bread, soy yogurt) come from them.
4) Is there a forum for AT Trail Angels online?
5) How feasable is it to try and find a trail companion with experience that would make the hike with us?
5)Cost of gear is a big problem--I've thought of querying some outfitters for their interest in loaning gear for an undertaking like this in exchange for the advertisment value. Any thoughts on this?
Anything I'm not thinking of? Any comments? Encouragements? Just don't tell me it's impossible--I'm hearing enough of that already...