Friends ands family have no confidence

[dragoro]

No one I know thinks I'm going to be able to do the whole trail. Great have such overwhelming support huh?

[Roland]

Let their doubt be your motivation. Show them that when you set your mind to something, you can achieve it.

Best of luck. Enjoy your hike.

[Blissful]

No one thought I could either. And I had my doubts too at various times.

[Tuney]

No one I know thinks I'm going to be able to do the whole trail. Great have such overwhelming support huh?

We really never know what we're capable of achieving until we do it. Support would be nice, but many people don't understand about life in the trail community, and they have visions of all sorts of terrible things happening.

[sidebackside]

Once upon a time I was there with my family. Not so much with hiking, but other life events. It's hard when it's your family and friends as to some complete stranger. But...truely this is something you "can do" with or without their support. Does it make it easier with? Yes. But hopefully this will give you more drive to prove to 'yourself' that you can do it. Not so much to prove to them that you can. Although...it's always nice to say, "I told you so!"

[sidebackside]

Let their doubt be your motivation. Show them that when you set your mind to something, you can achieve it.

Best of luck. Enjoy your hike.

Just what I was thinking Roland.

[Lemni Skate]

Maybe you won't make it, but it won't be because of any of the reasons they're thinking. I think that barring an injury or a family emergency, the only think that will stop you is your own brain. You can do it!

[dragoro]

Very true, thanks guys.

[Spot In The Sky]

Ya know I have almost no camping experience but Ive been planning this thru hike for a year and I know I can do this. My family is concerned and scared.

[Skidsteer]

They just don't want you to be gone for that long and it weirds them out.

[Slo-go'en]

They could be right, since they know your state of fitness, finances, experiance and ability to finish a goal better then we do. If they have good reason to belive you can't finish the trail (we are talking thru-hike here?), maybe you should listen to them.

Of course, it could be the reason they think you can't do it is because they know they couldn't do it. About all you can do is try and hope your in the 30% group who does finish the trail (in one trip). So in any event, they do have a 70% chance of being right.

[Rain Man]

No one I know thinks I'm going to be able to do the whole trail. Great have such overwhelming support huh?

What makes them all think that?

In any event, if you decide to try, then we all here wish you the best.

Rain Man

.

[K2]

Unfortunately, not all of us can come from supportive families.

Just think, how amazing it is that you've chosen to do this. Most people spend their entire lives breathing in and out, and not much else. You've chosen to take an extended trip that will test your physical and mental endurance. Regardless of how far you go, it will change you.

Having said that, I would suggest you consider not trying to prove anything to anyone. If you can only manage 100 miles, that's OK. After all, can the people you know match that? Do decide on mini-goals, and don't think you've failed if you can't do the whole thing--stuff happens.

Myself, I'll be happy to reach the NC/GA border, and I have set up similar mini-goals along the way.

Have faith in yourself; and take care. Sincerely, K2

[bigcranky]

If you have some time, you might read this:

http://www.skwc.com/exile/Hail-nf.html

[Two Speed]

Ah jeez, "Then The Hail Came." Haven't looked at that in years. Great read!

[Blue Jay]

Be ready for several events during your hike. People who have been living together for decades will suddenly HAVE to get married as far away from the trail as possible and you are the best man. People who have been healthy their entire life will be suddenly sricken with bungally plague and only your DNA will save them. A family member you've never met will die and you will be chosen to give the eulogy. People who live behind a fence hate it when one of them digs their way out.

[Blue Jay]

About all you can do is try and hope your in the 30% group who does finish the trail (in one trip). So in any event, they do have a 70% chance of being right.

Statistics lie. When you're standing at the end they have a 100% chance of being wrong.

[bulldog49]

Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, only what you think.

[kayak karl]

so what, you quit, fail, go home, drop out. what difference does it make, at least YOU tried have fun and when its not. GO HOME

[Mountain Goat]

I got the same thing from my family, plus a laugh from my dad, but who cares. I'm going to have fun, and when I make it to GA I'll be the one laughing.