Giving Up on the Thru Hike

[abbyflutterby]

Alright - curious noob here, planning on hiking next year.
I'm interested in responses to the following.
Thru-hikers - describe a situation where you contemplating giving up on the hike, and going "back"...
or those that didn't finish but originally planned to - what made you quit?

(Even if you quit, props to getting out there in the first place. )

[Lone Wolf]

boredom and monotony

[Bags4266]

I was only out for a month (section hiker), and I have to agree with the Wolf on monotony, everyday is like the movie "Ground Hog Day" wake up, eat, pack, hike, sleep day in and day out. Also I started feeling guilty about my responsiblities at home. (wife cutting the lawn running errands that I should be doing) Starts to play on your head a little. I think 2-3 week clips are perfect for me. But of course its just an opinion.

[abbyflutterby]

I'm a bit worried about the monotony kicking in. I'm doing the hike to get away from cars and buildings and the like and be alone with my thoughts (for the most part). I really believe my brain could use the time (and my body could use the nature) but that doesn't mean you folk didn't think that, too...

[Nean]

boredom and monotony

I've never understood this.
My worst day on the trail is better than a good day in the rat race.
Civilization is the same old same old.

My reasons for getting off before the trail ends are weather (snow) and girls.

I think most people quit because they can't handle getting into trail shape (too hard), start to fast and burn themselves out (no fun) or run out of money.

[Manwich]

When I'm not enjoying myself.

[abbyflutterby]

I've never understood this.
My worst day on the trail is better than a good day in the rat race.
Civilization is the same old same old.

My reasons for getting off before the trail ends are weather (snow) and girls.

I think most people quit because they can't handle getting into trail shape (too hard), start to fast and burn themselves out (no fun) or run out of money.

Girls? Do elaborate.

[Bags4266]

I would imagine age has alot to do with mindset. When I was 17-24 I was a free spirit with no responsibilties. But now or when you get older the responsibilties mount and your obligated to more things (wether you want to be or not)

[Manwich]

Girls? Do elaborate.

abbyflutterby
Registered User

Join Date: 07-21-2010
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona


Age: 18

not everybody blooms on time. one day you'll catch on.

[Nean]

Girls? Do elaborate.

Well.... they get off the trail and I follow them.

[abbyflutterby]

not everybody blooms on time. one day you'll catch on.

Har har har.

Very clever. Went over my head at 2 AM,
and sleepily interpreted it as the presence of females
annoying the hiker until he abandoned the trail?

Things happen when one is tired.

[fiddlehead]

Completed 6
Quit early on 2.

Reasons:
Ran out of money in '77 (before credit cards)
Father died in 2002

[Nean]

I would imagine age has alot to do with mindset. When I was 17-24 I was a free spirit with no responsibilties. But now or when you get older the responsibilties mount and your obligated to more things (wether you want to be or not)

I must of missed that memo. Damn it!

Know where I can find some of those responsibilities thingys

Mindset has a lot to do with age.

[Nean]

Har har har.

Very clever. Went over my head at 2 AM,
and sleepily interpreted it as the presence of females
annoying the hiker until he abandoned the trail?

Things happen when one is tired.

Trolls happen on WB.

You are right Ab, girls chasing me down the trail is a big problem that I (sigh) -have learned to live with.

[abbyflutterby]

Trolls happen on WB.

You are right Ab, girls chasing me down the trail is a big problem that I (sigh) -have learned to live with.

Have faith, new hiker friend. Don't let some dumb girl keep you from getting out there and hiking your own hike! I know female hikers can be intimidating... they're so powerful and determined, but chin up, lad, maybe one day you too can join the ranks of hikers like us.

[Lone Wolf]

chin up, lad, maybe one day you too can join the ranks of hikers like us.

yeah. he's only done the triple crown 3 times so he ain't much of a hiker

[Nean]

Have faith, new hiker friend. Don't let some dumb girl keep you from getting out there and hiking your own hike! I know female hikers can be intimidating... they're so powerful and determined, but chin up, lad, maybe one day you too can join the ranks of hikers like us.

Thank you Abby, that is my dream.

[Kirby]

I reached my low point in Maine, 240 miles south of Katahdin. I was just increasingly miserable and fatigued.

But I finished.

[emerald]

Either way you travel, you still need to deal with the middle states. Through hikers whine about rocks, but what's really getting at them is the heat and their approach to dealing with it.

[Nean]

yeah. he's only done .... so he ain't much of a hiker

Dangit LW, I was about to ask her if she would mentor me.