how many hikers actually
have completed the whole trail this season? A few obviously are still finishing southbound.
Less than 20? I said "whole"!
Numbers overall were down from what I heard...still plenty of end to enders will be thruhikers...just the way it is.
Out of four end to enders I have done, I am still amazed at how many I know for a fact didnt even come close to a thru hike submit a Thruhike paper...but if thats what they want to do, fine by me. It really shouldnt matter to any one but the hiker who is out there what their journey ends up being.
We finished July 3 at Katahdin.
If You Live in a Glass House....
LK--
What years were your four "end-to-enders?" When I met you when you were making your movie I don't remember hearing that you were a four timer. That's a lot of miles.
Only reason I'm askin is you mention that a lot of people make fake claims, so it's kind of a strong thing to say.
So just out of curiousity when were you four completed thrus?
Didnt say thrus...said end to enders...From Georgia to Maine in aprox 6 months inOriginally Posted by Shrike
GA_ME--- 98',
Waynesboro - --DWG 99'
GA-ME--- 00',
GA-DWG, KENT CT-New Hampshire--- 01'
, John Muir--- 02',
AT again filming--- 03'.
Erwin to Damascus, The Whites, Springer to Dicks Creek ----04'
and yeah, that is a lot of miles...and I dont mean to insult anyone as I dont care how any one hikes. I do it all, I do it my way, and I enjoy it. I was just saying you cant go by the count as to how many actually did it, because it isnt completely accurate.
New term?
What's an "end to ender" anyway, I've never heard the term. Does it mean you visit both ends for photographs but skip a lot in the middle? Soryy, but I'm new to this and don't know what you mean.
By not coming close, do you mean they stop before reaching Katahdin, or that they skip sections of the trail altogether by catching a ride? Just curious.
Frosty
back to topic
hhmmmm To answer the original question that started the thread..... I'm guessing here , but I'm thinking your guess of 20 isn't too far off the bullseye.
THE Mairnttt...Boys of Dryland '03 (an unplanned Billville suburb)
http://www.AT2003.com
[email protected]
http://www.myspace.com/hudson_hartson
You're right that it shouldn't matter to others, Lion King, but only until they choose to seek ATC recognition for completing the whole trail. Once they do seek 2,000 miler recognition for a hike that's clearly incomplete, I agree that others' emotions include amazement (among other things). I don't know what kind of history you and Shrike have, but based on your initial post I would have taken it to mean you had completed the trail four times. I have always understood an "End to Ender" as the equivalent to a 2,000 miler. Still do. Thanks for clarifying.
With the exception of 99, I've got 1500-2000 miles every other year.
So I would say I have section thru-hiked at least 3 times.
I hike because I love it, I hike because I love the people, The Militant Holier then thou hikers make it seem to much like being at a job with people of the high school attitudes of 'Im better" or "My way is the only way" sensibility and it sickens me.
This is about freedom, and it is one of the only places left that we as a people can truly be free to have our own opinions and our own experiance. NO ONE should have to judged out here, and as I stated, you will not see my name in the ATC news, or any other publication, or will you see any certificates saying I did thru-hikes for any other year.
Its important to let those who choose to walk from Georgia to Maine, no matter how, do it. Life leads you in different directions, choices come, things happen, some of us do not have the money to hike they whole way, some of us do. I am not one who has the money, I try to make what I have last as best I can, and if that means when I get to Pennsyvania and I dont feel like rock hopping for two weeks, then by God I will not do it.
Or If I get a ride into town, a trail angel takes me home, and that leads to something bigger that just happens to take me further up the trail great man, I have had a wonderful life experiance, I have shared company with a quality human being I have smelled life on a different plain, and nothing makes someone feel worse then to return to the trail after a wonderfull experiance like that and have some buttmunch give them the 'eye' when they walk into a shelter..."How the hell did you get here? I was three days ahead of you?"
---instead of
"Hey man, great to see you again!" which is what they should say...but sucky people do judge.
No one should have to be made to feel bad for choosing their own path, thats what this is suppoused to be about.
no one did. Your getting defensive! They just wanted to know whether you had hiked all the miles. They didn't pass judgment on you!
Just say that you hiked a bunch of miles each year and don't keep track.
As with the post, not saying you guys, saying some people on the trail, and why it is wrong to judge what and how others hike.
Not getting defensive, being straight about what goes on and how silly it is.
All apologize if it came across any other way.
Actually, asking "How did you get here?" is not judgmental. The question is based on surprise and the assumption that you are walking, not riding. If instead of saying you were a thruhiker (leading people to believe that you are walking the whole way) and instead mentioned that you were going to catch a ride to a shelter up the trail, this person would not have asked, "How did you get here?" because he would know.
I don't care if people want to hike any part of the trip. That, as you say, is entirely your business. Hike the way YOU want. Some people may not like it, but as you say, that is their problem, not yours. It only becomes your problem if you deceive people into thinking you are walking the whole way and then get upset at them when they are confused about how you get to a place ahead of them. That would be for you to deal with, not them.
The solution is simple. Hike your own hike and don't be ashamed of it by pretending to be doing something else. No need to pretend to be doing what others are doing. Do it your way and be upfront about it, and screw everyone who doesn't like it.
Frosty
2004 Thru-hiker Estimate: Northbound (As of Nov. 29)
Springer Mtn., Ga. 1,535
Neels Gap, Ga. 1,305
Fontana Dam, N.C. 864
Harpers Ferry, W.Va. 660
Katahdin, Maine 289
NO DATA yet from ATC concerning 2004 SOBO-ers
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