Jobs?

**Snake Farm** · 01-12-2011, 20:26

What do you do for work? Im curious to see what occupations people have that allow them to do a thru-hike, leaving work for months at a time. Are you unemployed, self-employed or leaving a job to do the trail?

In my case, I got a job 6 months back that I actually enjoy and pays really well for a 20 year old but im giving them my 2 weeks in March for the AT. Hopefully they'll invite me back when I finish.

How about you?

**sbhikes** · 01-12-2011, 21:03

I quit my job. I didn't get hired back. I found a different job after.

**Luddite** · 01-12-2011, 21:08

I'm a raft guide but I didn't do it this last summer, its not a year-round job unfortunately. I'm currently working a crap job, but I'm playing a lot of poker on the side. I'd like to earn my income playing poker, but I'm not there yet.

**Blissful** · 01-12-2011, 21:10

I'm an author. When there are no contracts on my work, I have plenty of time (like this past summer and fall). But I have also had my editors cheerfully work around it.

**Luddite** · 01-12-2011, 21:11

Originally Posted by Blissful

I'm an author. When there are no contracts on my work, I have plenty of time (like this past summer and fall). But I have also had my editors cheerfully work around it.

Really? what have you written?

**hobbs** · 01-12-2011, 21:12

Grizz I am a draftsmen and engineer, I leave this spring for my thru.. No, my employer wont give me more than a few weeks. But thats what I knew when I made my decision and thats one you have to as well. But regardless there are many who have and will again to do a thru....

**Kel, the "Stickman"** · 01-12-2011, 21:17

CDL truck driver at a lumberyard, and part time logging... I quit the driving job when I decided to hike, but got a call asking me to come back by the time I had made it SOBO as far as Greymoor Friary. Still have mixed feelings about not completing the hike, but will be back out there someday. Trick is to have a job that you can walk away from, and be willing to work doing "whatever" when you come back... The bigger issue, if married, is to have a very supportive spouse... and I am one lucky guy!

**SurferNerd** · 01-12-2011, 21:19

I'm an IT Engineer. I work in the field. I work projects, normally meaning no need for a mortgage or bills. Projects are easy to find, pay really well, and you keep moving.

**kayak karl** · 01-12-2011, 21:30

haven't had a J.O.B. for three years, but if an employee asked off for 6 months i'd fire him LOL

**mweinstone** · 01-12-2011, 21:30

artist.i make crap folks know they dont need.colorful blobs and such.never sold a peice yet.for money i toil in moldy cat spray lead asbestose caveins folks call their homes. spare time is spent calculating infinity. hiking is instead of going to a doctor or buying medical insurance.all hikes are medical emergencys.

**topshelf** · 01-12-2011, 22:07

I plan on doing a thru in a few years, but I teach middle school. It gives me a one year contract I can choose not to renew at any time. I plan on not renewing and going SOBO in the next couple years.

**Iceaxe** · 01-12-2011, 22:35

I'm a plumber.. It's a ****ty job but somebodies gotta do it.
Crawlin around under houses, re-piping, replacing sewer lines.
Used to be a good trade here in the peoples republic of California.
Used to have job security and stuff building new homes..
Used to..
I have no problem leaving this toilet behind to hike the AT.

(Plumbing jokes are soo easy)

Sh#t flows downhill..

Don't chew your fingernails..

Tired of this crap..

Yea.. Yea...

**Lone Wolf** · 01-12-2011, 22:37

Originally Posted by Iceaxe

I'm a plumber.. It's a ****ty job but somebodies gotta do it.
Crawlin around under houses, re-piping, replacing sewer lines.
Used to be a good trade here in the peoples republic of California.
Used to have job security and stuff building new homes..
Used to..
I have no problem leaving this toilet behind to hike the AT.

(Plumbing jokes are soo easy)

Sh#t flows downhill..

Don't chew your fingernails..

Tired of this crap..

Yea.. Yea...

#1 in the #2 business

**Megapixel** · 01-12-2011, 22:42

Food service kitchen manager. I have been given a six month loa from a very generous boss who wants me back and sees me as a cog in the future wheel of the restaurant. He believes in letting employees do what they want as far as outside dreams and desires, thus creating happier and more content employees.
I've seen this kind of grace given to other employees; albeit much shorter time frames. I believe my work ethic and maturity level in a business where its a bit harder to find are some of my "keeping points," but the biggest one of all is an honest generous employer. I've had over 15 jobs in my life, never once a boss like this. I think it's fair to say it's a rare find.

**Yukon** · 01-12-2011, 22:47

Originally Posted by hobbs

Grizz I am a draftsmen and engineer, I leave this spring for my thru.. No, my employer wont give me more than a few weeks. But thats what I knew when I made my decision and thats one you have to as well. But regardless there are many who have and will again to do a thru....

Same here, started out drafting and now an engineering tech. Want to do the AT someday but recently just bought a new home so I'm hoping my fiancee will get rich lol

**johnnyblisters** · 01-12-2011, 22:54

During college I worked as a Ridgerunner in New England. Now that I have graduated, I'm a carpenter slowly building up the thru-hike fund. Slowly.

**Snake Farm** · 01-12-2011, 22:57

Originally Posted by mweinstone

artist.i make crap folks know they dont need.colorful blobs and such.never sold a peice yet.for money i toil in moldy cat spray lead asbestose caveins folks call their homes. spare time is spent calculating infinity. hiking is instead of going to a doctor or buying medical insurance.all hikes are medical emergencys.

I think you are slowly becoming my favorite forum poster/ fellow hiker. :]

Interesting responses from everyone, didnt expect them to be so varied. I just work at a Wal Mart Distrubution Center. Best job i've had so far though, 4 day weeks, good pay, good benefits and I get to laugh at all those poor schmucks working in the stores! Nothing i'll miss for too long though.

**Sonno** · 01-12-2011, 23:13

I have a job field testing hiking boot designs...

Actually I'm a life long pro cook and an aspiring photographer. I can pretty much work when ever and where ever. The trade off is it doesn't matter when or where the pay pretty much sucks. Not married anymore... thankfully...

**fiddlehead** · 01-13-2011, 00:04

Originally Posted by Iceaxe

I'm a plumber.. It's a ****ty job but somebodies gotta do it.
Crawlin around under houses, re-piping, replacing sewer lines.
Used to be a good trade here in the peoples republic of California.
Used to have job security and stuff building new homes..
Used to..
I have no problem leaving this toilet behind to hike the AT.

(Plumbing jokes are soo easy)

Sh#t flows downhill..

Don't chew your fingernails..

Tired of this crap..

Yea.. Yea...

"You can't judge the depth of the well by the length of the handle on the pump"
"Payday's Friday"

2 of my brothers are plumbers.
They make an incredible amount of money.

**garlic08** · 01-13-2011, 00:06

I'm self-unemployed.

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