6 Month Hike vs 1 Month Hike

[makincaid]

Hi All,

I was originally contemplating tackling a through hike of the AT this year. However, due to the poor employment market I chickened out. However, I did arrange to take off 5 weeks this year in order to tackle the Maine and New Hampshire sections.

I have a question for those of your who have hiked long sections and also completed through hikes. Do you feel that you gained anything from completing a six month hike that you did not get from a month-long hike? Obviously, a section hiker would not have the same bragging rights as a through-hiker. But other that this, do you think that a person who completed the AT in four to five long sections would still get the same benefits (emotional, spiritual) as someone who completed it all in one section? I just wonder if I am missing anything by not hiking six months all at once.

Thanks for the advice.

[88BlueGT]

It probably depends on the person. Its most likely more emotional for someone who is thru-hiking it as they have been pursuing it for 3-6months straight.

But than again, the person section hiking it has been going at it for longer (years) so it may be more of a sense of accomplishment for that. I'm going to have to say everyone is different. I know I'd feel pretty damn accomplished if I completed the entire trail, section or thru.

[4shot]

Hi All,

Do you feel that you gained anything from completing a six month hike that you did not get from a month-long hike? Obviously, a section hiker would not have the same bragging rights as a through-hiker. But other that this, do you think that a person who completed the AT in four to five long sections would still get the same benefits (emotional, spiritual) as someone who completed it all in one section? I just wonder if I am missing anything by not hiking six months all at once.

Thanks for the advice.

About the only thing to be gained by doing it in one chunk is the knowledge of what it actually feels like to be on the trail for 5-6 months. I don't think people do it for the bragging rights because most people in the "real" world will think you are nuts for walking that far anyway.The only way I would recommend a thruhike over a section is if you have had a strong desire to attempt one. Really it depends on your motivation for hiking the AT.

I think (most/a lot of) section hikers may actually enjoy it more at the end of the day. Most don't stay out long enough to get the "burnt out, want to finish" feeling (that I observed anyway) or they simply get off when they reach that point. they have the luxury of time. I walked through most of Pa. with a section hiker. He got alot of satisfaction by looking forward to and planning the next section each year. However you decide to do it, best wishes.

[Cookerhiker]

After hiking 5 weeks in the Whites and Maine, you'll feel like you've thruhiked!

[makincaid]

<<After hiking 5 weeks in the Whites and Maine, you'll feel like you've thruhiked!>>

In a good way, I hope...

Actually, I feel like I am cheating a bit, to go straight to the good part.

[makincaid]

I guess I am wondering if spending 6 months at once in the woods would allow me to achieve a "oneness" with nature, that six one-month trips might now allow.

[4shot]

I think a section hike may promote more "oneness" if that's what you seek. at some point on a thru-hike many will stop taking the blue blaze trails to the waterfalls, scenic overlooks, mountain peaks, etc.again, i think doing sections would allow ample opportunity to soak up more of the trail and trail towns/culture (moreso for the average to slow paced hiker). This is only one opinion of course.

[10-K]

A month is about perfect IMO....

I know I'm probably in the minority on WB in this regard but 6 months in the woods and I'd be suicidal.

But, if I started something that was going to take 6 months to finish you can bet I'd finish barring any type of calamity that took me off the trail.

[No Belay]

I'd be interested to see a survey of hikers that completed a thru to see how many developed a "oneness with nature". Most that I know don't want to touch a pack for a long time after their summit and several never packed again. Section hiking has many benifits. It's akin to trimming the fat off a steak, leaving only the tastiest part for consumption.

I guess I am wondering if spending 6 months at once in the woods would allow me to achieve a "oneness" with nature, that six one-month trips might now allow.

[4shot]

I know I'm probably in the minority on WB in this regard but 6 months in the woods and I'd be suicidal.

of realistic folks would actually agree with you. 6 months of trail life does not live up to the romantic notions that some people have.hence the dropout rate we have discussed in other threads.

[hikerboy57]

Since I first stepped on the AT in '76, Ive always wanted to do a complete thru hike. the last 15 years, I've spent a lot of time in ther whites and western Maine, and Ive had a chance to meet quite a few thru hikers.after hearing their stories, and hearing how anxious most were to finish the trail and go home, I finally decided to do it in two trips, and I'll start the first half in 2012.My boss is giving me three months, so I'll start at Springer and get as far north as I can in 90 days. Ive never hiked more than 3 wks in one shot, so three months may be enough of a challenge in itself.
BUT-if Im feeling great after 3 months, I told my boss not to be surprised if I call him and tell him I want to finish.Hes actually cool with it, but 5 months on the trail might be too much for me economically.But if you want to spend a month in the whites and the Mahoosucs, thats a pretty good challenge right there.

[max patch]

If you are looking for personal reflection (what do I want to do about my career/life/marriage/etc) then yes, a thru will be of much more value than a month long hike. If you are asking about a "oneness with nature" whatever that is then I don't have an opinion.

[hikerboy57]

If you are looking for personal reflection (what do I want to do about my career/life/marriage/etc) then yes, a thru will be of much more value than a month long hike. If you are asking about a "oneness with nature" whatever that is then I don't have an opinion.

you dont need 6 months to achieve "oneness with nature", you'll naturally get more into the present moment within a week or so as all the excess chatter in your mind is replaced with focus shifting to simply breathing and walking. as your mind settles down, you will naturally pay more attention to your surroundings. It takes me all of 10 minutes of hiking to achieve this "oneness"

[makincaid]

If you are looking for personal reflection (what do I want to do about my career/life/marriage/etc) then yes, a thru will be of much more value than a month long hike. If you are asking about a "oneness with nature" whatever that is then I don't have an opinion.

I have been kind of burnt out on my work for the last few years. Unfortunately, in order to take off six months to decide if I want to resign, first I would have to resign...

I think by "oneness" I mean feeling at home in the wilderness, more comfortable sleeping under a tree than in a bed. (Kind of like someone raised by coyotes )

[Namaste]

Like many have already said it depends on the person. I had a summer free and chose to hike Maine and part of New Hampshire because I like cooler weather. I was ready to come off when I did after 7 weeks. I'm pretty hardcore though, no stopping in towns, swimming to clean off when I could and using my tent the whole time. My resupplies were planned out well and all was good. For me hiking is not a sport or a competition. I don't care about thru hiking or completing it by the time I'm so many years old. I've got other things in life I wanna do in my free time.

[88BlueGT]

I have never thru-hiked so my words may mean nothing but I don't think there is something you will 'figure' out during a thru-hike that you couldn't figure out in 5 weeks being by yourself.

I think you will actually be more successful at your 'oneness' with nature on a hike that's not blinded by reaching the end. Thru-hikers don't connect with nature because they spend more time thinking about the logistics of their trips along with the miles they're putting down and thinking about the towns.

I say 5 weeks is perfect.

[88BlueGT]

^^ I didn't mean to say thru-hikers don't 'connect', noone take that the wrong way. Don't want to start an E-riot

[tiptoe]

There's no blanket answer to this. I've been section hiking, mostly in 2- to 3-week increments, because it fits best into my life at this time. Bragging rights are not at all a concern to me; I'm just happy to be able to hike long-distance. Ditto for appreciation of nature. I'm a serious gardener and spend a lot of time outdoors contemplating nature's beauty and bounty off the trail and on. I return from my hikes energized, refreshed, and in better physical shape than when I started. I'd advice the OP to do what suits him/her and not worry about appearances.

[One Half]

I have wanted to thru hike for about 15 years but had other things that have prevented that from happening. I am beginning to think that maybe hiking for a month at a time on the AT and other long trails and completing them over several years may be a quicker way to the end for me. I have also wondered how many people who thru hiked (especially those who did it very young) actually kept hiking throughout their life.

[sbhikes]

I did my hike in two 3-month sections. I wouldn't have wanted to go home at the one month mark. At the three month mark, I was ready to go home.

I was glad I did my hike in 2 sections instead of one thru because I had two really awesome adventures instead of just one. I did feel like I achieved a sort of "oneness" with nature. But it was tainted a bit with aching hunger and feet that drew me into town to eat and rest and the homesickness and guilt for leaving all my responsibilities at home.

The big journey comes to an end but a journey that's spread out over years lasts a lot longer. I think I felt pretty darn comfortable out there after a month on the trail. I would actually really love to be able to plan a one-month trip every year with smaller ones scattered throughout. That would be even more adventures.

My advice to you is to do the 5 weeks. The trail will still be there. You can always hike it in 5 week chunks and you can always do a thru-hike some other time or both.