Thruhike Mentor?

**Miss Janet** · 02-07-2005, 00:56

I know an experienced AT thruhiker that is offering his service to one hiker per year. He will help the right client plan a thruhike, buy the right gear, train and prepare. Then on the trail he will actually mentor the client all along the trail as a partner but hiking at the clients pace. He would advise and encourage based on his experience as a 2 time successful thruhiker. While this will NOT be a supported hike... no van or anything, the mentor would be willing to carry a lot of the clients load as well as his own. The mentor would like to offer this to the man or woman that wants to thruhike but may want or need the extra support from a constant; on the trail, coach. This may not be attractive to most people but then again, he only wants one client per year. Do you think he would find someone that would want this type of service?

I have know this man for several years and he is a straightup nice man. He is very much the Southern Gentleman and extremely trustworthy. He is well known and would have plenty of references from other hikers.

What are your thoughts on his one on one plan?

**Lone Wolf** · 02-07-2005, 07:00

Hmmm. Would it be the "clients" hike though? What is the "right" gear? Most of the folks on these websites are good mentors but usually one on on partnerships on the trail do not work out. A person needs to learn and discover on their own. Would the mentor be willing to let the client go on alone when he/she gains confidence? I've got tons of experience but it's my experience and my way of hiking wouldn't work for the majority folks. BUT, someone might want/need this sort of hike. Who knows?

**MOWGLI** · 02-07-2005, 07:51

Originally Posted by Miss Janet

What are your thoughts on his one on one plan?

Well, by the time they reach Damascus, provided they do, that little fledgling will probably be ready to fly on his/her own. Unless the two strike up an extraordinary friendship, or the newbie has some physical limitation that requires someone to carry their possesions, I don't see the relationship being all that beneficial after 450 miles (plus or minus).

Just my opinion.

**SGT Rock** · 02-07-2005, 08:23

I could see this somewhat, sort of like a personal trainer to get you started on the AT. Personally I wouldn't want tobe either of these people.

**Jaybird** · 02-07-2005, 09:08

[I]I'd look to a hiking Mentor for suggestions...but, not to hike my hike for me!

theres something to be said...for...letting the hiker gain knowledge on their own....its lessons learned...(maybe the hard way)..BUT, never forgotten![/I]

**hikerjohnd** · 02-07-2005, 09:29

Originally Posted by Miss Janet

I know an experienced AT thruhiker that is offering his service to one hiker per year. He will help the right client plan a thruhike, buy the right gear, train and prepare. Then on the trail he will actually mentor the client all along the trail as a partner but hiking at the clients pace. He would advise and encourage based on his experience as a 2 time successful thruhiker. While this will NOT be a supported hike... no van or anything, the mentor would be willing to carry a lot of the clients load as well as his own. The mentor would like to offer this to the man or woman that wants to thruhike but may want or need the extra support from a constant; on the trail, coach. This may not be attractive to most people but then again, he only wants one client per year. Do you think he would find someone that would want this type of service?

I have know this man for several years and he is a straightup nice man. He is very much the Southern Gentleman and extremely trustworthy. He is well known and would have plenty of references from other hikers.

What are your thoughts on his one on one plan?

Call it what he wants, but isn't this just a guide service? Isn't that kind of commercial enterprise not allowed on the AT?

**Lone Wolf** · 02-07-2005, 09:31

Doesn't sound like the "mentor" is charging any kind of fee, just doing something out of the goodness of his heart. Nothing commercial about it.

**MOWGLI** · 02-07-2005, 09:34

Originally Posted by L. Wolf

Doesn't sound like the "mentor" is charging any kind of fee, just doing something out of the goodness of his heart. Nothing commercial about it.

Maybe this nice fellow could accompany the individual from Springer to Damascus. Then Lone Wolf could take over and "unlearn" that person. You know, teach them about blue blazin' & hell raisin' and whatnot.

**hikerjohnd** · 02-07-2005, 09:37

Originally Posted by L. Wolf

Doesn't sound like the "mentor" is charging any kind of fee, just doing something out of the goodness of his heart. Nothing commercial about it.

Miss Janet - Is the mentor looking to charge a fee?

**The Solemates** · 02-07-2005, 09:40

What a crock.

**Lone Wolf** · 02-07-2005, 09:40

After reading the post again it does kinda sound like he may charge a fee. hmmm. Miss Janet?

**The Cheat** · 02-07-2005, 10:29

Originally Posted by Miss Janet

...snip...

What are your thoughts on his one on one plan?

It sounds to me like he wants to get paid to walk slow. LOL.

Anyway, I can't imagine why anybody would want a coach for the whole trail. But, I suppose a person might want to have somebody help them get started. Although they could get the same thing for free from WhiteBlaze and other sources.

If it is even legal, his best bet might be to help people get started, then walk just the first week or so with them. After that, they should go on by themselves. Otherwise the coaching isn't working, is it?

So, instead of one long coaching job, perhaps he would be arranging multiple short coaching jobs.

The Cheat

**The Old Fhart** · 02-07-2005, 11:38

Keep in mind that this is considered a commercial use and SUP (Special Use Permits) would be required to keep it legal. I have had a outfitters permit for leading AMC NH chapter hikes in the Whites. Some others have actually done guided A.T. hikes without permits and have had run-ins with the law. NotYet has explained her carefully planned proposed guided hike on another thread on WB and her comments on staying legal are well worth reading.

**Footslogger** · 02-07-2005, 11:50

Originally Posted by Miss Janet

I know an experienced AT thruhiker that is offering his service to one hiker per year. He will help the right client plan a thruhike, buy the right gear, train and prepare.

=========================================
Dunno ...that would take a lot of trust. I like the idea of getting input from multiple sources and then doing my own thing. But that's just me ...maybe some hikers would go for this idea ???

'Slogger
AT 2003

**Frosty** · 02-07-2005, 13:06

Originally Posted by hikerjohnd

Call it what he wants, but isn't this just a guide service? Isn't that kind of commercial enterprise not allowed on the AT?

I guess I need some enlightening here, because I'm not sure what you are talking about. Who or what is not allowing commercial enterprise on the AT?

**MOWGLI** · 02-07-2005, 13:10

Originally Posted by Frosty

I guess I need some enlightening here, because I'm not sure what you are talking about. Who or what is not allowing commercial enterprise on the AT?

Any commercial enterprise in a National Park (which the AT is) or a National Forest requires a permit. Try and run a shuttle service to Springer without a permit, and see what happens.

**Freighttrain** · 02-07-2005, 13:10

if one person tries to thru, who whould have otherwise never have tried.... then i think its a good idea...

i dont think of a mentor as someone you buy like a coach, trainer, or sherpa.... IMO a mentor's teachings are free to the selected student

**Rain Man** · 02-07-2005, 13:45

Have the guide or the client contact the National Park Service at http://www.nps.gov/appa/ to ask if the proposed services are legal and/or require any permits, etc.?

We're all guessing about this and that, facts and law. Why guess when they can KNOW?

Rain Man

.

**Lilred** · 02-07-2005, 19:24

This kind of mentoring might be what a single female might look for. Lot's of women don't hike alone, this might be an answer for them.

**A-Train** · 02-07-2005, 19:33

Originally Posted by Lilredmg

This kind of mentoring might be what a single female might look for. Lot's of women don't hike alone, this might be an answer for them.

Yah but why pay for it when they can go out on the trail and get followed by 20 guys for free?

Thread: Thruhike Mentor?

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Thruhike Mentor?

hiking mentor

Re

Go straight to the Horse's Mouth?

Posting Permissions