L Dog
AT 2000 Miler
The Laughing Dog Blog
https://lighterpack.com/r/38fgjt
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness." - John Muir
There are so many miles and so many mountains between here and there that it is hardly worth thinking about
Funny post, is there a cyber WB Tuesday discount from the $199??
I really thought that a section hiker was a hiker who hiked a section.................lets face it, once you do a section you might very well be inflicted with a common disease, lets name that one!
I haven't hiked on the AT in 1 1/2 years. Been doing a lot in Shining Rock Wilderness (have done most of this beautiful place's trails) and the Foothills Trail. Only did about 175 miles this year. Guess that makes me lower than a poser . . . something like a crouton.
Sorry old quotes went invisible:
According to the ATC web site:A Glossary of Trail Terms from an old Thru-Hikers Handbook reads:"A section-hiker completes the A.T. in multiple trips over a period of years."
"Section Hiker is a person who is attempting to become a 2,000-Miler by doing a series of section hikes over a period of time"
The trouble I have with campfires are the folks that carry a bottle in one hand and a Bible in the other.
You never know which one is talking.
At what point does one need to differentiate oneself? Why does there have to be differentiation at all? Thru, Section, Day, whatever....we're all hikers. If you're hung up on the prestige aspect then perhaps you need to spend more time in the woods to reflect on the real reason you're there.
"Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."
Teach, I totally agree on the name thing.
I don't know if I will ever complete the entire AT, but my goal is to hike as much as I can a little bit at a time. Since I don't plan on hiking the entire AT, I guess I'm not a section hiker because other people say I'm not. Or, maybe I can just plan to hike the entire trail and then I am a section hiker, even though I never actually finish the trail. Then again maybe titles just don't matter, and what other people think means about as much to me as who wins the Oscars
The trouble I have with campfires are the folks that carry a bottle in one hand and a Bible in the other.
You never know which one is talking.
Yes, I appreciate the apparent conflict of my own viewpoint here.
I'm not saying that a person shouldn't be proud of their accomplishment, and proud to receive notice of it. Thus, I think the 2000 mile certs are great, and are a wonderful affirmation of one's effort...a pat on the back. Note though that there is no distinction as to type of hiker on it.
But I don't think the purpose of the hike is to achieve the cert. I don't think the purpose of the hike is to classify oneself as different from others in the same pursuit. I think the purpose of the hike is to appreciate the hike.
I find myself caught up in the labels and political aspects of it all too. But when I'm out there it doesn't take long for those trappings to be shed, and for me to realize why I'm there. As for Snacktime and I, we may finish; we may not. We may be sectioners; we may not. We may be qualified to call ourselves AT hikers; we may not. It's all unimportant when we get to appreciate the beauty and wonder of hiking the trail.
Maybe this analogy makes more sense:
When I was in school, it didn't matter if I attended full time or part time, took 4 years or 8. For my part, education was for it's own sake and not for the diploma per se, which doesn't differentiate the manner of its achievement. Yet is hangs on the study wall and reminds me that I've accomplished something I felt was important.
"Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it."
Interesting analogy. I have three degrees (BS, MBA, PhD) along with professional certifications, and I do not know where any of them are right now. But when I finish the AT I will probably get that ATC certificate, frame it, and hang it on the wall. Right now I have my AT map up in my office with a tack for where I currently am.
The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
Richard Ewell, CSA General
Can I be a Section Hiker if the real reason I am there is to hike the trail in sections until I've completed all of it?
I think there should be a naming convention in place as it distinguishes the goal immediately for those hearing it....
Thru-Hiker: I want to do it all in one effort.
Section Hiker: I want to do it all by section.
Hiker: I'm just out here reflect on being out here and I'm enjoying the hell out of it.
What differance does it make?