What concerns you most about your upcoming hike?

[Joshua Mac]

For me, the thought of hitchhiking still makes me feel uneasy. I've read on many threads that it's not as frightening as it seems, but still mom's lesson of "don't get into a car with strangers" lingers in my mind...

[TOMP]

If it worries you that much, dont do it, or dont do it alone, or dont do it if you dont feel safe with the particular person who stops. You might insult the person who stops if you dont get in but you probably will never see them again anyway, so do what you need to do to feel safe.

What I am most worried about is hiking that many 20 mile days in a row month after month.

[HT1]

hypothermia
dehydration
hunger
foot injury

Seems like every hiker tale of woe involves one of these 4 things. the first 3 are almost always caused by someone trying to "go Lite". I'm questioning myself constantly, "do I have enough clothes/bedding, food, water?"

[aaronthebugbuffet]

What I am most worried about is hiking that many 20 mile days in a row month after month.

You can just 19.5 mile days if you get tired and weary.

[The Mighty Tiberious]

Deer Ticks (Lyme Disease)

Mice Across my face or in my Sleepibg Bag while I sleep.

The Approach Trail Stairs and steep pitches.

Finding re-supply in small villages.

Running out of iPhone battery (camera, journal, books)

Wet Down Sleeping bag

Heavy Rain coming thru my single wall tent.

Family health pulling off the trail.

Not making it end to end.

[ekeverette]

cold rain.... and getting wet; which is going to happen..... and also lighting!!!!! those are the 2 biggies for me.

[Chaco Taco]

For me, the thought of hitchhiking still makes me feel uneasy. I've read on many threads that it's not as frightening as it seems, but still mom's lesson of "don't get into a car with strangers" lingers in my mind...

You will most likely be with other people. Its different along the trail corridor than just hitching in general. A lot of the time its locals that are used to seeing hikers. Other times it tourists or other hikers just wanting to help out.

[Chaco Taco]

hypothermia
dehydration
hunger
foot injury

Seems like every hiker tale of woe involves one of these 4 things. the first 3 are almost always caused by someone trying to "go Lite". I'm questioning myself constantly, "do I have enough clothes/bedding, food, water?"

After you have dealt with weather, you won't question anything with hypo. Hunger is all part of it. Your feet will always hurt in some way, esp the first few days. Water in VA in the summer is the only thing Id pat closer attention to.

[sjd0397]

resupply... I plan and plan again and i just can't stop worrying about it.

[Juice]

Sasquatch herpes.

[RWheeler]

I'm afraid that I'll get out on the trail and lose the motivation for doing a complete thru, or having something come up where I have to get off the trail where the cause is within me. Not something like an injury, or ridiculous weather, or funding... but where I give up on myself. Right now, I don't see anything that leads me to think that this is going to happen, but then again... I'm not walking through a green tunnel for mile upon mile right now, either.

[takethisbread]

You need to be done in 3 months. A job to get to? I dont find 20's too easy to come by in the far south (but very possible) and virtually impossible in NH and Maine. I'm just not In that kind of shape.
Good luck with that pace! I'd guess you are going to blow right by me.

If it worries you that much, dont do it, or dont do it alone, or dont do it if you dont feel safe with the particular person who stops. You might insult the person who stops if you dont get in but you probably will never see them again anyway, so do what you need to do to feel safe.

What I am most worried about is hiking that many 20 mile days in a row month after month.

[TOMP]

You need to be done in 3 months. A job to get to? I dont find 20's too easy to come by in the far south (but very possible) and virtually impossible in NH and Maine. I'm just not In that kind of shape.
Good luck with that pace! I'd guess you are going to blow right by me.

Nope just hiking my own hike.

[pahiker013]

dont worry about it, i wish i had the opportunity to be able to do a thru hike......and worrying is typically a waste of your time

[Six-Six]

Whether my feet will give out on me - nerve/pain issues even before I start.

[bgood360]

1. Bears
2. Bears
3. Bears
4. Bear + other Bears

[Sanhican]

I'm afraid that I'll get out on the trail and lose the motivation for doing a complete thru, or having something come up where I have to get off the trail where the cause is within me. Not something like an injury, or ridiculous weather, or funding... but where I give up on myself. Right now, I don't see anything that leads me to think that this is going to happen, but then again... I'm not walking through a green tunnel for mile upon mile right now, either.

Get Zach "Badger" Davis's book Appalachian Trials. Read it before you go. It will help focus your motivation needs.

[bamboo bob]

What? Me Worry?

[Sarcasm the elf]

1. Bears
2. Bears
3. Bears
4. Bear + other Bears

You'll get over your fear of them pretty quickly. When I think of black bears on the A.T., this is what I see:

[BFI]

imagesCAZU2AUN.jpg

Sasquatch herpes.

Only if you dress like her !!