I came across a blog post that made me kind of excited the other day. I won't say who wrote it, because I'm sure that person will probably state their intent here when they are ready to do so since they are someone who occasionally posts on these forums.
I know people make these claims all the time these days, but I also know for a fact that if anybody is actually going to do it (has the mental and physical attributes to do it), it is going to be the person who wrote these words:
Talk amongst yourselves.If the stars happen to align in 2013, that something big will hopefully be a third thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. It will have been six years since my hike in 2007 and twelve since my hike in 2001. With two months off from my current job, I would take this opportunity to attempt a “self-supported” southbound thru-hike in less than sixty days (37 miles/day).
The main purpose of this hike would be to celebrate the challenge of moving fast, light and free along the trail. The “self-supported” guidelines that I would follow are modeled after the walk and talk of Scott "Bink" Williamson:
- Walk into and out of resupply towns to purchase or pick up prepacked and mailed supplies.
- Hike as a backpacker, carrying all food and equipment between resupply towns.
- Follow the official AT route, no detours, road walks or alternates of any kind.
- Do not have anyone follow, or provide support in a prearranged manner.
- Do not get into a vehicle for any reason during the attempt.
- Honestly and thoroughly document the attempt.
- Practice Leave-No-Trace ethics.