I just received news today that son will be attending Ranger school starting in November. (Nothing like N Ga. Mountains in December.) As I was reading some information about the school I came across a page talking about developing mental toughness to make it through Ranger School. As I was reading it the words sounded very familiar and much of it also applies to a thru hike, especially break the insurmountable task down to digestible chunks. Here's a link to the page, it might be helpful to those about to take their first thru hike. http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry...r%20School.pdf