Why I’m Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Some hikers have dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail their entire life. Some people will dream of making this hike their entire life and never get to. Ill be honest, Im not one of those people. In fact, I didnt know any details about the AT until last March. Sometimes I feel a little bit unworthy because of that.
I’ve always wanted to have an adventure.
My family has always done outdoor adventure type vacations. Not every year or anything, but when weve done them. Whether that be beach trips or house boating those have been among the best moments of my life. Ive always wanted to hike, camp, and do other outdoor activities with my friends, but Ive never really been close with a group of people who were into that. So Ive always sort of followed my friends interests. Dont get me wrong, Ive always been true to myself and loved all the things Ive been interested in. This is just one facet of myself I haven’t much explored.
A chance to find myself.
However last winter I sort of found myself untethered, Id grown away from a few groups of friends at the same time and I felt pretty lost and lonely. I decided you know what? Im going to focus on things Ive always wanted to do and havent because my friends werent interested. I had a four day weekend just by chance, and I took off to go camping with my dog and my moms dog. I had a great time and felt really renewed by being out there.
I had a couple of coworkers who were big into camping and outdoors activities. So we talked about it, the Appalachian Trail came up, and I said Id like to hike it someday. It quickly became clear that I did not understand the magnitude of the undertaking. So I went home and googled it, and for some reason, descriptions of hiking through the rain and cold and heat and bugs for six months sold me on it. I began to research gear for hiking it someday.
Making do…
We had a family camping excursion this summer, I planned a trip with my aunt, and another with my mom where she dropped me off at one state park and I hiked down to meet her at another. I was somewhat limited by the fact that I live in a pretty big city, and dont own a car. I dont have maybe as much backpacking experience as one could have before taking on the Appalachian Trail, but everyone starts somewhere. I mostly got in day hikes around the city. Im lucky enough to have a really good bike path through my city, and the dog and I have taken full advantage of that this year.
I joined online communities that focused on the Appalachian Trail, and this helped me because I really am looking for people to connect with and a place to belong, thats no doubt part of the reason I want to hike the trail. I decided I wanted to hike the trail in 2019. That I would come back after and try to get a job at the local university, get a teaching degree, and continue to pursue backpacking during summer vacations.
Retail sucks.
Then I started to feel trapped and dissatisfied with my job. Its like this for me frequently, Ill like my job as long as its new. And I struggle as well, I work my hardest and its never enough. Because this has happened at more than one job I feel like its me thats the problem and not the job. Ive really only ever had one kind of job, and not succeeding in retail doesnt mean Ill never succeed anywhere but- I dont have much else in my life. I need some kind of accomplishment, some sense of success. I m completely starved for it actually. A job may not even be the best place to search for that kind of fulfillment. In fact, I could probably do my job better if I cared just a little bit less.
So in October, I began to look at if it was feasible to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2018. With a lot of sacrifices, a little luck, and some help, its happening. A cumulation of things have pushed me towards it. Im hoping to find myself in some ways; I want a sense of accomplishment, some reason to be proud of myself; I want to spend more time with my dog; I want some distance from parts of my life Im not very happy with right now; and I want to connect with people who have similar interests.
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!
To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.
Comments 4
This literally sounds like my story. I wont bore you. But, I was in a similar boat. I successfully completed my AT-Thru this year. It was an amazing experience. You got this! Honestly though the trail has ruined my life. I am currently planning the PCT for sometime.
I sort of realized the trail is going to ruin my life already. I’m formulating plans to live in a car with my dog and keep traveling the country. We’ll see where that gets me. Congrats on completing the trail! Maybe when you do the PCT I can send you some trail magic.
Sounds like good reasoning! I think the only definition of success that matters is your own. Other peoples definitions of success, like going to college and getting promoted, have definitely hindered me from defining success for myself in the past. And the AT is a great way to do that… I’m hiking in 2018 also. Hope to see you out there!
I agree. I’m excited to complete something I see as a big milestone. Good luck out there.