Solo AT start (was RE: [at-l] Help me!)

[m_factor at hotmail.com (Mara Factor)]

Hi Nira,

Welcome to the list!

Unless you currently have a hiking partner with whom you already have a 
great trail relationship, I think your best bet for finding compatible 
people to hike with is if you go ahead and start the trail alone. Given your 
starting time frame, if you plan to stay at or near the shelters on the 
trail, there will be plenty of people around to keep you company during the 
"down" times such as breaks and wherever you decide to spend the nights. As 
a matter of fact, if you want to be alone, you will have to definitely avoid 
shelters and spend your time at more obscure campsites.

The previous paragraph is just the start of a whole write-up about starting 
solo or with a partner at my web site.  My write-up also includes 
information about considerations if you do find a partner before starting 
your thruhike.  You can find the rest of the write-up at:

http://friends.backcountry.net/m_factor/partner.html

I started the trail alone but found many members of my closer trail family 
at the shelter on Springer Mountain that very first night on the trail.

I hope this gives you a different perspective.

Have a wonderful hike!

Mara
Stitches, AT99

P.S.  I also highly recommend you come to the Gathering this weekend if at 
all possible.  -MF

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit my Travels and Trails web site at:

http://friends.backcountry.net/m_factor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




>From: Ms Nira Duvan <nduvan@yahoo.com>
>To: at-l@backcountry.net
>Subject: [at-l] Help me!
>Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2005 08:38:45 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Hi!
>
>I'm new to the list and I'm looking for some help!
>I'm hoping to hike the AT starting in GA come next
>March and would like to have a buddy to do it with.
>However I've had no luck so far recruiting anyone
>because all my friends seem to think work is more
>important...
>
>Any suggestions as to where I can find someone?
>Anyone out there looking for a hiking partner?
>
>Also, does anyone on this list happen to live close to
>Denver CO?  I have about a million other questions...
>
>
>Cheers!
>Nira
>aka Chim Chim
>
>
>
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