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[AT-L] Negative Trail Experiences
======== Original Message ========
Hello everybody,
I was having a discussion last night with my wife about hiking the AT. I
have done a substantial portion of it (1300 miles in 1993) and we have
done many day hikes on the AT. We were talking last night about the
experiences people have had on the Trail. Specifically, thru-hikers and
their overall feeling upon finishing the Trail. My point was that no one
who has ever done a thru-hike has regretted the time that they had spent
on the Trail. She said that, of course, the people who did have bad
experiences would not be heard because they would not be on a discussion
group such as this or write a book like Shaffer. I was just wondering if
there was anyone on this group who had or knows someone who regretted the
time they spent on the AT. Not necessarily thru-hikers. Of course, we
all realize that there are bad times on a long-distance hike. There were
plenty of days when I was wondering what I was doing out there. But for
myself, the overall, overwhelming experience was positive and makes me
want to go hiking every spring. Any thoughts?
Jason
======== Fwd by: owen ========
Good question - I know people who left the trail, people who tried to leave
the trail, but kept coming back a day or two later, people who were badly
injured on the trail, people who looked as if they were miserable but kept
going anyhow - none that I knew were sorry they had done the trail. It is
difficult, it is different from what you expect (Whatever that may be - you
won't know what it is really like until you're actually there), it will
change you in ways unforseen - but I can't think of anyone who regretted
going. Like any great learning experiences, you wouldn't take it back if
you could, no matter how difficult.
Spirit Walker '88
PS - somehow the list signed me back on after I had signed off (work
problems - I was getting too many messages) This question was