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I'm back
Perhaps a few folks remember me -- I posted a few times over the last
couple of years.
On June 2 I left Springer Mountain. 77 days later, my parents picked me
up at Pa. 34, 1080 miles to the North. Half this summer, half the next
was the plan and it looks like I'm right on schedule.
I'd be happy to share with MY hike with everyone. What obviously
separates me from the traditional thru-hikers is that I intended from the
start to split my trip into 2 summers. (Those pesky academic
schedules!) I do not regret this decision at all and in fact I think
there are many advantages:
* I never (not even once) had to tent because a shelter was full.
* Trail services had recovered from the throng of thru-hikers ahead of me.
* Very well cleared and marked trail. Plenty of register advice about
what lied ahead.
* Got to meet more week, month, weekend hikers with great stories to tell.
* Perhaps it was easier to "hike my own hike."
* I have 10 months to break in new boots.
* No winter gear for the first summer (Southern half June-August).
* Long days for the whole trip.
Disadvantages:
* Occasionally I would wish for a few more hikers.
* A couple services were closed because I was "out of season."
The bottom line is this: I asked myself, "Will the hike mean less or be
less enjoyable if I cut it in half? Will I feel any different when I
climb Katahdin?" The answer for me was no, but I understand others may
feel differently. You have to answer questions like that for yourself.
Dan "Focus" Grossman
|Dan Grossman danieljg@rice.edu "My opinions are always my own|
|6360 S. Main Sid Room 602 and are never shared by as |
|Houston, TX 77005 (713) 630-8678 many people as I wish." |
|http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~danieljg GA->PA 96, PA->ME 97 |