myhipsoccasionallyfib
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4.5 months ago - Amicalola Falls State Park, GA. I began my Appalachian Trail thru-hike with no expectations for just how difficult and amazing it truly would be. It's something that I've wanted to do for years, spent ages planning, and I finally had the funds and ability to take five months off of life this year.
Edit: wow, what a response! Due to popular demand I've posted pics of the scenery here: https://imgur.com/gallery/sxlEN6H
The southern start of the Appalachian Trail!
States 1 & 2
States 3 & 4
States 4 & 5
States 6 & 7. Finally out of the south!
Halfway there!
States 7 & 8
States 8 & 9
State 10
State 11
State 12
States 12 & 13
States 13 & 14
Yesterday: Mt. Katahdin, Baxter State Park, ME.
4.5 months and 2190.9 miles later, I finished the Appalachian Trail!
This has been such an amazing experience and I just wanted to shout to the entire world that I've finally finished. If anyone has any questions about thru hiking, the AT, or anything, I'm happy to talk your head off about it!
fluhatinrapper
Share more on planning, gear, fun experiences and any physical transformation.
SpidersMcGee
You passed the camp I worked at!! I brought kids up to the trail and explained to them how badass the people who walked past were.
RupertR
Yea but now you have to turn around and walk back...
IMayOrMayNotHaveTroubleFindingAndOrChoosingAUsername
Can we see your feet? I swear I don't have a fetish.
TexasBaconMan
@op, awesome accomplishment!
GoopyBoogerSnotOnYourHotdog
I'll give you a fake internet point for this. +1
monsteratethepilot
kcwenttothemoon
I wish you were where I am. I'd buy you a drink and listen for hours. This was on my bucket list ... 40 years ago. Congrats big time!
myhipsoccasionallyfib
It's never too late to start! Pappy is trying to break Gray beard's age record right now at 87
raggamuffin132
This is admirable and fuckin baffling. I debate walking to the corner shop.
AnswerLady
So, did you call an Uber to get back home?
Stoneheartedlady
wow... amazing stuff @op ! Did you go in a group? I bet you have legs of steel now...
myhipsoccasionallyfib
Nope, I solo hiked. I sometimes hiked with others for a day or two but I mostly like my solitude when I'm in the woods.
ryethethreewheelerguy36
Friend of mine did it before his heart transplant. Lived another 10 years. Said it was well worth the time. He also didn’t think he’d makeit
weallservetheoldone
Wow and congrats! I did motorcycle trips thru these states in my youth. We were under canvas and had great times. Maybe post fav pics.
Loquatsandwildhoney
That's amazing. Got a album of all your photos?
Retropman
Which states were your favorites to hike?? We’re nj/pa as rocky and hilly as I have heard?? Congrats!!
myhipsoccasionallyfib
PA and NJ were really rocky, but a mostly level/flat rocky (unlike Maine). Is it a cop out to say that I loved and hated parts of each state
NotDeadAT
NO! I just finished my thru a couple days ago and I'm right there with you! Congrats!
PaliQ
Do you pronounce it App-a-lay-shen or App-a-latch-an?
myhipsoccasionallyfib
Both depending on where I was. In southern appalachia it's more common for locals to say appa-latch-in so I tried to blend in
Randombastard360
The former for me as an Midwesterner.
PunchaYaBuns
Us mainers say app a lay shen
OopsImAPumpkin
It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where 1
OopsImAPumpkin
you might be swept off to. 2
AJerkyMcJerkface
How many ticks did you get? Genuinely curious.
myhipsoccasionallyfib
I only found 3 on me, only one of which had attached. But some people found a lot more
AJerkyMcJerkface
Thought so..huh. Well..I think I’ll just stick to the way north and great northwest then. RIP OP. I knew thee briefly and in passing.
SharkOfAwesome
I literally came down here to ask this question.
Mr5anch3z
Well done that man!
myhipsoccasionallyfib
Thanks!
Katahdin4207
My name is relevant! Congrats on the hike man.
kylethenomad
@OP any before and after shots? I hear the transformation is craziness.
myhipsoccasionallyfib
Honestly I didn't see much of a change. Typically women on the trail don't lose as much weight as the men though so that's probably why
kylethenomad
Ah interesting. The more you know.
Sigard
Well did you grow beard at least?
myhipsoccasionallyfib
Since I am female and distinctly unable to grow facial hair, no
wlk1994
Very cool! Future posts; pics of your gear, before and after of your boots, day to day life (besides...well...walking).
saidthejokertothethief
SHOW US YA BEARD
myhipsoccasionallyfib
The whole female thing prevents beard growing, but I do have some spectacular leg and armpit hair
saidthejokertothethief
CLOSE ENOUGH
ax2usn
From someone who hiked across America... WELL DONE! Those memories and strengths will stay with you forever.
boevis
I've always wanted to do it, but sadly I need a job.
silentwolf1999
My boss bitches at me if I try and take off more than 1 week at a time
AnnoyanceAbounds
Mine freaks if I'm gone for 1day, let alone my 1 week of pto .
forgetthisnoise
Me too but I also need my fucking feet
myhipsoccasionallyfib
I was only able to make it work by living on pennies before the trail. Since I'm going back to grad school I just left my job way early.
ifukngluvmycat
Very cool! I was on the same path because it cuts through parks in my area.
Disgruntled3lf
Ditto. Even our unlimited vacation policy doesn't cover 6 months.
L8BC
...unlimited vacay is a thing?
heyguysimtom
Technically yes but it's proven that people take less vacation time on it
LeSethX
At some tech companies, yes, in theory but not in practice
Disgruntled3lf
Yup.
ehcow
I proposed to my wife at the top of Katahdin. We hope do the same hike as you for an anniversary some day. Great pictures!
myhipsoccasionallyfib
That's such an amazing story! Hopefully you had good weather for it!
ehcow
It was actually super cloudy but when it cleared the few times it was beautiful.
meesothelioma
How much did it cost for food and gear @op
gelb2
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justhereforthedots
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TheSatch
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NLPer
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ElDopo
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tomatoboy
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Gorlux
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AnEightStoryTallCrustaceanFromTheProtozoicEra
About tree fiddy
HelloMax
Let it go man.
meesothelioma
Who would downvote this? Bunch of animals.
Superpandabus
.
JMcDank
Dammit Loch Ness Monster!
UniversalEngineer
Not OP but I gotchu fam: https://www.rei.com/blog/hike/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hike-the-appalachian-trail
RickySlade01
moparornocar27
.
1010001010101
Dot
waitingfortickets
Dot!
HaulinOats
Jesus
myhipsoccasionallyfib
I was lucky and was able to raid my dad's ultra lightweight hiking gear so I spent less than $500 on gear that I didn't already have (1/?)
myhipsoccasionallyfib
The majority of the $500 went towards a new pack. Food and hostel spending on the trail came to about $3000. I was pinching pennies. (2/2)
waitingfortickets
What kind of pack did you use? I’ve backpacked some (on the AT in the whites! Woo!) but have always rented
myhipsoccasionallyfib
I had a Granite Gear Crown2 60 liter pack (and if you do your research and see it's out of my budget, half of it was a gift)
waitingfortickets
Cool that’s great to know! Thanks (:
meesothelioma
Nice!!! Thank you, I look up to people like you that do something out of the ordinary to live life. Well done ?
Stormaggedon27
I have been wanting to make the journey for a while. What are some of best things to plan/watch out for?
myhipsoccasionallyfib
Also it's a bit of a cop out, but be prepared for anything. I don't mean carry a 60 pound pack. Just don't assume you're invincible.
GarthBlader
Bears..rapists..rapist bears
myhipsoccasionallyfib
I'd say the mental preparation is tougher than the physical preparation. After 5 straight days of rain, your morale takes a beating.
Stormaggedon27
Yeah, that makes sense. Where did you end up buying your gear from??
myhipsoccasionallyfib
I borrowed most of it from my dad, who has the luxury of a much larger hiking budget than me. I think he mostly shops at REI
kittykat25909
Can you imagine coming back to work and someone asks how your 5 month long vacation was and you just shrug and say "I took a walk"
bringbakfirefly
So he basically remade The Lord of the Rings.
sugarinwater
Passion Pit starts playing
TheRealWop
I need said job you speak of that will let me take a 5 month long sabbatical
LocoSmashley
Was on “walkabout”
anoth3rp3rs0n
#passionpit I took a walk
GabeTheT
I think I would say then "Five months just walking? You better had thrown some ring into a volcano then."
anoth3rp3rs0n
Lol
MothMonsterMan
I just started running.
comeflywithme
First thing I thought of.
androopy
Ruh-ning
LearningOnImgur
Had a friend who "took a bike ride" with friends...from mexico to cananda. They "only" made it to colorado.
OveranalysisIsOneOfMySeventeenMajorFlaws
Damned ICE patrols in Denver!
Sonorum
Is cananda in colorado?
theycallmewillywonka
Yes
myhipsoccasionallyfib
New plan for when I get home
jdyoder
I just tell people I went hiking. Otherwise I have to explain it all again , it dose get old after awhile, suprisingly. (Nobo flip flop '16)
mymanmaverick
Do you have a picture of yourself before and after? The difference in tan/Tone would be fascinating
squirrelgirl86
Hey, if you pass through Portland on your way home and need recommendations on where to eat, please let me know!
WannaSeeMy
How was the feeling of being on katahdin then realizing its a 4 hour hike back down?
myhipsoccasionallyfib
I considered just staying on katahdin. Was so ready to just stop hiking once I got there.
ZorasDomainNameSystem
Yeah but did you save enough time for the hike back to GA?
myhipsoccasionallyfib
Don't even joke about that