Date: 2007-11-18
To: Warner Robins
Miles today: 0.0

Mental hurdles?IMHO the mental hurdles are far more likely to take one off the trail than most physical maladies (excluding serious injury of course). I saw many people hiking day after day with bad knees-shins-ankles-sore throats-cuts, you name it; while a hiker who misses a lover-friend-pet-job-lifestyle, whatever, will take the next bus home.Here¢s my take on the mental progression. In the very beginning I was downright homesick even though that¢s exceptionally unusual for me. I have spent entire summers away from home, and weeks at a time while in college, so I was caught off-guard when I was overcome by despondency after just a few days (hours) in Maine¢s wilderness. If I had been hiking with other people I¢m certain this wouldn¢t have been so bad. My experience was that after a week or so I became acclimated to being alone and simultaneously met some really cool people, which picked up my spirits enormously. Thus began one of the best parts of the trip emotionally; hiking with Nathan, Peacetrain and Blaze was fantastic, and I rarely if ever had difficulties. However, by Massachusetts they had left the trail and I was back on my own again. It really sucks to hike by yourself AFTER having good company. And this was in the 30-40 day zone. I had been forewarned about the 30 day mental barrier. Seems that about then, many hikers understand that physically they have what it takes, and they begin to question why continue? There are other things that become more important than being in the woods. So why bother? Coincidentally, thirty to forty days is also about how long it takes for the NOBO to reach Virginia, and the dropout rate goes through the roof. Anyways, I managed to successfully pass through this wicket ¢ Peacetrain did not. He met up with his family in Mass, and could not see himself returning to the trail. I might have done the same if my family had showed up about that time.The NY/NJ section was my worst by far, doubtless influenced by the weather (hot and humid), and my loneliness soared. The best way I found to pick myself up was to slug out a couple weeks then reevaluate the situation. Every time, I doubtless felt better in a few days, and sure enough by PA I had met new company who were extremely fun to hang out with. For many, the half-way point is the next critical mental hurdle. First you are extremely happy to have come over 1,000 miles in 2-3 months. Then the thought slowly starts to creep in, I¢ve got to do it again, i.e., another 2-3 months. Yikes!!Turned out not to be a problem in my case. Crossing the midway point, I was hiking towards home. I was counting miles down and not up. I met my parents, talked to friends, and generally avoided that particular emotional hurdle. Though the Virginia Blues are more a NOBO obstacle, I can easily understand how it gets its reputation. Virginia is long (and NOT flat), and I pushed hard to get through as quickly as possible. Once you¢ve gone three months, you¢ve adjusted to the lifestyle of a hiker, you can handle anything, and the last month my attitude started to shift again. This is not actually a mental hurdle, but rather a mental readjustment. I gladly started looking forward to getting back to real life, and happily anticipated the conclusion of the hike. No regrets.Bottom line: there were many times, mostly in the first half, where I questioned the sanity of continuing the journey. In Maine, I was not sure if I COULD do it. By NY, I was not sure if I WANTED to do it. Once past Harper¢s Ferry, I came to realize that I wanted the self-satisfaction of closure, i.e., to complete the task. But I can honestly say that I never felt that I HAD to finish. I think that¢s what made the journey so much fun in the end.Hope these ramblings make sense to a few of you out there. Next topic will be on observations concerning the physical aspects of the hike, at least from my point of view.Have a most pleasant day.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)   ME-GA 07PS:   you know, it¢s soooo good to read some of the guest book entries, ¢¦   Thanks everyone for the encouraging words.