Date: 2006-07-09
To: Common Questions Part 2
Miles today: 0.0

Here are the answers to more of the common questions that I have received since my return. Were you scared on the trail?The trail provided many new experiences and as with anything new there is a certain level of fear but I can¢t say that I was ¢scared.¢ The first nights alone in shelters, shelter mice, things that go bump in the night, the possibility of injury, river fords, big climbs/descents, and water contamination were some fears but none were crippling. I never saw a guy in a hockey mask, inbred banjo players, or Blair witches.Was it what you expected?I read numerous books, websites, and forums and spoke with several successful thru-hikers before setting off on my own journey. I felt that I was well prepared but, to be honest, the trail was more difficult than I expected it to be. Especially in the Northeast where the terrain is very rugged and the stream fords were quite treacherous I was taken by surprise. I knew the hike would be difficult but I limited, in my own mind, the difficulty to the daily grind ¢ the day after day, month after month hiking. Although that aspect was difficult, the physical demands and problem solving the trail required sometimes took me aback. For example, I will always remember standing at the base of South Kinsman, looking straight up, and saying out loud, with no one around, ¢you¢ve got to be kidding.¢ The rock face of that mountain went straight up and water poured down over the blazes painted on the rock. It was actively raining and as I bear climbed up the rock I went through scenarios in my head¢¦ ¢Ok, if I fall off this cliff and break my leg I will do¢¦, If I break my arm I will¢¦, I am alone and to get help I will¢¦, How will I stay warm and dry if I can¢t move¢¦, etcetera. Did you meet any freaky people on trail?There are all kinds of characters on the trail but, to be sure, there is a much higher concentration of ¢freaky people¢ at Wal-Mart than on the AT.Do you think you went too fast?This question seems to come from people closely associated with the trail. It is surprising to me that in a community that touts the line, ¢Hike your own hike¢ there are many that question the speed at which I hiked the trail. Conventional trail wisdom says I should lament the fact that I didn¢t spend more time on trail. I would argue that I experienced just as much, if not more, of the trail than others who travel slower. I was on trail early and saw the dawn, on trail late and saw the dusk, on trail in snow, rain, hail, sun, and wind. Because I decided early that I would only take Zero Days with my wife I never gave myself the option of looking outside and deciding whether or not I was going to hike. As a steward of the time my wife and my work gave me it was my moral imperative to hike and make progress up the trail. The trail for me was never to be a vacation. The ¢race¢ with Trek was pure enjoyment for me. Although Trek may not appreciate being tracked down, my desire to catch him motivated me to push more miles, put up with more pain, hike faster, and take risks that I would have otherwise not attempted. The ¢race¢ shortened my hike by at least 3-4 days but the mental and physical stimulation it provided, as well as, the interaction with the SOBOs made it well worth it. Awesome! Will you keep the beard?The jury is out. Jennel likes the new look. What¢s next?Jennel is convinced I have already come up with another hair-brained idea but I honestly am looking forward to getting back into the home and work routine for a while. I have been getting back into a jogging routine and that doesn¢t involve sleeping away from my wife.