That’s right! 85% of people who attempt the Appalachian Trail DONT FINISH. In 2021 a big reason is that people don’t know what they’re getting themselves into. I partially blame social media.
I see a lot of unrealistic representations of thru hiking/ backpacking on platforms like this that set people up for failure and this phenomenon is well documented.
I am NOT trying to discourage anyone from pursuing a dream but I want to be honest about this experience esp if it means saving someone reading this from a DANGEROUS situation.
I want people to love being outside and attempting a long hike with social media as your expectation is a great way to grow to hate it because IT’S NOT REAL.
Being unprepared can lead to at best, incompletion of a hike and at worst, injury or death. While social media is getting more people outdoors if increased activity does not correspond to increased education about outdoor safety and stewardship, the worst is inevitable.
Search and Rescue missions have increased 40% in the past 5 years and it is getting WORSE. They attribute the increase to social media.
I believe anyone can thru hike with preparation but prep includes being realistic. Thru hiking is not just walking it’s also logistics, technical skill, and survival.
On the CDT you can expect the factors listed in the comments:
EVERYONE should have access to the outdoors but there are many ways that do not include thru hiking. Section hiking, camping, and day hiking are options for connecting with ur natural environment in lower stakes ways where you can reap the healing meditative benefits of nature without the discomfort, cost, and pain of a thru hike.
For me the risks and discomforts are worth it. I don’t fight my mama earth, I listen and work with her but she tests me often. I am a better person because I hike, maybe you are too but I’ve seen too many people get hurt or hate hiking because they thought it would look like the first pictures. It looks much more like the other 8 so get outside and have fun SAFELY and INFORMED
Environmental conditions such as
Unrelenting 100+ degree heat with no shade
Rain, Hail, Snow, Slippery ice
Thunder and Lightning
Drought
Rocky and unstable terrain
High elevation
Wildlife
Exposed ridges
Deep river crossings
Way finding/ getting lost
Climbing over blown down trees
Hitchhiking into town
The mental and emotional toll of
Being alone for days, possibly weeks.
No cell service or contact with the world.
Setback after setback at the worst possible times.
No comforts.
No connection to friends and family.
No movies or tv.
Long boring road walks.
The physical toll of
Intense thirst
Painful hunger
Itchy and painful bites from mosquitoes, horse flies, bees, hornets, wasps, ants, spiders
Perpetual sunburn
Being too hot or too cold all the time
Sleeping in a pool of your own sweat
Freezing in your sleeping bag all night and not sleeping
Not showering for 5-14 days depending on access to towns
Not sleeping in a bed for a month
Long food and water carries with a heavy pack
Pooping in holes and wiping with leaves
Soreness and stiffness
Injuries
Blisters
Chafing
Bleeding
All sorts of gross things
Wet, cold, sometimes frozen socks
Shoes that don’t dry or get warm
Potential frostbite
Layers and layers of sweat sunscreen bug spray and dirt day after day after day
Having your sleeping pad deflate all the time and sleeping on rocks
Walking all day whether you feel like it or not
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