If not now, when?

Washed out before the starting line…

I had been drafting this post in my head for a while, with my original intent being a “Holy crap, I’m doing this…” theme… However, one of my catch phrases, “Man plans and God Laughs” came into play. My planned and highly anticipated 2016 flipping thru hike will NOT be beginning on March 28th as outlined in my original and micro detailed plan. JESUS, I feel like a washout before I even had the chance to start.

The soul crushing realization:

After 12 years of wanting to hike the AT and 18 months of borderline obsessive planning for a 2016 NOBO, modified flip thru hike, I made some decisions that changed the course and nature of my hike. It has taken me quite some time (nearly 3 months) to try to rationalize, rearrange, reevaluate, and finally come to terms with (I couldn’t think of another “r” word) the fact that these plans will have to be put on hold. I won’t get into the details of WHY I made the decisions I have (it had a lot to do with things not gelling the way I needed them to then it became a matter of integrity and loyalty), but let’s talk about what I am going to do moving forward.

Now What?

OK, so things are not going according to “plan…” Well, it’s time to stop wallowing in what WON’T be happening at this time and focus on what WILL be happening. I WILL be evaluating the possibility of a later 2016 start (late summer- early fall SOBO flip?) or waiting until the 2017 season… Either way, starting IMMEDIATELY, I will look at the situation as a way to give me more time to test out my gear, get in better shape, and spend the time I have to help the Class of 2016. As I type this, I am scheduling my time off this season so that I can do sections in 4 day increments and (hoping I can get my car back on the road) provide some magic for those already on the trail. So you see, while things have not gone according to what I want, I now have a new agenda. I will continue to post my adventures as I rearrange “the plan”… Stay tuned and thank you for listening!

 

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Comments 2

  • Tonda Johnson : Feb 2nd

    Hey Debi, I also planned a thru hike this year that did not work out. However, I have planned a section hike that will pan out leaving May 13th Springer Mountain and hiking 109.8 miles to friends cabin in NC. Don’t know when you are planning your hike but keep in touch if leaving around the same time. I am a 54 year old femal wanna-be hiker! LOL

    Reply
  • Bob Rogers : Feb 5th

    I too was hoping for a ’16 thru (NOBO) but that isn’t going to happen. Probably could have but I’m a slacker and getting a house ready for sale requires a lot of work and a fair amount of money. I’m better at spending than I am on saving. So, I’ve given myself another year. The divorce will be final in a month or so, get the house painted and on the market come mid to late winter ’16 and be ready for the trail and whatever else life brings in ’17. I’ve really hated my corp job for the past 15 yrs now. Time for something BIG!!

    Reply

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