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My 5 W’s For Thru Hiking the AT
With two months until I step through the arch at Amicalola Falls, now’s as good a time as any for an introduction.
WHO
Hi, I’m Justin. I’m a professional photographer, avid hiker of trails, and climber of rocks from Atlanta, Georgia. I’m turning 40 this year and have more feelings about it than expected. I even have feelings about my feelings (there’s a lot going on in this near-middle-aged mind of mine). I’ve gone through a lot of changes in the past ~5 years and am looking forward to having some space to process it all and think about what comes next.
Soaking your feet while you eat is a double treat.
WHAT
I’m heading out on a NOBO hike of the Appalachian Trail! As I venture along the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, I plan to make portraits and collect interviews with fellow hikers, trail angels, hostel and shop owners, trail crew members, and anyone else who holds a special connection to the trail. I’m not quite sure what shape my work will eventually take—it might turn into a documentary, a book, a web series, some combination of those, or something else I haven’t thought of yet. I’m trying not to box myself in with any strict rules or guidelines. Instead, I’m going to try to just enjoy the trail and the community, follow my whims wherever they take me, and collect a slew of stories along the way that I’ll sort out upon my return.
Oh, I’ll also be writing this blog so be sure to SMASH THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON!
WHERE
I’ll be walking through 14 states in this order: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine
A map of the AT that’s been on my wall for two years in anticipation of this trip.
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WHEN
I’ll be leaving in Early April and plan to finish by late September. Since I don’t have a hard end date, I can have a somewhat loose itinerary and not feel rushed.
WHY
Ah, jeez, there’s a lot to unpack here. I’m not quite equipped to fully do that just yet, but here are some things I’ll have on my mind while I figure it all out:
Healing is hard. As I said, I’ve experienced many changes in the past few years, and my life looks very different than it did five years ago. Without going into too much detail, I’m carrying a lot of guilt for how I treated many people, and I’m hoping to spend some time sorting through that. I’m looking forward to being alone with my thoughts. This is incredibly uncomfortable for me, but I want need it. I have a tendency to be very hard on myself, and I want to heal my relationship with myself so that I can build stronger, healthier relationships with others.
Adventure called. During COVID, like a lot of people, I started hiking more. I also started listening to hiking podcasts (there’s a cute little show called Backpacker Radio that’s pretty good, I guess) and reading stories of folks who thru hiked trails like the AT and PCT. The way they talked about community was the first thing that grabbed me. The unfiltered, authentic connections that are fostered during their hikes were something that I craved. The physical and mental challenge of such an endeavor piqued my interest as well. Above all was the sense of adventure that it evoked in me. Is that something that I could do? Am I the kind of person that does something like that? I wasn’t sure for a while. I am now. I think.
There’s no time to mess around. When I was about 35, I was slapped in the face by how quickly 10 years can go by. Everyone talks about it, but it’s true: time seemingly goes faster and faster the older you get. I have always been a bit of a dreamer, and I’ve spent a lot of time watching videos and reading articles about people doing amazing things, going on grand adventures, and thinking to myself that those are things that other people do. I’m actively trying to break away from that thought process. I’m walking a narrow line between “you’re too old for this shit” and “it’s never too late to start.” I believe that age is just a mindset and all of that, but it feels different to apply that thinking to yourself. It’s not that I feel too old for things, and I know that people twice my age or more have hiked the AT; I guess it’s that I fear there’s not enough time to do everything I want to do before I’m actually too old to do them. So, here I go: 6 months of walking through 14 states.
I want to figure out what’s next. I’m at a point in my career and life where I’m thinking about legacy. I want to be a source of positivity to the people in my life, and I’d like to make and do important work that has a positive impact on the world outside of myself. I don’t know what that looks like, but I want some space to think about it and figure it out.
Sunset over Linville Gorge, North Carolina
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Comments 17
“I don’t do words too good…” 🤣 That alone is worth a “smash” to read what you write next… 😜
Seriously, though, I find that putting words (any words) to “paper” is a great step to understanding – both oneself and how one sees the world. You are off to a great start!
Thanks! I appreciate it!
Good luck on your AT hike. Will be looking forward to your journal and your pictures. David Odell AT71 PCT72 CDT77
Very much looking forward to your journey ahead both on and off the trail!
I’d imagine they don’t really say “break a leg” before a through-hike… so, be sure to look at the new moon over your left shoulder or find a red ear of corn.
Haha, thanks, man. Your support and witchy ways are always appreciated!
Never too old to start, still trying to arrange my life to do this hike. I like that you have a hook as a photographer in how you plan to interact with people by taking portraits. Don’t forget yourself!
Thanks! I’ll try my best!
Looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading what you find out there. I am from Newnan, so we have probably hiked some of the same spots.
I also remember that feeling at 40 (and 50, etc.) so I am glad you have the time and budget to make this happen!
I’m looking forward to seeing what I find, too, haha! 🙂
You’re an Excellent Writer!
Enjoy your Delightfully Sweet Journey!!
SI & SG 2021
Thank you!!
Love seeing new hikers get outdoors. Just don’t act like most hikers and cry about how hard walking is. You got this bro
Cry? Me?? Never! 🤣😄😟😫😭
“there’s a cute little show called Backpacker Radio that’s pretty good, I guess)” 😂
Great blog! I believe this will be a healing journey for you. Hike it out!
Thanks, Jess! 😁
It’s encouraging to hear about your introspection and the sense of adventure that’s been sparked inside of you to do this. Excited for you!
Thank you!