Success: just ahead. How success is defined amongst current thru-hikers.  

Last night, I was overhearing some fellow thru-hikers talk about the meaning of success in their hike. Quitting the trail is a very unsettling thought for me. With 1/4 of hikers actually submitting Katahdin, it’s safe to say that I know quite a few individuals who have called it quits on their thru-hike. Because I have always been extremely set on making in all the way, that’s how I had defined success until last night. I heard a story of a couple who met early on the trail, fell in love, and decided to get off at Harper’s Ferry because they had found what they were seeking. A friend who I had met in Virginia had got within 100 miles of Katahdin and decided that the trail had provided him with everything he was looking for, so he felt no need to climb another dang mountain. These are just a couple examples of how others define success within the trail. I went to sleep with a whole new understanding on what it means to be triumphant from other hikers’ point of view. I didn’t realize how caught up I was in my own hike and goals, to really comprehend how everybody is out here for such different reasons. It’s so amazing that one trail can bring thousands of people together who are all working toward their own definition of success. With that being said, I decided to take the day off from hiking to talk about this topic and get some feedback. So, let introduce you to a couple other thru-hikers and what success means to them.

Plenty/Easy- 26, Long Island, NY 

How would you define success on the trail?

“Success for me on the trail is the same as in life, to live the most human experience I can. ”

Would you feel successful if you quit the trail today?

“Certainly, I think failure is a part of the human experience. With that being said, I don’t foresee that happening on this journey, but you never know what circumstances can come up(Lyme disease, broken bones, ect).”

Busch- 30, Topeka, KS 

How would you define success on the trail? 

“Small goals make big dreams happen.”

Would you feel successful if you quit the trail today?

“Yes, because I would have found what I was looking for but I’m still looking.”

Hey Girl- 33, Washington DC

How would you define success on the trail? 

“Success to me is hiking from Georgia to Maine with a smile on my face and appreciation of what the trail brings each day, whether that be taking advantage of swimming holes, taking a long break at a good view, chatting with fellow hikers or locals in a trail town. I came to the trail with this goal and feel I am achieving this. Part of this success is committing to a positive attitude every day and feeding off the same from fellow hikers. A hiker friend told me experiences should be just as much about what you’re doing as it is about the people. This rings true for me on the trail both for who I want to be out here and who to surround myself with.”

Would you feel successful if you quit the trail today?

“If I quit the trail today I wouldn’t feel successful. One of my goals when starting the trail was to walk the entire trail. I still am as excited to do so. I have enjoyed my thru-hike, to time in the woods, the time with other hikers and myself so much that I cannot imagine walking all the way to Katahdin. These first 1,500 miles have been so rich with fun, time for reflection, learning and connections with hikers and people in trail towns that I can’t I imagine stopping now. Onward and northward!”

Crumbcakes/Nacho- 35, British Columbia 

How would you define success on the trail? 

“On the surface, success on this trail for me means completing it and finishing at Katahdin- I like to complete any goal I set out to accomplish and have dreamt about an AT thru hike for years.  However, the most true answer is being as present in the moment during the journey that I can be. If I were to complete this hike but not have taken time to notice and practice gratitude for all that I encounter then I will feel unsuccessful.”

Would you feel successful if you quit the trail today?

“Hmmm, no, I wouldn’t. And not because I haven’t been in the moment enough. I still have hiking and perseverance in me. I’m currently feeling unmotivated on the trail and want to get through that. And I’m excited for the alpine in New Hampshire and Maine!”

Hatchet- 26, Western, PA 

How would you define success on the trail? 

“For me it’s not only about finishing but making the journey so that I enjoy everyday. I’d consider it a failure if I finished just for the sake of it because I’m so lucky to get to do this and this is really a dream environment for me that I have no reason at all not to enjoy every part.”

Would you feel successful if you quit the trail today? 

“No, unless something extreme came up. I fell off a house three years ago tore it all up and kind of have a bad knee. Since I hurt my knee I’ve experienced limitations on what I can do but it’s holding up. I have a lot of appreciation for the ability and opportunity to do this and ending it now would just be completely contradicting to that.”

Wilco- 33, Hoover, Alabama 

How would you define success on the trail?

“I think my view of success on the trail has changed drastically since leaving Springer. Somewhere along the way it switched from thinking success was just finishing the Trail, to truly enjoying the journey along the way. Now I’m finding success in the little things:…..like new shoes after PA, hitting every Deli in NY, mid day swims in Mass. and avoiding nervous breakdowns because of the bugs in CT. Every day I can laugh at the discomforts out here and remain thankful for cold Cokes, warm showers, and amazingly thoughtful Trail Magic is a success for me.”

Would you feel successful if you quit the trail today? 

“No.”

Nature- 35, Mainz, Germany 

How would you define success on the trail?

“From the very first day I didn’t define reaching Katahdin but being out in the woods for six months as my main goal. If I get to the end of the trail in this time, it would be great. But not summiting this last mountain wouldn’t make me feel unsuccessful. Being able to live in the woods for a long time – and enjoying it – was what I had dreamed about for 8 years. And I’m happy to be able to say that this “experiment” is successful so far. There are so many official challenges on the trail, but my own challenges are to learn not to judge people by my first impression, to make as many people smile as possible, and to live in the here and now. Those make up the the criteria that decide if a day is successful or not.”

Would you feel successful if you quit the trail today?

“The trailangel Miss Janet once said that taking the first step on the AT will make it easier to do the first step to fulfill your next dream. I like this a lot and it gives me the feeling that whatever happens, we have made so many great experience that there is no way to not call it a success.”

Thank you guys for answering my questions about this topic. It’s interesting to me to hear things from other people’s perspectives. I feel that this is an important thing to address and keep in mind within ourselves as we are coming down to the last 600 miles of our journey. It’s crunch time, go get it guys!!

Also, a quick update:

A couple nights ago I did something that I had been meaning to do for a few months. I mustered up the courage to camp completely alone. I have to say, it wasn’t near as scary as I thought it was going to be and it brought a great deal of peacefulness to my mind. The AT is such a social trail, that it is sometimes difficult to find time alone. It certainly is something I’ll be doing again very soon. The following morning I crossed mile 1500 and into my 11th state, Massachusetts. I can’t believe I have less than 670 miles to Katahdin. I know the most difficult terrain is ahead, but I’m excited to see the beauty as I trek forward.



Until next time,

-Shotgun

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Comments 5

  • Dawn : Jul 25th

    You.Are.Awesome! I love reading about your adventure! Be proud. Be safe.

    Reply
    • Aundrea J : Aug 1st

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad our paths crossed in NY! Thanks for following along.

      Reply
  • Zach : Jul 26th

    Such a great post topic and outcome. Fascinating to see the diversity in perspectives. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  • Jonathan : Jul 29th

    Thank you for sharing your journey. Camping alone would be terrifying for me!

    Reply
  • Trillium AT2014 : Aug 1st

    Such a great post! It really made me think about my own goals… those I set for my own 2014 thru, and those that eventually came from it. I have struggled for 2 years with notions of dissatisfaction (regarding my thru) without understanding them… and your post made me contemplate the “before and after” of my goals… perhaps I have not truly embraced those I achieved in place of those I imposed upon myself. Thanks for the grain of truth!

    Reply

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