The Thru Hiker’s Bucket List

In my first post Now or Never I introduced brazenly exposed you to just a few of my reasons for and concerns with hiking the Appalachian Trail. Though a more detailed, goal orientated “Reasons for Hiking” list is yet to come, I wanted to first share a fun project I’ve been working on to keep myself motivated when I finally get on the trail.

Thru hiking the Appalachian Trail is obviously on my lifetime bucket list. I actually have 50 different items, so far, which I’d liked to complete before I die. They vary in degrees of rationality ranging from one to Pi, and  as I started to plan for this one, I noted that there were certain things I wanted to complete before ending my thru hike. From this epiphany was born The Thru Hiker’s Bucket List… or at least my version of it. I encourage you to read through it and then compile your own!

Tip: It makes itinerary planning way easier.

Amanda’s Thru Hiker Bucket List

  1. Hike a ridiculous amount of miles in one day… even more ridiculous than the normal ridiculous.
  2. Cowboy camp just to watch stars.
  3. Soak in the Hot Springs mineral waters.
  4. Be on the giving end of trail magic.
  5. See wild ponies.
  6. Eat a whole pizza by myself…large of course.
  7. Complete one full night hike.
  8. Construct an epic looking cairn.
  9. Pack out another person’s trash, just because it needs done.
  10. Create a celebratory feast for some occasion by food sharing with a group.
  11. Make a meal of naturally occurring edibles.
  12. Find a moose.
  13. Attend Trail Days.
  14. Find something amazing off a blue blaze.
  15. Teach others something they didn’t know about the Appalachians.

I’m sure I will be adding and subtracting from this as I go. Before the start of my hike I will paste this to the inside of my journal so I can cross it off upon completion. Along with this list I also hope to complete most of the long standing trail traditions. But what I’m most interested in is hearing from other thru hikers and perspective thru hikers.

What should I add to my list?

What items are on your bucket list?

Though a bucket list isn’t a necessity for thru hiking the trail, it gives me small goals that I can look forward to and achieve. It’s also helped me with planning places I want to take zero days in, parks or forests I want to spend more time hiking, and things I want to do that I normally wouldn’t take a chance on. So I’d encourage potential hikers to make a list of things you want to experience while hiking. Who knows, you may be able to more closely pinpoint why it is you want to hike in the first place.

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Comments 1

  • Nichole : Nov 19th

    This is a great idea!! Can’t wait to see what other items you come up with…and cross off!

    Reply

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