When a Thru Becomes a Section

Starting at the beginning (which is the middle)

I started a thru-hike in March 2015.  It became a section hike after I fell and broke my wrist. (That happened one year ago today!)  A few weeks after surgery I returned to the trail to summit Katahdin, and complete the 100 mile wilderness. On June 3rd, 2016 I got back on the trail to complete the section from Appalachian Market in NY (mile 1409) to Monson, ME.

I’m really glad that I got a second chance to return to the trail, even though I’m no longer a thru-hiker and now a LASH-er (long-ass-section-hiker)! I had 9 months to reflect on the 1300 miles I did last year and realized I wanted to do things differently this time around.

Hiking My Own Hike Was Easier Said Than Done (YMMV)

Last year I really got caught in the trap of comparing myself to others and ended up putting a lot of pressure on myself to do at least 20 miles a day. That was an all-day affair for me, with very few breaks and even less enjoyment. I pushed myself because: 1) that seemed to be the norm, so I thought I must not be pushing myself enough,  2) it put me on pace with lots of fun people, and 3) I was under a time crunch. These are dumb reasons because I wasn’t enjoying myself. I can picture some of you seasoned veterans wagging your fingers at my noob mistake saying, “Smiles Before Miles,” or “You weren’t Hiking Your Own Hike!” Let me tell you what you can do with that finger: put up another one, make a peace sign and then give me a hug. We all have our own struggles on the trail, and this was mine.

This year I have my dog with me for the entire 660 mile section, so for both our sake’s we are taking things slowly. I have 3 full months to do this section, so there is less time pressure to get miles in. And I’m content to be with my pup and meet the other folks who are going my pace.

I’m hiking about 10 a day, with a few 15 milers in there when it feels right. Big surprise- I’m enjoying the hike so much more. Instead of rushing to finish I’m realizing that I will be a little sad when it’s over. At this pace there is plenty of time for dipping into rivers, canoeing around ponds, admiring views from mountaintops, unexpected adventures with locals in trail towns, doggy naps, journal writing, talking with other hikers, or whatever the hell else I feel like doing. What a luxury to be out in nature with daylight to burn!

Chilling at the Ten Mile River Mile 1458.1

Chilling at the Ten Mile River Mile 1458.1

Mile1459.8

Mile1459.8

Goose Pond Cabin 1548.1

Goose Pond Cabin 1548.1

Less Zeros, More Near-os*

Another big difference is my feelings towards town days. I feel less drawn to staying in town. I still like coming into town (real coffee!!), but this time I also like leaving town. I cruise in, do what I need/want to do, relax, and cruise out to the next shelter or campsite.

I don’t feel like I need clean laundry, showers, real beds or indoor comforts as much as I did last year. Maybe that’s because I’ve been dreaming of coming back to the trail since last August, or because I’m doing lower mileage days so I’m not as physically torn down, or maybe because the hike feels more mine this time – whatever the reason town just doesn’t have the same draw as it used to. Honestly, I think it’s because I’m more emotionally satisfied by spending my day doing what I want to do instead of what I think I should be doing, so I’m not looking for satisfaction through consumption.

There’s also the small matter of the ridiculous amount of money I spent last year, and the amount I invested in my gear this year. I’m choosing my town stays more judiciously this year, but I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything (*she writes from town*).

Here’s to the next 400 or so miles left!

What was your biggest personal challenge while hiking? Comment below or connect on twitter, IG or snapchat: @hanleybadger.

*A non-hiking day is a “zero” day. A low-mileage day is a “near-o.”

 

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Comments 44

  • Phil Shipley : Jun 21st

    I love this post. I am doing a 30 day shake down hike this September with the intention of doing a thru hike starting next april. I am 67 and want to hike my own hike i.e. 10 mile or so days . I am doing it to get away and get rid of stress and just have fun. maybe I will see u on the trail

    Reply
    • HaHa : Jun 25th

      Thank you and happy trails!!

      Reply
    • Jordan Hikes : Nov 2nd

      I would do the same but in the West distances between towns often are too large to hike only 10-12 miles.
      Getting off trail between towns might not always be an option either (Northern WA).
      I guess the best bet is to look for trails that allow for shorter distances between resupply points.

      Reply
    • Helen_S : Nov 2nd

      One thing to consider is that some slow going “hikers”, especially with dogs, could be mistaken for drifters, homeless, drug addicts, etc. I am just referring how they could be perceived by other trail users, mostly locals. I am not judging anyone. But it happened to me: I came upon some hikers with dogs who apparently had no plan for their hike, were in no hurry and later it turned out they had substance abuse issues and were accused of stealing from other hikers. Just saying that these cases add to a negative perception if you smell the flowers too long in a certain area on the trail ….. food for thought.

      Reply
    • Augusto : Nov 3rd

      I guess it comes all down to the question if you should allow yourself to hike less miles if the conditions are adequate: when you do not have to worry about resupply (Canada anyone?) and when you do not arose suspicions among locals. I guess the author wants to point out that it could be a very pleasant experience to resist the high-schoolish peer pressure that seems to be so common among young ambitious thru hikers (look at the YT videos out there).

      I think it is a manifestation of seeking an individual eperience to choose and maintain your own pace.
      Who said you have to do a “thru” anyway?

      Reply
  • Zach : Jun 22nd

    The tale of two treks. Way glad you’re enjoying it more this time around. With three full months, you’ve got plenty of lounge time, take advantage of it!

    Reply
    • HaHa : Jun 25th

      Me too! And thanks! I definitely am!

      Reply
    • k_No : Nov 6th

      In IDF a common saying is “leave no man behind” (or woman, I should add). The same applies to hiking, only that the man/woman you should not leave behind is you. Listen to your inner voice and hike the hike that does not leave yourself behind.

      Happy trails!

      Reply
  • Coco : Jun 24th

    I’ll tell you what to do with your finger……..

    Reply
    • HaHa : Jun 25th

      The other option is finger guns.

      Reply
    • Laszlo : Oct 31st

      How was your journey? Did you see any Koala bear?

      Reply
    • Frankly : Oct 31st

      What do Koala Bears have to do with finger guns. People.

      Reply
    • BorAT : Nov 1st

      I do not understand joke with finger guns. Please explain to me.

      Reply
    • Don-John : Nov 2nd

      LOL
      TOO MUCH
      :-)))

      Reply
  • R : Jun 26th

    I have been on the AT twice the 1st time I did around a 100 miles or so the 2nd time I started from the beginning again and got to the Smokies the biggest thing that I found was all the idiots that smoke marijuana and for themselves upon you by smoking it around you I wan in the Smokies where you are required to stay in the shelters BY LAW 5 such idiots felt they needed to just smoke away forcing everyone else to put up with it the exact same 5 came into camp late 2 days later it was raining so they come in and the 1 girl thought it was ok or cool to tie her rope onto my backpack so she could hang her clothes up but she hung them over the top of others stuff so her wet clothes made other peoples semi dry now wet again they also undid all the straps on my pack so the next morning when I went to put my pack on I hurt my back causing me to have to leave the trail so when I go back next year I will be a SOBO to be able to hopefully avoid shit like this

    Reply
    • boozman : Oct 31st

      Sorry to hear that. How was your recent experience on the trail?

      Reply
    • Piotr : Oct 31st

      MAYBE THEY SHOULD CALL IT THE SMOKER MOUNTAINS

      Reply
    • IDK : Oct 31st

      Look, you may run into the same kind of people if you hike in the opposite direction. Think about it.
      Another trail with less people might be the best option, like Cumberstone Trail.

      Reply
    • Jordan Hikes : Nov 2nd

      Hi. Horrible experience. Did you try and talk to the hikers? Sometimes you need to call out those spoiled brats and teach them a lesson or two.

      Reply
    • J.D. : Nov 2nd

      I hiked the Cumberstone Trail in 2019. The section between Mammnoth and Pine Cole is permanently closed due to a land dispute.
      You have to hitchhike between trailheads. Still a gorgeous hike.

      Happy trails.

      Reply
    • Augusto : Nov 3rd

      Could not find anyhing about that trail. Do you refer to the trail in TN?

      Reply
  • Charlotte : Jun 26th

    So glad you’re back! I followed you last year and was pulling for you like a rabid football fan. Go Team…at your own pace and with tons of joy in every in step!

    XMagnolia

    Reply
    • HaHa : Jul 3rd

      Thank you so much for your support!! 🙂

      Reply
    • B. Hive : Nov 1st

      I will tell my boss I will only hike ten miles per day and if he does not accept I will tell him he can smell my flowers.

      Reply
    • janna : Nov 2nd

      Hi!! Are you the same Magnolia who hiked the AT with a dog in 2015? Remember 4th of July?
      Haha

      Reply
    • Salv_4 : Nov 3rd

      “Rabid football fan” will be my next trail name
      Haha

      Reply
  • Mike G : Oct 31st

    Great article. So true.
    Have you done any other hikes after completing the AT?

    Reply
  • peggy : Oct 31st

    hi. finally a blueprint how to enjoy a long distance hike.
    😉

    Reply
    • Anna : Nov 2nd

      A beautiful post with a wonderful message: hike your own hike and never give up.

      Love.

      Anna

      Reply
    • No Body : Nov 3rd

      Robert de Near-O
      🙂

      Reply
    • Cankicker : Nov 6th

      Hi. If you take the experience of Haha as a blueprint you are technically not hiking your own hike 😉
      But I get it: it is much better to follow the advice of someone advocating for a solo hike than just to follow the herd from Georgia to Maine.
      I have met hikers who suffered exhaustion fractures because they tried so hard to keep up with their trail family.
      What´s the purpose of leaving your job behind only to enter a new rat race on trail?
      But most people, really the vast majority, feel an urgent need to be in a group.
      That will never change.

      Reply
  • Me_jh : Oct 31st

    Anything can happen on the trail. Last week a hiker in Florida was mauled by a leopard. Can you imagine?

    Reply
    • Frankly : Oct 31st

      What? Ha ha ha. We are talking about section hikes with a dog.

      Reply
  • H&M : Oct 31st

    I hiked this section many times with my family. Definitely a beautiful hike.

    Reply
    • bald eagle : Nov 2nd

      Which section do you refer to? MA or CH?

      Reply
    • Jimmy : Nov 2nd

      CH? You mean CT? But it is MA

      Reply
  • BorAT : Nov 1st

    Picture fromGoose Pond remind me of my home country. In Kazakhstan woman always sleep on floor with dog. Very nice!

    Reply
    • Steel Magnolia : Nov 2nd

      Hahaha …. now let´s get serious for a minute. A long distance hike is a serious challenge for a dog and any hiker should check their ego at the door (or trailhead) and primarily think of the health of their dog whch means lower mileage and enough rest time during the day. What do you think your dog would choose? Peace.

      Reply
    • Don-John : Nov 2nd

      LOL
      “I ALMOST HAD AWESOME BLOSSSOM COMING OUT OF MY NOSE”
      CHEERS

      Reply
    • Joshy : Nov 6th

      Hahaha
      Wish I had met someone like Borat on trail.
      Most hikers are soooooo boring …. it´s more entertaining talking to a tree.
      MHO.

      Reply
  • TRUMBO : Nov 3rd

    Beautiful Girl!
    (Sorry)

    Reply
    • Salv_4 : Nov 3rd

      Agree

      Reply
  • Lobsta : Nov 5th

    Hi everyone. I use a Ranger Bead to count my pace.
    Remember the Boy Scouts: count every step cause every step counts.
    Safe hiking to all of ya.

    Reply
  • Smurfit : Nov 9th

    Everyone who comments helps the founders of this site enrich themselves by attracting ad placements pointing to the site traffic.
    Take a hike instead and ignore carpetbaggers like the trek who commercialize everything.

    Reply

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