Why do people hike the Appalachian Trail? We met hikers 100 miles from the southern terminus to learn about their motivation to take on the AT.
![Appalachian Trail](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2018/04/2018_04_AT_0006-700x316.jpg)
The smell of looming spring mixed abruptly with a fresh whiff of crusted sweat and smoldering charcoal. Soaking up the April sunshine with a small bubble of thru-hikers, I listened as the vagabonds juggled words with mouthfuls of hamburger and gulps of Pabst Blue Ribbon. My brother brought over another Trail Magic hamburger.
![Appalachian Trail magic](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2018/04/2018_04_Gearjunkie_0003-700x332.jpg)
A nearby hiker reached out for the hot delicacy and resumed her scan of the nearby landscape – intent on finding a level patch of dirt to pitch her silnylon home. Staring at the group, I couldn’t help but wonder who these folks were, why they were thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and what they sacrificed to attempt the same dream I chased three years ago. I spoke up, anxious to find out.
This is what a few hikers had to say.
Trail Name: Squeak
“The hiking is really nice, but by the end of the day, my feet are just … dead.”
From: Anchorage, Alaska.
Start date: April 8.
Who were you before the trail?: Nordic ski coach / Worked at a gear store.
Why are you out here?: For the challenge.
What was the greatest sacrifice you had to make to be here?: Missing crust season (Nordic skiing in the mountains).
Describe the first 100 miles: Bipolar and mildly painful.
Trail Name: Squatch
“I’m trying to figure out what I wanna do. When you’re at home, everybody is always asking what you’re going to do. Out here, you can just hike.”
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Start date: April 8.
Who were you before the trail?: Line cook.
Why are you out here?: Time to think.
What was the greatest sacrifice you had to make to be here?: Time away from friends.
Describe the first 100 miles: I’m loving it.
Squeak and Squatch are cousins.
Trail Name: Bumble Bee
”I would listen to audio books about the trail and would actually feel upset at the thought of not doing it.”
From: Brighton, Michigan.
Start date: April 8.
Who were you before the trail?: Nurse anesthetist / Stepmom (3 kids, 2 dogs).
Why are you out here?: Too much work and life stress. It was time for a change.
What was the greatest sacrifice you had to make to be here?: Being away from my family.
Describe the first 100 miles: Harder than I thought.
Trail Name: Bonefide
“Everyone is complaining about the weather – this time of year is perfect!”
From: Asheville, North Carolina.
Start date: Thru-hiked in 2017.
Who were you before the trail?: Teacher / Program manager.
Why are you out here?: To heal from sickness. This year, I’m hiking a missed section from last year’s fire.
What was the greatest sacrifice you had to make to be here?: Time away from family.
Describe the first 100 miles: The mountains get big.
Trail Name: Labowski
“I’m just happy to be here.” – paraphrased
From: Asheville, North Carolina.
Start date: Thru-hiked with Bonefide in 2017.
Why are you out here?: Hiking a missed section from last year in the Nantahala National Forest.
Labowski maintained silence throughout the rest of questioning, but did wag his tail in enthusiasm.
Trail Name: Cartman
“You can misquote me as long as you make me sound smart … or badass.”
From: New York.
Start Date: March 26.
Who were you before the trail?: Writer / Producer / Filmmaker.
Why are you out here?: Tired of the superficial industry I worked in.
What was the greatest sacrifice you had to make to be here?: Career progression.
Describe the first 100 miles: Hilly.
Trail Name: Redneck Momma
“You can only crochet so many doilies.”
From: Kokomo, Indiana.
Start date: March 15.
Who were you before the trail?: Retired – worked for the State of Indiana.
Why are you out here?: I started thinking about the hike 10 months ago and love to be outside.
What was the greatest sacrifice you had to make to be here?: Putting my Norwich Terrier into foster care.
Describe the first 100 miles: Beautiful and strenuous.
The Wrap-Up
After I finished scribbling the final details into my notebook, I thanked Redneck Momma for her time. She smiled and took a concluding sip from her PBR. I looked on as the dedicated 74-year-old hauled the mighty green pack up onto her shoulders. She thanked me and followed the rest of the hikers north – to Maine.
With my curiosity satisfied, I wandered over to the new bubble of hikers enjoying burgers and cold drinks. So far, the class of 2018 looked to be a strong bunch. I smiled and let myself reminisce about when I was one of the thousands to discover the beauty and hospitality that only the Appalachian Trail can provide.