What I Got Wrong

I’m writing this in my tent during a downpour and thunderstorm, on my second of likely 7 nights in Shenandoah National park. Shenandoah is the second of the two national parks the AT crosses through (the first being Great Smoky Mountain National Park). I just wrapped up a great few days with Ethan, and am looking forward to seeing more folks soon! This will include going into DC for a real break, which will feel jarring, but I’m sure very fun and relaxing. I also just set a personal best for time between showers (over 6 days). It wasn’t bad and I could’ve kept going! I’m almost 900 miles in, and while 1300 miles to go does feel like a lot, it’s starting to feel like this is not something that will last forever, for the first time yet.

What I Got Wrong

I‘ve been trying to think back to before this trip, and what I thought this lifestyle would be like. I got lots of it right, but have had a few noteworthy places I was wrong/changed my mind:

I thought more miles per day would make me happier. This was true at first, when I could get my 14 miles done in 6 hours, but as longer days become the norm (I had a couple 27s!), I’ve found those aren’t the days I prefer. I knew that I loved being active all day, but it turns out I don’t mean the entire day, when stacking all of these days together. I’m not great at enjoying time relaxing in real life, but I’ve come to enjoy some time in the evenings to relax out here.

My favorite nights are the ones isolated in the woods. I thought my favorite nights would be the luxurious ones in hostels, enjoying amenities after days of not having any. I’ve had some wonderful evenings at hostels, but the nights spent in low traffic camping areas are so much more peaceful, relaxing, and enjoyable. It definitely did take some time to feel comfortable and at home alone in the woods.

To that point, I am surprised with my dislike of hostels. With the constant spread of norovirus amongst hikers, lack of temperature-controlled rooms, smelly and snoring hikers, I really don’t look forward to these nights. I should mention that the inclusive classic AT social scene is at its prime at hostels, and that’s always lovely. 

I’m sick of planning and logistics. I’ve always loved planning and organizing, but out here, I transitioned to picking the low effort plan. I’ll take an expensive resupply on-trail over finding a way to a grocery store off trail. Some folks found a shuttle to mimimize the detour required by a hurricane Helene closure, but I just did the detour. I’d rather be stinky a day longer to get to an on-trail hostel/laundry option than find a way into a town. I like not committing to where I want to sleep and feeling it out.

Pack weight matters a ton. I thought I understood the penalty of extra weight in the pack before I started, but I didn’t. Each pound is exponentially worse than the prior. The joy of carrying half a liter of water with my last half day of food approaching a town is huge. I’ve become much more ruthless on what stays in the pack, and expect to become even more intense about these decisions.

Some Favorite Memories and Photos