So, my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail did not go as expected. I am sitting back home in my warm and comfortable and familiar bed, a good five+ months before I intended to. But I do not feel like a failure. I succeeded in several things. I gave it my best try. Several things were learned along the way on the first attempt of the Appalachian Trail.

I got to know myself better.

The trail is no joke; it is hard beyond any hike I’ve embarked on so far in any state. Honestly carrying a 45 pound bag, including five days of food and two liters of water, on a flat and leisurely trail would’ve been a monumental achievement. Just climbing the 600 steps up Amicalola Falls had people without backpacks taking frequent rests.

But what really was the deciding factor to get my broken down self off the trail, was the biting constant cold. There’s a massive difference between enjoying cold weather, as I sincerely do, and being stuck in freezing weather 100% of the time. With no reprieve day or especially night. I shivered long into the night. Shivering caused by both the literally freezing temps, and also my fear. Fear of sleeping alone in the woods, strange noises, possible animals, unknown humans. The combination was brutal for me.

Unexpected Misery

It was to the point where every moment was simply misery. Each footstep accentuated pain. Each incline seemed an impossible mountain to climb. And I know for a fact it doesn’t have to be that way. I love so much about hiking, backpacking and camping in the wilderness. I just wasn’t finding any of that usual joy in any capacity. So I left the trail, to return in warmer weather which will be here before we know it. 

When I finally was honest with myself and decided to get off the mountain, I texted the first shuttle driver I could find. To my delight, she answered within 30 seconds, and picked me up within 90 minutes. The hour long drive I spent with her was so illuminating, and I feel like I was simply meant to meet her during my journey.

During our conversation I brought up how I’d hiked endless miles in other states, in states with taller mountains with higher elevations and rockier trails, but none had been this hard. She simply said “Georgia doesn’t believe in switchbacks like other states do. So instead of trails meandering up 1,000 feet over gentle switchbacks, Georgia is like bam! Good luck with all 1,000 feet in one go, sucker!” It makes absolutely perfect sense. I had noticed the lack of switchbacks, but hadn’t put two and two together. 

Future Attempt(s)

I haven’t given up on my dream of hiking the A.T. Far from it. I have to do it smarter, listening to my body and being realistic with my needs. I’m hoping to return to the trail this spring, either starting where I left off in Georgia, or doing a flip/flop hike starting in Virginia. There was nothing like the moments I laid eyes on the first white blaze of the trail, along with the plaque and register in the rock, the shelters and privies and all of the sights I had been seeing online and hearing tales about. Finally seeing them for myself was such a moving experience in itself. So although the first attempt of the Appalachian Trail did not go as planned, it will not be my last attempt.

So, here is a pause in my pursuits, and that’s okay. I have to hike the hike that is most comfortable and makes the most sense to me – even if I have to learn exactly what that means for myself along the way.