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Hike your own hike. Hard to explain but you will understand when the hike
is over.
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One day at a time. Just finish the day. Don't worry about the miles or
keeping up with new friends. You will get there and you will probably see them
again.
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Become part of the trail family. No matter what the age, sexual persuasion,
socio-economic status, or background they will become family.
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To heavy, to fast, to many miles and you go home early. We saw a lot of
people hurt (blisters, bad knees, bad feet, etc) before we got through TN/NC and
they got discouraged and went home.
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Eat good. Buy the time we got to New England our bodies were starting to show
the effects of not enough protein.
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Stay out of the Party Groups. All of the party hikers we knew or met were
gone by the end of VA. Out of money or burnt-out or both and went home.
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3 day rule. If you get the "trail blues" take three days off and visit with
the hikers coming through. You will probably just need rest and some good meals
and will be back on the trail with a new enthusiasm. When the body gets to low
on certain nutrients combined with fatigue it causes depression. So some R and R
will do wonders.
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Tell everybody about your planned hike. If you tell as many people as
possible it will be more difficult to go home and answer the question "why did
you quit?"
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Don't walk past the fun stuff. Take the time to enjoy some of the area you
walk through. Take a swim in the creek, swing on the grapevine/rope into the
lake, visit the towns (even Gatlinburg), take a nap on a hillside. The trail is
a great place to be for 6 months. Enjoy your hike.
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Take care of your body. If it hurts stop. If you’re too tired to walk don't.
If you are hungry eat, thirsty drink.
That's all for now. I'm sure some of my hiker friends can add to this string.
Happy Trails! Papa Smurf GA-ME '02
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