What No One Admits About Quitting the AT - Why I Quit the Appalachian Trail

[@philhorne3293]

I remember us swapping texts when you started the trail with all the budget gear. I had my doubts the gear would hold up under trail conditions. Your posts were enjoyable and fun. It was pleasantly surprising how well some of the gear held up. It was not surprising some the gear changes you made. The nomadic life does have its lure. A willingness to embrace that life has a rich history and is full of notable figures who have blazed many paths before us. I'll keep subscribing to see how this plays out for you. I send prayers your way young man.

[@davidsixtwo]

This is the #1 reason to quit. If you really don't like doing it, why are you doing it? 100% agree.

[@TheJhtlag]

I've asked a lot of through-hikers that "...then why are you doing it"? And they screw up their faces "But, but..." and then try to explain something that they can't articulate. To be fair, I sorta understand, finish what you started stuff or just the desire to "be something." just how you see yourself: are you a desk job guy or are you ...this guy?

[@davidsixtwo]

@TheJhtlag sometimes it's a matter of changing something. The wrong time for the weather, too long of a hike, the wrong environment (desert/rainy/bad trail etc). A lot of people might enjoy a month on the PCT in good weather but might not enjoy a full 5-6 month hike.

[@MrsJoyism]

I love this, and I have a lot of comments! 1) I think you’re right about quitting because you don’t want to be there anymore, but I also think that as a multiple time thruhiker, your perspective is different. First time thruhikers often have something to prove to themselves, and I think that’s okay. Sometimes you need to be able to show yourself that you can do hard things, epic things. Once you know you can, it’s easier to let go of an endeavor like a thruhike once you realize it’s not serving you anymore. 2) Do you think the late-trail depression you get is influenced by the nutrition and physical strain? 3) Thailand looks amazing. 4) Kudos on the meditation habit! It’s beneficial, but I struggle to meditate for 20 minutes. An hour a day is superb. 5) Thanks for destigmatizing depression. A lot of people watch you and I think even this one video could have a big impact. 6) It’s wonderful to see you happy.

[@patticarey9016]

Thru hiking the AT unfortunately has become a pseudo cult goal due to all the social media, and it's taken on a life of its own for many people. Your video is a breath of fresh air and desperately needed as too many people in this pseudo cult have tied completion of a thru hike to their personal worth. Thank you for this video! 👍🏻

[@seasoldier3902]

I attempted the AT in 2020. The trail closed because of the pandemic, so I returned to the UK. I wanted to return and did so in 2023. I soon discovered that I did not have the stamina let alone the fitness to complete this adventure; so I returned home. Do I feel disappointed? Somewhat. However, I reflected on my efforts. I had nothing to prove. I was 71 on my second attempt. I did enjoy my experience and settled for hiking in the UK to satisfy my wanderlust! I met some lovely people and have memories that can be shared if anyone will listen! One door closed and another one opened. As you have stated how many people have attempted the AT let alone walked along it? Well done mate!

[@MyCatIsSmarter]

It has to be more difficult to travel so far to hike the AT. I used to live in Harper's Ferry about at the mid point of the AT

[@marcusvaldes]

I've heard that the UK has some amazing trails/foot paths.

[@seasoldier3902]

@@MyCatIsSmarter The difficult bit was once you arrived in the US, getting from one airport to another to come to Atlanta(I couldn't afford a direct flight). Then an overnight stay, buying food, prepping to walk on the AT, and then a shuttle to the falls! An experience!

[@seasoldier3902]

@@marcusvaldes Yes there is. No wild animals to attack you; only midges, horse flies or the occasional mad cow!

[@MyCatIsSmarter]

@@seasoldier3902 I am a 2 hour drive away from the falls now. I did the AT approach trail up and back this year

[@patvogt1106]

Thank you for being so open about mental health struggles as a young guy. Honesty helps break the stigma. Looking forward to seeing the conclusion of the AT series and whatever comes next.

[@CloverHikes]

I work on trail in GA and every year there are people who find the reality of hiking the AT doesn’t make their expectations, but they feel shame for calling it quits. They end up sort of hanging out in GA, hiking a few miles, going back into town, taking two weeks or longer to hike the GA section. I hope those folks will give themselves more grace. It’s okay for your dreams to change.

[@nathanstewart7038]

Met you in on trail in Maine and at Rangeley trail days. I’ve since listened to your trek interviews and watched a bunch of videos and really appreciate your honesty and frankness when it comes to dealing with depression. I’m working through some of that now that I’m back to work and the “real world”. Glad you’re taking care of yourself and recognizing the patterns and getting ahead of it. You’re an inspiration for a lot of people. Keep up the good living and best wishes for the future man!

[@colbypark1311]

Glad you’re doing well Jack! Missing the videos but understand things can get hectic. Appreciate all you’re doing!

[@all-to-Him-I-owe100]

Triple crowner - (not that you were trying or ever cared), but you have already proven you are a 100% a beast. Helping the folks in those towns was awesome Jack. You have a good dang heart and are a tough soul. Also…I wonder - do you notice you feel good pushing/driving towards a mountainous goal, but then down and out when that goal has been accomplished? I have been this way my whole life. It is so weird, almost like I rise and love a challenge, but then feel sad once it is complete. If I am not just going after something hard core - I don’t do well. It’s a weird conundrum for me, bc sometimes I just feel worn slap out. That was a much longer comment than I meant for - thanks therapist Jack 😅!

[@DonD-m6i]

He skipped hundreds and hundreds of miles on that “Triple Crown “. An absolutely stunning physical and mental effort that I followed daily, but not a Triple Crown by even the most loose definition.

[@nicktheavatar_]

Man you are so human, Quadzilla. You have such life-changing philosophies that can impact and touch so many people. So happy to see you thriving financially and doing more meditation and training mauy thai, honestly a dream of mine, what youre doing, Thank you for talking about your mental health struggles I can relate with them a lot. I'm broke af and 26 years old and I live an adventurous life (working at a ski resort right now!) and just cause we have all these incredible experiences doesnt mean its not hard. But your videos always gives me hope and show me that I can accomplish my dreams and live a dream life with financial freedom. Thank you.

[@richardross7219]

Good to see you. There are many reasons for doing or not doing something. 50+ years ago, in the Army, a MSG told me that as long as you wake up alive the next day, you didn't screw up too bad. One night as we were digging in, he came by and laughed at us saying "you realize that you're digging your own graves". I'm glad that you're recovering. After my wife died, I found that following thru hikers relieved my depression. Happy Holidays. Good Luck, Rick

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

Being transparent is the best way to be honest with yourself and others. Great video and discussion on this particular subject. 🤙🏽

[@hkdansk]

So well said! Thanks for putting this out in the world and being so transparent. All the best to you and your health journey.

[@edgeveg]

You know yourself very well, we love your content but want you take care of yourself first. You chose to change things up, glad to see you making the most of life instead of going through the motions,

[@Casual_BackPacking]

This is the wisest man on youtube in relation to thru hiking

[@ANo-qo4wk]

As someone who also has depression. Dang…to hear you talk about it on video was powerful. Im a 41 year old weekend warrior in the backpacking department and I look up to you as a solid guy. Now even more so.

[@Attya-y2y]

It's crazy to me that nowadays, a lot of people have turned hiking into either a job (but not paid) or a competition. For many, it's about doing difficult hikes so you can either feel proud of yourself, or display your accomplishments on social media, oftentimes both. I wonder how many of those people would still do those hikes if social media didn't exist and noone would ever hear or know about the hikes they did. The only that would be left are people who actually walk for themselves and not for what people will think about them. But among those there would still be some that actually set themselves challenges and beat themselves up in case of lack of success. Feeling guilty about not finishing a hike is just next level, in my opinion. It's like bringing a productivist mindset in an activity that doesn't actually produce anything. An activity that's supposed to bring you peace of mind and health shouln't be the cause of stress, injuries, and depression (in my opinion, of course).

[@marcusvaldes]

Exactly spot on. I remember a hiking shop in Gatlinburg, TN back in the 90s. Anyone in there that was a hiker was basically doing it for the love of hiking and there weren't any cameras!!

[@jroseme]

Great video. Lots of young people will benefit from the message! I quit my thru hike in ‘09 at the 2/3ds mark. I was soul searching post military, kept spending too much time sleeping in and enjoying my lengthy morning coffees and kept losing my friend groups lol. I remember the day I quit very vividly. The mosquitos that day were just aggravating me to no end, and I was resorting to jogging to stop getting swarmed, but those bastards kept catching me. There was a left turn off the trail that went into town and I just noped out. I think I got what I needed but would love to do it all the way some day with close friends or family.

[@Truth-Seeker75]

Thanks for being such a Nobel guy and for your help cleaning up.

[@Woodthrush]

Living your best life IS the ultimate! Good for you! Peace and Blessings 🌈🕊🙏

[@joefau1]

I didn't get hooked on your videos because I am into thru hiking, im hooked on your videos because your such an interesting guy living a lifestyle that's alternative to 9-5 with 2 kids and a minivan.

[@db.mc2]

Hi Jack 👋🏻 So good to hear from you my friend, and to know you're doing well 👍🏻 Thank you for your honesty, and reasoning for this video. Wish I could have met up with you on your north bound, but never knew where you were at. Stay safe and take care. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. God Bless ✝️ Appreciate you always my friend 🙏🏻 Thank you for all your volunteering to help the people in need. 🙂

[@Oldsparkey]

The biggest restraint a person has is themselves. At lease that is the way I look at life especially now , I'm retired. If it is not fun or something I really want to do , then I don't do it. I appreciate your honesty and have to agree with you. When a person takes forever to explain something then it is not totally true. Found that out after 27 years in Law Enforcement.

[@danielfaben5838]

I am not a through hiker. I have explored the Sierra Nevada for over five decades. Periodically I find myself on the JMT and the PCT but I tend to avoid them. The reasons are obvious: the somewhat overpopulated and highway like nature of that experience are foremost. But it is interesting to compare the experiences. I enjoy talking to some of the fellow gray beards who have the through hike on their bucket list. I often ask if they choose to get off the trail and explore the drainages in the best country for that on the planet. Not so much. I encourage that though. It is an essential experience to have to find one's own route and perhaps pay strict attention to getting back to a campsite after a full day day hike to some ridge or peak. There really isn't a pleasure from following footprints other than security of not seeming to be lost. But in fact we are lost. We are trying to find ourselves in the test of the task. I very often choose to change my plan. Typically it is shortened because I have a hard time bearing more endless nights in a bag. But it is also worth the challenges and burdens of the quest. One can never know when one will find themselves. And it does generally take at least a week of disengaging. So good luck you through hikers. I hope you get what you look for but more importantly what you need.

[@johnmca5643]

I visited Chang Mai Thailand 37 years ago. I hear its night and day different. I remember getting off the bus and being met by a dozen women advertising a place to stay. They had a photo album of the place and room. It was a much smaller city back in those days.

[@LucasBaxter-bf4uy]

You could do another update video on how you make money and manage finances. That last one was good!

[@danielstoddart]

Great video (BTW, I guessed why you quit when I saw you weren't doing videos anymore). I think the two biggest reasons people quit the AT is because they don't feel like being out there anymore, and that they had false expectations of what a through hike really is like. I think there are some videos out there that have increased the misperceptions. Some people might get the impression that it's all about food or all about hanging out with your friends or all about sleeping in a tent every night or all about looking at beautiful vistas. But it's really just about hiking every day.

[@marcusvaldes]

I mean, he completed it NOBO

[@danielstoddart]

@@marcusvaldes I know that, but he was planning to do a yoyo (turning around and hiking SOBO), that's why he says he quit.

[@chrisheyer1]

Same with a job your in. If you are not happy there anymore and you wish to find another one. Do it! Its ok. We are here only for a short time. God bless.

[@benhiking3723]

Appreciate your realness man! Love following the hikes and perspective. As a traveler backpacker, I am encouraged by the relentless pursuit of adventure.

[@sheilastevens7956]

Thanks for being real.

[@Muffin1280]

Dude, thank you for sharing this. It helps.

[@grahames9228]

Glad you are back on track (mentally and physically). Looking forward to future videos.

[@roadrunnerhikes]

Started writing messages to you yesterday . Glad your Alive. Happy Hiking,Roadrunner

[@1024Pete]

Thanks for sharing your life’s philosophy. Much appreciated and helpful. Wishing you peace and good fortune. Happy Trails!

[@mogain9258]

Well said Quadzilla!

[@h-lorolltide92]

Glad to hear you're doing well and enjoying life. All the best!

[@dorlajacobson3077]

Love the honesty and how you respect yourself enough to make a 'best' decision.

[@JohnBishard]

Glad you are doing well and you are enjoying life.

[@konfaxo]

good to see you man! happy training ! thx for the video

[@Peter-hn1hj]

yo, we're rooting for you. thanks for showing us how to live a fulfilling life.

[@pringerx]

Love seeing your updates and growth, keep it up!

[@1519Spring]

Excited for you and glad to see you happy!

[@jamesbailey9838]

💯 Thank you for your Relief help.

[@atsubill2]

i just ran across your pic in the ATC hiker photo archive! Speaking of, it's cool looking thru all pics, esp the Polaroids beginning from 1979

[@christopherch7307]

👍🐿👍 i love the honesty. Stay safe on your journeys.

[@douglasjones3930]

Glad you are doing well. Looking forward to the videos. Thanks for sharing them!

[@RC-qf3mp]

Great video. I ‘quit’ thru hikes for the same reason i quit eating a giant hot fudge sundae. I’m full. I’ve had enough. Done. The body knows when it’s done and it’s absurd for the mind to ignore that. It’s one thing to tough out difficult situations and overcome challenges. It’s another to just hurt your mind, body and/or soul. Besides, there’s no such thing as a ‘thru’ hike b/c you can always go farther, and so you aren’t ‘done’ when you end, you just ‘quit’. And you can always go shorter, in which case you can’t criticize somebody as ‘not’ being a ‘thru’ hiker if they get off. It’s stupid labels that attempt to internalize external standards of validation, which is anathema to the whole point of going into nature and out of civilization.

[@sjmccu]

Thank You! great post and congrats on living your best life.

[@davef5916]

dont quit on a bad day is sage advice - same goes for a job, relationship, or any kind of pursuit

[@kellybridges4795]

Welcome back! All the best!

[@greg.jacobs]

Great conversation, thanks for sharing your thoughts

[@driftwood4458]

Thanks for sharing. We appreciate your honesty.

[@paperandpavement]

Awesome take my brother. I bet it felt like a weight lifted from your shoulders when you made that decision. The Ego is a helluva force.

[@JamesLynchCO-du3rn]

Thanks for sharing. The world needs more honesty.

[@Rkolb2798]

You will know when you’re feeling great because you will start planning your next hike

[@havelegswillhike]

Excited for you, especially the book!

[@wildflowersadventures]

Thank you for sharing and continuing to be so inspirational. 💙🙏🏼 Love & light to you.

[@nightrock4713]

I was on Te Araroa earlier this year. To be honest, I didn't enjoy it for a very long time, basically all the way until the second third of the second island. I had skipped lots of sections for different reasons, but still wanted to complete them in the end. I was supposed to complete 2 of those before getting to the southern terminus, and then completing everything else. But I spent a night at the highest point, cowboy camping for the first time in my life, watching the sunset and the stars and the sunrise. The next day was absolutely beautiful, sunny, with for once a nice trail and crazy views. And then, all of a sudden, I realized something : I was done. Done carrying this stupidly heavy pack over stupidly steep mountains, done sleeping somewhere different every night, done eating dehydrated food, done with the pain. It came all of a sudden, and I spent most of the rest of the day crying. I challenged myself to walk the 45kms to town that day (my biggest day so far was 35kms, and I only did a couple of those, so 45 was CRAZY to me), watched the most beautiful sunset over the lake, and made peace with my decision over a drink. I then spent almost 2 months travelling New Zealand at a lazy pace, renting a car, staying at the same places for 2-4 nights, eating real food every day. I ended up walking some of those parts I had skipped, and I will be back in a couple of weeks to hopefully complete all the others because I don't like unfinished business. And I think I will enjoy them a lot more than if I had kept pushing. That day was one of my best on trail, and yet it was my last. And that's how I know it was time to stop. I had tons of stuff to prove to myself, and I still do. But on that day, falling 500kms short of the 3000 I was supposed to do didn't matter, because I decided 2500 was crazy impressive already. 8 months after coming home, I'm sadly as depressed (and fat) as before, but I think the trail was still good for me. Hoping to do many others, but money will be the hard part as I'm currently not mentally stable enough to work. I also fear my body won't be able to do much more. But I'm trying to take it one step at a time, just like you said to do on the trail on hard days : just get through today, tomorrow can be dealt with later. Thanks a lot for talking about it !

[@tinwenwalks]

Just awesome. Thanks for sharing some hard-earned insight with us. 🙏

[@davidallison1582]

I have really enjoyed your videos , they rock. I'm 57 I would have had no clue at 37 to do what you are doing now.

[@musingwithreba9667]

Good to see you, Jack! Thanks for the update, I was wondering where you'd got to 😊

[@cynthiaberry2019]

Wow! Thanks for giving people the freedom to do what is right for them!!!

[@ejgottl]

Thanks for talking about quitting. wise words. take care of yourself.

[@RoscioPonce]

Love your content! keep sharing all your adventures with is

[@jbro4779]

Well said!

[@GreenTeaDigital]

Thanks for being aware of and candid about your depression struggles. Me too!

[@JasonHikes1]

Makes perfect sense!

[@mattjosh69]

It’s funny to me you mentioned Thailand, I’ve been going to Thailand for 3 months at a time training in Muay Boran Krabi Krabong an Muay Thai and loved every minute of it. I was 41 the first time I went been 5 more times since. But been looking at doing the AT just for a change I’m not getting any younger, so planning to do it in 2026 all going well. And hopefully the full trail will be hiker able by then.

[@360sbs]

Nice update. Super to hear you are doing well and enjoying your next chapter. I appreciate learning from your experiences.

[@John-ub9dl]

Thanks for the videos!

[@viadharmawheel]

Life is experiences. The older we get this is reinforced and our remaining time is brought front and center. No time for stuff that doesn't make you happy. Yes, occasionally takes one for the team (family and friends) but focus on what makes you happy. Love that Jack is going back to Muay Thai for a while. Time to meditate.Time to deflate.

[@EarthSurfer]

I quit the CDT with 600 miles remaining when my connection/ community off the trail became more important than my life on the trail. It might have been due to the relative solitude of the CDT (2007 had everyone spread out piecing together the trail due to late snow and early wildfires.) I have never regretted the decision. This also signaled the end of my big trail decade. I did a number of 2-4 week trails, but never again found the burning in my soul to wander out for 4-6 months.

[@rachelmertz9947]

Glad your are living and loving life, Jack!

[@ljsong1]

Mental health shit is hard, so thanks for speaking up about your journey. This is a great video. Good luck out there!😊

[@rondawil2845]

Do you feel like the onset of Fall causes symptoms of depression more? Also I love the outdoors and after being there in the solitude alone for more than a few days.. I will start to feel emotional... I think it's wonderful that you can be completely honest about your hike, and mental health..I'm happy you are doing well.. blessings

[@marcusvaldes]

This video should actually be titled "Why I quit hiking the AT--after hiking the AT" LOL

[@raremagpie]

I quit a 400km hike last year after about 300km. I know it's not quite the same scale as the AT, but I had definitely pushed myself beyond my expectations. My shoes completely fell apart, and I just felt like it was finished. Letting go is sometimes the hardest part.

[@romererunamerika9437]

80% mental 20% physical And if you are not enjoying it then why are you doing it? Glad you're enjoying yourself in Thailand. Take care brother.!

[@joankline343]

I was wondering what happened to you. I figured you were still working on the trails. Good luck with the new adventure! 😉 I'm looking forward to following you.

[@mulchies]

Great to see you! Happy holidays!❤

[@marlo7218]

Thanks for this- the talk was very meaningful and helpful! Glad you are in a good space now.

[@JRoss707]

I have enjoyed your content over the years, Quadzilla, as well as listening to you on podcasts. This is what, your third hike of the AT? You definitely don’t owe anyone an explanation. I do believe an endeavor that requires such a long time and physical sacrifice does need some sort of end game to keep your motivation up, for example, the goal of completing your first thru-hike, a triple crown, FKT, etc..

[@briannomi]

Very honest video and I liked it. I look forward to seeing some of your Thailand boxing escapades as well. Take care and look forward to seeing you hiking some more next year

[@Killuminatiforlyfe]

Doing it on the 1000 bucks is torture. I did it for 2000 and it sucked

[@gingrai00]

This is good advice but it’s also important to consider that an AT thru hike is also some very solid type 2 fun and you can’t have type 2 fun if you stop… I swore I would never hike again let alone thru hike again but I hiked more the year after the AT than I had any year prior and my wife and I are going to do the PCT next year. It’s hard to say you quit after you finished the whole thing just because you didn’t yo yo😂👊

[@rickgault5349]

I had to drop out in 2022. It was a NOBO that ended in Roanoke, Va. I still feel bad about it. The physicians I saw back home said I made the right decision. Turns out I had a Baker’s cyst behind my knee. My lower leg swelled up like a melon. My ankle became a kankle. Despite what the physicians said, I feel like I failed. As they say, the trail isn’t going anywhere, however, the trek doesn’t just affect me. Looks like I will have to do it in sections.

[@patrastall2083]

Good decision....you have nothing to prove. Calendar Year Triple showed what you can do...Follow your bliss.

[@brucemattes5015]

As someone who has thousands of miles of backpacking, ordinary day hiking, mountaineering, and cross-country skiing under his belt I can say unequivocally that it is impossible to hike 100% of either the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail, north-to-south, or south-to-north, in a single calender year without breaks, and *claim that you enjoyed it. At least not for more than a few select moments along the entirety of either trail. It's a grind, PERIOD.* Being a successful, 100% No-Bulls••t, Through Hiker requires that you not waste any unnecessary time whatsoever because, make no mistake about it, *Through Hiking is Nose-to-the-Grindstone Speed Hiking and regardless of how light one's pack, clothing, footwear, gear, and food is, Speed Hiking is seldom, if ever Fun.* I'm ex-military, been there, done that, and I have the t-shirts, blisters, and memories to prove it. To accomplish such a feat requires an inordinate amount of planning; the resources necessary to purchase all of the ultra-lightweight gear, clothing, and food; the monies to pre-position a sufficient number of well-thought out re-supply Care Packages at all of the requisite Post Offices along either of the two trails; sufficient monies in a bank account that will allow you to bail yourself out of the inevitable emergencies, gear failures, and clothing/boot failures; a high degree of physical, mental, and spiritual fitness at the start before the first official step is taken; an inordinate amount of God's Grace and luck; as well as a lot of determination and grit. *I guess, if recent news stories are to be believed, then a Through Hiker also needs to be hyper-vigilant for human predators, regardless of whether one is male or female, but especially any female hiking alone or in small groups. This is not something that would have even entered the mind of a Through Hiker back in the 1970's and 1980's when I was actively pursuing such activities.*

[@mentalmadness9783]

I would have needed this video 10 years ago, before bike packing got really big I decided I wanted to do it, I was just out for a week and then decided to turn around, it was NOT my thing, at all. Dodging traffic, the loneliness, never being able to relax when vehicles passed me. Before that I had been backpacking New Zealand and Japan for 4 months and I was already feeling that I was done with solo travelling. The original plan was the bike packing, but I went early with the backpacking, I needed to get off the rat race for a while and quick so I did. I got all I wanted from NZ/JP but I felt obliged to at the least try my original plan, but it really sucked. On my way home I got hit by a car and the rest is a long story... I'm fine, I think now almost 10 years later, but I had serious problems with panic attacks after the crash, as soon as I heard the sound of a vehicle behind me I would get tensed up. I stopped riding bikes on roads completely and now I'm only mountain biking. Long story short, I quit the bike packing because it sucked and I felt shame and regret a long time after but it was unnecessary.

[@ijblessjourney]

Totally agree! I noticed what you mentioned in your video while on trail.

[@alg678]

Have you motorbiked over to Cave Lodge yet? It's about an hour outside Pai, awesome place where you stay, and take adventure trips like caving and kayaking. Northern Thailand is the best.

[@rwp722]

I got off with an injury in Front Royal, but it was a "Thank God" moment because I was sick of hiking after 90 days.

[@rogerc7972]

I can be completely immersed in the trail vibe within a couple days. 3 or 4 days is "enough" for me. I never want to finish a trail!

[@LindaRamus]

Yep. Why I left CDT New Mexico this year. Just didn’t want to do it anymore. Just not then. Going back next year cause even after 50 years, still love it.

[@yeelahowah7476]

I had this same epiphany with my job, I just didn't feel like being there anymore so I decided not to go. Then I asked this waitress out and she was really into the TV show "Kung Fu" as much as I was, it was great. A crazy series of events followed, there were computer glitches, a baseball bat + a copy machine, and some guy showed me his O-face.

[@TheJhtlag]

Yeah, the whole conversation around "quitting" and/or purist who tell you who's a through-hiker and who is not is a little insane. There are even hikers who complete the trail and kind of humorously but maybe not say "Don't do it" It can take its toll too. I mean, I get it can be a right of passage but if you're not enjoying yourself why do it? You're not going to impress too many people, it's only for yourself.

[@darlene4232]

Thanks for being honest nicer weather where you are now and beautiful also

[@YTusercomment]

So, to be clear you DID complete your initial north bound AT Thru Hike....but quit prior to completing the south bound Yo-Yo hike. That is good advice that if you are planning to quit, do not quit on a "bad day"....your mind will accept it better if ending your hike on a good day.

[@ihikefar]

So few people have mission focus. The completion rate statistic’s on the ATC website reflect that. I tell folks thinking about an AT thru hike to read Warren Doyle’s 2 page book on the subject. He says “The trail is a trial.” So true. Find the book free on his webpage.