PSA: The Appalachian Trail isn't a race track, slow down

I was at a gear shop in Damascus last weekend and heard this guy bragging about crushing 25 miles a day on the AT like it was some badge of honor. I get it, we all want to push ourselves, but I've seen too many people burn out or miss the whole point of being out there because they're obsessed with mileage. My best days on the trail have been the 8-milers where I actually stopped to watch a sunrise or chat with a thru-hiker. Anyone else think the ultra-light, speed-hiking trend is ruining the experience for beginners?

2 comments

2 Comments

grantthomas1mo ago

Last summer I passed a guy on the Noland Divide Trail who was literally jogging downhill with trekking poles in both hands (which I didn't even know was a thing). He blew past this creek crossing without even looking at the waterfall, just yelling something about making it to the next shelter by noon. Made me want to just sit down on a rock and eat a sandwich right there in protest, you know?

beth_baker691mo ago

Show me the sandwich. Was it something good like a turkey and swiss or just some sad peanut butter? Because I feel like picking the right protest sandwich matters when you're taking a stand against that kind of nonsense.