What We Say To People Who Think We're Nuts

This is going to happen. You can’t mention you are going to spend months walking across the western seaboard without getting, at the very least, some weird looks. If you are a potential thru hiker, it is important to know what to say to the doubters and the unconvinced (Also see FAQs).

Here are a few go-to counterpoints David and I like to use. Choose wisely depending on your situation and the concern of your loved ones. The delivery is important though; you must be blissfully optimistic at all times if you want to reassure anyone else.

Concern: Money

• It’s not actually that expensive. If you think about how much you would spend on a 5 month vacation almost anywhere else, it’s practically a bargain!
• Job? I’ll find another job! The economy is getting stronger every day!
• The interest rate on my student loans is really low anyway.
• Our financial responsibilities back home? We’re downsizing. Tiny living is in.

Concern: Safety

• Statistically it is safe! If you drew a 2650 mile line through any part of the country, you’d cross a serious crime or two.
• The bears aren’t really the aggressive kind. They’re scavengers. Like overgrown raccoons.
• The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting at least some snow in the mountains this winter. There will be plenty of water!
• I know the desert has no shady spots. But my skin, like my legs, will become stronger as we go, right?
• Of course we’ll be able to call for help if something terrible happens! We’ll be in California, not Mongolia.

Concern: General Unpleasantness

• Dirty, schmirty...we’ll be near a shower at least every 7 days.
• Sure it’s not the most relaxing vacation, but at least the alarm won’t be ringing at 5:45 every weekday morning.
• The trail was designed for horses. It isn’t even that steep!
• If I use enough Kool-aid mix, I won’t even notice how brown and murky the water looks.
• After the first few miles every morning, all those aches and pains will just fade away.

There are a lot of reasons hiking for 6-ish months sounds crazy. There are a lot of people who can't imagine why we would ever do it. For those people, there are lists like this. But mostly, David and I find that everyone we know has been incredibly supportive. And for that, we thank you.