Why does anyone really choose to do anything? We feel that eating, sleeping, existing outdoors for multiple months is a perfectly rational way to live life. Hell, we think its the people that don't foster a relationship with the outdoors or nature who are the crazy ones. I guess we just really dig Mother Earth.
About Frank:
At the ripe age of 25, I realized that I wasn't really enjoying life properly. Yeah, things were pretty good. I had a steady job. Lived in a cool city (Boston). Had awesome friends and great relationship with my family. But as a whole, I felt...well...bored. I didn't help that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and was getting the itch to try a new city. In the summer of 2009, I packed everything I could fit into my Honda Civic, left Massachusetts and headed west for the great frontier I saw in Colorado. Denver to be specific.
I have lived in Denver for almost 2 years now. Probably one of the best decisions I have ever made in my entire life (another story for another day). Colorado clearly has a place in my heart and its with a heavy one that I am now leaving in order to pursue career opportunities back east (going into the family business!)
But not before piggy-backing on that original adventure I had when I first moved to Denver. In continuation of the time-honored tradition of "parents shaking their head in disbelief as they here child's latest seemingly-crazy idea", I will be attempting a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail this upcoming spring. A five month journey is what I seek. An experience of a lifetime. Trying to encapsulate and imitate, on a very remote basis, how our early ancestors must have felt, living outside everyday. Not going to an office. Not sitting in traffic. Living outside my comfort zone. These are just a few of the many, many reasons I have for wanting to take a shot at the trail.
I have done my best to not romanticize this, as the people who know me, know I have a tendency to do. I am doing my best to prepare myself for the literal, tough road ahead. I have read that every year, more than 3,500 people attempt to thru-hike the whole thing from start to finish and a mere 300 people actually finish. That is a distinguished class and numbers don't lie. This is going to be hard. I have low expectations, but I am also going to give it every last bit of my effort.
I would be lying to you if I said I didn't care about finishing the whole thing. I do care, very much about that. There aren't many things I think I will have to work harder for in my life than this. I realize that in order to finish this whole trail, I am going to need some luck and to be on my game, both mentally and physically, every day for 5 months. Think about the last time you've had to do that. If there was ever a chance to "see what I am made of," it would be now.
With that said, I can't say that my "Goal" is to thru-hike the entire trail. Like I've said, that is what I am striving for, however when one doesn't achieve a specific goal, its usually considered "a failure to attain the goal." (An example of this is when I ran the Boston Marathon. My "Goal" was to run it in under 4 hours. I came in at 4:45 and even though I finished the race, a difficult task in itself, I still have a feeling that I failed in what I was trying to do.) If the time comes where I no longer have the desire to continue on the trail, I don't think I will feel as though I've failed because "finishing" the trail is such a vague way to describe what I am trying to actually achieve, which is actually more of gaining an experience than reaching a finish line. For me, finishing the trail is the secondary goal behind the goal of just hiking the trail. Adam and I have been saying all along, our goal is "to hike the AT." If that means we hike a month, 3 months, the whole thing, I will be more proud that I attempted the journey than upset that I wasn't able to complete the entire trail. All in all, I'm just glad I can be here for the ride.
Thanks for reading!
-Frank
About Adam:
Since I was a child I have always loved being-with nature. Hours were spent playing in and around rivers, campsites became Home, and lessons were learned around a fire. My father fostered my love for the wilderness and he showed me how to relate to the natural world. Through active participation with the Boy Scouts I grew to respect our place on earth.
Reality demands that we live in concordance with Earth. Our modern society implores us to live in compliance with its mores and legislation. Thus far in life I have successfully navigated a path through the thickets of classrooms, cubicles, and a few mountains. A high school diploma was fulfilled, an undergraduate degree was obtained, and sturdy pay-checks have been earned; now, I intend to return to the wilderness to reorient my trajectory in life.
I seek to travel the Appalachian Trail to learn more about my Self and how best to lead a good life. By removing myself from a city, an office, and comfortable dwellings I wish to uncover the "base-layer" of my existence. Granted, any environment is a good environment for self-exploration, but I have chosen the A.T. for its natural appeal and logistic practicality. Although Frank and I are taking an extended walk in the woods we will still be very much connected to our family and friends. We will also make numerous new friends along the way. This journey is not an escape for total isolation, it is a retreat to return to what-is-most-important-in-life.
The anticipation of what awaits is truly exciting. Our trip will be full of highs and lows and our everyday needs will consume our attention with gathering water, consuming calories, maintaining core temperatures, and satisfying curiosities.
I trust our quest - no matter the duration - will forge us into better human beings and that we will emerge from the mountains with more patience, knowledge, and compassion!
Adam Sukigara Yoichi Sitterly
