Change of plans: Why I am not thru hiking the AT this summer

Going into 2025, my eyes were set on a SOBO AT thru hike. I always wanted to do a NOBO hike since I learned about the AT in the spring of 2021 as I live in North Carolina and it just made sense to start in Georgia. Being a PhD student put a twist in those plans as my timeline shifted and I knew my only option would be a SOBO thru hike. When I came to terms with that, I became excited to know I would be hiking through fall and see the leaves changing. 

First time I saw an Appalachian Trail sign in the Smokies.

I first learned about the AT at Newfound Gap. I was visiting the Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg area and wanted to go on a day hike and found the 8 mile round trip hike up to Charlie’s Bunion. I saw backpackers that day but did not know what thru hiking was until I found different vloggers on YouTube. Since that first hike in 2021, I have done many miles on the AT including the Virginia triple crown and day hikes around Damascus and Hot Springs. 

Standing on the NC/ TN Border at Newfound Gap during my first day hike on the AT

At the end of 2024, I went on my first backpacking trip on the Foothills Trail. Even though it only lasted one night due to the weather, I knew it was something I enjoyed and wanted to continue with my eyes still set on a thru hike of the entire AT. Fast forward to the middle of February. I had completed my Dissertation Proposal defense in January and was in the process of running my simulation study anticipating that I would still be able to finish in May and be on trail in Maine sometime in July. I was offered a job in my field, psychometrics, in the middle of February. I had been working as an intern while working on my PhD for the past three and a half years and the company I was interning for decided to offer me a permanent job. Knowing this was too good to pass up I accepted the offer and knew right then it meant my plans to do a SOBO thru hike of the AT this year were over. So, what does this mean for my blog and my backpacking journey?

One of the waterfalls on the Foothills Trail

It took me a little time to process the full extent of my decision to take the job and not thru hike this year and to be honest I am still processing it. My heart was set on taking a break from the “real world” and enjoying the trail for 6 months after I finish school before stepping back into a full-time job. What I have told myself is now the AT is in my 5-year plan. I do not want to put it off until I retire as that is many years away but realistically, I believe I can do it in the next 5 years whether that means taking a leave of absence or something else. I already have all the gear, and the money saved so just will make it happen when it is time.

Instead, this year I still plan to do a few thru hikes just smaller trails that are close to me. I started the Foothills trail in December but only made it 20 miles, so my plan is to go back and do a full thru hike of the trail this summer hopefully in July or end of August. The other smaller trail I plan to thru hike is the Art Loeb trail in NC. which I can accomplish over a long weekend. Along with those two trails my hope is to do sections on the AT for practice. Ideally, I would like to do from Springer to Franklin if the time allows along with some weekend trips on the trail in NC, TN, or VA. Even though I cannot hike the whole trail this summer, my goal is to get out on as many overnights or weekends to gain more backpacking experience so when it is time to thru hike, I am ready.