Why does one give up a good-paying job and go to the woods for a long period
of time? Is a 5000 mile even doable? What experiences does one go through?
Is it an experience of nirvana, or an expression of frustration? What about the
dangers - the bears and snakes, the lightening strikes on the mountain tops or
the angry rivers that have washed away the hiker bridges? Can one go without
the comforts of modern life for that long? If so, is one eager to get back to
civilization or dreading the thought of it? Can there really be alternative ways
of living with none superior to the other? The answers from first hand experience
are here.
Thru-hikers have their own culture and way of looking at the world. On the trail
one sheds society's tags and enters into a new experience. This is reflected by
the use of "trail names" - a nickname. Mine was Spider. The reason - my room-mates
back in college used to call me that as i got mail addressed to "Spidhar", a
mis-spelling of my name.
I hiked the trail
from 1st June 2000 to 8th April 2001, from Cap Gaspe, Quebec, Canada to Key West,
Florida, US for a distance of 4700 miles and a duration of about 10 months.
This section contains information, photos and journals of the hike.
THANKS: The hike was a very special time in my life for me. I would like to thank
all those who supported and enriched it. Obviously, i
couldn't have done it without the help and support of a lot of people.
Because of their extensive support - physical, logistic and
psychological, I consider Suriyan, Kumar, Karen and Vivek as
being part of the hike.
Further thanks to:
Suriyan for maintaining the web site.
Kumar for taking care of my financials.
Vivek and Lusia for mailing my stuff back and forth.
the Williamsons, Dave Farley, Jon Phipps and the Galavs for
having me in their homes.
Karen and Michelle for sending me goodies along the way and
for their support.
