Reader Q & A

Reader question #12: Homelessness

November 6, 2009

Wynn B. from Jackson, MS Question: I heard that you have been sleeping in a tent in your friend’s backyard. Have you lost the ability to live in normal society? Answer: Yes. Thanks for bringing it up. Actually, for the past month I have been what I call “creatively homeless.” I have been staying with [...]

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Reader Question #11: Hipsters

October 3, 2009

Yvonne C from Oklahoma City, OK Question: I heard that you came back to Portland with a faux hawk and that you now wear a bandanna at all times. How is it, that after 3 months in the woods, you are now more of a hipster than a mountain woman? Answer: Excuse me. I will [...]

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Reader Question #10: Adventure

September 28, 2009

Kate I. from Boston, MA Question: How does it feel to be a real live adventurer? Answer: Great. Yesterday I encountered a cow with a taste for man flesh. No, that’s just me trying to make Vermont more exciting than it is. The trail goes through a lot of farm country here. Yesterday I hopped [...]

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Reader Question #9: Beautiful Things

September 16, 2009

Cecily O. from Portland, OR Question: You seem to complain a lot on your blog, are you actually having a good time? Answer: Yes. Things on the trail keep getting better, except when they’re not. I am seeing beautiful things here. For example, the other day I started hiking in a thick fog. As the [...]

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Reader Question #8: Being a wimp

September 2, 2009

Audrey B from Lookout Mtn, GA Question: My brother/cousin/friend/grandmother/pet ferret did the 100 mile wilderness and did not have as hard a time as you. Is it possible that you are a wimp? Answer: Yes. Although we in the wimp community prefer to be called badass challenged. Actually, there are many stories of people who [...]

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Reader Question #7: Going Southbound

August 21, 2009

Abe Y. from Austin, TX. Question: Why did you choose to hike the trail Southbound? Answer: Because I am a masochist and a misanthrope. Actually, I love people, so it is sometimes lonely to hike Southbound, but I am getting some good time to reflect and meditate. And I am importing hikers by getting my [...]

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Reader Question #6: Lying

July 23, 2009

Richard I, from New York City. Question: You claim to be on the Appalachian Trail and yet your blog updates frequently, which is impossible. Liar! You are really still in Portland watching Star Trek and eating Voodoo Doughnuts. Answer: Well, that is actually a statement and not a question, so I am unsure of how [...]

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Reader Question #5: Safety

June 6, 2009

Heidi S. from Seattle, WA

Question:

As a female hiking the trail alone, aren’t you worried about safety?

Answer:

It takes too much energy to constantly worry about your safety for 6 months.

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