Why does everyone treat Appalachian Trail thru-hikes like a race these days?

I keep seeing posts celebrating 100-day completions but nobody talks about the mental toll of skipping town days and pushing 20+ miles daily, so is the goal to finish fast or actually soak in the trail experience?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_kevin29d ago

Used to think fast hikes were just about fitness and goals. Then I talked to a guy who finished in 90 days and couldn't remember half the shelters or views. Made me realize I'd rather have a fuzzy memory of the whole trail than a sharp timeline.

hall.alex29d ago

lol not everything has to be that deep bro