I have to preface this post with a brief explanation of some of the differences between the Appalachian Trail (AT) and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) as I understand them. The majority of my awareness of hiking comes from Jamie's AT experience, and mine of resupplying and supporting him on it, so there's a little fear of the unknown I have to manage on my end this time around.
I wouldn't ever want to understate any of the challenges of the AT, but while it is wild and remote, it is still less so than the CDT. The east coast is just so much more densely populated. There are hundreds of little towns and even cities along the trail, or just a short distance off-trail. In general, cell phone coverage is pretty good, and the iPhone GPS works reasonably well for tracking your hiker. The CDT is just not that way at all.
The CDT runs predominantly through areas with population of less than 50 persons per square mile!
That's just one illustration of the isolation, though. Another is that there are far fewer hikers on the CDT. Every year, approximately 3,000 thru-hikers attempt the AT, with around 1,200 completing. The CDT has "hundreds" attempt a thru-hike, with only about 165 completing it. So the odds of running into other hikers are much greater on the AT.
In addition, AT water sources are abundant. I just love this AT hiker's site all about water on the AT and it nicely captures the diversity and plenty of the supply. This makes carrying the extra weight of water essentially unnecessary, at least in quantities greater than you might want to hydrate along the way. Obviously, the importance of water just can't be understated. Without it, well, you know... You wouldn't be finishing the thru-hike!
All that info is merely to set the stage for the TMI question: Is it possible that in your effort to support a hiker, you could have Too Much Information about their location, planned routes, etc.? Perhaps!
Jamie is carrying a Garmin GPS locator on this hike, so I can check periodically to get a real-time(-ish) location for him. Sounds like a great thing, right? But recently, I spoke to him briefly during a rare bit of cellular connection. He was not loving the hike at that moment. His feet! The lack of water! The sun and its unrelenting intensity!
This is where the hiker's support person listens carefully, offers suggestions where appropriate, but mostly serves as a sounding board for the hiker. Having someone to share thoughts and issues that have been swirling around in their heads while they are pushing through a rough stretch is, all by itself, a bit of a relief. So, this is what I did, and all was well.
The next day, at some point in the afternoon, I decided to check on him and see how he was progressing. So I found him. And I watched the little blue triangle, refreshing the data every so often, and started to wonder:
"Why is he going THAT way?!?"
I am honestly not an over-reactor by any stretch of the imagination. But, as I mentioned, this trail, this hike, this whole situation is a different experience, and we're both still figuring out what's normal. Plus, now with the satellite detail you can see through the Garmin, I am able to zoom in and "see" that he's been staying put in a particular location for quite a while. Then, I see that he starts moving, but he's still moving AWAY from where I think he ought to be going!
I can't tell you how easy it is to look at something like that and draw up scenarios! I notice a pond of some sort ahead in the direction he's headed... When he passes that, I notice that the Gila River is ahead even further... I'm not overreacting yet, but I am starting to wonder at what point should I start to worry.
It helps to know that I am naturally hesitant to bring this up to our close family or friends because I don't want to unnecessarily worry people. I mean, the reality is that the more people involved, the more likely you are to generate an overreaction! But at the point where I am starting to wonder if he is out of water, delirious, and attempting to stumble his way to a river that will take him only into more remote backcountry, I decide I need perspective from a reliable source.
So who might I reach out to? Our daughters? NO. His Mom? NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. His sisters? Brother? NO WAY. Maybe the only person who understands the hike well enough, and understands my concerns too, is Letters. She is a safe space on such matters - a fellow AT hiker of Jamie's who has truly become a forever friend to us both.
"No, I'm sure it's just that the trail is looping around more that you thought."
"No, he wouldn't ever find himself so unprepared as to run out of water to the point of delirium."
"I'm 100% sure you'll hear from him soon."
And of course, she was right. Eventually, I did get a message relay from the Garmin:
So, back to the TMI question!
Is the ability to see all the nitty, gritty of the dirt band a blessing or a curse? Maybe a little of both. But I think managing the way you handle the information is probably where it's at.
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