2024 Thru Hike Announcement

On February 24, 2019, my older son, Gavin, and I set out on the adventure of a lifetime from the summit of Springer Mtn., GA, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. We aimed to hike the trail to its northern end at Mt. Katahdin, ME, nearly 2,200 miles distant. As those of you who have followed my blog know, we ended our hike nearly six months and 1,325 miles later in Vernon, NJ, just a few miles south of High Point State Park.

Looking back on it, we knew why we were no further along. Though we intentionally started the trail slowly, hiking only 6-8 miles each day to prevent injuries and to allow our bodies to adjust to the stress of daily hiking, we never picked up the pace to the point we should have. A scan of our hiking log shows that in the final month or so of hiking, we only covered about 300 miles. Our daily average was just over twelve miles, and we spent five or six days in hotels or hostels taking zeros, days when zero miles were hiked. Over the whole of the hike, we took about 30 zeros, not counting twelve days when we were off trail due to injury and waiting on our hiking partners to catch up with us. Counting only “hiking days,” our daily average was just short of 10.5 miles. Forgive my sudden purge of numbers and statistics. As you likely know, I taught math for 29 years, and even though I’m now retired, the use of numerical evidence is a hard habit to break. The point is, posting totals like those, it would be difficult to make it to Katahdin in one season.

There are many reasons why we didn’t “hike harder” that I don’t need to delve into here, but suffice it to say we’re older and (hopefully) wiser now. With the benefit of five years of rumination and 20-20 hindsight, we’re excited to announce our 2024 Do-Over Hike!

We’ll be starting in February from Springer Mtn. and are looking forward to rejoining life on the trail. Since 2019, we have updated some of our gear and are focusing on the psychological aspects of long-distance hiking. When discussing this year’s hike, many have asked whether we are going to pick up in New Jersey where we left off. Though that may be the most sensible option, Gavin and I both want to earn the title of thru-hiker by completing all 2,200 miles from start to finish in one season.

We’d be honored to have you join us on our journey. As I did in 2019, I’ll be posting blogs on this site weekly, or at least as often as possible. I’ll also be posting daily videos on my YouTube channel (@WaffleHikes) which is linked in the menu above. I encourage you to subscribe to both this blog and my channel to receive notifications of new content.

25 thoughts on “2024 Thru Hike Announcement”

  1. Boom! Glad to hear this Rob. I followed your last attempt. You and I met at Bud Scheille a couple years ago and I remember our discussion about your hike and my plans to attempt it soon. Good luck to you and Gavin and I’ll be following your blog.

    1. We’re looking forward to it. And in 2025, I hope to be back at CBS in some capacity. The summer of ’23 as Program Director was AWESOME!

  2. Amen amen amen. I will journey with you as we pray you through this new adventure. May God bless you abundantly and bid you safe travel.

  5. I Can’t wait to follow you in your upcoming venture. Be safe and God bless you and your son..

  6. Awesome! And Congratulations! My wife and I enjoyed your hike in 2019 and will be following you again from Pennsylvania this year! We’re only 1 mi from the AT in southern PA by the Caledonia State Park. You can do it! Feel free to contact us if we can be of any help–clothes, food, water…would be delighted to be a part of your success this year!

    1. Thanks for continuing to follow us. If you will, email me your contact info (rob@robduncan.net) and I’ll set a location reminder to be in touch. I’m hoping to stay at the awesome shelter just N of Caledonia this year. Mileage didn’t work out in 2019.

      1. Sounds good. Sent you an email. Would be happy to be a post for you…if you need to have supplies etc. or a place to stay…we have an extra bedroom. And my wife is a great cook! And we won’t accept any money. Brothers in Christ. Water in Jesus name. For you and your boy.

  7. Will pray for your protection, guidance and the strength to keep up the pace as you endeavor to hike the Appalachian trail.
    Ant G & Unc Ron

  9. Been waiting for your post! Excited to follow you on your journey. God bless and all the best in your journey.

  12. I am looking forward to following your journey again. Good look and prayers for you and Gavin!

Comments are closed.