When I tell someone that I hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT), their face becomes more and more shocked. They are surprised when I tell them I hiked it all at once, that it took six months, and that I hiked it alone. But one of the more unique experiences I encountered was hitch-hiking. The fact that I willingly hitched a ride shocks even me. But, the further North you get up the trail, the more necessary hitch-hiking becomes.

At the beginning of the Trail (if you start in Georgia), there are many easy ride opportunities. Hikers are large in number and stay at the same hostel or hotel in the same town. And In the southern part of the AT, there are many. These wonderful business owners offer a free ride to and from the hotel and the Trail. The rides are never more than ten minutes, and there are road crossings that make it easy for them to find you. It’s an amazing convenience.

As you hike further up toward Maine, the states get larger and more rustic. Hiker hostels still exist, but not in every town you encounter. If you’re lucky, a town is a quick half-mile walk. In some cases, the town is a 15-minute drive from the trail, and the only way to get there is to hitch a ride.

I first learned about hitch-hiking from my dad. But before you say anything, we were hiking the Appalachian Trail. My dad hiked the AT throughout my entire childhood. He started from Georgia, hiked a week or two, and then came home. The next year, he would start at the spot he stopped last and kept on hiking. After years of him doing this, I finally got curious and went with him. By the time I was with him, my dad was a seasoned hiker. So when we got to a point where we had to stick our thumbs out, I trusted him.

Cut to me on my 2013 through-hike. Because I knew that hitch-hiking was possible, it wasn’t as scary. Also, I surrounded myself with hikers that I trusted with my life. I knew they had my back if anything went wrong. But they would also force me to the front when hitching. Because I am a female, I have a huge advantage. If a driver spied three grungy, dirty, men with huge backpacks, they are not going to slow down. If they see a woman with them, the group doesn’t look so bad.

Hitch-hiking does take patience. You rarely get picked up in the first five minutes. So when a hiker attempts to hitch, they plan on spending a half hour trying. But if it means a Town Day, then the waiting is worth the investment.

Wasn’t I worried that someone dangerous could pick me up? No. I wasn’t. The people who picked me up were aware that they were driving near the Appalachian Trail. They saw hikers every day. Every person who picked my fellow hikers and me up was accommodating and friendly. There were some times where we gave up on getting a ride. But most of the time, a kind-hearted soul would come to our rescue.

I have many successful hitching stories. But one of my favorites happened in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. My hiking group the LBFC had stayed the night at a free hostel. We went out for breakfast before a big uphill climb at Lehigh Gap. I left them to buy supplies and food at a gas station, and I thought they would wait for me. When I came back, I learned they had gotten a ride in a pickup truck. I was upset, but I understood that they couldn’t wait for me if they had managed to secure a ride. It is possible to walk to the beginning of Lehigh Gap, but it isn’t easy.

So I walked alongside the road, cars whizzing by me as I hung my head low. I felt sad and rejected. My thumb was out, but I wasn’t being bold about it. All of a sudden, a car stops and a woman rolls down the window. “Do you need a ride up to the mountain?”

I jumped in the car, thanking her profusely.

“You know it’s funny. I wasn’t sure if you actually had your thumb out. But I would have felt bad if I passed by without asking.” I explained to her my sad situation and continued to express my gratitude.

“I’m glad I stopped then!” She had made my day, and in return, I had made hers.

I did catch up with the LBFC not long after getting to the top of Lehigh Gap. They got an earful for leaving me. But I am glad that it gave me the opportunity to hitch-hike alone. The biggest thing the AT taught me is that I can do anything. And I can do it on my own. Even if it means getting into the car with someone I just met.