Not to sound depressing again...this thread got me thinking of a couple years ago. My husband rode the bus with a lady who's brother in law disappeared while on a solo trip. He left behind a mortgage, a stay at home wife and 8, yes, 8 kids under 18.

His camp was found after a long search by other hikers blundering into it - he had been pretty far off trail. They have still not found him though. This was 3 years ago I think at this point. No body, no death certificate. No insurance payout, no social security for the kids. It caused severe stress to his family.

My point here - is it that much to make a spouse happy? I cannot imagine disappearing and leaving my husband with our child like that. Hence I never change routes and am always where I say I will be. I check in via cellphone when I can as well.

The thought of that lady is always a sobering one <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />