‘Why do you love hiking so much?’ A good friend asked me this recently. I sniggered - I thought my reasons were obvious. It’s so apparent to me, but I guess it’s a bit bewildering for others. On later reflection, I get it. Afterall, why would you choose to put yourself through discomfort for months on end? Sleeping on the ground, eating packet foods, not washing, being so remote in the wilderness, miles away from any luxuries of modern life. It sounds so tempting on paper, doesn’t it? But for some reason, hikers go back to trail time and time again. Its very nature is addictive.
Put yourself in the way of beauty
Bobbi Lambrecht
I read a book recently called ‘Pacific Crest Trials’ - (thoroughly recommended for anyone considering the hike, or for anyone who wants to better understand what their loved one wants to put themselves through). It’s a guidebook of sorts - but no maps or stats, rather, emotional and psychological support required for a thru hike of those dimensions. In it, the author asks you to write down your WHY. He states that at some point on the hike you’re going to want to quit. Naturally. The data suggests that only 15% of committed hikers actually complete it in its entirety. You need to know your why well before then, so that seed of intention is so solid in its foundation that you can battle and reason with yourself when the inevitable time(s) come(s). Being firm in your why will make the inner conflict and torment more bearable. It serves as a reminder of how you wish to feel and how you wish to experience the journey itself.
I want to caveat this post with the fact that I did quit a hike once. The Pennine Way on day 2, in 2021. When your body is in threatening pain, I believe it’s very much okay to go gently with your ego and to quit the task ahead before the pain becomes so severe that any dreams of future hikes are thwarted. Hiking need never be about suffering through agonising pain. Meeting your edges and limits in lots of ways, resting when necessary and pushing through discomfort SURE, LET’S HAVE IT - but pain serves as a visceral signal and I’m a big advocate of listening to it and respecting the body with care.
In fact, my view is that the whole thru hiking experience lends itself to being able to be present enough with yourself that ego doesn’t have a part to play, at all! ( more on that another time! )
RIGHTT so back to it. To understand my own motivations, and to answer your question, Steph, here’s MY WHY.
FREEDOM. In today’s world, there are few ways to experience a sense of freedom, thru hiking is the best way I’ve found to date.
PRESENCE. Mindful, natural movement, all day long. Without the usual modern distractions I can be truly mindful of my being and the environment I’m putting it in. Living slowly enough to notice and practice gratitude for the myriad of blessings and learnings.
NATURE. Immersing myself in untouched landscapes, majestic beauty where there’s been zero human disturbance. Witnessing the purity of what this planet has to offer. Natural: sounds, textures, elements, tastes, terrain, sightings. Being intimate with land and water, day and night.
SILENCE. Sacred time to be free from noise pollution. To be with my innermost thoughts.
CONNECTION. As I constantly age and evolve, coming back into connection with who I am, separate from and together with my ego. Connection with my partner. Connection to the strangers who will soon be friends.
POWER. Realising and remembering the power I behold to do extremely hard things. Feeling my inner strength and inner peace coexist and combine as one.
Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom
Francis Bacon
My hope is that these reasons are enough to stay true to myself and soften into the struggles as and when they arise!
The PCTrials author also asks me to write how I would feel if I were to quit.
Well…
Deflated
Miserable
Homeless
Aimless
Empty
Unfulfilled
Frustrated
Defeated
Angry
Needless to say, I really hope I don’t have any need to quit and I’m preparing in such a way that I hope my body is conditioned to mitigate pain and prevent injury. However, through much enjoy-ment and much endure-ment, and everything in between, I’m willing to accept that I can’t be certain of anything. Cripes man, there’s bears, mountain lions and snakes living in these parts, and no amount of calf raises will equip me for meeting one of those around the next bend.
My moto and mantra:
Stay present, Stay open, Stay curious.
Go wild, Go hike, Go free.
Comments