Trying to put words to this past summer's experience is just about as daunting as thinking about walking 2650 miles. The experience is both too big and too simple to express and I am sure I will continue to process it as time passes but I'll try to at least sum up the overall experience while it's still fresh in my mind and my feet still hurt (it's been ten days and I still hobble down stairs).
People often say that the trail is humbling, being outdoors makes them feel small and insignificant. This is not the case in my experience. Out on the trail I feel big, accomplished, fulfilled, challenged, confident, competent and happy just to be exactly where I am, doing exactly what I'm doing. There is something special and powerful about interacting with other hikers and trail angels who are doing what they are doing solely because they enjoy doing it; because they want to be there, not because they have to be there. There is an immense sense of positivity and belonging, a real human connection that seems to be a bit lacking in our modern society.
Yes, there were hard days, cold and rainy days, hot and awful days, and exhausted, emotional, painful and hungry times but those moments were far outweighed by the magical moments. Finally reaching the top of ridge you've been climbing all morning to see another breath taking and awe inspiring view, singing around a campfire with people you just met, finding an amazing huckleberry bush, jumping in a freezing lake on a beautiful day, standing on the summit of Mount Whitney completely alone, making a huge mile day, running into root beer floats, apples or other magic when you least expect it and laughing until you can't breathe an uncountable number of times with a great friend who is there experiencing the same challenges and exaltations with you everyday. I found that sharing my adventure, with a hiking buddy, with family, friends and even some strangers on the internet gave it more meaning. The happiness more memorable, the struggles easier to laugh at and the experience more fulfilling. Because it was not only enriching my life but also reaching the life's of others and spreading the sense of community, adventure and excitement on and off trail.
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| A dove wrapper has never been so relevant |
The astounding simpleness of life on the trail brought on a sort of calmness and clarity. The vast amounts of alone time in my head with only mother nature's distractions heightened my awareness, expanded my appreciation and gave more weight and meaning to thoughts and feelings. I had everything I needed and nothing I didn't, my daily life had a quantifiable purpose, it was full and complete. I could let go of worries and let be the questions I couldn't answer. Maybe in time answers would come and maybe not yet, either way that was okay. Everything will always work out.
The trail has been a very enriching experience that will continue to inspire me do more, see more, feel more, appreciate more, and learn more right now, not just in the mystical land of someday. I hope in sharing this experience here others will feel more inclined to get out there, leave their comfort zone and go on an adventure.
The trail has been a very enriching experience that will continue to inspire me do more, see more, feel more, appreciate more, and learn more right now, not just in the mystical land of someday. I hope in sharing this experience here others will feel more inclined to get out there, leave their comfort zone and go on an adventure.
Next stop: Greenland
