11 Lessons I Learned on the Trail as a LAFF (Long Ass Flip Flopper) Hiker

Tree Philosopher

I consider myself a philosopher. I mean, I know that no one can ever know everything. It turns out that the more I know, the less I know. So I have this insatiable thirst for knowledge. If philosophy is the study of knowledge, then I am a philosopher.
I am also a hiker and the philosophy of hiking is always present in my mind. Along the way, I have met some of the most amazing and knowledgeable people. I’ve had conversations with hikers that rival anything in Plato’s works (I’m being a bit facetious). I have learned many lessons along the way. Some I have learned the hard way; some were much easier.

1. The road never ends

In 2017, I was in Mammoth Lakes at a bar with my tram. The topic of post-travel depression came up. This was the first time I heard the concept. We discussed the idea of ​​carrying everything you’ve learned on the trail into your post-trail life as a way to manage post-trail blues. Things like perseverance, problem-solving, and strength can be applied to everyday life, whether you’re on a trail or in an office. The road never ends. Personally, I took this more literally and kept walking. Springer, here I come.

2. I am more capable than I ever imagined.

I have yet to reach my limit, although I think I’ve probably gotten close. Obviously I haven’t died yet, but I’ve definitely come close. If you had asked me 20 years ago what I was capable of, I would never have guessed it would be 16,000 miles of trails and counting.

3. Women are as capable and, in many cases, more capable than anyone else.

Long distance hiking is a great equalizer and proof that women, if anything, are superior. That’s my personal opinion. No facts, no statistics, just an observation.

4. The trail is for everyone

There are so many wonderful and surprising things about hiking. However, there is one thing that makes me very sad: some people still think that people in the LGBT community and people of color should not follow the trail. I feel like it’s getting better, as year after year I see more and more diversity on the trail. That makes me really happy.

5. Everything can be solved by walking

If you run out of food, water or motivation, the best thing you can do is keep walking. Are you tired and in pain? Keep walking. You can rest and recover in the city. Maybe you’re already over it. Walk to town. Go home. Sleep and eat. Then go walk some more.

6. Moisturize or die

Water is life. It took me too long to realize this.

7. Food is fuel

I used to think of food as a pleasure and a comfort. It is true that I have always had a bad relationship with food. Hiking taught me the true importance of good nutrition. Food became less focused on pleasure and more on a necessity to continue walking thousands of miles in the mountains.

8. I am both very big and very small

Sometimes I feel big and small
simultaneously. It’s strange.
However, there is comfort
in the bright stars
beautiful, spectacular.

And we are small,
less than a speck in the night sky.
Our minds comparable
to the universe—
infinite, endless.

The mountains tower above me.
The ocean surrounds me.
Ants and ticks crawl on me.
I climb the mountains.
I walk along the vast blue desert.
Inside me, an entire universe in itself.

9. Take only pictures, leave only footprints is a legitimate concept that I can get behind.

Unfortunately, it took me too long to realize that the idea behind “Leave No Trace” is to be good stewards of the land. However, “Leave only footprints” was instantly a clear and achievable goal the first time I saw it at a trailhead.

10. You are never too old to walk. You only get old when you stop walking

I once met an old man at a water fountain. He told me, «You’re never too old to walk. You only get old when you stop.» I really took it very seriously. In that sense, hiking is the fountain of youth. I think I’m much younger today than I would be if I hadn’t walked long distances every year for the last decade. Here I come!!!

11. Doing your own hike is the most important principle of hiking

It has become almost a cliché, perhaps too poorly used. But doing your own hike is very important. However, that doesn’t mean that altering your walking style to be around the people you love isn’t also important—that is, if it makes you happy. The key is to be true to yourself and remember that it is your walk and that you can share it however and with whomever you choose.

I’m a LAFF hiker

You may have heard of a section hiker. I guess you probably know what a hiker is. You may have heard of a LASHer (long ass section hiker). But do you remember what the most famous type of hiker of all is? I’m a long-ass Flip Flop. The following is my hiking resume. I’m quite proud of it. It is the Way of the Camel.

2017

From Mexico to Old Station California (Pacific Crest Trail) ~1,400 miles
Eureka California to Newport Oregon (California Coastal Trail/Oregon Coast Trail) ~ 400 miles

2018

Washington Concrete to PCT Northern Terminus (Pacific Northwest Trail) ~ 150 miles
Canada to Mammoth Lakes then Walker Pass to Mexico (PCT) ~ 2,500 miles

2019

Timberline Trail and other local routes around Mount Hood and Gorge and Southern Washington ~ 300 miles
Newport Oregon to mouth of Columbia River (OCT) ~ 200 miles

2020

Upper Priest Falls in northern Idaho to Mammoth Lakes California (The Hot Springs Trail) ~ 1,800 miles

2021

Santa Barbara, California to Mammoth Lakes (HST) ~600 miles
Mammoth Lakes to Etna California (PCT) ~1,000 miles
Astoria Oregon to California border (OCT) ~400 miles

2022

Mexico to Butte Montana (The Continental Divide Trail) ~ 2,500 miles

2022/2023

Winter Hike The Arizona Trail 1.33 times ~ 1100 miles

2023

Boise Idaho to Butte Montana (Quad Trail B) ~500 miles
Butte to Glacier National Park (CDT) ~ 500 miles

2024

Boise Idaho to Brookings Oregon (QBT) ~1,500
Extending my hike to NorCal ~300 miles

2025

Cape Alava to Forks Washington (PNT) ~100 miles
Hike Horseshoe Ring Toss and Yeat Trail (HRTHYT) SOBO Fort Stevens State Park to Brookings EABO to Ashland NOBO to Cascade Locks. ~1,200 miles
Mount Saint Helens Lollipop Loop ~ 150 miles.

Total: ~16,600 miles!!!

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