The hardest question I keep getting asked when I tell people I’m giving up my “normal” life to hike the Appalachian Trial for 4-6 months is: Because? The question was there from the beginning, when I started pitching the idea to family and close friends about a year ago. That’s when I told my boss at work last summer that I was serious enough about walking the trail that I brought it up in a formal professional conversation, which, as you can imagine, derailed that conversation a bit… Sorry, Chad! And as news of my departure for the trail has spread, I’m asked more and more frequently. Because?
Results may vary
As I navigated these conversations and questions, I found that my answers varied depending on numerous factors: time available, how well I know the person asking, my mood, social context, etc. Responses so far have included variants of:
- Because it is a personal goal of mine.
- It will be an adventure and experience.
- Push myself physically and mentally
- It will be a good mental refresher.
- To eat whatever you want 🙂
I even modified the saying I read somewhere (probably in Trek) that there are 3 times people hike the AT; when they graduate from college, when they retire, or when they get laid off. Well, I lost my way on the first one, I’m not confident I can physically do it on the second one, and I’ve dodged the third one so far. And while all of this is true, they are relatively superficial answers. But since this is such an important task, I feel I owe a more thoughtful response. But I have missed giving a well-thought-out answer that is clear, concise and comprehensive. So much so that I described this draft a couple of weeks ago and am only now finishing this post. But last week, while having drinks with a good friend, they asked me again: Because? They put pressure on me and didn’t let me go easily. And although I didn’t fully articulate it at the time, it helped motivate me to further refine my thoughts.
My «Why?»
Why hike the Appalachian Trail?
- Adventure: I want to go on a great adventure. Seeing new places and experiencing them slowly (walking speed), as well as meeting and getting to know new and interesting people you wouldn’t normally meet. I’ve traveled quite a bit, but it’s usually FAST! Travel in and out, keep moving and see as much as you can. Which I enjoy, the world is a big place and I want to see everything I can. By hiking the AT, I will be able to see many parts of the US that I am less familiar with and will be forced to limit my speed to how fast I can walk.
- Challenge: I want to challenge myself mentally and physically, and maybe even emotionally and spiritually. I want to do something difficult and get away with it. I want to grow in unexpected ways.
- Recharge: Last May I graduated with my master’s degree, which I completed over two and a half years while working full time. 50-55 hour work weeks, combined with 20-25 hours of weekly school work, have left me tired. I haven’t been at my best lately, which sucks. I need a mental reset and recharge.
- I’m scared of it: A coworker has a photo on his desk with two circles, a small one labeled «Your comfort zone» and separated by a space, a larger one next to it that says «Where the magic happens.» Leaving my normal life behind to hike the AT makes me nervous and a little scary. It takes me out of my comfort zone, which I think is the point. We’re here to find out where the magic happens.
Okay, but why blog?
Does the internet really need another blogger/vlogger/Youtuber/etc.? I don’t know, that’s for someone else to decide. But since I’m already sharing why I’m hiking, I can also share why I blog about it and hope to stop.
- To document my journey. I’m putting a lot into this; time, money, effort, away from family and friends, sleeping in a bed, the list goes on. I want to make sure I can remember this trip with all its glorious highlights and heartbreaking lows. I’m terrible at taking notes and often rely on my memory. And unfortunately, as I’m discovering, my brain is a finite resource and is mostly full of fun facts about geography and history, as well as the lyrics to “Call me Maybe.” That’s why I want to document this experience so I have something to remember in the future.
- Keep your family, friends and co-workers updated. But really my mom (Hi mom!).
- I got a lot out of reading the blogs of Trek’s AT Class of 2025 bloggers. They provided entertainment, education, and knowledge that would be difficult to obtain without personally meeting several hikers. Hopefully I can pay it forward and do the same for someone else.
- Expand my writing skills and become a better writer. It’s a growth opportunity and outside my comfort zone, which seems to be the theme of my AT journey.
Until next time…
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