Five lessons of the first five days on the long path

A lot to learn!

In the days before my long path through the walk, I felt what could be described better as a scenic fear. I knew that the nerves would fade once I began to walk, as they always did as soon as I stepped on stage. After all, nature is one of my happy places! I was anxious to start this 272 mile trip and knew that I would have a lot to learn.

On my first day, I started walking along the long path from the Massachusetts border. On the fifth day, I had arrived at Manchester Center for my first replenishment in the city. During the first five days, the Long Trail taught me some lessons about life and through those it does.

1. Red is real

He had heard the name «Vermud» before starting the long path, referring to the field of muddy hiking in the state of the green mountain. But I didn’t realize how muddy the path could be. My socks and shoes refused to dry out all the puddles. At the end of my first five days on the road, I had too many blisters to tell, as a result of walking so many muddy miles.

Sometimes the path is all mud. Sometimes the path becomes a river. Sometimes the path is just rocks. But you just have to keep walking!

One of the (less muddy) sections of the long path.

2. The community is key

Starting my lonely through the walk, I hoped to make friends along the way. After spending the southern term of the long path, I was two full days without seeing another woman or person under 60 years. This was not a total surprise for me, but it was definitely different from my daily life. Although the few people I met in these first two days were very friendly, I still felt only sometimes. Then, on the night of my second day, I ended up forming a «tramilia» (family of trails) to walk. The next day, I quickly learned how much conversation and good company can make miles fly.

Walking on a stream on the second day.

3. Observe and notice

During my first two days of a solo walk, I came to appreciate my environment more, even while I hated rock ascending climbs. I discovered that every time I stopped and admire a flower, bold, EFT, fern or mountain view, I could appreciate each mile a little more. He had been dreaming of a walk for years, and finding these moments of gratitude made every blisted foot worth it.

I found a red EFT hanging at this root on the road!

4. Look for adventures

Some of the most prominent aspects of my first days on the way were the little adventures along the way. I left on the long path with the hope of discovering New stories and experiences.

VIEW AT THE MORNING OF THE MORNING FROM STATTON POND.

One of my favorite adventures included a detour to Stratton Pond with my new tramilia, where we spent two hours sitting next to the water, swimming, snacks, watching crazy and floating in my inflatable sleep pad. I also loved to climb at the top of the Stratton Mountain Fire Tower just before sunset. In the upper part of the Tower of Fire, we felt the wind and we could see the mountains per miles.

A view at sunset from the Tower of Fire on the top of the Stratton mountain.

5. The path provides

While I was on the road, I discovered that the strangers seemed very happy to give a hand. The hikers I met were willing to share so much, from their life stories to hydrocoloid blister bandages.

When we arrived in our first city, I felt overwhelmed by how cozy they were all. My new path and I spent a trip in the city, we received Magic from trails and talked with the locals on the path. I felt more inspired to walk and find community in the cities and on the way.

PROFESSIONAL COUNCIL: Visit the fresh mountain bowls at Manchester Center: their delicious beaters were perfect after a day from walking to the sun.

Walking for Manchester Center after a delicious hamburger dinner.

Forward!

As I advance, I hope to continue observing the world around me, look for adventures every day and appreciate every pair of dry socks. For now, I look forward to what the long path has to show me.

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