Settling into life on the trail

Hello everyone! Here comes the Cruiser from North Carolina! Shortly into my time on the trail, I connected with some nice people and they gave me the trail name «Cruiser,» for my ability to climb the slopes of the Appalachian Mountains (thanks to the stairmaster!). While I haven’t been on the road that long, it feels like a lot longer to me. Time is a funny thing, but my best guess as to why it feels so long is because of the stark contrast of “trail life” to my everyday life. I thought that for my first trail blog post, I would talk about some of the things in my daily “rhythm” on the trail that are very different than my typical routine.

1.) Personal hygiene

As I prepared for the trail, I knew hygiene would be different. Every blog I read talked about how the weight of deodorant and a change of clothes isn’t worth it, and I listened. Trying to keep my backpack as light as possible, my only hygiene items I carry are pretty much a toothbrush/toothpaste and wipes. I was a little cautious about this before I started, but honestly, I don’t regret anything. It’s quite liberating to not worry about how I look and smell all the time and honestly, no one on the road cares! We’re all in the same boat and there are so many more important things to worry about (like figuring out where we’re going to get food next!).

2.) Security/Privacy

During the first few days on the road, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was forgetting something. Living in a pre-trail city, I was used to having my keys on me at all times and triple checking that all the locks on the apartment, car, bike, etc., were secure. While I’m on the road, I have absolutely no reason to carry keys. Everything I carry on my back and there is no point in putting a lock on a bag or a tent that can simply be opened with a cut. Carrying only the essentials, trusting your instincts, and having a team of people around you that you can trust makes a big difference here!

3.) Listening to My Body

It’s no surprise that your body is an important piece of the puzzle when walking is your primary mode of transportation. While I physically prepared as much as I could before the trail (strength training, completing physical therapy for a chronic knee issue, etc.), there is a lot you can do to simulate hiking while living a normal life. Along the way, I’m pushing my body in ways it never has before, and I have to remember that every day. Despite my preparation, soreness and knee pain have become a new normal. I try not to think about this too much and instead do what I can to take care of myself. Stretching has become a non-negotiable for me and I continually work on walking at a pace that feels good for me and my body.

4.) Social interactions

As a natural introvert, I was actually a little worried about starting the journey. I knew that the AT, especially at the beginning, can be very crowded with a “bubble” of people, leading to a crowded trail and shelters. While I hope to create a community on the trail, I typically seek out the outdoors for silence and solitude, so I wasn’t sure how this combination would work. Surprisingly, I’ve been hiking, camping, and hanging out with other people a lot more than I expected and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m grateful to have found a group of people I can be myself with without filters and then walk with them for hours in total silence. I have also seen my social interactions with strangers change. While I normally smile or wave at passersby in normal life, on the road I engage in a full conversation. Chalk it up to the overall friendliness of the trail or me personally coming from a place with less stress. I am very grateful for the people around me!

5.) Mental attitude

Before starting the tour, I heard over and over again that the tour is 90% a mental challenge. Every day that passes here, this statement makes more and more sense. While you face almost constant physical challenges, the real wear and tear is mental. One of my trail friends likes to say “you have to be a good friend to yourself here,” which is very true. You spend a lot of time in your own mind while you walk, and that can be helpful or detrimental depending on your relationship with yourself. I try to avoid dwelling on the negative by rooting myself in the present as much as I can. Along the way, all you can do is take things one day at a time, and that’s what I’m trying to do as much as I can.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more trail updates as I continue to put in the miles!

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