Mark and me. When they took this, I had no idea how much their friendship would mean to me.
The hiking culture is unique and is often described as similar to an adult summer camp. I have met people from the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, and all over the United States. When you are not distracted by the incessant pulsating energy of modern society, it is easy to share and listen to the story of others because along the way nothing else matters; When you connect with someone, it’s often immediately deeper. Age doesn’t matter, looks don’t matter, nobody cares how much money you have, what kind of car you drive, what house you live in. The relationship that forms is organic and lacks judgment. It really is you just the way you are, with nothing else except what’s on your back. There is a goodness that somehow manifests itself in almost everyone who is on the path. Perhaps because we all share this profound yet simple human experience of simply walking or perhaps being reduced to the basic necessities of life. Whatever the reason, it is intimately unique. The circadian rhythm of sunsets and sunrises that dictate your day has a way of connecting the soul. I’m a very social being and quality may color the lens I look through, but I suspect not much. Every dawn I wake up to the melody of nature; The birds, the fresh air blowing through the trees, the water flowing from the fresh melting snow. There is stillness but the soft melody of nature plays in the background. I often unzip my tent and a new neighbor greets me with a soft «good morning» brewing coffee on his pocket stove that arrived sometime while I was sleeping the night before.
The links we create
I met a father and son who reconnected and shared a journey of sobriety. I met a German and a Slovak who became two of my closest companions. I hiked with someone who lived in Hawaii for the last 30 years. Others through divorces, widows, empty nesters, and Mark, whose incredible story of cheating death captivated me as we shared a piece of meat in the shade on a mountainside.
I describe the injections that people appear from as «portals.» One day, while walking with a group camping together, seemingly out of nowhere someone new appears in your world. A day later, they will share a trip and stay together on an angel trail. They often camp together for hundreds of miles. Walls tend to break down easily, people tend to share things and open up in a way that would not be possible in everyday life. Along the way time is compressed and there is an inherent sense of emotional security. Friendships that can take months to develop are formed in days and it feels like you’ve known each other your whole life. People tend to be kinder and more selfless along the way. Sharing water, food, clothing and sometimes the best gift is nothing tangible; It can be a calm conversation with someone when you’re down and the mutual understanding of knowing exactly what you’re going through. Other times it is sitting in silence sharing a moment together amazed by nature.
I walked for 6 days without seeing another female on the trail and then one day Tessa (“Fleet”) appears behind me after a 29 mile day. We camped together for the next three days and quickly developed a deeply personal bond. Every day we would finish our walk and she would sweetly ask me, «So, what was the best part of your day?» We talked, ate and watched the sunset. I entered this particular section with just Mark and emerged with a new tram who would later become my heroes. I’ve learned that every scary decision I’ve made has turned into a special, unexpected adventure full of beautiful life lessons. I’m learning to trust the unknown instead of fearing it because it always turns out well. I am constantly amazed by what happens when we slow down, pay attention, and become authentically ourselves.
“Fleet”, “Robinhood” and “Smokestack” forever in my heart.
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