In Musings: Walk through «The Doldrums»

Hello, Internet friends. I am about 1300 miles in my saunter of the Apalaches and my feet hurt, it is hot like hell, insects have bones to choose from and obviously I find myself quite frequently. However, I am closer to the promised land of Maine than ever, and however difficult it is to believe, I am enjoying my beautiful environment. New Jersey, Rock!

When speaking at a superficial level about the AT, the conversations generally revolve around two or three locations: the South and New England, but mainly only Maine and New Hampshire for the second cube. Pennsylvania receives an honor mention over how terrible are the rocks, and Vermont is admired for its beauty and mud, but out of that, there is a considerable part of the path, basically from Maryland to Connecticut, which is not discussed in general. That is the section in which I am now, and I want to share some thoughts I have: why this part matters a lot, the expectation of others and the resistance and adaptation necessary to do it all the way.

A little over a week ago, I decided to take some space of my «Tramilia», with whom I had been walking for approximately 650 miles. It was a difficult decision to make, but I realized that there was an unfulfilled need that could be nourished through the solo walk. I finally recognized that it was curiosity, a central value for my existence. While I appreciated the great company of my friends, I crave the opportunity to meet new people and explore the world on my own for a moment. Sometimes you just need to spend a night alone in the forest to solve some things.

Only two days after my adventure, I met my friend Woody, a fast and wise Canadian who has a banjo. Our conversation made me feel justified in my decision, and together we arrived at the name of this article: «The offspring.» This nautical term refers to an area in the Atlantic with little surface wind, calcetería ships or even leading them to complete the stillness. The sailors feared the crisis because they could be delayed for days or even weeks, which led to difficult situations with the shortage of food and water.

They advised me to be afraid of Lehight Gap, but in reality it was just a lot of fun.

After supporting the 570 miles of Virginia, its sensation of distance and time is obfuscated something obfuscated, since it is much larger than any other state. It also reached a series of milestones around that time: the 1,000 -mile mark during the «roller mountain»; Harpers Ferry, WV, which is the mental half; Pine Grove Furnace, Pa, the real midpoint; And somewhere after the incredible 501 shelter (it does not tear it down NP!) Reaches the 1,200 mile score, which suggests that you only have triple digit miles to Katahdin.

This also seems to be the section of the path where many people throw their towels, and I can understand why. In the midst of all these milestones there are some deep emotions and physical exhaustion for walking a thousand miles. It is also the first time we deal with a serious heat, the guy who makes the friends of the paved kingdom to say «I can’t believe you are walking right now!» – And with that comes insects, sweat and dehydration.

Choose its poison: scalded heat, 90% moisture, or even both, which was the case of my experience in the roller coaster.

Although I said that the Doldrums resembles a 500 mile stretch that is not really talked about, on the other hand, the amount of expectations that I have heard in recent weeks has been out of the chains. While I recognize that it comes from a place of attention, almost all the people I find along the way have something to say about what my future and how bad it will be.

«You can climb the staircase, just to realize that it was against the wrong wall.» – Joseph Campbell

Everyone knows that Alias de Penylvania is Rocksylvania, and that your feet will be penalized by the hard terrain. While I ventured north through the state, I found rocks and watched my pain pain. But then they told me «You haven’t seen any rock yet! Just wait until Duncannon.» And after passing to Duncannon, «the rocks do not start until Swatara Gap!» In Swatara, he became Port Clinton, and so on. I was frustrated by these unre requested descriptions of what my path would be like, so I decided to press as strongly I could and end the state of PA in just 9 days of hiking. While it is proud of my physical achievement, my nature of being present in the form of Mock was hindered by this constant environment of expectations.

I’m not sure if a mock or simply swinging hips. NJ is very fun.

Of course, Pennsylvania is not the first or the last time someone tries to write my path of path for me (I will also use this moment to claim those who said precisely that the most difficult part was at the end of the state). Virginia was considered flat, and they have probably warned me about the inclination of the white mountains more than 100 times from Springer. My point is not to correct these descriptions or scold others to tell their experiences; Rather, it is to remind us all that we have our own walks and live in the present moment.

A tree with puddles that tells you that Hyoh

My Penylvania feet hurt, but I discovered that the State was quite beautiful. While traveling through New Jersey, I have walked more rocks, many joke that Penn’s rocks come from sweater, but I have also seen a glacial pond and had no longer bothered serenity in these forests. In addition, the Middle Atlantic has demonstrated a unique relationship between Trail and Town, where civilization is intertwined with nature in an unusual way. DRucking in a city every day allows hikers to drink a cold drink and pack a sandwich if we want it; We call that «Delicatessen.»

From river strengths to walking under interstate bridges, the trail path shines in its multifaceted beauty. You can only appreciate it and express your love when it really is there: the past and the future are only figures of the mind. I said it in the last article And I will say it again: walk your own walk!

Pennsylvania at its maximum expression

In addition, I believe that the crisis causes a little confusion about our goals for the path. With milestones pointing out our proximity to the finish, such an emphasis on mileage could make us forget all the other reasons why we are doing the path, whether spiritual, reflection or something else. In the book «Tests of the Apalaches» by Zach Davis, which highlights the mental difficulties of AT and how it can be prepared, it recommends creating a list of all the reasons why it is here, as well as how you can see yourself after successfully completing 2,200 miles. It is less about establishing expectations and more about creating a reference sheet to which you can see when times are difficult.

The three reasons I wrote in 2023 are: I want the time to reassess the direction of my life and my career, I can do a computer job for the rest of my life, and I am looking for a challenge that helps me to generate greater confidence in itself and character. Is there a clear and definitive connection between obtaining 27 error bites, in one foot, in one night, and separating myself from a monotonous marketing work? Not really, but with every successful day of lasting physical difficulties, I can better recognize self -sufficiency and autonomy that I am developing for me. Looking back, that day of insect bites hell does not seem so bad!

«But nothing stays the same
Nothing is explained
The stronger the wind, the faster we will fly » – I have it, «Ohm»

Finally, what calls me to this trail section of 500 miles and so many miles is that it means an important moment to look in and remind us why we are here. I want all my classmates 2025 to arrive at Mama K, but I have also observed fatigue, impatience and deflation lately, both in me and in others. There have been lonely days in which I have not seen another soul, and there have been others in which the heat that is difficult to be friendly bothers me so much. But I know that this is temporary, that the entire Atlantic Ocean is not a offspring, and that there are really magical forests that are advanced. I also called my mother the other day and that also helped a lot. While keeping one foot in front of the other, the trip will continue.

Trudge forward, partner in the sailors!

Mock (like funk)

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