If you solve enough problems, you will reach Mount Katahdin

«If you solve enough problems, you will reach Mount Katahdin.» Matt Damon said this at the end of The Martian.

Spoiler alert.

(Seriously, if a movie stars Matt Damon, do we really need to say «spoiler alert» before telling people he’ll be alive at the end of the movie?)

Actually, what he said in the movie was «If you solve enough problems, you’ll come home.»

I think about this a lot on the road. Because that’s what a day on the trail is really about. Solving a problem. Then the next one. Then the next one.

Sometimes when you look at ALL the weather, equipment, injuries, trail, and logistical issues you face along the way, it can be overwhelming. Sometimes too overwhelming. Some people quit because the mountain of problems seems insurmountable. Some hikers cannot see the mountain (Mount Katahdin) through the trees. The journey through the wall of daily challenges.

But if you can remember Matt Damon’s words, you can move on. Solve the following problem. Then the next one. Then the next one.

This is an everyday phenomenon. When you wake up in the morning, you can think about all the challenges of the day or focus on the first one. Which could be waking up and packing your gear. Or wake up and have breakfast. When you start walking, you can think about all the kilometers, all the climbs and all the slopes. Or you can look at the climb in front of you and say «let’s eliminate this one.» When you arrive at camp at night, you may feel overwhelmed by what you have to do before the sun sets. Or you can remove the first challenge. Maybe it’s filling you with water. Maybe he’s setting up your tent. But whatever it is, do it!

I recently faced this phenomenon overwhelmingly. I woke up on day 35 with excruciating back pain. The pain was so intense that I wasn’t entirely sure I could leave my tent. And at that moment, the mountain of problems seemed overwhelming. I can’t get up. I can’t get dressed. I can’t pack my equipment. I can’t retrieve my bag of food from the bear box 100 meters up the hill. I don’t have enough water and I should have filled it last night. How am I going to walk 26 miles to Hot Springs? What about my tram waiting for me in Hot Springs in two days? What’s up with my YouTube followers waiting for episode 27? What about my daughter who just suggested meeting me up for some day hikes? What about my need to replace my water filter? Kunjungi xsjf. What about my plan to change my sleeping bag? What about my concerns about the remaining food supply?

I stopped and said, “solve a problem.” So I focused on getting up and leaving my tent. And I did it. Then the next one. I focused on getting my bag of food and eating breakfast. And I did it. Then the next one. I focused on packing my bags. Which took me 3 hours. But I did it. Then the next one. I focused on contacting my wife and arranging to be picked up. And I did it. Then the next one. I focused on walking 1 mile. And I did it. Then another mile. Then another mile.

I think you get the idea.

So whether you’re in excruciating pain and facing a crisis, or just walking another 15 miles, the focus doesn’t change. Solve the problem in front of you. Then another. Then another.

Maybe that problem is an escalation. Maybe that problem is a blister. Maybe that problem is a rainy day. Maybe that problem is the lack of water. But whatever the next problem is, just solve it.

And if you solve enough problems, you’ll reach Mount Katahdin!

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