I’m afraid of everything! – The walk

Hiking the Appalachian Trail is a huge undertaking. One that requires training. Not only physically, but even more so, mentally.

So when people ask me, “Do you have any fears when it comes to backpacking?” The answer is always YEAH. I think I’ve literally feared everything! Many times, I didn’t realize I feared something until I experienced it.

Are you stopping me? The truth is that sometimes. But I believe that to overcome our fears, we must first recognize them. Name them, then go back and find ways to defeat them.

That’s what I thought I would share with you. Because maybe you have them too. I don’t want to stop you from experiencing something as beautiful as backpacking! Because that won’t stop me from hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2026.

So, here are my top 7 fears that I have conquered.

Let’s start with a very basic one, which I first had when I started backpacking.

Time to go to the bathroom

Also known as: pooping in the woods. At first I thought: I’ll put up with it. That’s a bad idea, for example. But also, that’s not a reality for more than a couple of nights. The real fear? What happens if someone sees me? Pooping is private. The best advice they gave me was Say hello first. I guarantee they will be more embarrassed than you! Because? Because you have taken control of the situation.

*We’re still in the «getting to know you» phase, so I’m not going to share the details of my poop with you, but there are rules for leave no trace which I will link HERE and which should be followed.

bears

And no, I’m not going to get into the whole «Bear vs. Man» debate, because I love and respect them both. And if he is angry, you have to fear both. My first backpacking experience included an encounter with a mother bear and her cub who wandered into our campsite. We made sure to let him know with some extra noise that we were there. We didn’t get between her and her cub, and we made sure our food and smelly things hung from the bear’s wires that night. Basically that’s it. So when I’m hiking in known bear territory, I make some noise.

Poisonous plants, insects and creepy crawlies

Here in the Midwest we have this nasty little plant called poison ivy. It’s on AT and yes, I’m extremely allergic. It is always an underlying fear. A motto that I have always followed is: «Leaves of 3, let it be.» In other words, Don’t touch it!

When it comes to those little biting insects and mosquitoes, I have a Bug Network. In my opinion, it is worth the weight.

How about creepy crawlies? I was never afraid of snakes until recently. While walking, I saw a snake in the water, walked up to it and said out loud, «Well, hello buddy,» before realizing it was a poisonous copperhead. Silly me, not all venomous snakes have rattles. Now I think having a healthy fear of snakes is a good thing. I also have a little cheat sheet on my phone for what to do if I get bit.

*There is a great app called «Seek, by Naturalist». It’s fun to scan different plants, trees, mushrooms, insects and animals to gather information and learn about them. But again, Don’t touch it!

heights

I didn’t realize I was afraid of heights until I hiked in Yosemite over 10 years ago, specifically Half Dome. How far did I go? Not even the cables! I sat next to the granite curve and cried. Sometimes that happens. Since then, I have climbed many 12K+ mountains to overcome this fear. I recently had a similar reaction while climbing a fire tower in Indiana. It was windy, the steps were shaking and I was afraid. I was frozen. Since then, I have researched and climbed numerous fire towers to ensure that this fear has no power over me. The best advice of the moment? Just breathe. Half Dome: I’ll be back.

Bad weather

What happens if it snows in the Smokies? First of all, I’ve hiked in a lot of snow and understand how terrible it is to have to climb a steep mountain or get up early enough to avoid having to post in the afternoon. A good, healthy fear of snow in the mountains is necessary. Secondly, I will carry micro spikes. The most important thing is that if the weather is severe, I will be cautious and Shelter.

be alone

This was a legitimate fear that I didn’t share with many. I wanted to look like a strong, independent woman, but I was afraid. It can be scary. What should I do? First, I download all the maps before I leave, usually in two different apps. I also carry a backup charging bank for my phone. For safety, I always carry the 10 essential elementswhich include knife and first aid kit. I also always tell someone where I’m going and when I’m expected back. But let’s be honest, sometimes it’s scarier to walk alone in a parking lot than in the middle of the forest. Ladies, am I right?

I think what may be hardest for me is being alone with my own thoughts. Sometimes I can be my worst enemy. It’s easy to let my negative thoughts take control and return to the «what ifs» instead of the «what nows.» I know it is important for me to take those bad thoughts captive and replace them with the truth. To help overcome this fear, I plan to pray, connect with other hikers when I can, blog and vlog, and stay present by cherishing every moment, even the days that suck. Live in the now.

Worry others

In 2017, I was with a group hiking the John Muir Trail in California, a record year for snow, I might add. We had been hiking for 7 days and had reached a boat that would take us across a lake to the Vermillion Valley Resort. Unfortunately, my phone’s GPS stopped working right when we were in the middle of this giant lake. When my husband checked my GPS, he thought the worst. That I had drowned. And of course, there was no cell reception at the resort. Let’s just say it was a tough 24 hours for my husband and I found out. I now wear a Garmin InReach Mini2 (not sponsored). This not only protects me in case of an emergency, but also helps my family stay in touch with me so they don’t worry. I stay connected.

There are many more fears that I have conquered and many more to come, but here is one that I am afraid to even mention.

Unfinished.

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