My AT Thru Hike Lessons (Part 1)

Walking day: 20

I don’t think you ever stop learning, in life or while hiking the AT. I have learned many lessons on my first 200 miles of trails. And if you noticed my “Hiking Day” update and are scratching your head over the math, let me clarify.

I went out of my way for a week to attend a conference!

I guess I’m still an academic. an academic and a hiker Attending the conference has been fantastic, but I’m ready to start walking again. I’m ready for another 200 miles!

For now, I want to talk to all of you about the main lesson I learned while hiking.

The biggest lesson I’ve ever learned

There are so many lessons I have learned along the way. It’s hard not to. However, there is one lesson I would like to highlight here.

Trail Lesson #1: You have to constantly be prepared to change your plans and be flexible.

This lesson may seem like a no-brainer, especially to experienced long-distance hikers, so let me explain it a little further.

Unexpected flexibility

I knew going into my AT-thru hike that I would have to be flexible. However, the reality of the situation has proven a little more challenging than I anticipated.

I’m finding that the need for flexibility is more of a constant than a once in a while thing. I may come up with a hiking “plan” for the next day, two or three, only to have it change halfway through the first day. Weather, physical/mental energy, and time may be factors that require you to be flexible.

For example, I’m writing this blog on a day when I was hoping to go hiking again. I had planned to get back on the road immediately after my lecture. The weather had other plans. After checking the atweather.org website, I realized the weather was supposed to be snowy, cold, and windy (and maybe worse). Although I was ready to start walking again, I thought the smart thing would be to rest and wait for the weather to improve. You have to be flexible, right?

It’s decisions like these that can be harder to make than you think. With all that being said, I will be honest and tell you that I have not once regretted any of the decisions I had to make to be flexible.

Other lessons I have learned

Finally you can’t travel less than 2000 miles without learning more than one lesson. It’s true for me anyway. Here are some other lessons I’ve learned:

• A slow and steady pace always wins.
• Pack less food and eat more (don’t think about this too much).
• Fill the Sawyer Squeeze Pouch right after dinner or at least before bed.
• A brief respite before a climb can make life easier.
• If you want to take in the scenery, stop first and then look around because trip hazards abound.

These are just some of the practical lessons I have learned. More to come later!

Items crossed off the wish list

Along with the lessons I learned, I also crossed a few more items off my AT bucket list:

• Watch the sunrise from the top of a peak. (I crossed this out by watching the sunrise from the highest point of AT – Kuwohi Tower).
• Contribute to a hikers box.

Final Thoughts from My Lessons Learned, Part 1

I consider myself a lifelong learner. I have appreciated being a student of nature while hiking. Flexibility can be unexpected at times, but it’s always worth considering changing plans when the need arises. Even when you feel like you can’t.

I’m grateful to have hiked over 200 miles and I’m grateful for all the hikers, lodges, and trail angels (including family and friends) who have helped me get to this point.

And so we continue the adventure….

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