Trail Names: Self-Selected vs. Chosen Trails

As I plan and research for my 2026 Appalachian Trail hike, I have considered what my trail name should be and how it should be chosen. I have determined that if I allow The Trail to choose for me, I will most likely be “I stumble a lot” or “Face Plant.” If The Trail is feeling generous to me, I might even end up being called a slightly more flattering version by calling me «Grace.» And while those names would turn out to be true and might even have a slant toward endearment, I fear I would take them seriously and embody them to the point of bodily harm and failure.

Initially, I had some big, powerful names in mind. It could be «Bone Spur» as I have had multiple surgeries to remove the nasty ossifications from my body. “Bone Spur” has a Mel Gibson Road Warrior feel to it and would make me feel like an invincible, apocalyptic, menacing character growling and baring his teeth as I traverse The Trail. I also considered “Rice Krispy” since I snap, crackle, and pop while doing any activity. Rice Krispy is a little less intimidating than Bone Spur, but neither one seems right to me. I like the androgynous feel of those names. Reading them in a record book, it would be difficult to determine whether they belonged to a man or a woman. Would using a more macho name protect my femininity and somehow keep me more confident? Do I even have to worry about those things? Am I thinking too much about this trail name issue? Am! I’m certainly an overthinker, which is one of the reasons I’m taking on The Trail. I look for the easy rhythm of falling asleep, waking up, eating, walking, repeating. My brain needs a break from my own devious tendencies to overthink.

After much contemplation (and overthinking), I have decided that the name of my trail will be the name my grandchildren call me. It’s a term of endearment. It’s a name that doesn’t feel threatening or powerful, but instead hints at kindness, empathy, and unconditional love. It embodies exactly who I want to be on The Trail for those I know and, perhaps even more importantly, for myself. So if you are on the AT in 2026, look for “Hoppy”, the one who stumbles a lot, but the one who will greet you with kindness and love.
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