There is a certain “rule” in hiking that no one really questions: wear a hipbelt. Each package is designed with one. Every hiker uses one. It’s practically gospel that your hips (not your shoulders) should carry the load.
So sending mine home after only 110 miles may seem a little crazy.
But this decision did not come from stubbornness or from being a fat bug. It came from my body and everything that happened over the past year.
The 1st Surgery
In March 2025, I underwent inguinal hernia repair. An inguinal hernia occurs when a piece of tissue (often part of the intestine) passes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal wall, specifically in the groin region. It’s a common injury, especially among active people, and one that doesn’t really heal on its own. My surgery was performed laparoscopically, meaning small incisions were used along with a camera and specialized tools. Synthetic mesh was placed to reinforce the weakened area, essentially acting as a patch to prevent the hernia from returning.
While this type of repair is considered safe and effective, it is still a major alteration to the body. Scar tissue forms, nerves may become more sensitive, and that reinforced area doesn’t always feel the same as before.
The second surgery
Then in December 2025, I had a second procedure. A hydrocelectomy.
A hydrocele is a buildup of fluid around the testicle, often causing swelling in the scrotum. In my case, it developed as a complication after hernia repair. While it is not usually dangerous, it can be uncomfortable, especially with movement or pressure. A hydrocelectomy is the surgical removal of that fluid-filled sac. It involves draining the fluid and removing or remodeling the surrounding tissue to prevent recurrence.
The decision
Individually, both surgeries are manageable. Together, they left me with a reality I couldn’t ignore: the entire region where the hip belt sits is no longer an area that tolerates pressure well.
And that brings me back to the path.
At first, I tried to get over it. Tighten the lap belt. Change the weight. Adjust the fit. But no matter what I did, that constant pressure landed exactly where my body didn’t want it to.
So I made the call.
I took the belt out of my backpack and mailed it home.
He felt a little rebellious. A little uncertain. But also… true.
Now all the weight falls on my shoulders. It’s not what gear companies recommend and it’s not what most hikers would choose. But hiking the Appalachian Trail has a fun way of boiling things down to what really works for you and not what’s standard or expected.
What works for me now is listening to my body.
It means accepting a little more tension at the top to avoid a lot more tension at the bottom. It means adapting instead of forcing. It means recognizing that this walk is not just about miles, but about moving forward in a body that has been through some things and still keeps showing up anyway.
It may seem unconventional. Maybe even from the outside it looks uncomfortable.
But it’s mine.
And I’ll carry it on my shoulders, all the way north.
This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any products or services you purchase using links in articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price they would otherwise pay, and their purchase helps support The Trek’s ongoing goal of bringing you quality backpacking information and advice. Thank you for your support!
For more information, visit the About page of this site.
