Twelve Lessons Learned from the Trail
July 24th, 2006 by rsm
1. Even when paring down the packed gear, it’s always going to feel too heavy at some point.
2. Much of the time will be spent in struggle, not in splendor. Such is life. It makes the splendor much more appreciable. So change your attitude and make the struggle part of the fun.
3. While my motto for years has been, “The man at the top of the mountain did not fall there,” almost any pretty view now has a road leading to it. The walk is still better than the ride.
4. Horses do NOT belong on the A.T. and if I ever find the bastard who pulled that crap… and thus left behind piles of crap and tore up the narrow switchbacks making footing difficult, even dangerous… he or she will be experiencing my full avenging onslaught and I’m not ruling out mild violence.
5. Trekking poles make all the difference in the world. Use them.
6. The world outside will intrude occasionally. Graffiti in one shelter included the statement: “If u r in the US Military, u r not a true Christian.” Interesting… pathetic… and part of what makes this country so wonderful… and if it weren’t actually defacing public property, a scrawled “You’re Welcome” might have been an appropriate response. And so instead we put it behind us after writing entries in the shelter’s trail log to include a few Hooahs.
7. Choose a hiking partner you have known for a while who has the same level of immaturity as you. Only masochists hike seriously. It should be a play time, like when you were kids and wanted to run away with your friends for a while, only now you have the ability to do it.
8. Take the time time to cool off splashing in the streams, or sitting under a canopy of trees when a really good breeze blows through. Most of your short rests are easy to time: when the bugs start swarming and biting severely, and they will after about 5 minutes, move on. (this does not apply to most hikes in Canada and Alaska where, if you stop in the wrong spot, the bugs will drain you dry within 30 seconds.)
9. Rest in thought sometimes about how our ancestors and the native Americans used to live like this regularly, only without all the hi-tech fabrics and lightweight foods. It can further stir your love of country.
10. While remembering “Pack it in/pack it out” be strong enough to pick up the occasional bit of litter others inconsiderately left behind. You will make someone else’s experience that much better, though they will never know.
11. Be grateful. For every step you CAN take, there are many people who cannot. For every moment you are at peace, there are many who will never live in safety and peace.
12. Laugh when you goof up. Smile when your friend goofs up and make him laugh. Guilt trips are for commuters, not hikers… and definitely not true friends.
Several comments:
“…I?Äôm not ruling out mild violence.” To a New Yorker that is just so hysterically funny on soooooo many levels! A whole montage of movies made in New York just popped into my head when I read that:
DeNiro’s Taxi Driver: “You want a piece of me!”
Dustin Hoffman – Midnight Cowboy: “I’m walking here!”
“our ancestors used to live like this regularly, only without all the hi-tech fabrics and lightweight foods” Well, I’ve been living regularly like this for the past week! Hmmm, you just gave me an idea. I wonder if I could get MRE’s in NYC?
I have recently taught my son #10. In fact we carry a trash bag almost everywhere we go, because he knows that what ends up in our streets winds up on our shores.
All are great lessons!
Thanks for sharing. Very good stuff – for the literal and figurative messages. It is likely to make my bulletin board in the office. All are good – but in particular – 2, 3, 11 and 12 – they are applicable to all parts of life!
2 was my favorite for sure. Like “print it out and hang it up” worthwhile. Thanks.
Excellent lessons! (Though the sentiments of the graffiti artist of #6 has me rolling my eyes. The Christians I know who are in the military would probably be quite surprised to know they’re not true Christians.
)
RSM,
There is a small mountain nearby, that is a pretty good hike. I will send you the information. Maybe if I am feeling better when you stop through?
Although the heat kills me..100 degree plus temps these days.
WE used to do a great deal of packing and hiking. Through the Continental Divide, and Zion National any place with a trail.
Haven’t done it since the arrival of the collective. I want to wait until they can carry something…and not get fatigued. They currently will walk nature trails.
I do miss it!