People take long thru-hikes to prove their determination and perseverance to themselves, despite blisters, sore muscles, and starvation.
I learned that from reading this book written by an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, My Own Hike: A Woman’s Journey on the Appalachian Trail. I found her book after reading some of her articles. She has written extensively about the Appalachian Trail and hiking issues.
I’m planning my own long-distance hiking experiences, and am getting myself ready. By long distance, I don’t mean I’ll be on a 2000 mile hike. I think 160 miles is enough, to start. I could not even take enough time off work to hike the Appalachian or Pacific Crest trails.
I hiked three miles yesterday, without a break. I’ve done that hike many times before – it is from my house to the campground on the other side of the river.
I hike down the highway to the bridge, over, double back on the other side, and go downhill to the campground. Then on the way back I get a few good uphill climbs.
Unfortunately, my quick pace and bad shoes resulted in tiny but painful blisters on my toes – one on each foot. I thought about whether I should walk again today. I haven’t purchased the 2nd Skin Squares yet… they are on my hiking wish list but they’d be more use in my backpack right now, or better yet, on my toes! I will have to use ordinary bandaids to get by today, because I’ve already decided that pain or not, I must continue hiking.
That’s me, one day while we were hiking at the Wingate River Access area south of town.
My other big trauma with hiking is the fear of wild animals. We rarely see them, but when we do, they’re impressive. Well, the big ones are.
I’ve never seen a mountain lion or cougar when out hiking. I’ve only seen them while driving, or at home on my porch. But when I’m hiking, I feel enormously exposed – just one little human being hoping that I don’t look like some big cat’s hope of lunch. Because of this, I’ve been arming myself. I have a pocket knife, a hiking stick with a point on the end (I just need to remove the tip cover), and a little sack full of rocks to throw… thinking that they might deter loose and aggressive dogs, if need be. I’m also considering pepper spray.
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I don’t like the idea of hurting someone’s dog but if they own an aggressive dog and don’t keep it leashed, that’s the kind of thing they can expect to have happen. I’d rather spray a dog than have it bite me.
My fear of mountain lions is fairly unfounded. They rarely attack humans. I heard that there was one known mountain lion attack in this area – many decades ago. Apparently a child was attacked. The thing not to do if you see one, is to run. Better to stay still and stare it down. Try to look larger and back away slowly. Knowing what to do when a cougar is seen is paramount to survival in the woods. I really shouldn’t worry about this as much as I do. I’m planning to read Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway to deal with my fears.
Wow! That was a surprise to open this post and see my book right at the top! Thank you for mentioning it. I hope you gained helpful insights as to long-distance hiking.
I agree, being a little human out in the big woods does feel terribly exposed. After you are out there awhile, you start to get used to it.
I very much love your book, Nancy, and admire you for going on that long hike!
This reminds me of why I have been compiling information about surviving in the wilderness and living off the grid for a few years now, I think it is important to be prepared for the coming economic collapse that is going to happen, people will need to learn how to grow their own food and even come together as a community that does not rely on commercial grocery stores. I like reading your blog and thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences in the cabin that you live at.
I’m a prepper too!! (Small scale.) There’s only two people living in this house, but I like to gather together things that would help if times got rough.
Wow, a brave woman you are! Have you ever hiking in a tropical area like Bali? The scenery is different from what you have described in the post. May be that can be a variation 🙂
I almost forgot: greeting. I arrived here from your lens in Squidoo about the best literary books.
Hi there, Peter… I would LOVE to go to Bali, but alas, I’m sort of stuck on the North American continent at this time.