A Self-Assessment

When thruhiking the Appalachian Trail passed from the realm of a mere idea to actualization I read a book that recommended I write any reason I had for thruhiking the Trail so that when times got tough I could recall them for inspiration. Since several people have asked questions such as what I gleaned from the Trail, what I learned from thruhiking, and how I grew on the Trail I thought an assessment of the reasons I thruhiked might shed some light on the answers. Some of these reasons seem more like goals. Some of the reasons I wanted to thruhike ended up not even being an accurate thing that the Trail could provide. Some of them are personal and other thruhikers might have fulfilled some of these better than I did. This is more of a self-assessment than a critique of Trail culture. Here goes!

To spend a significant amount of time away from many of the conveniences of the modern day.

This was absolutely true. No television. No car. No bed. It felt great. However, many of these luxuries were afforded us when we spent some nights in hostels/motels/hotels. There wasn’t total depravation, but obviously we used these conveniences infrequently. When we were on the Trail, we were in the wild.  

To connect with God in an environment of seclusion.

The Appalachian Trail isn’t the most secluded environment. We could count on one hand the number of times we stayed at a shelter alone. However, for the most part, while hiking all day long we were alone. The few times we saw another hiker they would pass us quickly or we would pass them quickly. It is during this time I should have connected with God, and to some extent I did, especially by being in nature, but mostly I think I focused more on myself.

To conquer something physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging.

Everyone has their own opinion and their own experience to evaluate just how physically, emotionally, and mentally trying thruhiking the Trail was. Honestly, during most of the hike I didn’t think the Trail was very difficult. Perhaps I was just expecting it to be extremely difficult, and I’d set myself up for success by overestimating. After all, why do so many hikers fail to reach the end? However, just as it happened when I was at Marine Corps boot camp, the trials did occur and it was at that time I truly understood the great challenge I was overcoming by being out there and continuing every step until Mt. Katahdin was under my heel.

To become physically stronger.

I definitely became stronger on the Trail. My legs, especially, became admirably toned. I was in fit condition. However, now that I’ve been off the Trail two and a half months I’m probably right back to where I was physically before that first step on Springer Mountain. Hopefully, I’ll be more inspired to become strong again.

To be away from the irksome obligations of paying bills, keeping schedules, etc.

This one was absolutely true and probably one of the aspects of hiking the AT that everyone enjoyed the most. You feel free. Of course we did have to set up some automatic payments for bills, but while we were hiking on the Trail there were no forms to fill out (except for the ferry across the Kennebec River), nothing to show up to on a certain day or time, no planners, and no system or boss telling you what to do. Only on a thruhike have I truly felt like every given moment was mine to do with what I pleased, and I could change my mind from one second to the next.

To become close to God; to awaken my spiritual side.

This was perhaps my biggest failure on the Trail. I think I had a common misconception that if I changed my environment drastically, other aspects of my life that I wanted to change would magically occur. But that doesn’t happen. The fact is, if daily habits aren’t fostered in one’s most mundane and busy existence, it won’t become a daily habit anywhere else. You have to make it happen. No other person or thing is guaranteed to change you.

To have a time away from many of the temptations and distractions in my current life.

Yes, I did get away from many temptations and distractions that mark the well-connected lifestyle of a city-dweller with Internet. However, I found new distractions. I downloaded a lot of podcasts to listen to on my Smartphone to feed my intellectual side. Unfortunately, my spiritual side probably suffered because of it. I don’t think there is total freedom in this life and we will always be drawn to that which will enslave us.

To get away from the many apathy-creating and life-destroying ways of life that hallmark today's standard living.

Oh, yes, there is something about being in the fresh air, surrounded by things that don’t demand your attention or create so much noise! Just the quiet and the trees! There is something about not relying on machines. There is something about spending months living with only your head, your hands, and a few well-selected basic items slung on your back.

To have an adventure that so well exemplifies the reasons God graciously bestows me with life: to become surrounded by and a part of His glory, beauty, and power.

Yes, yes, yes! It was truly sublime and transcendent at times! As with all adventures, it is entirely life affirming. This is the kind of stuff that marks our lives, that we remember, that we hold on to as we remember when we most need to that we are here to seek union with God and he beckons us to share in all kinds of glory, beauty, and power forever, until the end of time.