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Bliss thru hikes the AT NOBO 2024 Intro
Hey there everyone! Welcome to my new blog. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Alyssa aka “Bliss”. I am excited to share my stories with you, as I continue adventuring my way up the Appalachian trail!
This is my very first thru hiking experience. Before we get started, I wanted to reflect on one topic : “why I am doing this?” This is a question I am frequently asked while on trail. So, let’s discuss a little.
The truth is, there is a long list of reasons why I decided to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. To start, I grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I lived close by the trail itself, often seeing hikers making their way to Maine.
This often left me wondering what that experience would really be like. In between work and nursing school, I often found myself hiking the New Hampshire 48 and 52 WAV trails. Over last few years I became interested in thru hiking, and decided to work hard, and make it happen!
While on the trail, everyone seems to have their own “fire” that drives them to be out here. Sometimes it’s a bucket list goal, personal growth, escaping routine, desire to challenge oneself mentally and physically, community and camaraderie, spiritual experience, business, pleasure……the list goes on and on! At this point my reasoning is a mixture of all the above.
While it has been difficult to narrow down, I’ve noticed that there is an evolution in “reasoning” from beginning to middle while thru hiking. The emotions you experience along the journey, sometimes on a day to day basis, will often times challenge your own beliefs on why you are there. But, the longer I’m out here, the more clear it all becomes.
So what will my reasons be after my journey when everyone asks “so what made you want to do it?”
I will explain this transformation as I share my journey with you, and I would love to hear your own stories if you can relate.
Follow along on my instagram as well @blisstraverse
Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and beautiful at the end. ~Robin Sharma
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Comments 4
I think that’s totally awesome!! I have never been to New Hampshire before. How are the mountains out there? Rocky, It’s always awesome to hear about someone adventures;)
yes so cool!
Welcome to The Trek
I took have spent a lot of time in the Whites, if you can walk the Traverse in winter, you can survive anywhere.
Walk your own walk, listen to your body when tired or in pain.
That’s amazing. More power to you to do a lot of adventures.