Finding Your People on a Thru-Hike

A month ago I saw this sign in a trail town café:

It’s a church inviting people to a Sunday school class for those who want to be among their own generation.

But something about the question struck me:

What does it mean to “look for your people”? Those born the same decade? Who believe like you? Who look like you? Who do what you do for a living?

I’m not sure I even like the idea of looking for your people. It’s like sorting out the red jelly beans because those are the cherry ones and those are “your flavor.” Saying “your people” implies there are those who are “not your people.”

And on a planet this small, a journey this short- aren’t we all each other’s people?

I didn’t know if I’d make it this far

This morning I wake up somewhere in eastern Pennsylvania. The air feels muggy and I blink at the map on my phone.

I rub my eyes and can’t believe we’re not in the South anymore. I stretch my legs and circle one of my ankles.

How did these two legs and these two feet move forward, step by step, day after day, 1200 miles- to get me here?

When I started this trail, I half expected to never make it out of the land of biscuits and gravy and grits.

And now at last we are walking into places familiar to me. I know how to pronounce the word “Schuylkill” as we near that river. I’ve been to the Delaware Water Gap.

Soon we will be in New Jersey, a place I lived for 4 years. And after that, New York, where I lived for 12. It feels surreal to be entering lands I’ve hiked before, albeit without a 20-pound pack, calloused feet, and my fellow thru-hikers.

I can’t imagine making it here without them.

If you want to go farther

I’ve heard it said, “If you want to go faster, go alone. If you want to go farther, go together.”

Together is how we got here: with hikers, hostel owners, trail angels, and friendly drivers:

Thank you, Trail Angel Mary

And then there are trail families: groups of hikers that shift and morph and overlap. Friends who keep you on track and help get you through.

These are my people.

We are “kind of outdoorsy.” (See top photo)

We are taking our time. We don’t mind the mud but mosquitoes are mean. We can hang with the rain but wet tents make us tense. We love a good sunset… but also a shower.

I know there are people who blast through the AT in 100 days, preferring a solitary sprint up the eastern seaboard.

But I am not one of them.

Love the ones you’re with

A field along the AT near Carlisle, PA

You know the phrase “Birds of a feather flock together.”

Numerous studies have tried to explain how and why people gravitate to those similar to them.

But one of the surprising joys of the Appalachian Trail is how quickly you can form deep connections with people who might at first make you think, “We have nothing in common.”

Like these wildflowers above, all coexisting together in their differences, it’s the not-in-common-ness that creates the beauty. The fact that we’re all growing here together toward a common sky.

While panting up the mountains of Georgia through Virginia, I’ve had thoughtful conversations with military veterans, homeschooled teens, and a slew of welders, teachers, nurses, and statisticians.

Carver and Django- good souls I met early on and just recently saw again. So glad they’re on trail!

On the trail “my people” are whomever I’m around when we share something – a laugh, a bandaid, a bunk bed, or a bright full moon.

Sometimes they leave

Today one of my people had to leave trail because she tore her MCL (part of her knee) and has to have surgery. “This is the end of my journey,” she texted as she coordinated her flight home.

But just this morning at breakfast she was telling us how glad she was to be back on trail. How important it had been to both love her trail family and speak up for her own needs- which included slowing down. I get that.

I ache that she has to leave. She has long been a part of what I consider my extended trail family. She’s made me smile on sad days, is a fierce truth-teller, and has an accent that makes me feel like I’m stepping right into into the mountains of rural North Carolina.

This friend did not flinch the night a group of us- a group I suspect would never have met “in real life”- sat around a campfire and took turns sharing stories of real pain. She was a part of our circle that hugged each other when no words could be said.

And now when she suffers, we all suffer. Because this friend was part of “our people,” and she was not afraid to name what we’re all thinking:

That we are so incredibly lucky to be here, that it cost us something to get here, and that some days it’s also just so damn hard.

She is tough. I will miss her. I didn’t picture us getting to Maine without her. And when a friend leaves the trail, we all know this:

Each day on trail = an unearned gift.

May there also be a gift in the ending.

As my AT mentor says, “The trail will always be there.” I believe my friends who’ve gotten off trail will be back. When the time is right and after things heal and their feet yearn for the dirt again.

Friend, you know who you are. We will miss you.

Firefly friendships

My friend sent me an article from this week’s Outside Online on the fleeting nature of friendships formed during outdoor ventures:

https://www.outsideonline.com/2399314/outdoor-friendships

And I wonder how much this applies to thru-hikes. It’s a finite and limited time, yes, but it’s not a short-term trip. Five to seven months, all day every day, is a long time to forge friendship.

We rely on each other for survival, as dramatic as that sounds. Survival both physical and emotional. We share first aid supplies, food, and help each other get to urgent care when needed. We lend an ear and a word of encouragement when someone feels like they can’t keep going.

When we have no cell service, we even leave signs in the dirt to show where the group is tenting that night- as my friends did for me this week:

Will my AT friendships turn out to be “fireflies” that burn bright and then quickly flicker out?

I don’t know.

But that doesn’t make it any less of a real and good thing.

All of this is to say…

The band’s back together

So many of you have asked, “Are you back with your group? How is it? Are you glad you skipped ahead?” (I will make up the miles later).

The answers are “Yes!” “Good!” And “Definitely.” This group makes me laugh, think, focus, and learn better ways of doing things.

The middle-agers

Though I have loved hiking with people of all ages, my group of the past month or so are all 39-49 in age. As the trail goes on, having a group relatively within your decade can be a practical way of “finding your people,” after all.

We are a minority population in a world of thru-hikers who are mostly under 35 or over 55.

In our group we are young enough to be fit and energetic, but old enough to need more recovery time and care for our middle-aging bodies. We are young enough to dance hard when the occasion requires, but old enough to know losses, humility, and hard-won wisdom.

We never outgrow our love for ice cream!

In short, the group has been great and I am glad to be back.

But I wouldn’t trade that time of being on my own. It forced me to soul-search in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise. It made me reckon with things inside that I might’ve easily ignored amid the familiar socializing.

It pushed me into the discomfort of what lies beyond solitude and silence- to go deeper into the center of unsettled questions and fears.

And on the lighter side, that solitary time invited me to ask, “What would it be like to count the tulip poplars my companions, the chipmunks and spiders my friends?”

Okay but not this spider. For real he crawled out of my shoe one morning and I thought I would die.

But once you’re done talking to spiders…

It is time to rejoin the land of the humans, and here is what I realized about trail families:

Every crew has its quirks. I cannot expect any family- trail or blood or spiritual- to always be on the same page, always show up in the ways I need, or always be fun.

Time away allowed me to more fully appreciate the different gifts we each bring to the table, and to feel neither inferior nor superior for the ways I choose to hike or eat or set up camp.

The rhythm of together and separate

The thing I’m learning about this long trail is that I need the rhythm of together and separate. I need the long hours during the day to hike at my own pace, breathe in the air, stop for snacks, and take pictures of Pennsylvania farmland:

But I can’t imagine making it these 1200 miles without people to wake up and make oatmeal with, people to tease me and keep me humble, people to set the pace for the week and chart our mileage.

Sometimes I need to veer from the group and do my own thing for a day or two. Other times a couple of us decide to venture to a hostel because our tolerance for days-with-no-shower has expired and we like really good breakfasts.

So if you’re looking for your people…

Start by loving the ones you’re with.

Who’s around you? What’s their story?

How can you make their day with a kind word, fun game, or generous offering?

This is what I try to remember when I’m not with my group, and it’s what I try to practice when we are together but getting on each other’s nerves.

Another thing that helps in a group is what I call the “Take nothing for granted” game. Whenever anyone goes out of their way for me, however small, I try to remember to thank them or text them later and tell them how much it meant.

It takes almost no time, and it makes me soak in the gratitude a second time.

Every single human wants to be seen and appreciated for who they are at their best.

Rock & Sole hostel in PA

To every one of you who reads what I write, comments on it, and tells me to keep going-

Thank you.

I see you.

I wish I could buy each of you an aqua-blue mini-camper.

Signing off,

Sprout

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Comments 32

  • Julie : Jul 12th

    I’m happy you’re back with your traimily. I daydream of long distance hiking, but it will have to wait a few years. I look forward to reading your posts. Thank you for taking the time to write for the dreamers and planners of future through hikes.

    Reply
    • Nancy little : Jul 12th

      Oh Cari, this is a book in the making. Miss you so much, and love reading your trek blogs! Beautiful! Read Where the Crawdads Sing – it will speak to you! Love ❤️ Nancy

      Reply
      • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

        Thanks Nancy! Got the book and can’t wait to start it!

        Reply
    • Karen Talbot : Jul 13th
      Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      You’re welcome, Julie! You will love it out here.

      Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Jan 16th

      Thanks, Julie! Here’s to YOUR future thru-hike!!

      Reply
  • Steve Coombs : Jul 12th

    I really like how you write and share your soul. Keep on trucking with your tramily and good luck!

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Thanks, Steve!

      Reply
    • Aaron : Feb 2nd

      I start my thru-hike March 16 and can’t wait! All of your articles are just inspiring and have really helped keep me focused lately since the date is approaching fast and my mind has been all over the place because I’m so nervous. Thanks! AT Class of 2020!

      Reply
      • Cari Pattison : Sep 4th

        Thank you, Aaron! I hope your 2020 thru-hike went swimmingly!

        Reply
  • David Donovan : Jul 12th

    Hey Scout,
    I loved your narration on trail families and what they mean and how important they are to a thru hike. You have captured the experience so beautifully in your writing. I thru-hiked the AT in 2012 and I can tell you after seven years, I still think of every single person that was in my trail family on almost a daily basis. With technology being what it is, we are able to keep in touch through Instagram and follow each other’s lives as we have moved on from the trail. Thank you so much for taking the time to write your stories on this forum. I know how hard it is to be motivated to complete anything on Zeroes (besides eating and sleeping), so please know hw much I have appreciated reading your submission. Thank you again, keep up the amazing journey and know that you will be in my prayers.
    Sincerely,
    David aka trailname “TLB”

    P.S.I am planning a PCT thru hike for next year!

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Thank you TLB! And way to go on undertaking the PCT in 2020! Can’t wait to hear about it!

      Reply
  • Dan Ouellet : Jul 12th

    I’ve been following along in you blog during your adventure. Thank You for the great words! Good to see you’re back with your peeps.

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Hey thanks, Dan! They’re a good bunch.

      Reply
  • Eva Fitts : Jul 12th

    Is it weird that I cried while reading this? I love the way you write. I didn’t find myself skipping over words and sections the way I normally do. I read every word. I hope to do a thru hike eventually. I am retired and have the time but I have a geriatric dog that I can’t leave with a sitter. I’m an awkward, introverted person and I don’t know whether I will find a trail family. The thought of coming up on a campsite filled with people I don’t know gives me sweaty palms! I’ve thought I would be fine alone but after reading your story I don’t think I want to be alone. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Thank you, Eva! This feedback means so much. Wow, and the fact that you even read every word- you probably caught all the typos before I did 🙂 Don’t give up on your dream! You can do this if you want to, in your own way. You will find the right blend of people and solitude.

      Reply
    • Cari : Aug 25th

      Oh Eva – I so hope you get out there! Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. You will have no trouble finding a Trail family – trust me! Let me know how your hike goes! Cari

      Reply
  • Chip Lambert : Jul 12th

    I continue to marvel at your posts and glad to see that you have reunited with your tramily. And yes, I am convinced that the AT thru-hike will happen for me in 2022 (the year of empty-nest) after reading your tales. Thanks and keep on keeping on….you’re going to summit Katahdin! chip

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Thanks Chip! So glad you’re planning on doing this! I’ll see you out there 🙂

      Reply
  • Kenn Ward : Jul 13th

    Go, Sprout! What an insightful read! You have totally hit the nail on the head and given me a different view of the cool and quirky folks on the Trail. Keep the rubber side down and HYOH!

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Thanks Kenn! Glad I could lend some insight!

      Reply
  • Robert : Jul 13th

    Cari I look forward to your posts because they are about more than hiking. In fact, hiking is only the pathway to the real message. I find myself doing a little personal inventory after each post. Specifically, your Independance Day post about Mercy provided a benchmark for my handling a personal family issue. Thank you for what you do. When you are faced with the many hiking challenges , I hope you find strength and comfort knowing your words provide some clarity to those of us who follow your journey.

    Reply
    • Joe Cleveland : Jul 21st

      Insightful, consequential, entertaining, informative—— All your post are a GOOD READ.

      Reply
      • Cari Pattison : Jan 16th

        Thank you Joe! I really feel happy to hear you like them.

        Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      That means so much to me, Robert. Thank you! And peace to you in those family matters. It takes a lot to apply someone else’s journey to your own. Thank you for your open heart!

      Reply
  • Molly : Jul 14th

    Loved the posts, Sprout. Wishing you the best and hoping that you are enjoying your time on the trail. Slow and steady to Maine!

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Thanks, Molly!

      Reply
  • Mark Stanavage : Jul 14th

    You have a gift for writing and expressing yourself. May the trail rise gently for you and white blazes plentiful. You are part of the trail magic, as surely as free food, water drop offs and offered hospitality.
    Good luck to you and your trail family. Looking forward to seeing you smiling next to the Mt. Katahdin sign.

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Thank you, Mark!

      Reply
  • Anna Minor : Jul 15th

    It is like a sequel to your favorite book as I await the next post. I am vicariously living the hike with you and with our short section hike can start to picture what you are sharing. I join the many people who are in your back pocket hiking right along with you and cheering you on every day. I think about your hike daily and pray each day that you will be healthy and continue to be blessed in your adventure. You GOT this!! Live Large!!

    Reply
    • Cari Pattison : Sep 25th

      Thanks a million, Anna!!

      Reply

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