I Learned This About Life When I Was On The AT

I’ve been back home for a little over 2 months now, and coming back this time was definitely more challenging than before. For some reason, the post-trail depression hit really hard; I wasn’t excited about anything going on in my new life aside from trail-related planning. To direct my unused energy into something productive, I tackled cleaning out my childhood home and doing some minor renovations. I half-heartedly tried to get a part-time job, but didn’t find much luck. I took that as a sign to continue focusing on the time-consuming home projects and catch up on my writing in the meantime.

Now that I’ve had time to sit and reflect on my time on the AT, I’ve come away with a few lessons that I learned along the way that really stuck out to me. I learned a few of these lessons on the CDT, but some lessons come around multiple times before they really stick. Here are my top 5 lessons learned on the AT.

Health is wealth

If your body isn’t working correctly, hiking will be made even harder. Take care of your body, health, and nutrition. While on the trail in NY, I experienced a mysterious all-over body nerve pain that felt like someone was stabbing me with sewing needles every minute or so.I still don’t know why that happened, but it forced me to slow down and take care of myself. Even though I really wanted to push through it, I knew the best thing would be to take time off and then come back moving more slowly. Make sure to eat your greens when you can, balance sugar intake with good fats and protein, and let your body rest when it needs to.

It’s okay to go slow

What people say is true: don’t worry too much about making miles, especially in the beginning. You’ll get there eventually. I have to admit, making miles was top of my mind during the first half of the trail, particularly because I knew that my fiance and I would have to take a lot of zeros. I’m glad that I did push us at times because it meant that I had extra time to take a few days off when I needed it (see above). But, with all that said, I still managed to finish the trail even after a bunch of zeros and nearos. Don’t sweat it if you have to take an unexpected zero here or there. You’ll make it.

The people are what the AT is all about

On my previous thru hike of the CDT, I didn’t encounter too many people. The people that I did meet, however, truly added color and vibrancy to my hike. The same can be said about the AT, although, because there are so many more people, there’s more opportunity to connect with others. Take advantage of those opportunities and remember all the people you meet. Take pictures, get phone numbers, write down your memorable experiences with them. Because at the end of the day, it’s those people that will stand out the most about your hike.

The trail gets better the farther you go

I honestly didn’t find the trail all that thrilling until the Whites. The green tunnel is a real thing and staring at trees everyday can get boring. While I did find beauty in the flora and fauna, I often found myself wondering why anyone would want to hike the AT, let alone hike it again and again. It wasn’t until I hit the New England states that things really came together.

I had an amazing summer day by a lake in PA, and I remember saying to someone who had contemplated quitting in Harper’s Ferry, “See, you would have missed out on all this amazing fun if you had quit.” I hadn’t passed through a state park like that on trail before that time, so it was truly a new experience. After that, there were so many cool and interesting on and off trail attractions to indulge in. Stay on trail because the next day might be better than the last.

We all need help. Ask for it.

There’s a saying: closed mouths don’t get fed. As a child, I cherished my independent spirit. I didn’t need too many friends, I didn’t need a lot of help, I could do much of what I needed on my own. As I’ve gotten older, this has translated into me solving problems on my own and relying on my own intuition and reasoning. Honestly, I feel that I’ve done a pretty good job, but on the trail I’ve learned that I can solve my problems faster and with less stress if I just ask for help. Part of me hates to show my weaknesses and admit that I need help, but all humans need it at some point, and it doesn’t make me any less than another person to ask for it.

When someone stole my battery bank at Pinkham Notch Visitors Center, I had 20% battery left on my phone and 2 days of hiking left. When a group of hikers asked how I was, I decided to be truthful. Instead of giving the canned, “Fine,” response, I told them the truth. My day had started out in one of the worst ways possible and I was really down about it.

What followed was the biggest gift of trail magic I had received on the trail thus far. Instead of just commiserating with me and my misfortune, one of the guys said, “Hey, I have an extra battery bank in my car. Do you want it?” At that moment, tears rolled down my eyes; I was so startled by the outrageous generosity this man had offered me. I didn’t know him from anyone and had only met him about 5 minutes earlier, yet he was willing to give me something that probably seemed so small to him but was colossal to me.

When you speak your truth and let others know what you are in need of, you open yourself to receiving. It’s hard to be that vulnerable and open with people, but the most amazing things can happen when you let someone know you are in need.

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I’m so grateful for all of the lessons that I learned on the AT (even when they were hard lessons). The trail is a crash course in the trials and triumphs that life can bring you. I hope that if you choose to hike the AT, you gain as much (or more) from the experience as I did.

 

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Comments 14

  • Ellen R : Dec 25th

    Well written piece, you do have a gift for writing. Opening my email and getting a notice you had posted again was a nice Christmas gift. Thank you!🎄

    Reply
  • thetentman : Dec 25th

    Thanks for the post.

    Cheers!

    Reply
  • Jenn : Dec 25th

    I have really enjoyed your posts. You have a knack for sharing the day to day from the trail without making it ‘same old’ and you tell about the downsides without dwelling on them. Congrats on your finish – I look forward to following along on your next journey. = A fellow hiker (albeit much older) and appreciator of all things mountainous. Jenn

    Reply
  • MountainSeal : Dec 25th

    I have throughly enjoyed reading your post over last few months. Can’t wait for your next adventure.

    Reply
  • Rich Cooper : Dec 25th

    Thank you for your inspiring tales from the trails. What you perceived was your weakness from asking for assistance, actually demonstrates your strength.

    All the best!

    Reply
  • Henry : Dec 25th

    I too, have enjoyed your writing. Also looks like you packed out one of those good LeBons sandwiches to the Riga Shelter!

    Reply
  • robert mcandrew : Dec 26th

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I look forward to hearing about your next hike.
    Wishing you health and success.
    Rob

    Reply
  • Will Ludwig : Dec 26th

    Thanks again for sharing your incredible writing and pictures. You’ve inspired me to do the AT a second time. I can’t wait to see what it’s like with a smart phone. From what I’ve read, the trail is better marked than back in 1980. I loved seeing the notifications for your new posts, and looked forward to getting them. Hope you had a great Christmas.
    Love to you and Janitor

    Reply
  • Rushmore : Dec 26th

    You’re right about the people being a best part of the AT!
    Great post!
    Best wishes as you work through life after the AT!

    Reply
  • ET : Jan 2nd

    Thanks for sharing your journey with us Jen! I love you believe in the people you meet on your journey: I find that too. In all my travels, the sites are amazing, but it’s the people I connect with, whether we become friends for an hour or a life time, that truly stay in my heart. I have no doubt you will soon find a project, a purpose, an adventure. My very best to you and Janitor for a happy and loving future!!

    Reply
  • Beth : Jan 4th

    Finally got caught up with your journey and I am so happy you made it! Will be waiting to see your first post from your next adventure!

    Reply
  • Maria Lepage : Jan 6th

    Thanks for sharing your journey. I enjoyed following your posts and living vicariously through you.

    As I sit here with tears in my eyes after reading your last post, accepting that you sometimes need help is a lesson so hard for some of us to learn. Like you, I am fiercely independent, for me due to a failed marriage. I promised myself back then that I would never depend on someone else again. I remarried and have a wonderful husband now but sometimes I still struggle with letting him help me and/or opening up about my mental/internal struggles.

    Thank you for modeling perseverance and gratitude. I am looking forward to your next adventure!

    Reply
  • Brigitte Allard : Jan 10th

    Thanks Jen for sharing so truly. I followed you and wished you the best all the way. You inspire me: I am leaving soon to follow your tracks! You make the world a better place! Have faith in you, you are strong and beautiful, inside and out. Shake off your cloud and get out there: you have so much to offer! Best wishes!

    Reply
  • michael t shepard : Jan 11th

    Hi Jen, I came across your posts back in November and instantly was drawn in. Your relatively short but informative posts were great! I have become very interested in hiking again and summited Mt Katahdin in September 24, was both a mental and physical charge for myself. Well enough about me, Thank you for taking the time to post and the last post post was great!! Take care and the best to you and Janitor!! Happy New Year!

    Reply

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