All Goals Are Created Equal

I have noticed an occasional through-hiker arrogance I find uncomfortable.  It comes up around discussions about Bill Bryson’s A Hike in the Woods and Cheryl Strayed’s Wild. It leaves the  impression that only a certain level of commitment or effort can be celebrated. That if you don’t touch the southern and northern ends you are lesser than a terminus to terminus thru-hiker. To be clear I’m not knocking the accomplishments of the athletes who complete long-haul hiking trails and push their physical limits: you all rock! I wish we universally celebrate thru-hikers’ achievements without depreciating the efforts of others who might also be pushing their physical limits and being dismissed as interlopers.

I had a dear friend who had cerebral palsy, a summer camp in the Sierra Nevada was his yearly adventure.  He told me that he had to celebrate every walk between his camp site and the amphitheater because it was like running a marathon. That sweet friend’s yearly camping trip might have been his triple crown and that is worth celebrating!

Go Get ‘Em

This is a little reminder to myself and maybe someone else needs to hear this now too: shake off the imposter syndrome, get out there doing the thing you love.

HYOH and whatever your goals, go get ‘em.

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 3

  • pearwood : Feb 22nd

    Thanks, Joanna, for the reminder.
    I’m getting ready for a March 8 restart NOBO on the AT after an inauspicious February 1 start on the approach trail.
    Blessings,
    Steve / pearwood
    https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/time-to-bail-rethink-and-replan-and-maybe-restart/

    Reply
  • Angie / Detour : Feb 23rd

    Appreciate your post, Joanna. Imposter Syndrome is a real thing and a great reminder to scrub it from your brain. And your real-life example of your friends HYOH is spot on!

    Reply

What Do You Think?