Reflections: The Crash, or When the Mind and Body Collide

As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on one of my toughest lessons this year: resilience. My last Long Trail adventure ended in what felt like a total “crash and burn” just before Mt. Mansfield. My body gave out, and my mind wasn’t far behind. It felt like a car wreck—leaving me shaken, both physically and emotionally.
It took weeks before I could even enjoy simple walks again, let alone hitting the trail.

What went wrong?

Looking back, I see a perfect storm:

* Pushing Too Hard: Unrealistic goals and a fast pace led to burnout.
* Mental Battles: My hyperactive mind craves stimulation, making the stillness of the woods at night a struggle.
* Pain Amplified: Without distractions, every ache is magnified—especially when lying on a hammock for 8 hours.
Even at home, pain can keep me awake despite a thick mattress. On the trail, sleep feels impossible on a thin foam pad, and I avoid shelters because I’d hate to disturb other hikers during restless nights.

Adapt or Quit? My Trail Adjustments

I refused to give up but knew I had to change my approach. Here’s what I tried:

* Lighten the Load: Reducing pack weight eased some of the strain. I went from 30lbs to 16lbs.
* Slow Down: Moving at a gentler pace helped preserve energy.
* Shorten Stays: Spending just one night on the trail, then heading home to recover.

Slackpacking day hikes are my dream solution, but some sections of the Long Trail seem to require 2–3 days. And though I’ve considered skipping tougher parts for now and hiking out of sequence, there’s something special about a continuous North-to-South journey from Canada to Massachusetts that keeps calling me. I also started SOBO since i live in Quebec, which minimizes transits back and forth during the trial/adaptation period.

The Goal: A New Approach to End-to-End

A thru-hike in one go was my original dream, but my reality demands an altered plan. Completing the Long Trail is still the ultimate goal, but I’ll need to get creative to make it happen.
Here’s the plan so far:

1. Maximize Slackpacking: Day hikes are easier and less stressful.
2. Use Shuttles: Park my car and hike back to it.
3. Ditch the Stove: Stick to cold snacks to save weight and hassle.
4. Intel on Entry and Exit Points: Studying the trail inside out in advance gives me options.

Your Tips Can Help Me Get Back on Track

They say you should drive again soon after a car crash. Hiking after “hitting the wall” feels just as daunting. My challenge is balancing determination to achieve my goal with the reality of a body that doesn’t recover as it once did.
Have ideas to help me adapt or encouragement to share? Please drop your suggestions in the comments; I’d love to hear how you’ve tackled tough challenges on the trail.
One thing is for sure, I will not complete this year. I anticipate that this could take at least 2 or even 3 years, but it does not matter. As they say, it’s not the destination, it’s the journey that counts…

Cheers and 73,
Sly the Navigator

What’s coming up next…