Why I’m Leaving This Hemisphere

In exactly 3 weeks I’m going to be driving to Philadelphia, getting on a plane, and flying to New Zealand to hike the Te Araroa Trail, an 1800-mile track that traverses the entire length of the country. I’m going to the other side of the world, I’m going alone, and all I’m taking is a backpack. YIKES!

To be fair, I have done some preparation (read: obsessive, maniacal scheming) – but starting something new always feels a bit like jumping off a cliff, doesn’t it?

In my case, the cliff-jumping is as follows: I’ve resigned from the job I’ve held for the past 9 years, hit pause on a career that I’ve been dedicated to for two decades (another YIKES – so old!), and told the folks I love, including my partner, that I’ll be back in 6 months. Let me tell you – I highly recommend the experience. Even if I’m not able to finish the trail, the personal liberation I’ve felt in making these decisions has been life-giving. Fun-scary, you know?

Since I’ve already got you casually reading about my motivations and private insecurities, let’s get even more personal with…

LISTS!

I’m a list person. I’m actually one of those people who will write something on a list just to be able to cross it off later (write blog post: check). I’ve made a list of all the gear I’m bringing with me on this hike (next blog post, wait for it!), a daily mileage spreadsheet, a rundown of food parcel mailing points… you get it. The thing is, I sometimes find it much easier to focus on logistics and tasks than the ultimate motivations behind them. So I’m going to go ahead and indulge in some introspective list-making here, as a way of centering my intentions, dabbling in some psychological preparation, and sharing some part of where I’m coming from.

I am thru-hiking the Te Araroa because:

• I haven’t done a really long-distance hike in 20 years and I miss it.
• I don’t know if my body will be able to manage this kind of hike if I wait another 20 years!
• I’ve been focused on my career and acting like that’s the only thing in life, when in reality…
• I am fortunate to be able to make so many decisions about what I WANT my life to look like!
• I’m a professional plant person and I want to live with some cool New Zealand plants for a while. (Myrtaceae, I’m looking at you…)
• I love hiking alone and spending all day every day outside. I’ve done both of these things before and I already know I like them, which is good!
• I need big meaty projects to tackle or I get all weird and mopey and despondent. So hiking 1800 miles is just good self-care. (Totally reasonable standard for what constitutes self-care, don’t you agree?)

When I successfully hike the Te Araroa I will:

• Eat some ice cream STAT.
• Be grateful for the opportunity to pursue this kind of adventure.
• Acknowledge how much work goes into maintaining a long-distance trail and appreciate the Te Araroa Trust, local volunteers, and other folks along the way.
• Be thankful for all the awesome gear and equipment I was so lucky to have.
• Be the most ripped middle-aged guy I will ever be!
• Be ready to come back home and reconnect with friends and family.
• Be ready to start my PhD!

If I give up on the Te Araroa I will:

• Still be in New Zealand, so… WIN!
• Refocus my travels on shorter hikes, visits to botanical gardens, and other things my poor decrepit aging body can handle.
• See if I can do some volunteer work!
• Focus on the positive, be flexible and forgiving, and be kind to myself.
• Be grateful that I’m old enough to have been through emotionally challenging experiences before, and know that I’ll get through it, learn something, and grow.
• Make the most of what will still be an incredible – if different – experience. After all, how many things turn out exactly the way we envision?