So I just finished reading Dan White’s book The Cactus Eaters, and was a little disturbed by how shaken up his life became after finishing the PCT. I’m not the same person he is, but I can imagine coming off a thru-hike can be difficult to adjust to.
Anyone here have suggestions for re-entering the real world after living on the PCT?
Brett
Brett, it’s harder for some than it is for others. It was really hard for me and I think the only way for me to ‘survive’ is to keep planning hikes and travels but that was true even before the PCT. I think it depends a lot on how happy you are with your life before the hike.
Apple Pie
Brett, I think apple pie is correct when you come off keep planning your future hikes. The quality of each day on a long hike is so great that you can’t match it off the trail. When you are processing so well on the trail so will feel better than you can imagine. But don’t miss it! you will be fine before your hike ends while you are on the trail start planning the next one. PCT for me was heaven on earth and the great people you will meet you will never forget!
No Trace
Yeah, this stuff is like heroin for me. I can’t quit hiking. Two years in a row, soon to be three. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I get wicked depressed off and on during the off-season.
But the trail is so amazing, it’s worth the suffering.
Joker
Oh Crap, now I have to worry about not being able to get back to my life after we take this hike? I am already pissing off people at work and I don’t leave for 83 more days! Why didn’t someone tell me this before I decided to go?
B-
Brawny1
I recommend living close to several hiking options;
I also love to recommend teaching. Think of it: teaching about water quality, carrying weight,health,volcanic mountains, geology, glaciers, environment, history of National Parks, Anything. I also have a friend who is a school nurse, with teaching schedule. 7:30 - 4:00 for ten months. Doesn’t allow thru-hike until you’re ready to resign, but it does allow travel time while you still hold a job. I didn’t start backpacking 'til I was 46.
In between 2 long distance hikes, I substitute taught in Key West - pick your favorite place and do it from October 'til mid March. It takes a month to get ‘in’ the job. Ask to show up to work every day for an assignment, instead of being ‘called in’. Then, your work subbing can add to your chances of being ready to teach your own class in the future.
After my AT thru-hike I tried to avoid getting a job, and was super mellow when I called and went in for interview. The job I got has a 2 minute piney trail between where I park and where I go in. Wow! that in itself makes a difference. When it rains, I hafta hold my ground from slipping on the clay.
AFTER work I hike an hour or two. And I have taken very few camping trips: each single nights in NC: one back in summer, and recently on the eve of Thanksgiving, on the AT atop Cheoah Bald.
Just go whenever you can. Work to hike. I see mssnglnk’s still hiking long and ‘short’ trails.
This afternoon I put my backpack in the car, just in case I decide to hike a bit and camp one night on the florida trail this week.
So far, since '06 I hiked 950 miles on PCT at once, and then thru-hiked the AT. I met a south bound couple right before I entered 100 mile wilderness, who had just completed their PCT hike in sections, and were then nearing completion of the AT in sections. I hiked on the AT with a couple who had previously hiked the AT in sections, and then completed AT thru-hike as well.
You can thru hike, and you can hike after work too. You can live mostly outdoors…
Blue Yonder
In my opinion, day hikes and short hikes do nothing for me but make me nostalgic. It’s nothing like thru-hiking. In fact, it’s downright boring. Thru-hiking also ruined dayhiking for me. Although climbing and cross-country stuff is still super fun. Maybe the CDT will ruin that for me, too.
Joker
Spend time thinking about what you really enjoyed about your thru–you may find it wasn’t really the trail or the scenery. Distill your hike down to its fundamental pieces and then live your life in a way that maximizes them.
That may be another hike–or it may be a career change. It may be getting married or staying single. It may be challenging yourself in other ways than hiking.
Don’t trap yourself into thinking another thru is the thing to do (though it often is).
Also, beware that what you liked most might be avoidance of life. THAT will need addressing if it’s the case. Some folks, especially the kids just out of college, romanticize a thru-hike as being the world their favorite sociology envisioned from the safety of her tenured position.
Jason
Post-Trail-Depression, similar to WID, Wind-Induced-Depression in skydivers, only 35x stronger.
hiking Ruins You
In my opinion, day hikes and short hikes do nothing for me but make me nostalgic. It’s nothing like thru-hiking. In fact, it’s downright boring. Thru-hiking also ruined dayhiking for me. Although climbing and cross-country stuff is still super fun. Maybe the CDT will ruin that for me, too.
Joker sees my life. I distract myself by bouncing back and fourth between exciting seasonal jobs. Saving for the next adventure untill family and social responsibilitys resolve themselves. I wish my countdown was as short as Brawney1’s 83 days. I love my life, but my life will not be love again untill I breath the free air of a seemingly endless journey. Travel helps. But it’s not the “same”.The chains of civilization are Beautiful Chains, but bondage none the less. IF YOU ARE HAPPY WITH YOUR CURRENT LIFE BEWARE TO THRU-HIKE. I have seen the opposite effect also. The trail is done, they will never again subject themselves to such drudgery. I have hiked several “shorter” trails (300 or so miles) and they only make the old ache sharper. I am alive when I live in the woods. I find my self reading the biographys of hermits, and the habits of bears, and how to make your own snowshoes without tools. Maybe I have to dissapear for a while now…
Spider
I will only speak for myself and try not to generalize, because I think every single person reacts differently.
Those things that fuel my love for long distance hiking, excitement, purpose, adventure, freedom,ec., had to be funneled into other things. Over time I’ve realized that there are many other things I love to do, and I’ve persued these things with the same fervor and excitement as hiking, and kept very busy.
I’ve accepted work as a means to an end, and no longer immerse myself in my career. My focus is on all of the things I love to do and persue outside of work. When I am at work, I try to bring those things I’ve learned from the trail with me…energy, passion, focus, etc., and I’ve found it makes for a much more “energizing” work environment for me and those around me.
Not being able to always do long distance hiking will always leave a bit of a void for me, but it is not my life b/c I cannot imagine one single endeavor encompassing my whole life. Living is about experiences, and long distance hiking (although an incredible experience) is just one of them. There are so many other things I want to see and do in my short lifetime.
It is easy to get “lost in my job.” Work encompasses such a huge part of my life, but it is not, and I constantly remind myself of this. It is easy to get “lost in my hikes” for the same reasons. For the period of time I do them they completely absorb my life.
I always try to remember though, that there is just so much more.
Just another hiker…
One thing is for sure nothing compares with long distance hiking. I am glad I didn’t miss out on it. Take a look at the You Tube piece where joker is crossing the log over Suiattle River (in the Glacier peak wilderness) He is alive and living in the moment!
No Trace
Damnit, I need to post the clip from 2009 where I don’t scoot. This clip will forever haunt me!
Joker
Hey Joker you did fine! It sure held your attention didn’t it? I think anybody that doesn’t fall in is doing great. I sure scooted my old butt accross it. 3 times in a row for the PCT !! roll on Joker
No Trace
LOL. Thanks, No Trace- for the lead to the YOu Tube piece of Joker’s crossing. Joker you are funny! Thanks for the laughter. You just made my Xmas!!! Who’s judging? You made to the other side. Keep On Keeping On… Happy Trails to All. Peace and Love
Hawaii “5-0”
I wouldn’t take too much away from Dan White’s book, it was an interesting read though.
Other than learning to sleep on a bed again and trying not to eat so much I had no problems re-entering the normal world (althought I haven’t gone home yet and am CDTindg next year…). It is completely dependent on you, your personality and your experience on the trail. But don’t worry about it. It’s future-you’s problem.
I scooted too. Curses on that downstream log.
Heaps
Brett,
To answer your question, in order to help keep my sanity off the trail, I write a journal post-hike on TJ, mail off equipment for repair and get it all ready for next season and do my best to keep the body in physical shape.
Joker,
Who cares how you got across. Scoot, low crawl, back stroke, pole vault, whatever, as long as you keep on hiking, drive on! I checked out both videos, nice job.
I think that was the same log we crossed over in 2007, it looks like it dropped closer to the water by just a few feet.
Back then when others were crossing, I stood down stream with a long sturdy stick, just in case somebody fell in. You have to respect water, it never gets tired.
Peace.
WB
Yeah, no, it doesn’t bother me. I’m the one who put that video up there, I could take it down any time I want. Besides, I walked it in 2009. 
Joker
Brett, it’s the Nike theme.
Just do it.
If you aren’t where hiking is easy (like…Dallas, TX)… take up another hobby. I chose to become a cat lady after the 2007 hike and started raising Maine coon cats. Now I am busily trying to farm them out for 6 months to hike again in 2010. 
I’m down to three…can anyone babysit a Maine coon for 6 months?
-Sandals
Sandals
I like Jason’s answer. After a little post-hike lull, i’ve been doing better than either during or before the hike. What i got from the PCT was an urgent sense of priorities. For some, that means leading a life outdoors. For others, it means something else. Your transition will work out ok if you figure out what IT is for you. I think for many though, the thrill of the trail obscures them from figuring IT out.
I hope very very much to do another thru-hike. But i can’t say it makes me hurt.
markv
What worked well for me was to take a month off to “mourn” my separation from the trail…reflecting, journaling, staying in touch with hikers I had met. Then I jumped full steam into a job and back to a routine and a schedule. It helped me at that point to have a schedule. I guess everyone’s different. I’m always planning my next adventure - it helps me keep my priorities in line.
TIGGER