Transition to the "real world"

imported
#1

I’ve recently returned home after hiking 1000 miles of the PCT this summer. While I would have loved to stay on the trail longer, I was starting graduate school and therefore had to leave my hiker self behind and commence the life of a student once again. My problem (and reason for writing this post) is that I’m having a very hard time ajusting back to life in the “real world”. Life on the trail wasn’t always easy, but it was simple and extremely rewarding. My 3 months backpacking totally changed my life. Never had I felt more strong, confident, and happy. Now I’m back in the world of cotton and I feel as though that happiness is slipping away.
The trail is a constant presence in my mind, sleeping indoors is no longer comfortable, I can’t handle crowds, and while I know I should be exercising I choose not to because it seems pointless. What’s the point of moving if you’re not going anywhere?
I know that I can’t spend all my time mooning about the past. I have to find a way to enjoy my time back in civilization; the trail was just a really powerful experience for me…
Are there any other long distance hikers out there who have dealt with this same problem? How do I move on?

All or Nothing

#2

Funny you should ask. I just came in from my deck and was thinking about sleeping outside tonight. I finished the PCT tow weeks ago and I’m finding it increasingly difficult not to think about hiking it or another trail again. It’s not helping that I’m loading hundreds of pictures into my trail journal, in effect reliving the trip. I’m expecting that the monotony of daily life will soon fill my void. Now that’s depressing!

Malto

gg-man

#3

Wow…1000 miles thats no small task.Honestly,as your name and your letter implies its possible you might be putting to much presure on yourself.Your not only in the land of cotton,your walking in “tall cotten”.I mean,it sounds like you have options(a lot people don’t).You gotta be smart to get into grad school and manage the legistics of a 1000 mile trek.So lets start with that.Perhaps you start planning your next trek.Or find some like minded people to walk with,not hikers walkers.I am sure they would like hearing about your travels.Many homes for the aging ask for people to speak to the residents.Man your sitting on a golden ticket.So you go back to that trailhead,moon that hiker you left behind,and say “come with me kid…we’re goin for a walk”,right after Mr.Smith’s lecture.

neepaw

#4

All or nothing, I only hiked 250 miles this year and even I understand, to some extent, where you are coming from.

(I sectioned on the AT in beautiful Central Virginia and Shenandoah National Park).

No matter how much closer I get to Katahdin, I want more and I want it now. I do not want to leave the mountains, even if I had a bad day and turned an ankle or had a cruddy dinner.

In reflection, this is pretty selfish on my part and everytime I come off the trail; I do not want to deal with reality.

We come out of the woods, where trees silhoutte the forest. Panoramic views with birds calling and deer crossing our path to a vicious machine of what I label
"consumerism"

We live in a society, that I believe demands more and more and more and it just does not stop.

That is why I escape to the mountains by myself or with my two children, my lovely wife and sometimes my fourteen year old dog.

At our house, we do not have television, we try to spend as much time either camping as a family or doing something outdoors.

I agree with neepaw in alot of what he is saying.

Whether someone like yourself who hiked 1,000 miles of the PCT- an amazing feat in itself or someone like me who has hiked 984 miles of the AT: we have truly been blessed by the opportunity that so many have never had and we should share our stories.

Please use this opportunity-this time that you were given to reflect on and possibly help and encourage others that would either dream of doing the same or love to hear your story through a slide show, etc…

So many kids these days are playing video games and do not get outside. We need to reach these kids. They are the next generation and do not know what is out there.

See you in the woods.

Fraser Fir

#5

It’s often like that after your first long hike. If you can manage to take a few more in the coming years, the shock upon reentering society will tend to lessen. The more long hikes you take in a context where you know the next one WILL happen, the easier it becomes: to go, to do, and then to return. You can get to a point where you’re living in both worlds, doing what each one requires of you, maybe a bit less fantasy and magic while hiking but also a lot less despair and awkwardness back in society. What the long trails give you cannot be taken away by society. It is a voice, a confiding whisper, that follows you for all your days. Make a habit of listening to it, of cultivating it, and you will get back to enjoying many of the simple wonders from the trail, even on short hikes near home.

b/w

#6

When I come back from a hike, I try to savor some of the things I just can’t have while hiking. My family, my home (not my house), a soft, clean chair to just sit down, a place to take a dump without skeeters chewing my goodies, etc. And I usually start planning the next trip.

bowlegs

#7

I’ve felt your pain before.

I take solace in knowing that i chose to come back to society, much like you chose to. It’s always a choice. You’re free to come and go between the lines at your leisure. I hope grad school works out for you.

I’d argue that only our minds and pseudo obligations keep us from living a life of ultimate freedom: a nomadic life where the art of living is in the journey itself.

For me, the excuse is student loans. Best believe when they are paid off, I’ll be free to roam on my own terms.

c0rn_d0g

#8

I can relate to your feelings. Every long distance hike leaves me grieving for the friends I made over the time, and for the simplicity of the decisions I had to make during the hike. I did 800miles of the AT this year, it was meant to be a thru hike and it has taken me two months to settle down again. And guess what I am doing - saving for another attempt in five years… its as much fun to plan as it is to do…

Tas

#9

b/w -
Your quote was beautiful, “What the long trails give…”

All or Nothing
Even on the trail we miss hot showers and french fries and coke and dry spots. I like what Bowlegs said, too. The simple life of the trail seems to be part of what you miss - the time to just “be” and time to think and consider life. You can still do that! Best wishes

Wolfie

#10

I know exactly what you’re talking about, that need to be “out there.” In my case, I prolonged my section hike of the A. T. over 12 years. When I started getting restless I’d find a way to get to the trail and hike three or four days, sometimes with my wife, sometimes with friends, often alone. I’m older, so this worked for me. I always had more to look forward to. It’s tough now though, I miss the A. T., but I don’t like to repeat myself, so I seek out other hikes.

kennyb

#11

You’ve put your finger on the only downside to the joys of a long-distance hike: not being able to continue hiking! Since my first AT through-hike in '05, I’ve figured out that I only have two “states of mind” – two realities: (a) I am hiking on the AT, heading north, all systems working" and (b) I’m off the trail – in which case, I am plotting what it will take to get my butt back out on the trail at the earliest opportunity. What I find helpful is to pick a date when I will either re-start a hike I’ve had to defer due to injuries ('09 and again in '10), or starting over again from Springer ('12!). By having a date in mind, even if it’s not immediate, or not necessarily even the next spring, I am able to think of my self as in the “preparatory” stage of the hike. So I’m exercising to get ready for the rigors of Georgia, keeping my eye out for new gear developments, getting in a practice hike whenever I can, and – most important – maintaining a calendar with a count-down of the days. That way I’m able to think of my current work/study requirements as simply a necessary way of passing the time until I head for the woods again.

More seriously, I know exactly what you’re going through, and I can only assure you that you’re not alone. The only other thing that helps is staying in touch with your trail friends, most of whom will be suffering also. Misery loves company, and it actually helps to relive the good times over a few beers.

Good luck! Longhaul

Longhaul

#12

I know the feeling. I had to get off the AT in 2005 due to injury after 102 days and 1053 miles. It was heartbreaking. After a few months, a wonderful lady (now my wife) perked me up.

We always have a let down after a hike is over. Best cure is to think about and plan the next one. I enjoy making lists of schedules, equipment, expenses, etc. during the off season. We also make up scrap books of our past hike which is kind of like reliving it.

swamp fox

#13

Wow, first of all thank you to everyone for all the great advice and support. It’s good to know that I’m not alone in this. B/w, you’re right when you say “What the long trails give you cannot be taken away by society”. The person I was while hiking the PCT is still the same person I am now. Nothing has changed except my surroundings. I loved who I was while hiking and there’s no reason that those good feelings should change.
And I think you guys are right about planning for the next adventure. Planning for the PCT gave me direction in my life; I think preparing for another big trip would really help me feel excited and hopeful again. While my school schedule prevents me from getting away for another 3 months, there are still plenty of adventures I can take on that demand less time.
You guys are amazing, thanks again.

All or Nothing

#14

Wow man,your spirits sure have brightend.It has always amazed me that when we’re down and in need,all we have to do is reach out and our fellow man responds.Man if thats not a case of one hand washes the other then i’ve never seen one.Have a great school year…see ya down the road.

kneepaw

#15

Returning to real world is hard. After every long hike I get somewhat depressed. I try to stay on the in my mind as long as I can. I write to or call friends I made on the trail. I type up my trail journal. Catologue & label pics. Then start planning next hike or possible hikes, even if I don’t know if I can get the time to do it.

Mountain Mike