Alone?

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One of the questions I most often receive when mentioning my upcoming AT Thru-Hike is "Are you hiking alone or with others?" and my answer is a confounding, "Yes!" I then share with them that I will be setting out alone but quickly share that the AT is a very active and social trail, with thousands of hikers on it, this in spite of the reality that very few complete their Thru-Hike. So yes I will be hiking alone and yes I will be hiking with others. Even if I were to find a specific hiking partner (which I really do not desire, for reasons past mentioned in my original post ), I would still not hike every step of the trail with this person by my side or even within ear shot. Hiking pace and style, nature's calling, minor injuries and setbacks would all create space.

This seems to be common place for friends and strangers who become friends on the trail, you fall into a Hiking Bubble. I've been reading and this topic of hiking bubbles and groups that form on the trail have been prominent lately and a theme seemed to require some reflection. I can hear my mother saying it now "You need to be careful who you surround yourself with." As a kid you looked at her and said "Ok, Mom whatever," but now as an adult this has really struck home. A man by the name of Jim Rohn has a similar saying, "You are the Average of the 5 people you spend the most time with." Take a moment and read that again and think about it. Think about the 5 people you keep closest and see if it speaks truth to you?

A little over a year ago when I was struggling with my health and my world was turned upside down I was confronted with this statement and it is one of the mantras that I continue repeating to myself as I decide on what and with whom to spend my time. It is something that I know will influence my hiking bubble/group. AWOL, The Good Badger, and various others in their hiking journals mention or have demonstrated that they were pulled up or down by their hiking bubble.

The Badger offers A word of Caution to Aspiring Hikers and speaks to this point directly suggesting you surround yourself with people who are "intoxicated on serotonin throughout their hike, regardless of the obstacles thrown their way... their energy is infectious." He also discusses "those who struggle from day one and continue to do so until the day they quit." The rest of us are the average of these people who will have good days and bad days, who will want to quite at times and other times be in sheer awe of the glories of trail life. As for me and my hike, I will surround myself with as many positive people who are thrilled to have the experiences they are having and can see the silver lining behind every rain cloud.

-OmPi (ॐ π)

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