Trail life can’t carry on forever inside… or can it?

A reflection on my Pacific Crest Trail (PCT 2017) experience from over a year since finishing

(Disclaimer: I’ve never read any other blog on this subject even though I know they exist – this is purely my thoughts exactly one year since completing the trail)

How Thru-hiking Changed Me

1) I ALWAYS have a desire to be back on trail, even if it’s a new one

This one if obvious and anticipated for sure. The lifestyle is appealing and you’ll only want more of it in the future. Whether it’s the PCT, CDT, AT, Te Araroa, Greater Patagonian Trail or other popular long distance hikes – one will be on your immediate radar! This desire hasn’t lessened for me.

2) I wish the generosities received on trail were shared in ‘normal’ society

The trail culture experienced on the PCT was something I’ve greatly missed in society. From kind gestures to people simply going out of their way to help you. It could be someone giving you a ride, letting you stay at their place for a night, providing food on trail to hikers, or just exchanging kind words!

It’s not something you often experience in modern society. In the past year of living a ‘normal’ life, I’ve seen a few noteworthy gestures of kindess, but it’s not even close to what it was like on the PCT.

3) Civilized life remains unfulfilling

This is probably another expected one. The truth is, it’s real… much more real than you can imagine. Trail life is EASY compared – you just have a few logistical things to sort like food and hitching, and then you can do whatever! Being in civilization almost makes you feel like you have an alter ego with two versions of yourself.

4) I realise how good it was to experience only the small comforts in life, and can’t get that feeling again unless on trail

This relates to 2), but in a different way. Remember that shower you had yesterday in your house? Or that time you were last wearing clean clothes? No, these things are just comforts we have every day around us.

On trail, these moments become liberating and special. Whether it’s eating something that isn’t trail food, getting clean or having a nice place to sleep. I can still remember some individual showers on trail.

5) Feeling distanced from those around me who ‘don’t get it’ becomes regular

I’ve met a lot of people since trail, including just keeping in touch with my regular friends and colleagues. Conversation is limiting sometimes with them unless they are actively interested in what you did.

Most wont be however, and after a couple of questions – you know they don’t understand it, or simply aren’t interested. Here you change the conversation into something you’re not overly passionate about and resume life. Sure, not everyone is going to be interested in such a thing, but it does make it harder to relate to them.

6) When I start renting a room again, I feel locked up

Self-explanatory. Life on the PCT was free, with no ‘bills’. Life with your own private space comes with a price and is somewhat of a jail at times. Sometimes I find myself not motivated to get out at all when I have my own space. I feel like I’m wasting money on every long trip away, so I tend to not go on long trips.

7) I have (or rather had) a desire to move somewhere with more hiking options

This was a MAJOR one for me, and from what I’ve seen with trail friends – not just me! I lived in an Australian sleepy beach town, and moved back there after trail. As soon as I got back there, it didn’t feel right. I was so far from the things I enjoyed. Hiking in my area was very limiting.

It only took me a few months to save some money and head across the ditch to New Zealand. The hiking and adventure options here suited my lifestyle much more, and I generally feel more at home here.

8) Thru-hiking was probably one of the most social things I’ve done

I remember thinking back to when I first thought about ‘what it would be like to hike the PCT’. I remember thinking I would be alone in the wilderness and embracing the solitude. I’m not an overly anti-social person, and I’m not an overly social person at the same time either – rather, somewhere in between.

I made a friend on day 2 of the PCT and by day 8, had a trail family. Sure, trail families don’t always last for whatever reason, but I found myself always meeting new people and even joining new trail families.

The point is – that everyone is friendly, easy to get along with, and relatable to. You’ll feel like the most social person on Earth! When I live a civilized life, I don’t socialise anywhere near as much.

9) My career path feels… less desirable, and not in the foreground of my future as it was

Perhaps a controversial point, but I know that a lot of people I met wanted to do more stuff like this in the future. This often meant not caring about their careers as much in favour of a nomadic lifestyle.

I know I spent most of the past year being nomadic, aside from when I was working. Whilst you can still work in your career, you’ll have other plans rivalling its worth. I still have some passion for my career, but there are so many other possibilities of things I’d also love to do now.

10) The jealousy of hearing about new hikers starting makes me want to rewind time

This one bothers me so much! Post-trail, we all find ourselves joining the next ‘PCT class Facebook page’ to offer advice to future hikers, but really, we’re also there to reflect on those initial awesome thoughts in the planning and learning stages.

It would be awesome to experience the trail again, but obviously, the first time is going to be more magical and fresh. Sometimes, I wish I could just rewind that time over and over.

11) You will have more of an appreciation for movies or shows involving survival or adventures

Maybe you did this before the PCT too, but it carries on and is stronger. I always find myself wanting to watch survival movies or read books on the subject.

12) You’ll want to give back to the hiker community

Being far from the trail is limiting to this, as I live in Australia and now New Zealand. For the better part of a year, I didn’t live near a strong hiking community.

However, I always tried to help out with hitch-hikers and in general, posting articles on my website for hikers to use as inspiration (I don’t get any income). Now I live somewhere near the Te Araroa trail in NZ, and I’m thinking of a good location for some trail magic there.

13) Money became a tool to enjoy life for me, nothing more

Before the PCT, I had my sights set on buying a place and having a desire to invest my money to make gains. This mentality became obsolete after such an experience on the trail. Money was great for me to use as a tool to help me acquire the appropriate gear and feed me along the trail. When I ran out at the end of the trip – I didn’t regret it one bit.

The money paid for life experience and it’s the only way I want to spend my savings now. I don’t mind living the poor lifestyle forever if it means continually having life experiences.

I hope you all enjoyed the read, and I look forward to seeing you all on a day on another trail! Give me a few years to save up, I’ve been enjoying New Zealand too much in the meantime!

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