Every Monday I post Real Life Minimalists, a profile of one of my readers in their own words. If you’d like to participate, click here for details.
This week, Lauren tells us how she discovered the joys of minimalism through long-distance hiking. Visit her blog to follow her on her journey.
Lauren writes:
Some aspects of minimalism have always come naturally to me, but I can point to my 2006 thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail as a turning point. I had not done much backpacking before I set out for this 2,200 mile walk up and down the hills and mountains of the eastern United States, but it didn’t take long for me to learn that the more stuff I carried on my back, the more uncomfortable I would be and the less able to enjoy the stunning scenery or conversations with fellow hikers. As I hiked north I learned how to reduce my pack-weight and still stay reasonably warm and dry in the woods. I became a proficient lightweight backpacker, hiking for almost five months, carrying all of my possession on my back and stopping in towns along the way once or twice a week to replenish my food supplies, do laundry and a enjoy a shower and a restaurant meal. Most days I walked all day, and to steal a line from Forest Gump, “When I got tired, I slept. When I got hungry, I ate. When I had to go, you know, I went.”
And I was happy. On the trail, freed from our belongings and the constant distractions of cell phones, televisions and the internet, as well as from the categories that society places us in, I connected deeply and meaningfully with other hikers that I might not have had the opportunity to know in the “real world” because of different ages or socioeconomic statuses. On the trail, these distinctions became meaningless. We shared a common goal and a lifestyle. I also connected with members of the communities through which the trail passes. People who provide services, help and kindness to hikers are called trail angels. My own vulnerability in a new and sometimes harsh environment opened me up to receive the kindness of strangers and to fully experience the joy of being part of a community. The slower pace of life necessitated by walking as the only means of transportation seemed to make me and my fellow travelers more approachable to strangers who on several occasions shared intimate details about their lives.
While paring down necessities is an aspect of minimalism that has always come easily to me, simplifying my life in regard to limiting commitments of my time has been an ongoing struggle. During my thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, as well as subsequent 2000+ mile hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail, I spent a total of fourteen months focusing solely on one goal. All day, everyday, I walked. In doing so, I achieved my most notable accomplishments. I have hiked the entire length of the United States twice, and came dang close a third time. I have walked 7,000 miles during these three long distance hikes. In other times of my life, working towards three or four goals at a time while maintaining social, work, and community obligations, I have accomplished far less. I continue to strive to simplify my time and commitments to allow me to live a simple and purpose-driven life even when I am in society, where distractions are much more pervasive than on trail. I know that simplifying is necessary for environmental, spiritual and social justice reasons. From my experiences on America’s long distance hiking trails, I also know that a simple and focused life with minimal possessions allows me to take in the scenery, connect with my fellow travelers, and to enjoy the journey more thoroughly. As a wise man once told me, “The journey is the reward.”
I wrote about my recent Continental Divide Trail hike at peanutbutterandfrosting.wordpress.com, and will continue to write about my outdoor pursuits on that blog. That blog has links to my previous trail journals as well.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
Lauren, congrats on hiking those three monster hikes! Have you ever read “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson? Good stuff. I can totally relate to the minimalism of time commitments, people, etc. Enjoyed your insights! What’s next on your trail list?
Hi Lauren,
You really walk the talk, hugely & all out. Hope the very best for you & may all your dreams come true.
Hi Francine,
I hate Monday but every end of Monday now is cheerful as I know I get mail of Real Life Minimalist – – never disappointed to wait for your Monday RSS.
Best regards,
Vivi
Great story. I could definitely do with a few weeks/months of a distraction-free life.
Wow, good for you! Quite an accomplishment. I just read the book “Wild” and am impressed with solo women wilderness hikers. I recently just backpacked solo in Australia for a month. Like you, I felt very free by carrying all my possessions on my back and walking for 3-4 hours every. It was very liberating. My experience is nowhere near as gutsy as yours, but you still might enjoy this blog post about my backpacking experience: http://greengirlsuccess.com/2014/09/10/are-you-too-comfortable-lessons-from-nomadic-traveling/
I look forward to reading your blog!
All I can say is, I really admire the fact that you were so committed to your physical goals of walking/hiking those distances. Very inspiring!
Have you read Ultra Light Backpacking Tips by Mike Clelland? I’m not a backpacker but I did find this tips very interesting.
Well done, Lauren, that’s quite an achievement! I am sure you have lots of great memories! For those interested in ultralight backpacking, check out these websites: http://andrewskurka.com and Ray Jardine’s book Trail Life http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Trail-Life/
I go hiking for one month in France each summer – with an ultralight backpack weighing 3 kg including tarp and quilt. No way I would ever go back to traditional backpacking with pack weights of 15 to 20 kg. Ouch – my back!
I am so inspired by you. I read and reread every word, soak it in, think about it in my head. I crave the freedom you talk about. I also will try to live with freedom like that every day from now on.
I’m impressed!Not just one super-trek, but three!
A few years back, Martin Sheen starred in a movie called The Way in which he played a bereaved father taking a backpacking pilgrimage. He falls in with, as you mentioned, people he would never normally have known.
Very impressive and inspiring story, Lauren. I can’t imagine hiking like this myself, even a weekend trip to mountains exhausts me :D But I can appreciate the magic of being out there alone with just what you need on your back. Even the few moments in my life when I experienced this were precious and eyes opening and it does give you a huge sense of sudden freedom and lightness.
I believe one of many aspects of minimalism and downsizing to me is to get ready to go on an adventure like this some time in future if the chance arises, even if I will have doubts I can physically do it. ‘Cause even normal (consuming) people would often love to go just to try it but they won’t because their things and tasks hold them back. I wish to be open for somebody like you just showing up in my life and saying “hey, wanna go hiking for a month?”. Who knows, maybe I would :) Minimalism certainly helps.
I’m sure this is one of the ways to experience minimalism, but why do you need to hold on to it? Do you feel it’s your true path to live this way or is it a phase? Personally I don’t see anything glorious about continuing to walk day after day after day…But hey, that’s just me, to me it seems like aiming to maximize something that started out as minimalist.
Naturally, human relations happen everywhere where there’s people – whether in cities, villages or the mountains – and each and every place holds an opening to interact with others. Why run away from basic human encounters in your basic human surroundings, unless it’s for a vacation or otherwise a needed break from your life?
I can’t imagine backpacking long distance. It must be the ultimate minimalist experience. I am busy keeping clutter out of my condo and out of my life. I no longer go to my daughter’s apt, she has so much stuff all over the place I always want to sort it all out.
I bring an empty bag every time I ride in my daughter’s car so I can take trash out of it. My mother had insects living in her car and her trunk. My daughter doesn’t like to clean and it makes me uncomfortable.
I rode in my daughter’s car and threw out a bag of garbage and a bag of recycling. I get nervous when things are really messy.