A Long Distance is just that. It takes a long time. So, this is part two of Life on the Trail. Just a few more things to think about.
Staying smart around sex, drugs, and rock and roll
The trail, in a way, is a reflection of life in the "other" world. I like to think of it as a nice, clean, simplified reflection, but it still contains all the elements of our society. Yes, people have sex out there, they do drugs and rock and roll will never die.
If you like to smoke the weed, please be discrete. Don't do it around other people. Especially those who you know are uncomfortable with it. Also, if you are uncomfortable with it, have the courage to let the stoners know that you would rather they move off somewhere to have their "safety meeting". (I thought that term was cute when I first heard it, but now it just annoys me, like when a kid giggles after saying Dicks Sporting Goods). Remember, respect others (this will be the theme of this whole paragraph.)
If you want to have sex, great. I think everyone should get laid out there, but I'm pretty sure not everyone wants to listen to you getting it on. Don't fuck in a shelter if others are there. Don't fuck in the bunk room of a hostel if others are there. If you are a loud fuck, try to use some self restraint in your tent away from the others. Get a room, stealth camp away from others, jack off in the shower at Trail Days. Well, maybe not that last one. Remember, respect others.
There are many days that I need a little boost to get the miles in and listening to music is one way that helps me get my legs pumping and the miles go by fast. Using ear buds is the recommended method. I usually only plug in one ear, so I can still hear nature, especially that fast hiker coming up on me who would scare the shit out of me if I didn't hear him coming. Portable blue tooth speakers are a new rage out there. Sometimes you are in a group that appreciates your rage rock or syrupy country, but a lot of times, you will see the tension rise on that person who just wants to hear nature. Once again respect others.
I'm sure I could create a post all by itself about the different number of medical issues a hiker can potentially encounter during their hike. Here are a few that I have experienced or seen out there on the trail.
Overuse injuries top the list, I believe. Knees, hips, ankles, IT band, Achilles tendons, the list goes on. Usually the best way to fix this is rest, icing, compression and elevation. If you start slow, your body has the time to strengthen to the stress it is being put through. If you push it too far, too fast, you risk an overuse injury.
Food or water born Illnesses. Giardiasis, Noro Virus, etc. There is an old saying out there, "when you eat poop, you will shit liquid". Well, it isn't too old. I just made it up. These sicknesses that cause diarrhea, vomiting, cramps and unending pain and suffering, are usually caused by you getting someone elses poop on your hands and then eating something with said hands.
Hand washing out on the trail can't be emphasized enough. Unfortunately, it isn't always easy to get a good hand washing in. Whenever you have the opportunity, you should be washing your hands. Anti-bacterial gel is a must have, but it isn't as effective as a good hand washing.
Also, don't dip your hand (or let anyone else dip theirs) into a Ziploc of food, such as trail mix or Cheetos. If you want to share, dump from the bag into the hand. This keeps each hiker's dirty dirt away from yours. Fist bumping is also common out there. Not only is it cooler than shaking hands, it is more hygienic.
Hypothermia is a constant risk out there. You can become hypothermic easily well into the 50s. If you are wet, and the wind is stealing your heat, you risk this deadly situation. One thing about hypothermia is you quickly become confused and can not realize that it is happening to you. If you feel like you can't get any colder no matter how fast you hike to try and warm up, you need to take action quickly. Stop hiking, find shelter if you can or need to, get into dry clothes (you do have some dry clothes in your pack, right?) climb into your bag and warm up. If you can, warm up some water and sip it slowly. If you are hiking with others in an unpleasant weather situation, keep an eye on each other. If your hiking buddy starts ripping off their clothes saying they are too hot, maybe you need to get them into their bag and start up the stove.
Heat Stroke can also be a real danger out there. As summer comes on and the springs start to dry up, a hot day with little water can bring on all manner of heat related ailments. Once again, recognize this situation. This problem can be worse by the fact that you may not have what is needed to correct the situation. Get water if you can. Drink some. Get into shade and remove clothing. Rest and maybe pray a little and you should be fine. If there is no water or shade on the trail, get to a road and try to get into town, where a cool shower and air conditioning can help the situation.
Dehydration is very common out there. I have learned time and again that if you see a water source (especially in hot weather), you need to camel up, even if your bottle is still mostly full. I drink all I have and refill. Sometimes I hang out for a while and drink a full liter, before filling again and moving on. I have made the mistake of passing up decent water sources because I thought I would just fill up at the next one. Sometimes that next one is dry or down a stupid steep hill. The best place to store water is inside your body.
There will be times, sometimes several times a day, that you will be completely out of motivation. It isn't an if, but a when. It is up to you whether or not these episodes are simple bumps along the trail, or an insurmountable obstacle to your hike.
There is a real common saying out there to "don't quit on a bad day". It advises to wait for a good day and then decide if you really want to quit.
There are a lot of ways to keep motivated. Find the magic and mystery of being out in nature. Look at the small things. Not every hill top will have a view. So what. Find your "views" everywhere you look. That little red eft, that is moving across the trail. That really cool mushroom growing next to that tree stump. Your hiker friends, doing funny antics.
Help and encourage
the unmotivated and let them help you when you need it. We are a tramily out
there and need to look out after each other. Ask others what they use for motivation and see if that works for you.
You will have plenty of bad days out there. Remember, even your suckiest day will be a story to tell later.
The Trail is a place where I have seen meaningful friendships develop from "What's up?" to "Love you Bro!" in about five minutes. It is an amazing thing to see and a wonderful thing to experience.
The trail is full of the most amazing people. They come from every walk of life, but have this one thing in common. To follow the white blazes until they are done following the white blazes. These friendships are super strong and will most likely last the rest of your life. Even the most introverted out there make plenty of friends.
Be open and friendly to all you meet out there. They may be the one who gives you one of their power bars because you are out of food. They will fill your water for you when you are too wiped to walk down to the spring. They will wrap you in your bag when you are shivering uncontrollably.
Also, you will want to do all those things for them. Minutes after coming upon them on the trail.
It is a wonderful magical world out there.
In today's world, keeping in touch is much easier then it was even a decade ago. The ubiquitous smartphone and decent cell coverage are responsible for that.
It is much easier to keep in touch with those not out on the trail with you. Facebook, texting, email. It's all much easier to do today then even a decade ago. Try to send a handwritten post card from time to time. People will enjoy that.
Make sure your loved ones know where your are and better yet, where you will be in a few days or a week or so. They may want to send you a care package with lots of great stuff to eat and use. Make sure they let you know that a package will be waiting for you, so you know to check with the post office or hostel where they send it.
Some use one of those satcom devices like SPOT or DeLorme to help track their whereabouts. These can be nice for those who need to give their loved ones peace of mind that you are not being eaten by a bear or have fallen down a ravine somewhere. At least they will be able to find your body easier, if that happens and you had the device turned on.
Let your loved ones live vicariously through you. It will keep you motivated and let them feel happy that you are out there crushing it.
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