Why hike? The ruminations of two crazy ladies:

Sommer’s Response: I’ve gotten this question a lot, and have never entirely been sure how to answer it: “Why do you want to hike the Appalachian Trail?” Some people ask with that glimmer of excitement in their eyes, others with skepticism but at the root of it all is always curiosity. And much to their dismay, I never had a good answer until now. I have only known that it’s been a dream of mine since 2019, and it is so exciting to see it come to fruition. However, in between the crazy last couple of weeks of packing and moving and leaving my job, I have been able to find some mindful time to really dig into my “why”. I hadn’t really shared my entire “why” with anyone until now, and it can essentially be summed up in a picture. See below:

This right here. This is my all time favorite picture because of what it represents to me. This is the person I am hiking towards. A return to myself: a confident, self-assured, fully present gal whose living every step fully immersed in the moment. To share a vulnerable moment, (Feel free to skip if you’re not here for this kind of mushiness) I have struggled with bulimia and body dysmorphia for the larger portion of my life.

From the age of 8, I constantly found myself comparing myself to others and focusing on all the ways I didn’t measure up. I’ll spare the sob story details, but long story short it’s something I’ve struggled with and carried with me to this day. What this trail means to me is a shedding of habits that no longer serve me. A stepping into my own truths again and living for myself as myself. No longer letting external pressures or people dictate my own decisions.

Put quite plainly, I am hiking the Appalachian Trail to return to my inner most self, one that has been scattered and lost along the way. I am using this trail as an opportunity to heal those pieces I have struggled to put together time and time again. Some might argue that perhaps I am being selfish, taking all of this time to “heal myself”? How very Gen Z of me. Go write a book about it, right? And yet, as someone that loves to give so much of myself to others, I am realizing how very little I have given to myself. So take it as you will, but yes, this adventure is in large part just for my own sheer enjoyment and healing.

Of course, like most things in life, my reasoning is multi-faceted. As some of you may already know, I am going on this endeavor with my mother. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime on what will assuredly be a tumultuous journey.

I can’t imagine a more beautiful way to spend a summer than sharing every moment with the person that has not only given me life but taught me what it means to live a meaningful one. I owe so much to my mother, more than simply a blog post or even a three book series could ever say, so I will just add that this trip is entirely revolutionized by her presence, wisdom and absolute badassery.

Finally, to round out my trifecta of reasonings for completely upending my life and embarking on this journey is quite simply: nature! I love nature. I love everything about it. The raw beauty, the challenge of a mountain’s peak, the serenity of a quiet, moonlit night. It’s a shame to me that we live in a world so starkly separated from nature and her intoxicating beauty. Having spent far too much time behind a desk instead of spending every day in the Colorado wilderness, I am joyful for my return to nature. Not to say that I won’t have bad days, but at the root of every storm, you have to admit there’s a certain wild energy that keeps you satiated and coming back for more. That, or I’m a crazy person. You decide.