Hiking Long Distance


Amidst the trail and separated from everyday life, hiking long distance allows for periods of deep personal reflection and examination. Contrasting the responsibilities and duties of everyday life, the minimal responsibilities while on the trail further separates the hiker from society. Freeing the hiker from the restrictions of social norms, long distance hiking transitions the individual from challenging everyday responsibilities such as jobs, kids, and bills to the sole responsibility of walking. This disconnection from everyday life further illuminates the interconnectedness between ones self and nature. The spiritual relationship between nature and hiker is intensified the more the hiker is disconnected with everyday tasks. Rather than focusing attention on multiple tasks at hand, long distance hiking focuses the hiker’s attention on the simple task of walking the surrounding environment.

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