By Heather “Anish” Anderson
“What are you running away from?”
“I wish I could shirk my responsibilities for six months to play in the woods.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit selfish leaving for so long?”
As a thru-hiker I’ve heard all of these comments—and more—about my hikes. Often couched in terms of concern, they are in fact judging the responsibility of embarking on a multi-month trek. There seems to be a prevailing opinion that thru-hiking (or running long distances, setting FKTs, climbing big mountains, etc.) is an inherently selfish act. While I understand the sentiment made by outside observers, I wholeheartedly disagree.
While these endeavors might appear to be manifestations of selfishness, a tendency to flee reality, or an inability to cope with daily life, it is often quite the opposite—a necessary period of revitalization.
Oxford Languages defines selfish as “lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.” In the case of these immersive adventures, I have found personally (and a common consensus from many others) that while there is certainly a (large) component of personal pleasure, it is not lacking consideration for others.
“For many, not taking time to engage in these intensive journeys can make it impossible to deal with daily life, take care in our relationships, or show up wholly.”
In a sense, long adventures can be as much for others as they can serve us. For many, not taking time to engage in these intensive journeys can make it impossible to deal with daily life, take care in our relationships, or show up wholly. I posit that it’s time to redefine this so-called “selfishness” as self-care.
I completed my first thru-hike at age 20, having no measurable hiking or backpacking experience prior. I went hiking because I thought it sounded like a great adventure and at that stage of life, I had the time. It was a transformative experience—perhaps in large part due to my age. However, it was also the first time in my life that I experienced a sense of wholeness and deep contentment. Unlike the previous 19 years, I felt confident in my own skin and personality. I discovered that I was the best version of me while on the trail.
“While it was quite by accident that I found the powerful reset that time in nature could provide for me, once I realized it, there was no way I wanted to live without it.”
While it was quite by accident that I found the powerful reset that time in nature could provide for me, once I realized it, there was no way I wanted to live without it. Going back to the self-conscious, unhappy person I had been before was not an option. I subsequently hiked the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails seeking that same hit of adventure and dose of esteem boosting that I’d found on the AT. I wanted to be that best version of myself that I seemed to only find on the trail.
As the years passed, I realized the importance of incorporating daily exercise and time in nature into my life for my overall health and well-being. I found that the best version of myself does not only exist on the trail or when I’m climbing mountains. It is possible to bring her home from the trail. However, reminding myself of her—recharging her batteries so to speak—does require practice and devotion. The simplest place to work on becoming her is when I am hiking.
“I found that the best version of myself does not only exist on the trail or when I’m climbing mountains. It is possible to bring her home.”
My daily nature practice has included many additional thru-hikes, but it also includes a daily walk or run, sitting on lakeshores, and climbing (or hugging!) trees among many other interactions. By committing to connecting with nature regularly, I am taking care of myself in a deeply important way. When I take care of myself, I can fully show up for the relationships and obligations in my life as my healthiest and best self.
Long walks in the woods—especially really long ones—are not usually included in a self-care list. However, I posit that for some of us, these periods are far more beneficial and important than a bubble bath or a massage. It’s time to redefine the supposed selfishness of thru-hiking—seeing it instead as the necessary self-care that it often is.
We all know that you cannot pour from an empty cup. If your cup needs to be filled by months of hiking or strenuous ascents, know that you are not alone. You are not selfish. You are taking care of yourself so that you can be the best person you can be. So that you can show up with attentiveness in your relationships with others and responsibility in your work life.
Byline: Heather Anderson is a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, three-time Triple Crown thru-hiker, and professional speaker whose mission is to inspire others to “Dream Big, Be Courageous.” She is also the author of two hiking memoirs Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home and Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go on the Appalachian Trail and a preparatory guide to long-distance hiking Adventure Ready. Find her on Instagram @_WordsFromTheWild_ or her website wordsfromthewild.net
