Lessons From Hiking the Appalachian Trail

by Terri Lonier, founder of WorkingSolo.com

My cousin Belinda is hiking the Appalachian Trail. The AT, as it is known, is a 2175-mile-long hiking trail that runs through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine. That's her in the photo on the left, getting ready to hit the trail again in New York State after staying with us for a few days. The white blaze on the wooden pole at right is typical of the markers that indicate the trail. The trail itself is just visible over her left shoulder -- really only a footpath at this part of the trail (and often not much wider over its entire length).

It was delightful to have Belinda stay with us for a few days recently, and I loved hearing her stories of the hike. Since she's doing it solo, I thought several of her insights about the trail were right on target for solo entrepreneurs, too. Even if you're an armchair adventurer, read on and see what you think.

1. Hike Your Own Hike
Belinda started on March 9th, and as of July 23, she had covered 1587 miles. More than 2,000 people hike the AT each year; only 25% finish. Like a solo entrepreneurial venture, it's about knowing yourself and choosing to play to your strengths. Belinda says, "Everyone wants to give you advice on how to hike the trail, particularly in the beginning. I learned to listen to it all, then used what worked for me."

2. A Support Team Is Crucial
Smart AT hikers have a web of support established to assist them as they hike the trail. They set up mail drops in advance, so they can have gear or supplies waiting for them. They rely on others for physical and emotional support along the way, and strategically balance their need to stay in contact with their desire for a solitary experience.

Belinda said that many hikers these days travel with a cell phone and a GPS device, but she has chosen neither. "These few months are about internal exploration," she says. "I'm connected to my family by phone every few days, and by email when I stop to replenish supplies in a town. I rely on my support team, but know that this is my adventure."

3. Plan To Be Flexible
Belinda spent months preparing for this hike, and her attention to detail has paid off for her. She has a rough timeline for her journey, and is targeting a mid-September finish at Katahdin, Maine.

She begins each morning with a map, charting out the day's trip to get a sense of what lies ahead, and when she'll need to expend her energy, eat, or rest. She observes, "There are two types of hikers. Those like me chart the trail each morning. Others decide to 'wing it,' knowing that they have to hike all those miles anyway. Me, I'd rather know what to expect."

Even with all the preparation, many other elements can cause a change of plans. (Sound familiar soloists?) Heat, rain, sleep (or lack of), and overall physical condition all play into the mix. Early in the journey Belinda was held up for a few days with severe blisters. "I knew I could push on, but would pay later," she says. "It was difficult to rest a couple days, but it paid off in the long run, because my feet healed and are now used to the daily abuse."

4. Each Day Is a New Day
Belinda's journey, like a solo entrepreneurial venture, is a mix of enjoyment and struggle. While the entire adventure is her goal, she knows she must focus on one day at a time. Some days have been particularly grueling, such as the day she fell while hiking all on her own. She slipped and hit her head, and immediately sensed a large "goose egg" on her forehead. (Lacking a mirror to assess the damage, she cleverly grabbed her digital camera and snapped a photo of herself.)

Fortunately, the injury was minor, and Belinda gained an important insight. "After that fall, I learned to pace myself better. I also recognize how important a positive attitude is. I know when I fall, I need to get up and look forward, not back," she says. "If you're going to mope about how tough this is, you're not doing yourself any favors."

5. Enjoy It All
Belinda says there are days when the mosquitoes, poison ivy, wet boots, bad food, poor weather, and lack of sleep cause her to temporarily become a "crabby pants" (as our grandmother used to say). But those days are offset by seeing wildflowers for miles, mountaintop views, fragrant woods, soaking her feet in forest streams, and taking a nap under a canopy of trees. "Even the worst day on the trail is a good day," Belinda says.

Thousands of soloists say the same thing about working on their own.

For more details on the Appalachian Trail, visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy site.

UPDATE: Belinda made the summit of Mount Katahdin and finished hiking the Appalachian Trail on September 13, 2007. She was one of the 2% of individuals who completed the entire trail in 2007. A resident of Seven Hills in Northern Ohio, she now serves as a personal guide for small hiking trips and an advisor to others who want to hike the AT.

Copyright 2007 Terri Lonier. All rights reserved.
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