Mountain Cat: Hear Me Roar
In my first weeks of the AT Ive experienced just about every kind of weather possible. Fog so thick you cant see the blazes, soaking rain, freezing sleet and snow, face-numbing wind, and finally, beautiful, warm sunshine.
The ups and downs (including the literal ones) are exhausting. You feel everything so much more intensely (not just physically) at the end of a long day of climbing mountains. My emotions seem more magnified out here, which makes everything just feel so much more important.
There have been some hard days, when I dramatically think Ill never be warm again, but those days are what makes that first piece of pizza and that hot shower in town pretty much orgasmic. There are days when my shoulders are sunburned and my body (almost) doesnt hurt, and the sunshine lights up every beautiful detail of moss.
Ive decided to call them the good days and the hard days, because I dont think Ill have a bad day out here. I belong out here; thats clear to me now.
The longer Im on the trail the more my mind-set changes. When I started I was still in planning mode, like Ive been almost my whole life. I planned exactly what Id eat, how many miles I want to do, the points where Id take a snack break and lunch. The more days that pass I realize thats what I came here to escape. Now I eat when Im hungry (which, let’s be honest, is always), I break at amazing views, or when it’s sunny or Im tired. If the sun’s out and Ive been cold for days, guess what, Im lying in this field for over an hour just because I can. Its not about how many miles you can get done in one day. Its about how much you enjoy them, how much you soak them all in.
In this last month I’ve become this person fellow thru-hikers call Mountain Cat. I feel so sure and strong. I feel happy. I feel connected. I’m coming for you Katahdin.
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Comments 4
Love love love hearing your stories of the trail. So much joy <3
Strong girl moving forward.
Wishing this person the most memorable and gorgeous journey yet!
Lying in the field for an hour just because you can. I love it!