Things ‘thru-hikers’ won’t tell you

The world of ‘thru-hiking’ is often painted as a picture of serene sunrises and breathtaking mountain vistas, all perfectly captured for social media. We see the triumphant summits and the blissful moments of peace, but what about the rest of the story? The unglamorous truths that make or break a trek?

Thru-hiking is more than just a long walk; it’s a life-changing test of endurance. But it’s not only about what’s in your rucksack. It’s about what’s in your head, on your feet and even on your lips. Here are four things thru hikers won’t tell you about life on the trail.

The challenge is mental, not physical.

You’ll quickly realise your limitations are mental, not physical. Thru-hiking is a test of willpower, a mental game to see how far you’re willing to go. Your mind will try to trick you with perfect excuses for why you can’t reach the summit, but you have to trust your feet to carry you, one step after another.

Forget picturesque photos; much of the time you’ll be dragging yourself along the trail. But believe me, the sense of contentment and accomplishment once you finish is worth every struggle.

You’ll have a lot to think about.

Walking all day, every day gives you plenty of time to spend with your own thoughts. You might expect to have profound revelations while you wander, but really, random things will pop into your head. You’ll think about people no longer in your life, past arguments or your old job. Random songs will play in your head for no reason. Your mind is free to wander, and all these random thoughts actually help you work through things, even if you don’t realise it at the time.

Be ready for chafed lips.

Like any extreme sport, you will experience dehydration and sunburn. Your lips have little natural defence against the elements; their skin has much less pigmentation to protect it from the sun, dryness and cold. Staying hydrated will reduce chafing, as will a little help from lip balm. Not only does it moisturise, but it also protects. You should always aim to protect them from harmful UV rays with an SPF-filled balm.

Halt if using a phone.

Proper foot placement is vital to avoid accidents and injuries. Using your phone can be a huge distraction, occupying your body and senses that are much more needed for the trail. Take a moment to pause if you want to capture that Instagram-worthy scenery or make a call if you’re lucky enough to have signal before taking another step.