What deters you from taking a multi day hike?

Getting out to be in nature is one of my favourite things. I am usually a nice not too hard walk/hike type of gal. When I was solo travelling I started signing up for multi day hikes. Now I had never done anything like that before…a few hours was probably the longest I had done previously.

My first one was in Myanmar, which was ideal since it was mostly flat for the whole hike, which was three days long. I didn’t know it was flat, I just went headfirst and signed up with two girls I met in my hostel. I was in my late 30’s and not in ideal shape. Even though I was usually the slowest one I still thought it was an amazing way to see a place that not everyone gets to see.

After this experience I signed up for another 4-5 three day hikes in multiple places before tackling a 16 day hike in Nepal, which was one of the best things I’ve ever done and felt so proud of accomplishing.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of things that scared me just before the hike started. I didn’t tend to think too much about it beforehand (except for the 16 day hike), mostly for the pure fact that I suffered from this condition of “thinking I’m a lot more fit than I actually am”. When I would show up to the group I was going with, that was when all those fears started coming in, because I could actually see how fit everyone else was.

Fears of creepy crawlies and snakes would sometimes come into play, but I mostly feigned ignorance, didn’t look where I didn’t want to see something and when there was a noise in the foliage, it was ALWAYS a bird in my brain. Nothing like some mind tricks to get you out of your comfort zone, I say.

The thing with going on these types of adventures, once you start, you can’t really turn back. You need to complete it. Although that may sound scary, you will amaze yourself at just how capable you are. This will in turn lead you to signing up and punishing yourself yet again and again and again. LOL I learn a lot on taking all of these hikes.

• Most people are not going to make you feel bad for being slow. You are going to be harder on yourself about this because you notice it more. 
• Pack as light as you can…and get your main bag delivered to your end destination if there is the option.
• Headphones with good music and snacks help a lot when the going gets tough.
• If you could find a group that is at the same level as you, this will be your dream hike.
  • I never did find that group, so when I did my 16 day hike, I decided to go it alone hiring a guide and a porter to carry my stuff I knew I didn’t want to carry, nor probably could carry.

These are just a smattering of things I learned while on these hikes. Reflecting on these experiences and seeing what is out there, a multi day hike is difficult to find for the “average” not super fit person, especially in North America.

This made me sad because there are so many locations, beauty and adventures out there that the normal person will not be able to see, and in their head, do.  I want to change this so hiking and exploring beautiful areas is more inclusive.

I want people to not have to compare themselves to their fit group members, to worry about how they are going to carry all the gear they need, or fear they are going to be holding the group up because they are slow.

I am in the process of creating my first hiking tour in BC, Canada, where it will be focused on overcoming all of these things to make hiking and getting out into nature, for more than a couple hours, something that more people can experience.

If you would like to know more about this tour, head over to my trips and sign up to be notified when the full details come out for this small group trip. I would love to show you how amazing it can be when you take a step out of your comfort zone.