View Full Version : Depressed while hiking?
Peakhunter
11-08-2012, 21:07
Does anyone ever get depressed while out on the trail for long periods of time?
I am generally a very content and happy no matter what and am used to hiking for miles and hours without seeing another hiker. Well, a couple of weeks ago on nice sunny day I did a 14 mile hike and after about 2-3 hours of not seeing another hiker on a couple of occasions on the trail and being on some denser darker parts of the trail I began to get this awful all alone in the wilderness feeling and could'nt wait to see another hiker, I was even kinda paranoid of my suroundings! Like I said I'm used to hiking without seeing anyone for awhile and I'm used to the long day hike, but i've never felt like this. I also want to mention that i've also seen some videos of people in the middle of a thru-hike who seemed pretty depressed themselves! Is it normal to get this feeling from time to time while doing long day hikes or thru hikes?
RodentWhisperer
11-08-2012, 21:25
Sure, it's normal. From time to time, even those of us accustomed to hiking solo start to feel lonely, sad that no one is there to share the experience, help us feel comfortable and secure, talk about what we see, or joke around. That's not depression. That's life.
It sounds like you lonely or feeling spooked, not depressed. I think most thru hikers have many of the symptoms of depression except for the sadness. Stuff like:
Change in weight or overeating (usually a loss for hikers despite overeating)
sleeping more than usual (what else do you do when it's dark out and there's no electricity)
loss of interest in things you used to care about (hobbies, reading the newspaper, hot showers)
feeling tired; decreased energy (common after climbing a few mountains)
difficulty making decisions (what should I eat for dinner)
persistent aches and pains that won't go away (feet hurt anyone?)
But despite having many of the clinical symptoms, most hikers I've met are not anywhere near depressed. The ones that are homesick tend to leave and head home. There may be times when the physical strain of a hike gets to people, but I suspect that the exercise really does keep down the depression. One study showed exercise to be as effective as anti-depressives for folks with mild depression. Loneliness is another factor entirely; if it bothers you don't hike out of season and it shouldn't be an issue. It is strange for me when I go more than 24 hours without seeing another person (and cars count if the driver honks or waves when you cross a road), but most of those days have been on trails other than the AT. On the AT, the longest I've gone was a couple of days without seeing other hikers, but I wasn't hiking alone. People can go "stir crazy" if they stay at a shelter too long- I recall meeting someone who was waiting for the snow to melt and hadn't seen anyone in a couple of days. I think his reaction was more to the unexpected situation than to just being alone for so long. But "stir crazy" was far from "depressed".
I definitely prefer coming across other hikers occasionally even though I prefer to hike alone.
Peakhunter
11-08-2012, 22:40
Thanks, after reading your posts I think I was just a bit lonely.
Peakhunter
11-08-2012, 22:41
I definitely prefer coming across other hikers occasionally even though I prefer to hike alone.
That's how I am, I guess that day I was a bit more needy lol
I don't get depressed but there are times that I feel guilty leaving my wife and son at home. Son (18) is recovering from Cancer, continued issues, have had to race home from several sections hike to get home or to the hospital.
Tough balance.
HikerMom58
11-08-2012, 22:58
Does anyone ever get depressed while out on the trail for long periods of time?
I am generally a very content and happy no matter what and am used to hiking for miles and hours without seeing another hiker. Well, a couple of weeks ago on nice sunny day I did a 14 mile hike and after about 2-3 hours of not seeing another hiker on a couple of occasions on the trail and being on some denser darker parts of the trail I began to get this awful all alone in the wilderness feeling and could'nt wait to see another hiker, I was even kinda paranoid of my suroundings! Like I said I'm used to hiking without seeing anyone for awhile and I'm used to the long day hike, but i've never felt like this. I also want to mention that i've also seen some videos of people in the middle of a thru-hike who seemed pretty depressed themselves! Is it normal to get this feeling from time to time while doing long day hikes or thru hikes?
All the feelings you described- I have felt when I was hiking alone for more than a few minutes. Seriously, you described the exact feelings I've had only after a few minutes of not seeing my daughter hiking in front of me. It's a lonely issue, I believe. I can't handle being totally alone in the woods.
I believe some people do get lonely on their thru hikes. I've heard many of them express that fact.
Spirit Walker
11-09-2012, 00:47
For me, exercise heals my depression, and I am usually happiest when hiking. However, it is different for me when I am totally alone. On the AT it is rare to be alone for more than a couple of hours. I did feel a bit lonely when I got caught in a gap between groups of thruhikers for a couple of days. I met dayhikers and weekenders, but nobody who was out for the long haul. When I ran into thruhikers again I was thrilled. But I wasn't depressed.
However, when I hiked the JMT, I only camped with other hikers a handful of times. Most nights I camped alone. I always hiked alone. Since I was doing a leisurely hike (18 days) I had a lot of solo time around camp. I did get a bit depressed then. It showed me that I wasn't ready for a solo PCT hike at that time, so my next LD hike was a return to the more social AT.
I tend to get some great miles in early in the morning and late at night while there are no hikers on the trail. I find great comfort in the quiet and calming hikes when there are few if any other hikers for hours. Same for off season hikes when the conditions are sloppy or the snow is fresh, or its colder than 40* most people I have found have been fair weather hikers. It is nice when I can get out there and feel the calm serene tranquility and not here the pollution of others trampling on my moment. I can forget all the world and live in the moment.
yeah, but it happens at home too
sometimes going for a hike or a paddle helps
sometimes bailing on a hike or a paddle helps
sometimes more time with family
sometimes it requires better living through chemistry
WingedMonkey
11-09-2012, 08:39
Does anyone ever get depressed while out on the trail for long periods of time?
Not on a thru hike and certainty not on a day hike.
Is it normal to get this feeling from time to time while doing long day hikes or thru hikes?
No it is not normal.
I disagree, Wingedmonkey! I may never be considered "normal", but I have sure had those feelings. In 2010 when I thrued, I had them a lot. It was the first time that I ever ended up alone for such long periods of time, even at shelters that would normally have been full. I don't know that I ever had them on day hikes, but if a person was feeling alone and went for a hike, and didn't see anyone, I can see how that might happen.
hikerboy57
11-09-2012, 08:54
maybe you need a hiking partner, maybe its not depression, maybe your just not comfortable being alone. we are social animals, but my best day hikes are when i see no one at all. on section hikes, i do enjoy meeting people, and ive never gone more than a full day without running into somebody. ive never thrued so i cant say how it would affect me, but i cant remember a single day on the at itself that i didnt meet people.
when you're alone and feeling depressed, just stop and "smell the roses",notice the miracles occurring all around you and think to yourself"its all good"
HikerMom58
11-09-2012, 11:03
OK... first thing... there's no such thing as "normal". "Normal" is only a setting on a dryer. :D I know what you mean by "normal" Peakhunter. LOL!! I like the word "average", better.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/Eloquent/miscgreen/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Peakhunter http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/Eloquent/buttonsgreen/viewpost-right.png (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1359711#post1359711)
Does anyone ever get depressed while out on the trail for long periods of time?
That depends on if a person is struggling with depression before they start hiking. Exercise is really good for depression & can go a long way to lifting depression. Having said that tho, I think that loneliness can bring on/feed depression.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/Eloquent/miscgreen/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Peakhunter http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/Eloquent/buttonsgreen/viewpost-right.png (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1359711#post1359711)
Is it normal to get this feeling from time to time while doing long day hikes or thru hikes?
Feelings are feelings... they come and they go. They are neither right or wrong... they are just feelings. Having said that tho, feelings can present themselves b/c of our own personal issues. I feel like I have an issue with being alone. I feel like I'm not "average" when it comes to being able to spend time alone (by myself) I would like to be "average" but don't we all wish for that. I'm working on it. So depending on who you are and what your issues are -you will feel different things out on the trail. If you are an extrovert you need to recharge by being around ppl. Introverts recharge by being alone. Nothing wrong with either one.
wornoutboots
11-09-2012, 11:05
I get these feeling from time to time as well. At home I'm very active with my family, I work at home, we home school & are very involved with each others lives. When out on hikes which I do 99% of the time solo and I don't have any other interaction with people for 2+ days, I feel lonely & then sometimes question why am I out here when I can be back home with my family. 90 % of the time I push through it in attempt to grow & strengthen me as a person, but there have been times in my early days of hiking when I have cut trips short. On the AT, I can normally bail into a city after a few days of not seeing anyone & grab a hot meal & resupply & interect with a few individuals during those activities & that will suffice, then back to the woods.
yellowsirocco
11-09-2012, 11:44
I always get into a funk for a couple of days at about the 2 week mark. I just do short 10-12 mile days and chill. Probably something with my body realizing this is for real and it is time to start doing things differently.
ATMountainTime
11-09-2012, 11:48
Never been depressed on the trail really. The only time i do get depressed is when my wife tells me there are other trails to hike other than the AT. I dont beleive her. :)
Drybones
11-09-2012, 15:17
The trail helps to significantly reduce my depression, there's no TV to watch news on.
Hairbear
11-09-2012, 20:17
im the flip side of your coin ,im usually weird feeling around people,but content is wild places.
Mountain Mike
11-10-2012, 00:48
At times on a long distance hike I have grown lonely for conversation. Days without a conversation. It's amazing how it can sound like you are drunk after not talking for days. I choose to be out on the trail & it is hard to be depressed in God's greatest creations.
hikingshoes
11-10-2012, 01:34
Not depressed, just dont like hiking alone.
Many Moons
11-10-2012, 12:46
Does anyone ever get depressed while out on the trail for long periods of time?
I am generally a very content and happy no matter what and am used to hiking for miles and hours without seeing another hiker. Well, a couple of weeks ago on nice sunny day I did a 14 mile hike and after about 2-3 hours of not seeing another hiker on a couple of occasions on the trail and being on some denser darker parts of the trail I began to get this awful all alone in the wilderness feeling and could'nt wait to see another hiker, I was even kinda paranoid of my suroundings! Like I said I'm used to hiking without seeing anyone for awhile and I'm used to the long day hike, but i've never felt like this. I also want to mention that i've also seen some videos of people in the middle of a thru-hike who seemed pretty depressed themselves! Is it normal to get this feeling from time to time while doing long day hikes or thru hikes?
Nope, I like to be alone in nature. Slept at a shelter one night with no one around, only night I did not use my tent ILMT. When in town to resupply I get a room or cabin by myself. Nice to talk to some of the cool hikers, but not always needed. Introverts need peace, extroverts need others for feeling good-simple as that.. Hike On!!!
Miller
Every body goes through a Depressed phase while on a long distance hike it's normal, hiking is 90% Emotional and 10% Physical.
TheYoungOne
11-19-2012, 15:31
Does anyone ever get depressed while out on the trail for long periods of time?
I am generally a very content and happy no matter what and am used to hiking for miles and hours without seeing another hiker. Well, a couple of weeks ago on nice sunny day I did a 14 mile hike and after about 2-3 hours of not seeing another hiker on a couple of occasions on the trail and being on some denser darker parts of the trail I began to get this awful all alone in the wilderness feeling and could'nt wait to see another hiker, I was even kinda paranoid of my suroundings! Like I said I'm used to hiking without seeing anyone for awhile and I'm used to the long day hike, but i've never felt like this. I also want to mention that i've also seen some videos of people in the middle of a thru-hike who seemed pretty depressed themselves! Is it normal to get this feeling from time to time while doing long day hikes or thru hikes?
Sometimes I'm happy, hiking the trail almost giddy. Other times I walking like a zombie, not even paying attention. Sometimes I think about life and get inspired, and then I think of life and get depressed. Its all normal.
I have to admit though I seen plenty of thru hike video journals and you do see mood shifts every once in a while. On video they are laughing and cracking jokes, and the next video they seem kind of bummed out. Its life.
The paranoid spooky thing made me laugh though. Shugemery had a hiking video recently and he mention that he was on part of the trail that spooked him out. There is part of the AT in PA that did the same thing to me. I forget exactly where, but I just got this bad vibe that satanic riturals went down at this spot, and it was just a matter of time before the children of the trail where going to come out of the woods a get me. That was the fastest mile I ever hiked.
im the flip side of your coin ,im usually weird feeling around people,but content is wild places.
Same here, longer alone the better. As soon as I get back around a lot of people I fall into a slump. I only get lonely without my dog, or when there aren't any insects singing or birds making noise.
It might not be considered right but if you have the phone service why not take a nature break and make a quick call to a loved one and check in with them.
As per my prior post, was thinking about my section hiking yesterday that in any given day, we go through wild weather, body and emotional shifts. Up down sideways. happy, sad, elated, pain, great, cold, hot, chaffed, hungry, jamming, exhausted, etc, etc. Snickers. All good in the end
I AM NOT saying this is NECESSARILY the situation WITH YOU but IMHO, I think, in some part, the rise in people saying they are feeling depressed or are depressed or are making a self diagnosis of depression or are being professionally diagnosed with depression occurs as a result, again, in some part, because we are being led to believe it! *We are being led to believe we are depressed! That agenda serves some very influential persons! DO NOT think it doesn't!
EVERYONE has lower emotional and mental(psychic) periods! Human Body Chemistry IS NOT a constant - that includes Brain Chemistry! Perhaps, dare I say, people even have lower periods spiritually?
This: "I am generally a very content and happy no matter what....." DOES NOT EQUATE with these statements: ".....being on some denser darker parts of the trail. I began to get this awful all alone in the wilderness feeling and couldn't wait to see another hiker, I was even kinda paranoid of my surroundings!"
Is that TRULY AN ACCURATE RECOLLECTION of your experiences? Is that TRULY THE WAY THINGS ACTUALLY WERE when you were hiking? I find the choice of your words, the way you are defining things, and, perhaps, the way you say you were feeling in these situations to be fear based. Almost, like you got spooked and let a negative imagination run away on you.
carophil
06-07-2013, 16:31
hiking and travel greatly reduce my depression. sometimes i do get lonely, and when i do, i'll head to a city and surround myself with people.
kidchill
06-07-2013, 18:02
I was definitely a little low while going SOBO last year. I think it started in Harpers Ferry when I realized that I still had 1,000 miles to go. The next 3-4wks through VA were kinda depressing. I think it was more about my outlook of the trail then anything. At that point it became a chore more then anything and I was just cranking out miles. I wanted to quit, but didn't want to quit. I'm totally okay with being solo, and pretty much solo hiked the entire trail...although, I really didn't see any other thru hikers from like Boiling Springs PA until Atkins VA...It also didn't help that Sandy destroyed the trail and I was fighting rhododendrons and dead-fall for 30 miles a day!!! But, I just kept on going and finished. It sounds like you're not really depressed, just a little wigged out from being alone. If that's the case, I would definitely recommend a hiking partner for longer trips. You may just be one of those people that need the social interaction.