Is it over?

[bamboo bob]

I'm a bit bummed out. I find that I'm just not motivated enough to hike like a used to. After 10-12 miles, I'm done. It's screwed up my trip planning and makes me question what I'm even doing. This summer a 7 week trip turned into 2 weeks in Colorado and a three week in Maine into two days. Maybe it's time to hang them up and do something else. My wife suggests we look at battery assist bikes. I like to play outside but it ain't what it used to be. I've done 30+ days a few times and routinely 20+. Is this it. Where's the hemlock? Anybody else go through this kind of change. Did you stay home? Start building bird houses?

[rafe]

I know the feeling, but not ready to give up yet! Speaking for myself, I think I'll be shifting more to day hikes and local trails. Lowering goals and expectations a bit. Especially now with winter approaching.

I know it's not just me. Late last winter I hooked up with a hiking partner by way of the VFTT website. We've done eight or ten day hikes together so far. The woman I hooked up with is a few years older than me (65 to my 62.) First few hikes, I had some trouble keeping up with her. But the last three or four times, the situation has reversed, and a few times now we've failed to meet even our modest goals for the day. On the plus side, I've re-learned the pleasures of day hiking vs. extended treks in the woods. I just don't care for the driving involved, tearing up and down Rte. 93.

[Traveler]

I'm a bit bummed out. I find that I'm just not motivated enough to hike like a used to. After 10-12 miles, I'm done. It's screwed up my trip planning and makes me question what I'm even doing. This summer a 7 week trip turned into 2 weeks in Colorado and a three week in Maine into two days. Maybe it's time to hang them up and do something else. My wife suggests we look at battery assist bikes. I like to play outside but it ain't what it used to be. I've done 30+ days a few times and routinely 20+. Is this it. Where's the hemlock? Anybody else go through this kind of change. Did you stay home? Start building bird houses?

I think at some point anyone doing this serious hits that wall. Sometimes a change of trail renews the spirit, travel to a far place to do some hiking on unfamiliar terrain and vistas. Could be taking 6 months off may turn the corner. Finding someone you can mentor has also been a spark for more than a few over the years. That allows you to see the activity through the eyes of someone fairly new to it and is likely to renew your spirit for all that goes into it. There could be a lot going on in your life currently that clouds things up, preoccupying your thoughts and not allowing you to fully "zen out" on the trail itself, which like most things in life will pass.

I wish you well in this period of time, you obstacle here is likely all of ours in time....

[Mrs Baggins]

I think at some point anyone doing this serious hits that wall. Sometimes a change of trail renews the spirit, travel to a far place to do some hiking on unfamiliar terrain and vistas. Could be taking 6 months off may turn the corner. Finding someone you can mentor has also been a spark for more than a few over the years. That allows you to see the activity through the eyes of someone fairly new to it and is likely to renew your spirit for all that goes into it. There could be a lot going on in your life currently that clouds things up, preoccupying your thoughts and not allowing you to fully "zen out" on the trail itself, which like most things in life will pass.

I wish you well in this period of time, you obstacle here is likely all of ours in time....

I agree about changing up the scenery. I was getting pretty burned out and just wanted to do something else for awhile. I even dissolved a hiking group for women that I'd been leading for 4 years because I'd just had enough. But we had booked a trip to Scotland to hike the West Highland Way, so I had to stay in shape for that. We spent all of our weekends doing 8 - 12 mile day hikes on every kind of terrain. I said that once we got back from Scotland I was DONE hiking for a long time. You can see it coming......after doing those 96 miles on the WHW in 8 days, I felt so strong and wonderful that I found myself itching to get back out there and do long day hikes again.

[moytoy]

I think I can answer yes to all your questions. The only thing that hasn't waned for me is the desire to see what is around the next corner, whats over that hill or what the future is for me. I have had to slow my pace whether I'm hiking, working or playing with the grandkids. But the desire to do it is still there. This past August I spent 2 weeks on a cruise ship to Alaska with my wife. Because she can't hike anymore I do this for her but I'm never completly happy doing it. After a week on the cruise I was around all these people who whould look at me like I was on a different planet if I mentioned anything about a hike in the woods. To some it was the thrill of a lifetime to see a bear or bald eagle out the window of a bus. I knew then that I had to get back on the trail soon before it happened to me.

[map man]

I don't really have an answer or advice but I can commiserate. I haven't done the long hikes you have -- in the decade I've been backpacking two week section hikes are the longest time I can get away from work. But I've noticed the last couple years that I have had a lot more moments on the trail when I wonder why I put myself through it, physically. My feet always hurt after a few days and hiking in the rain gets more and more unpleasant. But most of all I catch myself wondering, with so much that I love in life back at home (wife, pets, friends, other family) what am I doing out here on this cold and wet morning trying to gag down some tiresome trail food? With the prospect of more of the same stretching for days out in front of me?

The funny thing is that I still find myself dreaming big when it comes to backpacking. For the last decade I've been aspiring to an AT or PCT or Colorado Trail thru-hike when I retire around five years from now, and I still find I am aspiring to that. The gulf between what I actually enjoy when it comes to hiking and what I daydream about keeps getting wider and wider.

I sympathize with what you are experiencing. Thanks for letting me vent.

[rafe]

The gulf between what I actually enjoy when it comes to hiking and what I daydream about keeps getting wider and wider.

So sad but so true! I'm hoping I have at least one more long-ish hike ahead of me: the JMT. Hopefully summer '15 or '16.

Getting away from work is the big bugaboo, it's why most thru hikers are either under 25 or over 65. It's a shame how it works out -- when you reach the age at which you finally have free time, your body's too far gone to fully appreciate it.

[Violent Green]

But most of all I catch myself wondering, with so much that I love in life back at home (wife, pets, friends, other family) what am I doing out here on this cold and wet morning trying to gag down some tiresome trail food? With the prospect of more of the same stretching for days out in front of me?

The funny thing is that I still find myself dreaming big when it comes to backpacking. For the last decade I've been aspiring to an AT or PCT or Colorado Trail thru-hike when I retire around five years from now, and I still find I am aspiring to that. The gulf between what I actually enjoy when it comes to hiking and what I daydream about keeps getting wider and wider.

I couldn't have said it any better really. While hiking, sometimes all I can think about is seeing my wife and kids, but when I'm home my heart & mind long to be in the mountains. Planning thru-hikes and off trail adventures. So, I normally keep my trips short, usually only 2-3 day trips in order to tell myself that it won't be long until I can see them again. Getting the wife & kids out hiking with me? That's like heaven. I get to enjoy all of it at the same time.

Ryan

[Pedaling Fool]

I'm a bit bummed out. I find that I'm just not motivated enough to hike like a used to. After 10-12 miles, I'm done. It's screwed up my trip planning and makes me question what I'm even doing. This summer a 7 week trip turned into 2 weeks in Colorado and a three week in Maine into two days. Maybe it's time to hang them up and do something else. My wife suggests we look at battery assist bikes. I like to play outside but it ain't what it used to be. I've done 30+ days a few times and routinely 20+. Is this it. Where's the hemlock? Anybody else go through this kind of change. Did you stay home? Start building bird houses?

Funny you mention battery assisted bike. Just yesterday I watched an old fat dude who was stopped at an intersection trying to get his gas-motor powered bike started. He got it started and was crossing the street, when it died and he was stuck in the middle of the intersection with cars honking at him. Instead of pedaling thru, he turned around and went back to the island to work on his bike; he didn't look like he used his pedals much. At least he had a cool looking little gas tank with flames painted on it

I don't know why you're feeling demotivated during your hikes, and that's an important question to answer, because it's the root cause, i.e. is it because of a feeling of: "Been here done that, nothing new..." or is it because of physical limitations which can be very demotivational, despite how much you love seeing what's "around the next corner".

I'd say take some time off and do NOT get a battery assisted bike


Why don't you join a crossfit group and set some goals and see if that changes your mindset. Look at some of these bad ass dudes, notice their ages

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeLVMgz-yUo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0uPujOYfHA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHwUtOkt1wc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH6moN9GB9k

[Sailing_Faith]

I am thankful to be in this body. I am in better shape now then I have been since I was 18.... But.

i have chronic migraines, and some days just can't do it.... I have found that it is better to settle for whatever I can do on these days then to do nothing. Where I see this post fitting into this thread is that I decided that even if all I could ever do was short days, I was not going to let that keep me out of the woods.

Not to wax too philosophical, but I have come to realize that this "problem of suffering" is not unique to me, or to anyone. We decide what we do with it, age, injury, or whatever.... A day in the woods (or on water for that matter) is better then a day on the couch....

Press on..... Good luck.

[Slo-go'en]

I feel your pain. Over the years I've spent a lot of nights out in the woods and have covered more miles then I can count. But as I get older, it gets harder to be motivated to do extended hikes. 200 miles of Virginia this spring and I had enough, but that was mostly due to a poor choice of boots which made my feet hurt more then usual.

Well, at least I have the advantage of living in a place where I can walk out my front door and go hiking for the day and get to see the mountains every day. Except today - where did those clouds come from anyway?

[Spirit Walker]

Bob - you're not alone. DH has had the same kind of issue. In his case, it's largely pain related. He no longer finds the rewards of backpacking worth the cost. It affects me, because I still can hike without much pain, and I still look forward to long hikes. But we have done less and less as the years go by.

You might try a long break, or picking up a new sport that still takes you outside: kayak, canoe, mountain bike, etc. I started running a few years ago, which provides lots of challenge, new goals and new accomplishments. We also got a large dog. Hiking with him means seeing the world in a whole new way. His excitement at being outside is contagious. We don't go on many long hikes, but we do get outside every day. It's enough to stay healthy and it does make our short hikes a lot of fun.

[CrumbSnatcher]

Bob, its not over til its over
"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!"

[Rocket Jones]

"He's on a roll."

[10-K]

What's wrong with 10-12 mile day hikes and 2 week trips?

It's different than what you've been doing, that's all.

[Dogwood]

What's wrong with 10-12 mile day hikes and 2 week trips?

It's different than what you've been doing, that's all.

Exactly! There's plenty of allowance doing shorter mile length or shorter avg miles per day hikes. Not every hike has to be a multi month 1000+ mile hike. When I start feeling a bit burnt out it never lasts because I find ways to refresh or adapt on hikes. I make it my inspiration in life to - stay inspired. If I'm not inspired, than for me, I feel that means I'm not appreciating or tapping into something. I never want to take things for granted.

Here's an example. I'm currently hiking the Border Route Trail to the Superior Hiking Trail. But, when I arrived in Minneapolis with only a day I did a 18 mile long walk along the Mississippi River, took oodles of pics of architecture, and visited gardens. I took 7 days hiking the 65 mile Border Route Trail. Why? I fished and explored even more than usual along the way. This took a mental adjustment from a typical get er done damn it make those miles mindset I sometimes have when in a hardcore thru-hiker mental zone. Now, I'm thru-hiking the 300 mile Superior Hiking Trail as a continuation but this is my third day in Grand Marais. Doing "zeros"? No way! I took a class on how to build a canoe(yeah!), volunteered with the Garden Club doing some gardening, sampled the different smoked fish, talked with area organic gardeners/farmers, was offered a job(LOL), visited a museum, chatted it up with the Border Patrol, may HAVE A FREE sunset boat ride lined up on Lake Superior which depends on the weather right now, and did all the things a typically wet grungy hiker might do on what has become known as "zero days."

Keepin it real! - real lively

Hiking/thru-hiking is not just about hiking!

I have been looking into a electric bicycle though.

[MuddyWaters]

If I wanted just to walk, I could walk around my block, or on flat trails thru the forest around me.

I hike, to see places that the other 99.999% of the world only sees on postcards.

New Zealand, Patagonia, Europe, PCT, CDT, alaska, grand canyon, Wind Rivers , yellowstone, Glacier NP, etc. There is more to see out there than most could see in a lifetime of hiking.

This keeps my interest up.

Do I long to go hike the AT thru some flat boring state? No. The AT is more about people for much of it, than about hiking, IMO.

[Coffee]

I hike, to see places that the other 99.999% of the world only sees on postcards.

This is what motivates me. I find it sad to see how most able bodied people limit what they see to whatever happens to be within a quarter mile of a paved road.

[Bronk]

Get a dog and name it 20 miles. Then you can say I walk 20 miles every day.

[off-pher]

LOL good idea!!!