Lightening Up
SOBO ARIZONA TRAIL - October 13 2022, somewhere around PINE, AZ, Mile 333 of 790. Ish —
I’ve been given two pack shakedowns since I started this thru-hike a month ago. One at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with Pro hiker Locohontas (again, so much gratitude) and one in Flagstaff with the Trail Shaman Melody Varner. My hiker friends Arizona and Bruise have offered pointers too. So much love.
I’m learning what I need and don’t need as I go. I traded my heavier stove for a lighter one. Yeah, I know, hardcore thru-hikers don’t even bother with a stove. They cold soak their dehydrated meals. I’m not there yet. I like some warm food in my belly at the end of the day, it’s something to look forward to.
I cut out labels and sawed my toothbrush in half to save weight. Sent back some clothes that weren’t right and bought some more appropriate. (Like I traded my silk long johns, not warm enough, for some real merino wool ones.)
Got rid of my brain. Go ahead, laugh, but it was heavy. That’s the top pocket of my pack stuffed with too much stuff.
Eliminated some toiletries, put some in smaller, lighter containers. In all, I got rid of probably about six pounds of stuff I don’t need.
But I just won’t get rid of my thermos. It’s light, as thermoses go, but not ultra light. So far on this trail, I’ve been cold and I want hot chocolate with my lunch.
I’ve been cold and wet, sad and happy, energetic and tired.
This trail is amazing and I am happy.
And I’m still learning to let go. A year ago, I got rid of nearly all my worldly possessions so I could travel light. But this is a different sort of light.
“Your carrying your fears,” Melody had said. Hmm. Is that it? That didn’t quite resonate at first.
“No I’m not,” I thought, but did not say out loud. I grew up hiking the desert where you have to carry extra, right? Extra bandana, extra water (eight pounds a gallon) extra food (just in case!) and clothes and moleskin and duct tape.
Actually, no, Hiker, you don’t. Carry only what you need.
