What If I’m Not a Thru-Hiker?
This blogpost originally appeared on The Trek, which you can read here.
As the trail jitters are becoming more and more real — simultaneously with our start date on the PCT getting closer — this other little thing has started bubbling inside me. A fear. To be honest, a fairly unwanted one. One big, terrifying question, keeps arising now and then.
What if I’m not meant to be a thru-hiker?
It’s like a little annoying creature in the corner of my mind trying to freak me out a bit. As if trying to grasp the idea of thru-hiking 2.650 miles isn’t overwhelming enough in itself. The strenuous endeavour it’ll be to overcome everything the trail is gonna throw at us during the 4-5 month period. As well as all the preparations before and whatever comes after.
Every cell in my body is buzzing just thinking about it. It’s gonna be so awesome to finally get out there. Finally our turn to hike this amazing trail has come. We’ve been dreaming of this moment for years! But again this fear pops up almost without me noticing it coming — what if I don’t like thru-hiking?
Me (Ditte) standing in front of Schäfler Ridge, Switzerland
What if I don’t like being totally covered in mud, dust, sweat for days in a row? So stinky and sticky is barely bearable to be? And nowhere to wash or clean myself even a little bit until next town?
What if I don’t like having to pitch my tent at a new place every single day for months to come? Blowing up my sleeping pad while lacking energy to even keep my eyes open? Packing everything out, only to pack it away once again the following morning — and repeat?
What if I’m not strong enough? Will my shoulders give up before my ankles or hips do? Or will I simply never be able to get those trail-legs everyone talks about? Can I keep up with Benjamin, or whomever our trail family will be?
What if I can’t force myself to eat shitty food for months? If I can’t persuade myself to get those darn ramen noodles down once again? That all too gluey cold soaked oat or mashed potatoes? Will I be able to provide for myself? Get enough nutrients?
What if I can’t figure out how to navigate? Won’t fit in among fellow hikers? Struggle to keep my mood up?
But the most important, or terrifying question, what if I don’t like hiking 2.650 miles over the span of 4-5 months? If I simply won’t enjoy trail life and being hiker trash while attempting my first thru-hike?
Trekking Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route
What if I like the dream more than the reality?
Whenever the creature tries to spook me out, I pause. Remind myself that questions and fears like these are exactly one of the reasons why I started dreaming of thru-hiking the PCT in the first place. I want to throw myself out of the comfort-zone, be challenged, uncomfortable — I want to grow. As a friend of mine who hiked the AT once said:
“I have one big advice for you: EMBRACE THE SUCK!”
I want to embrace the suck, and have the best time on the trail while doing so. Laugh at it. Yell. Cry. Smile. Be happy. Mad. Afraid. Curious. Grateful. I know I’m meant to be a thru-hiker cuz I want to be one. Even on days that’ll suck.
PCT I’m ready for ya’ & everything you have in store for us in the 2026 season!
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Hi there! We are Ditte & Benjamin, a couple going for our dream. We have said goodbye to our known life in Denmark, and hello to an unknown life abroad.
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