Comments on: After The Trail – Post Trail Re-adjustment

By: After the Trail: Post-Hike Depression - FarOut

After the Trail: Post-Hike Depression - FarOut — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 22:03:19 +0000

[…] This post by Paul “PMags” Magnanti is a little over 8 years old. PMags recounts the very personal story of his difficult post-Appalachian Trail experience, and his choice to go against the grain of others’ expectations. He also discusses his post-PCT and CDT experiences. PMags is an IT professional and continues to make hiking a central part of his life today. […]

By: After the Trail: Post-Hike Depression - Atlas Guides Blog

After the Trail: Post-Hike Depression - Atlas Guides Blog — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:36:41 +0000

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:27:54 +0000

In reply to Kathy "K-Fox" Finch. The journey after the trail is often the hardest indeed.

By: Kathy "K-Fox" Finch

Kathy "K-Fox" Finch — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 21:53:46 +0000

Mags, thank you. It’s what I needed right now.

By: Nick Gann

Nick Gann — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 23:36:51 +0000

Simply amazing read! Felt this way when I came back from backpacking Europe. I start the AT next year. Similar to you my (now ex-fiance as of a few weeks ago) said that she couldn’t stand to see me settling into the BS life I was, and that she understands why we can’t be together because the outdoors is a lifestyle for me too.

You’re Awesome!

By: Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn

Susan "Backpack45" Alcorn — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:13:12 +0000

Hi Paul,
Followed your link from the PCT posting today. I come from a somewhat different perspective — I’m almost 70 (happens in a week), didn’t start backpacking until I was 48, have not done a thru-hike.

What I do share with you is that I have done some major hiking (compared to the general public, and certainly compared to my friends and family. (Section hiked the entire PCT and close to two thousand miles of trails in Europe, etc.)

What I also share with you is the question of how to find balance. Although I have done many of the conventional things — married, family, work, home, etc., I always go through a depressed period after a major hike. And I thoroughly agree with you that returning to “normal” life does force us into dramatic changes — because of the reduction in physical activity (which affects our hormonal levels), because of the drop in serotonin level, and because of the “demands” of life back home.

I think (I hope) that I am getting better at making the shifts as I figure out the why, but at times I think the hiking is both a curse and a crucial part of my life. Still I wouldn’t want to have missed out on the hiking even with the ups and downs (no pun intended) that seem to be associated with it — I think for most of us, it’s part of the price of living an authentic life.

At this point in my life, I look back and see that my life has been a series of chapters. I happen to (mostly) love the one I’m in, which has lots of hiking in it. At the same time, I also recognize that my continued hiking is not a given, so I think that the question of how to balance one’s life is part of a thinking person’s journey.

Happy trails!

By: Shelly

Shelly — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:54:31 +0000

Thanks for telling such heartfelt story. One never knows how our choices will change the direction of our lives but one thing I know, no decision is final. If and when you feel the urge to settle, you will. Many people go for decades before they get the urge to anchor themselves in one place and you have plenty of decades left. Nearing 60 myself I am aware that, especially for men, having a family with children can happen at any age… no need to rush it. Also, if I may be so bold, you could reframe your understanding of ‘family’. For myself my friends are my chosen family and frankly, more comfortable for me to be with than my biological family. Sorry to go on here, I just wanted to encourage you to be kind to yourself and know that there is no such thing as the right way to live and no one has the right to dictate to you what the correct choices will be. Shelly