HOW TO SURVIVE 24 HOURS TOGETHER ON THE TRAIL

One of the questions I get asked a lot is whether I prefer to hike alone or with a group or a friend and my answer is – it depends. It depends on the type of hike, whether you’re looking for an experience of a lifetime with a friend, or a solo adventure and in the end, it depends on the cost.

The first thing to think about when choosing your hiking companion is to realize that you will be spending 24 hours a day together for the duration of the hike. 24 HOURS TOGETHER. FOR REAL.
​
I’ve hiked with my sister and my mom on separate hikes and I’ve done a group hike because I wanted to go by myself but didn’t want to hike by myself, if that makes sense.

---

And that means you’ll want to get along with the person/people incredibly well – hey, if you’re on a long distance trek you likely won’t want to make it feel longer that it is!

The thing with hiking is that you can be at your rawest, most vulnerable – tired, achy, emotional, and probably not wearing any makeup (trust me on this one) – and so you want a person who can read you or at least know how to make you feel better in that moment when you think you can’t go on. I’ve been saved by a Mars bar no less – if you walk with me, always pack an extra bar – or when your feet hurt so badly that you’re seriously contemplating what life would be like without feet (again, trust me on this one).

And find someone who knows exactly what music to play to motivate you on that last five KM to the finish line. I may be tone deaf, but Carol King’s ‘Where You Lead’ and Brandi Carlile’s ‘Have You Ever’ are my fave singalong songs along with the all time classic, Wilson Phillips’ ‘Hold On’.

Now that you’ve thought about who you’d want to spend 24 HOURS TOGETHER with every day, the next thing to think about is – does this person want to do this hike as much as I do? It may sound silly but if the answer is no, then he or she is not the right person. When you’re on a mountain and the hail is falling so hard it’s not only bouncing off your waterproof jacket but it feels like little needles are stabbing your face – you need a person who wants to be there as much as you do. On those days when 20 KM starts to feel like 100 KM, you want a person who won’t want to give up. The last thing you want to hear is someone saying ‘why did I chose to do this again?’

Something else to consider is what kind of person you are – are you friendly with strangers or more comfortable with a buddy? When you travel with a friend you will meet other hikers but it’s unlikely you’ll develop any meaningful relationships with the people you meet. If you’re brave enough to hit the road on your own you’re more likely to be open to meeting new people and experience the sense of camaraderie the road offers. And, if you’re a woman traveling alone, you’ll find that other women look out for you and vice versa – we take care of our own.

I can’t say I’ve been the perfect companion but I do my best to encourage the person I’m walking with – sometimes you can feel like the coach and other time it can feel like you’re being coached. But I suppose that’s team work. In the end every trail has a message and sometimes you learn a lot about yourself when you share the road/room/bunk/bathroom/supplies with someone.
​
When faced with the decision to walk solo, with a friend, or as part of a group, it’s important to ultimately know what you want from the trek. And sometimes you don’t really know what you want until you’re well into it. I had an amazing time walking the Camino with my mom and couldn’t imagine walking it with any other person.

On the other hand, I’m proud of myself for going to Iceland by myself and walking it as part of a group – walking with a group of strangers is a whole different experience than walking with someone you know well. After spending 24 HOURS TOGETHER for five days, it felt like the end of summer camp when it was time to say goodbye. In Iceland I was taken well out of my comfort zone (whatever that means) and stretched both emotionally and tested physically, things I’m not sure I would have experienced in any other way.
​
As for cost, it’s easier on your wallet to walk with someone than solo. If you book with a tour they often charge a single supplement, which can add a substantial amount to your cost.
​
In the end my advice is to do what you think is best for you and nobody else. Whomever walks with you is the person you were meant to walk with. It sounds sappy and all ‘life lesson’ but it’s true. Take and hike and you’ll know what I mean.

---