Freedom and Solitude: “The Secret Worlds of Colin Fletcher”
There is a certain amount of synergy between my hikes in the Appalachian Mountains and boating on the Chesapeake Bay. Once I find a somewhat secluded cove, drop the anchor, and cut off the engine, I am left with a silence broken only by the sounds of birds and the waves upon the hull, much like the silence found on a breezy mountain summit. The advantage of boating over hiking is that I can bring along books about hiking to read while anchored in the silence. This last outing across the Chesapeake Bay, I brought along Colin Fletcher’s book of essays, “The Secret Worlds of Colin Fletcher.”
Colin Fletcher hiked and wrote long before Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods,” and Cheryl Strayed’s “Wild.” But we do not hear much about Fletcher’s work anymore within mainstream hiking, backpacking, and trekking media. Before and immediately after his death in 2007, Fletcher had been called the “father of modern backpacking,” the result of two books he wrote about solo long-distance treks in the late 1960s along the eastern length of California and a considerable section of the Grand Canyon. In 1968, He followed his earlier books with a backpacking how-to guide, “The Complete Walker,” which often has been called the “backpacker’s bible.” I read the second edition of “The Complete Walker” as a teenager in the mid-1970s. Like many others, this was the book that inspired me to go into the mountains with a backpack. Fletcher likely has been left out of current hiking and backpacking discussions because much of his writings, especially about backpacking gear and trailcraft, are a bit dated. However, his underpinning philosophy of environmentalism and spiritualism centered on the natural world still resonate with hikers and long-distance backpackers. More than the “father of modern backpacking,” Fletcher now should be considered a sage of modern hiking and long-distance backpacking culture.
I have been giving a great deal of thought lately to the values of hiking and long-distance culture. Fletcher’s essays captured a few of the key values central to this culture, particularly Freedom and Solitude. Fletcher’s goal in hiking, or walking as he called his outings, was to cross an imaginary boundary between the chaotic modern world into a peaceful natural world. Once a hiker crosses that boundary they enter a world of Freedom, a core value of hiking and long-distance backpacking culture. Fletcher described this sense of Freedom as a “world in which I would know that the hours and days ahead lay safely in no one else’s hands but my own.” Freedom for Fletcher also meant that the number of days spent in the wilderness or the number of miles hiked were irrelevant. Hiking from point A to point B was simply an excuse to be in the wilderness. What really mattered to Fletcher was seeing the world in a different light and in its natural silence. Freedom in the wilderness opens up the hiker’s mind to become more aware of their natural environment, their place in the environment, and of their internal being. Silence in the wilderness, not the lack of noise, but rather the natural silence of the forest, opens up the hiker’s mind to introspection.
For Fletcher, silence was best experienced in Solitude, another core value of hiking and long-distance backpacking. As a solitudinarian myself, I couldn’t agree more. Even if you are hiking with a partner or a trail family, finding moments of solitude in the wilderness to truly listen to the silence can be very rewarding. There is an existing body of research that suggests solitude and silence in the wilderness is therapeutic. Using solitude for reflection, meditation, or just appreciation of the silence, is very beneficial for self-growth. While Fletcher is best known for his long-distance solo treks, he wrote that the benefits of solitude can even be found on hikes of less than a day’s length. Simply walking free, in silence, Fletcher described the wonder of the natural environment, from a wide sky to a rolling green landscape; from a clump of daisies to hovering grasshoppers; all around “sky and green grass, space and silence – and the wind.” Freedom and solitude are just two of the core values of hiking and long-distance backpacking culture. However, as you read passages like this from “The Secret Worlds of Colin Fletcher” you might realize that these are perhaps more than central values of hiking and long-distance backpacking culture. They may become why you hike or go on long-distance backpacking treks in the first place, and ultimately, become the central purpose why you go into the wilderness.
Money for Nothing: Social Media
“Now look at them yo-yos, that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain’t workin’, that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free.” Dire Straits
Social Media. I enjoy using the included Camera app on my smartphone for taking photos of both the micro flora and fauna I find on trail and the macro landscapes and vistas. Obviously, I use a lot of those photos for Instagram! For section hikes, I might post one or two stories from the trail, but clearly, posting to social media uses power somewhat unnecessarily. On day hikes, however, I will frequently post stories. For both section hikes and day hikes, I wait until I get back home (usually with a cold beer) to post threads with photos and details of my hikes. I also blog my section hikes for The Trek, “Quiet Man, Author at The Trek”. During my last section hike, I found that blogging from the trail is quite time consuming and even more power consuming. For thru hikers this has to be a constant challenge. I would think waiting for zero days would be the most economical in terms of time and power. This is exactly what I will do for my section hikes going forward; waiting until I get back home and use my down time between section hikes to update the blog and my own website.
My only Entertainment app: Pandora. There is a good deal of personal preference involved in this list. I personally do not need a lot of digital entertainment on trail. I do not watch much television nor stream movies at home; so, I have no need for these on trail. I do not like audio books and have not gotten hooked on any podcasts. Music is another situation altogether. I am constantly listening to music. I evolved from a 45rpm record only turntable (played one at a time) to classic vinyl album direct-drive turntable to cassette tape recorder to the boom box to the Sony Walkman to the Sony Discman to the Apple iPod. Streaming music services are simply awesome. Which music app you choose is completely dependent upon your own circumstances. I use Pandora because they have a decent yearly subscription price for veterans. On Pandora, I have an Appalachian Trail playlist comprising over 400 songs. However, I will only listen to music in camp because this is one area where power management and energy conservation comes immediately into play (pun intended). I love music, but on trail it is not a priority over communication, navigation, or weather info.
“Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”*
“Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks
And I learned much from both of their styles.” Son of a Son of a Sailor, Jimmy Buffett
Information is a catch-all category and open to personal preference. My most used apps for information are iNaturalist (flora and fauna) and Merlin (birds). I really enjoy learning about the various plants and wildlife I encounter on the trail. Birds are always difficult to photograph; so, using their songs to identify them on Merlin is interesting. I also keep Google shortcuts for The Trek and for Outside+ on my hiking home screen, but rarely read these websites from the trail. There is no substitute for actual first aid or CPR training/certification. I have always wanted to complete the NOLS Wilderness First Aid course, but haven’t yet found the opportunity. The Red Cross’s First Aid app works offline and is a useful guide for almost all situations. There is also a GPS-based Hospital Locator within the app, but this requires either WIFI or mobile data.
(*brainyquote.com)
Planning for the Future
“One hundred years from this time
Would anybody change their minds
And find out one thing or two about life?” The Byrds
“Planning” hikes and treks with smartphone apps is quite easy. The FarOut app and the PDF file of the AT Guide also apply to planning hikes on the AT, both for thru hikers and section hikers. While I use a Gaia GPS subscription for navigating and recording my day hikes, I prefer the free version of AllTrails for researching potential day hikes. AllTrails search function, maps, reviews, photos, and ability to save favorite hikes all give a comprehensive overview of hiking trails. AllTrails is nationwide; but many local trail organizations have their own similar app. We are planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest in September; so, right now, I have the trails app from the Washington Trails Association on my phone. I also rely on the National Park Service app for planning hikes and trail alerts in national parks. Many national parks now require day-use or backcountry permits for hiking and backpacking; therefore, Recreation.gov app is helpful for making those reservations. Weather is a particularly important planning factor, both before the trailhead and while on the trail. I use the Weather.com app for my weather forecasts; I find this app to be the most consistent and accurate available. I also use RadarX weather app. I use this app a lot on my boat for tracking storms and found that it also is useful over land. The radar tracks of storms are extremely accurate to within less than a mile. Unfortunately, both these apps require either WIFI or mobile data.
You can call me any day or night
“Call me (call me) on the line
Call me, call me any, anytime
Call me (call me) I’ll arrive
You can call me any day or night
Call me” Blondie
Part 2 – Communication / 5 in a series about smartphone apps for hiking and backpacking.
I believe Communication is the number one priority for carrying a smartphone while hiking or backpacking. Of course, if you have been using a smartphone for any amount of time, you have both a phone call and a text messaging app already installed. A useful reminder here is to make sure you have all the relevant contact numbers up to date. If you know you will be staying at a particular hostel or motel, add their local phone numbers to your contacts. Are you sending a resupply box someplace or using a particular shuttle driver; add their local phone number to your contacts. The point is you will use less power if you do not have to use mobile data on trail to find a number you know ahead of time you might need. Of course, this all presumes you have mobile service. I also carry a Garmin inReach Mini, primarily as a SOS device and backup satellite communications with my wife when I do not have mobile service. The Garmin specific Earthmate app connects my inReach by Bluetooth to my smartphone and makes messaging easier than using the inReach’s internal T9 style interface. I also recommend updating your Emergency Contacts, Address, and Medical Info in your phone’s settings; this will be available on your lock screen for first responders in an emergency when you may not be responsive. A popular messaging app that works over Wi-Fi, as well as internationally for free, is WhatsApp. I keep WhatsApp on my phone, along with the included phone and messaging communications apps. And of course, email; I am a Gmail user, easy and reliable. Communications apps are essential and you should maintain sufficient power in your smartphone to send out messages when it truly matters. I recently upgraded my power bank to a Nitecore NB10000 Gen II Ultra-Slim Power Bank, 10000mAh, at 5.3 oz.
Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
“These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes
Nothing remains quite the same
Through all of the islands and all of the highlands
If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane” Jimmy Buffett
Part 1 – Navigation / 5 in a series about smartphone apps for hiking and backpacking.
Mobile phones and associated apps are ubiquitous among hikers and backpackers, regardless of the user’s generation. Truly, I think the number of serious hikers that do not use smartphone apps during their treks is extremely small. Old-school hikers, bushcrafters, and survivalists likely would disagree. I admit, it is a rewarding experience sometimes to be able to do things the old-fashioned way and off-the-grid. But frankly, I believe it’s unwise to not take advantage of existing technology to enhance your outdoor experience according to your own needs and desires, as well as to keep yourself safe during your outdoor adventures. I am an old artilleryman who learned to manually compute gunnery data with a slide rule and a tabular book of ballistic factors, topographic map reading, land navigation with a compass and terrain association, sometimes while riding in a tracked armored vehicle at high-speed over desert dunes. But I haven’t carried a topographic map nor a lensatic compass in my rucksack since 1998. I use, and rely upon, several smartphone apps, including GPS-enhanced apps, while both day hiking and section hiking on the Appalachian Trail. So, the essential question is not do you use apps for hiking and backpacking, but rather, what hiking apps can you not live without installed on your mobile phone? Starting from that assumption, Danielle Krolewicz wrote an informative article in February 2024 for The Trek, “13 Useful Smartphone Apps for Your Next Thru-Hike”. Obviously, there is a good deal of personal preference involved in deciding which smartphone apps are truly essential. Danielle’s categories help focus the discussion. I have reordered the categories into what I see as priorities (need versus want) because we must consider power management and energy conservation when it comes to our smartphone and any other electronic devices we may have in our pack.
A “must have” category is Navigation. I do not carry paper maps while section hiking; they are outdated and if you truly do not know what you are doing, useless. For thru hikers and section hikers of long trails, FarOut is the standard. Yes, you must pay for access; but the cost is more than worth the amount of information available. FarOut works off your phone’s GPS and does not need mobile service; plus you can download maps for offline use. For section hiking the AT, I also use AWOL’s AT Guide downloaded as a PDF file directly to my smartphone’s memory. Earthmate is an app that synchs with my Garmin inReach Mini to aid navigation. The app makes it easier to input navigation aids like waypoints and routes rather than the T9 type interface on the inReach. For day hiking, I use Gaia GPS, mainly because I like to record my track for each day hike. There is a free and subscription version of Gaia GPS; the paid version lets you download map sections. I frequently download trail maps as PDF files available from national, state or local parks websites. I also admit to sometimes picking up paper copies from trailheads when available. Google Maps also is worth a mention despite recent news stories about people getting into trouble using Google Maps as their hiking navigation. Google Maps is useful primarily because it provides information about businesses close to the trail and navigating in trail towns. I also send screenshots of Google Maps for location to my wife because this is a map source she can use and understand.
Hiking Philosophy and Goal Setting
There are as many hiking philosophies as there are hikers. Nevertheless, the best advice for anyone about how to hike continues to be: Hike your own hike. This expression is widely used within the hiking community, especially on long distance trails like the Appalachian Trail. However, HYOH does not mean one can do whatever they want regardless of others on the trail. It is irresponsible to put one’s personal desires above others who may be negatively impacted by those actions. This is the core of Hike Your Own Hike. In a 2015 article for The Trek, “When Hike Your Own Hike (HYOH) Does NOT Apply [Part 1]”, Kenny Howell defined the core principle of HYOH: “Every hiker is entitled to hike their own hike up to the point that it begins to negatively impact the experience of another hiker.” Essentially, you should find what works for you on the trail and don’t try to tell other hikers how to do it better, faster, cheaper, lighter, or define what makes your hike successful. By setting goals for your hike, you are able to make your hike your own.
Bridging the Gap from Why to How
So, how do you go about hiking your own hike? While it might be tempting to let serendipity work its magic, chaos is just as likely to leave its mark on your journey. Perhaps even worse, you end up imitating someone else’s hike rather than having your own unique experience. A more mindful and intentional approach will result in a more personal, rewarding and lasting experience. By setting specific goals, you give yourself the motivation necessary to accomplish things you may have thought not possible. Specific goals are simply a tool to help motivate and move us along a chosen path to achieve our “why” or our purpose for hiking. Specific goals allow you to hike your own hike and not be side-tracked by what others are doing or what they may think of your experience. Specific goal setting bridges the gap between the philosophical “why” and the practical “how.”
SMART Goals for Hiking
It would be easy to simply say my goal is to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. That is a good start, but this is just an idea, maybe even a dream. And it could be a recipe for disappointment at best, disaster at worst. To make the dream a reality; to ensure it is an enjoyable and safe experience, you must shape it into specific goals with clear steps toward achievement of the dream. You need to plan the adventure mindfully and intentionally. I use the concept of SMART goals. The concept of SMART goals comes from the management and business world; however, the concept easily applies to any endeavor, including planning a long distance hike.
S = Specific. The goal must be specific. Instead of simply saying I want to go backpacking, think about why you are hiking. Are you going on the adventure for a physical challenge? For solitude? Doing this helps define the type of trail you should choose, what equipment you will need, and what skills you will need to learn for that particular trail. Then pick a specific trail as your goal.
M = Measurable. This is easier to define in terms of numbers. How far do you want to hike each day? How far do you want to hike for the entire trip and how long do you want to take to complete the section or entire trail?
A = Attainable. Goals need to stretch us a bit, but not be so far outside your level of experience that they are unrealistic. Goals need to be attainable given your current level of experience, the skills we will need to learn, and the time we can devote to preparation. You also need to ask if you have the equipment necessary for the goal. It just may be smarter to start with an easy goal like a day hike and work your way up to a long distance hike as a future goal.
R = Relevant. Why are you hiking? Do you want to see wildlife? Do you want sweeping vistas? Do you want to observe interesting plants? Do you want to challenge yourself physically or have a less strenuous hike?
T = Time-bound. Write a target date on your calendar. It is good to know what goal you are working toward, but also be flexible about when it can be achieved. Setting a time target does not have to conflict with flexibility. Deadlines create a sense of urgency to prepare in a timely manner and not be side-tracked. But we should be flexible when things out of our control, like weather or unexpected commitments, delay execution. Push the date further out, but keep your eye on the goal.
No Plan is Perfect
Many might argue that this is over-planning or over-thinking. They have a point. Some pithy maxims from my experience as a strategist in the military are worth sharing. Hope is not a plan and you have no hope without a plan. Starting with a workable 80 percent solution is better than working toward an impossible 100 percent solution. Preparation prevents piss-poor performance. And perhaps, the best, no plan survives enemy contact; so, be ready with contingencies. In the end, they are your goals and your hike, change and adapting are part of the experience. Nothing is written in stone. The AT changes distance every year. Even the sign on Katahdin is made of wood.
*SMART Goals for Hiking: Image by storyset on Freepik. **No Plan is Perfect: Photo by Jake Kowalsi via Friends of Kathadin.
Hiking Philosophy: Keep Hiking
Keep hiking; one step at a time. There is no right or wrong hiking philosophy. One’s own personal hiking philosophy is simply who we are and why we hike. Comparing your personal hiking philosophy to someone else’s style is apples to oranges. Some people hike for vistas, some for accomplishment, some for camaraderie, some for solitude, some to appreciate nature, and some just for the physical effort itself. I hike for all of those reasons. I can experience all of these during a short walk in the woods or on a day hike. Intensity and clarity increase the longer I stay on-trail, like an overnight backpacking trip or an extended section hike over several days. The more you hike, the more you discover your own reasons for hiking. Shaping your hiking philosophy will likely be a work in progress. Goals change, new goals emerge, goals are achieved. It is not always necessary to articulate one’s personal hiking philosophy. However, if you hike a lot or have something like completing a long distance trail as a goal, it is worthwhile to think intentionally about why we hike.
My Goal – Complete the Appalachian Trail
I first learned about the concept of long-distance backpacking as a teenager in 1974 or 1975 after reading Colin Fletcher’s formative book, “The New Complete Walker.” While Fletcher’s book planted the desire to hike a long-distance trail, it was not until 2005 that an Appalachian Trail hike became an actual, albeit far-distant, goal in my mind for the first time. Retired from the Army in 2012 and settled back in the United States in our forever home on the Chesapeake Bay, the idea of hiking the Appalachian Trail in its entirety moved from an idea buried in my consciousness to my daily thoughts. Of course, 50 years after Colin Fletcher’s “New Complete Walker,” we have the internet to guide potential AT hikers instead of one seminal book. The blogs and trail journals of past and present thru and section hikers are invaluable both as planning tools and as inspiration to somehow make the idea a reality. And there is YouTube to live vicariously through those hikers that have documented their hikes through video. I started reading thru hiker trail journals, watching videos, and researching the AT online. I did not know when, how, or even understand yet why, but I knew I wanted to complete the Appalachian Trail. In 2019, I started piecing together the trail a few small chunks at a time, and have completed a little more than 200 miles from the southern end of Shenandoah National Park, VA to Boiling Springs, PA. I am an AT section hiker.
Hiking is Therapy
For me, like many others I am sure, hiking is therapy. Physical activity, mental focus, and sense of accomplishment are all positive influences on mental health. Journaling also is well-regarded for its positive influence on mental health. Journaling on this website and blogging my AT section hike for The Trek are my way of thinking intentionally about why I hike. And ultimately finding release from stress and achieving peace of mind.