Leprechauns Unplugged

Renée Lemieux
May 6, 2016
3 min read

Hiking along the trail. The rays are shining down, while plants and trees are beginning to bloom. Both sides following the trail drop down to a never ending abyss. The ridgline hiking the smokies was absolutely breathtaking. Filled with challenging terrain and some of the most interesting weather. We had beautiful and sunny days 7 out of 8 days, which is unheard of, especially this time of year.

People have wondered, does a tree make a noise when it falls in the woods? It sure does. Standing inside the last shelter before leaving the smokies. The loud creeping sound had been frequently heard within an hour. Then, the loud and angry crack occurred. I looked up to see a large tree fall down. Falling, in what seemed like slow motion, came crashing down across the trail, where we had just hiked on not even two hours prior. From that moment on, any hiker who passes the trail will think nothing of a tree in the middle of the trail. For me, I will always remember the natural occurance of Mother Nature taking her course.

The past week on the AT has been filled with moments. The majority of them filled with happiness, laughter, and pure enjoyment. There have been a handful of times when I have been challenged.

My body last week went through many difficulties. While feeling low energy and off from pmsing and due to hiking hundreds of miles within one month, physically my body was SCREAMING at me, which is something that has never happened before. Hiking the summit of the bald is when the world started becoming hazy. My sense of awareness was gone. Dizziness and nausea kicked into gear. Finally, I listened to my body and took off my pack, then continued to chug a bottle of propel water (consuming electrolytes was needed).

The signs of dehydration come on fast and furious. The signs appear many hours after the body starts becoming dehydrated.

I pulled myself together, after my lovely friend Curls came to help and carry my pack. I naturally refused his offer and continued to hike the couple hundred yards to the shelter.

The storm rolled in fast. I had just enough time to set up my rain tarp before the pouring rain came in. Here is were I really began to appreciate the hammock sleeping setup. Lightning was slowly rolling. The hammock, underquilt, and remainder of my sleeping items were set up during the rain and while thunder and lightning was coming closer. I was able to put together my sleeping quarters all while staying dry. The severe thunder and rain came in, forcing me to lay in my hammock and give my body a break after the dehydration spell.

The trail has been rainy for the past week. I have been thrilled to see the rain, since without rain there would be no water source and the trees and plants wouldn’t thrive.

The following morning after the storm I looked into the sky. A beautiful rainbow was stretching across the sky. Severe weather brings such beauty once passed.

Natural storms and distasters have always brought me a feeling of wonder and curiousity. The moments where I have fallen asleep to downpours and thunder, lulling me to sleep like how a rocker soothes an infant.

My trail journey will begin to transform from an overcrowded and busy family hiking community, to a thinned out and calming journey. After trail days, which happens to fall on my birthday weekend :), the crowds will thin and I will experience the trail as I had always imagined. Me, myself, and I with nature and the white blazes.

I love the people I have met, but there sure are a lot of humans on this small trail! The community has been beautiful, yet the constant smartphone use is everywhere on trail. In my mind I remind myself : hike your own hike. Yet, I am continuously grateful of my choice of staying unplugged. Granted, the use of an ipod does keep me connected to some degree, but my trail experience has been dwindled down to the trail, my mind, conversations, and journaling. No books to distract, no music to entertain, no phone to disconnect.

My hike, my experience. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

About 50 miles to my 400 mile mark and just a week or so away from Virginia.

So stoked!

Continue to do things that make you happy. Thanks or all the support and feel free to share my blog with others.

Until next time 🙂