Only five more miles to Etna which sounded like a <2h task for the morning. But we hit snow again which slowed us down. Kicking steps and waiting until everybody made it through took time… The last days had been full of tension and minor conflicts anyways. The different speed, break rhythms, mileage goals for the day have created friction. I sensed it on myself. I became a bit grumpy and some reactions and replies just mirrored that I wasn’t fully happy and balanced. I thought about it a lot the last days. I had spent most of my time on my own the last 1.5 years – or only together with others for a limited time. I had made peace with myself and managed to be completely content on my own. Maybe I had a hard time compromising and giving it up for the sake of a group?
But definitely a huge factor is also that hiking for me has many dimensions. Besides the feeling of freedom, independence and the beauty of my surroundings it is also about the physical challenge. The times when I got into the state of a “flow” has always been hiking on the edge of my capabilities – mostly uphill and as fast as I could go. That’s most likely a great portion of my addiction for hiking. And so far I only had very few moments on the trail. Mostly because I have hiked with others and adjusted to their speed – almost always slower than mine. I guess the benchmark for the amount and intensity for the state of “flow” is extremely high after New Zealand and hiking on my own for such a long time. I guess I have to find out for myself during the next days how I want to hike this hike. As they always say here – “Hike your own hike!”. Or how I would say it #dowhatmakegood
We hiked through a beautiful sunrise though. No matter what the whole mental challenge is currently doing the pure beauty of hiking and being outdoors doesn’t change. It is what it is – incredible… 😍
The mountains are full of lakes – everywhere. And due to the massive amount of snow they are filled to the top. Next to many swimming opportunities it’s also a pleasure to look at them…
Last snow fields to cross and then we waited to catch a ride into Etna.
We washed our clothes and ourselves in Etna, had a lot of food and resupplied for the next days. A few beers in the brewery and back on the trail. Kaylee and I hiked until 10pm to find a spot to pitch the tent. In the dense forest with almost no moon light a dark task…
