the emotional stages of a hike:
beginning: wow, this is great! I love hiking! why don’t I do this more often?
halfway up: why did I do this? why does ANYONE do this? I hate this. this is pointless. how am I not even close to the summit yet? no view could possibly be worth this miserable, interminable slog. I need to do more cardio.
at the summit: wow, this is great! I love hiking! this view was totally worth it! what a beautiful thing it is to be alive and on top of a mountain right now. I am perfectly at peace, breeze blowing, birds singing, nice crunchy apple and delicious salty trail mix, all is right with the world.
halfway down: why did I do this? why does anyone do this? ow my knees. :( ow my ankles. :( ow my feet. :( how am I not back down yet? I don’t remember it being this long on the way up.
home and showered: wow, hiking is great! I love hiking! that was so nice, I should do it more often. (ow my knees)










