Lessons from the Appalachian Trail
Jenna Barlage and NCHC Partners in the Parks Appalachian Trail Participants, 2024
Jenna Barlage, Eastern Kentucky University
When I applied for the Partners in the Parks Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, I knew it would be a fun outdoor adventure that would challenge me to learn new skills and push myself physically. What I did not know was that through this program I would also gain community, peace of mind, and confidence in myself.
The community built on this trip start right away when I stepped off the plane and was greeted by other students a buzz with life and excitement about the week ahead. On the first night Dr.McIntyre, our trip leader, gathered us to cook a delicious meal together. This bonded the group and made me feel welcomed and at home. While on the trail I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly the other hikers were.
Every day was a chance to have conversations with individuals from all over the states and even other countries. Individuals that I would never have met otherwise bonded together by the Appalachian Trail. The other hikers brought encouragements, funny stories, and tales of their lives outside of the trail. The time spent walking was filled with deep conversations and sounds of the forest. The night spent at Len Foote Hike Inn was truly special. I will never forget watching fireflies with my newfound friends and sharing the sunrise with strangers. The people truly make the trail so special and keep the AT as pristine as it is. Through this trip I learned how important volunteer groups are in protecting and maintaining the trail. The trail crosses state borders, connects people to one another, and means so much to so many. It was truly a gift to share in the community that the trail creates.
A key factor that forges the incredible AT community together is the love of the outdoors. Since this trip was spent backpacking, wifi was not always available. This allowed me to take a serious break from my phone, something I do not do often, to fully be engaged in our activities. The lack of phones on the trip, while at first strange, quickly became one of my favorite aspects of our time together. Getting offline allowed me to soak up the company, wildlife, sights, and sounds of the AT. I left my old life behind and truly embraced the outdoors, watching sunrises and sunsets, spotting different flowers or fungi, and making friends with the inchworms on Springer Mountain. Unplugging from the crazy of everyday life to take in the fresh air and just be for a week was truly a gift.
In the end, the biggest gift the Partners in the Parks program left me with was belief in myself and my outdoor survival skills. Everyday I learned new insights into outdoor living and overcame new challenges that fortified my confidence. Skills like packing a backpack properly, cooking in the woods, hanging bear bags, and filtering water in streams will all come in handy in my future outdoor pursuits. Learning about the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the seven leave no trace principles gave me the knowledge it takes to be a respectful caretaker of outdoor spaces when I put my newfound skills to use.
In conclusion, the Partners in the Parks program taught me invaluable lessons that I will carry with me in my future endeavors. The Appalachian Trail is a crash course in perseverance, building community, and appreciating beauty that I was blessed to walk upon.
