Psychological Progression
In 2003, I took my first long distance hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. It is my nature to observe what's around me. One thing I noticed was that people changed over the course of the 5 or 6 months of the hike. I pondered and marveled over this, and to me it's one of the interesting things about Long Distance Hiking.
First Month - High Mental Stress
I noticed that many people seemed to be under a great deal of mental stress in the first month of hiking. Most people are physically stressed, of course. Even if they are in good shape, they still have to walk all day, adapt to their boots and packs, and eat a strange diet. But the mental stress sometimes seemed to be out of proportion to the physical challenge. Some people seemed to be hiking along at a reasonable enough pace, but voiced quite a bit of concern that they weren't adapting or might not make it. Others, who turned out later to be nice enough people, were very unpleasant to deal with early on.
As I think about it, I guess that almost every hiker has told all of their friends and family, and quit their jobs to undertake this half year long hike. If they quit, it would be fairly humiliating. And, they must have had some fairly strong reasons to want to do such a long hike. Many people think about these hikes for many years before doing them. So there must be a strong sense of personal failure. And they may miss their family, or spouse, etcetera. Or the family may be telling them they can't really get along with the hiker gone. And while dealing with that, physical pain from blisters, muscle aches, etcetera, may be worsening every day.
So in the first month, many people suffer from remarkable mental stress.
Second Month - Physical Stress
In the first month on the PCT, hikers cross several small mountain ranges and several hot lowlands. So physically, if they're OK after that, they're strong enough to walk to Canada. Also, most of the quitting has been done. So in the second month most people, hikers know they are physically capable, even though things might still hurt. Most of the people who have been complaining a lot have either solved their problems, or decided to just grin and bear them, or have gone home. So there's much less negative talk.
During the second month, the longest section of dry, hot land, the Mohave Desert, is crossed, and hikers walk to the highest part of the trail in the Sierra Nevada. So people are still physically hurting and strengthening. And yet, there's less complaining and worrying. People are settling into their routine on the trail, and they've made enough friends along the way to feel good socially. Many hikers feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment when they reach Kennedy Meadows, where they have finished the desert section and are starting the High Sierra section. They may have a big celebration there, or atop Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the 48 states.
In summary, they're still working hard, but they know they can make it, and they celebrate a couple of major mileposts along the trail.
Third Month - Amazement
During the third month, people walk down out of the High Sierras, and across much of northern California. The trail is less demanding than southern California and the High Sierras, and at the same time, most hikers are now fully physically adapted to trail life. I often found guys sitting on a rock at 1 or 2 o'clock in the afternoon, already finished with their daily 22 mile goal, pondering what to do next. There are many interesting things in northern California, and with the easier terrain and extra time, people really can enjoy themselves.
Fourth Month - Speed
In the fourth month, people finish California and walk across Oregon. There are few towns to spend time in, and while the scenery is beautiful, there are not a lot of uniquely interesting places to linger. (Crater Lake is an obvious exception.) The terrain is relatively easy, so many people make huge daily miles. A generally good mood is driven by the pretty scenery and big miles.
Fifth Month - Elation
In the fifth month, most hikers are sure they're going to make it to Canada. They've calculated how many extra days are in their schedule. They may cut down on daily miles to savor the end of the trip. Maybe they do some goofy things like hitchhiking 60 miles off trail for a pizza or some candy. Just because they have the time and why not? The feeling is just great.
The Last Week - Trepidation
During my last week on the PCT, I often would find myself thinking 'In only x days I won't be hiking any more. - What will I do?' It was a weird combination of disbelief, some sort of trepidation at the uncertain future, and some regret at the end of a good trip. Other hikers, too, were adjusting to the impending change in their lives.
After the Hike
Since it takes 5 or 6 months to complete a hike like this, people fully adjust to the routine, the friends, the exercise, and the daily beauty. It can be pretty tough to readjust to society. Many people love the hiking enough to return to it many more summers. Other people, used to the daily exercise and high calorie diet, but returning to a relatively sedentary lifestyle, end up months later in the worst physical condition of their live. I think that everyone ends up somewhat changed by their big hike.