Why did you hike the trail?

I get this question a lot with regards to both my AT and PCT thru-hikes. I've had a very hard time answering it. In a previous post I even talked about not being able to "put my finger on it". I stumbled across a quote from fellow thru-hiker, Jonathan Ley...and it certainly reflects a lot of my own thoughts on it:


"I hiked the trail because life is made of experiences, and I hope to have as many as possible.
I hiked the trail because unfulfilled dreams became regrets, and I intend to have as few as possible.
I hiked the trail to share in something unique that few have known, or will ever know.
I hiked the trail to experience beauty, to be immersed in it.
I hiked the trail to see and to better understand the country I lived in.
I hiked the trail to learn about my own limitations.
I hiked the trail to learn about how the world worked, and to better understand my place in the natural order of things.
I hiked the trail to avoid living a life that had already been played-out by countless others.
I hiked the trail to think, to dream, to imagine and to reflect, unencumbered by the distractions of modern life.
I hiked the trail to endure mental and physical hardships, and perhaps become stronger as a result.
I hiked the trail to learn what was truly important in my life, in any life.
I hiked the trail to separate my wants from my needs.
I hiked the trail to meet people, and learn from them.
I hiked the trail to live an active life rather than a passive one.
I hiked the trail to gain perspective, not only to think, but to live "outside the box"
I hiked the trail to be able to share the experience with others who either could not or did not care to do it themselves.
I hiked the trail to achieve a level of physical conditioning I'd never though possible.
I hiked the trail to experience things that could not be described with words or pictures.
I hiked the trail to live not in fear, but in wonder."


...spot on jonathan