Readjusting After A Trip

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oldranger
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by oldranger »

Maybe because last days are generally long even though mostly downhill and followed up with a long drive I usually feel lethargic for about 3 days after I get home. But then maybe it is all the "honey do's" that await me after 3 to 6 weeks away from home? Or maybe it is just because I am old? Certainly no issue with returning to civilization. It is always good to return to Bend! Beer! Wife! My own bed! hot showers! Did I mention Beer?
Mike

Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by giantbrookie »

I don't seem to notice much of a mental adjustment when I return for reasons similar to OR's comments: I thoroughly enjoy the backcountry but when my trip is over, I look forward to my return home: to family, to that shower, the good beer, and the comfy bed. The only adjustment for me is physical. A tough off trail backpacking trip is more punishing than any other athletic activity I do. I tend to take a couple of days back at sea level before I've fully recovered from "mountain lag". This is in terms of fatigue, given that some body parts may take a lot longer to fully recover (hyperextending a knee or something is an example). I don't tend to feel this "mountain lag" except after my toughest trips. A normal overnighter, or dayhike won't bring on "mountain lag". I have in fact had "mountain lag" after my more extreme stints of geologic field work, too. In contrast to this, I am not one who suffers from jet lag, even on trans oceanic flights in either direction (ie either direction across the Atlantic or Pacific oceans). I adjust my sleeping schedule on the flights according to my landing times at the destinations and I'm good to go. Returning from a tough backpacking trip is another matter. I figure on two nights of sleep where I knock off earlier than usual (to get more sleep) before I'm fully back on track.
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TehipiteTom
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by TehipiteTom »

My main readjustment ritual is processing and uploading my photos. It keeps some of the feeling alive well after the last of the dust and grime has been showered off of me.
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sekihiker
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by sekihiker »

In my late sixties and now early 70's, I have found that I don't recover physically in just one day. The adjustment to civilization, however, is instantaneous, i.e., as soon as I get in the car and start home. In fact, as a solo hiker almost all of the past 30 years, I find that meeting someone else in the wilderness after seeing no one for several days is no big thing. Encounters have involved anywhere from an exchange of one or two words to half hour or longer conversations. After parting, I might think about the meeting for a while, but it has never got in the way of enjoying the rest of the trip.

I do feel mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually refreshed after most trips. And, once I've recovered physically, I feel stronger than before I left.
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notis
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by notis »

I always find that I return to work much happier after a trip. I'm in a better mood when I come back. Even a "microadventure," or a quick overnighter, resets me. The biggest shock to me when I return, at least in California, is the traffic. People drive so fast and so rude sometimes! After we came back from a trip in Catalina, we got on the freeway near LA and I just sighed and shook my head haha. I haven't taken many trips solo--I like to be with good friends when I hike to share the experience. When I have come back from solo trips, I find I'm actually looking forward to showing my pictures and sharing stories.
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Jimr
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by Jimr »

What speaks to me is what Russ said about feeling a bit heavy. I need a couple of days to "decompress", but I tend to adjust fairly quickly. I rarely have more than a day before going back to work, if that. There is always the backlog to start prioritizing and it is always slowed a bit by the memory of what I've been up to. It often takes me a few weeks to get through shots I've taken. Just so much to catch up on.

As WD mentioned, I can smell the soap as I get within half a day's hike back to the trailhead. That is pretty interesting. I know I'm getting close, not only because people I pass look "pretty", but I can smell the soap. Years ago, a Viet Nam veteran I worked with daily when I dug holes for a living told me the Viet Kong could ferret out American troops because they could smell the soap. I was never quite sure whether or not he was bullsh!tting me. Now I know. On a side note, what annoys me most is on the last day powering to the trailhead, no matter how fast I'm walking, the TH seems to be traveling about a 1/2 mph away faster than me. I never seem to remember it being so far away. I blame it on burger and beer syndrome.

The traffic doesn't bother me much. Living in L. A., I'm surprised if it isn't there. It's always there when I'm within 10 miles of home. Such is life in the big city. I guess, all in all, it takes about a day to acclimate to the grind. Now, if I could get my pack unpacked and put away within 2 weeks, that would be an accomplishment.
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rayfound
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by rayfound »

I just hate dealing with the work issues that pileup and go unaddressed in my absence. I'm never gone long.
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by rlown »

delegate.. I know it might not get done, but delegate..

Never really had a bad trip in the Sierra, other than the ankle things. Worth every second out there.
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balzaccom
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by balzaccom »

Showers and pizza always feel good. And I notice the next day on my bike at sea level I have plenty of air to breathe...

And yes, posting photos helps me keep the joy of the trip alive, too.

In fact, sometimes when I need it, I take a trip via one of our old photo logs. It settles my mind nicely, but doesn't do a da*n thing for my biking...grin
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gardel va
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Re: Readjusting After A Trip

Post by gardel va »

It seems like I don't get out on the trail as often as many of you -- my job and family obligations generally limit me to around ten days a year. I find that as I build up months without a trip, I feel myself more and more overwhelmed with the cares of work and home. Then I go out on the trail and get to put all that behind (ideally to a location out of cellphone range) and focus only on the scenery, making my miles, and setting up camp. When I get back, my body is certainly shot to hell for a day or two, but I find that I bring a new clarity and focus to everything else.
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