Quantcast
Channel: The CBI Group » hiking
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

What’s in a Name, Anyway?

0
0

This past weekend I pursued my favorite pastime and went backpacking in the Highlands of southwest Virginia. That 50 lb. pack never seems to feel normal but backpacking is a wonderful hobby where time seems to move slowly. During this trip we hiked a loop trail that happened to cover the Appalachian Trail. We have all heard of the AT — some of us even have walked it. Even fewer though, less than a few thousand, have ever walked its entire length of over 2,450 miles!
 
Those that are out on the trail, called “thru hikers,” have their own sub culture. It is not uncommon to strike up a long conversation on the trail or to have a stranger share their last granola bar with you when you stop for a break. The culture is free and easy.
 
The most interesting part of the hiking culture for me are trail names. Trail name, you say? Hikers either adopt a name for themselves while out on a trail (my preference) or someone names you based on an event that happens to you or sometimes because of a shared life story. We met “Four Bears”, a wonderful 78 year old man who had been hiking on his own for the last 6 weeks — his goal was to see all of his favorite spots on the trail just one more time. We met “Biscuit” who was two months in to his goal of walking from Springer Mountain, Georgia all of the way to Maine. He was 500 miles in and he had already lost 25 pounds on his sojourn, proud and aware of how hard it was going to be to walk in the woods for three to four more months. My buddies have trail names like Diesel, Duke and newly minted Trillium, for his love of flowers and fauna.
 
I have been named Chingachgook, a guide from Last of the Mohicans. He always walked out in front. Call me anxious or a little nuts but I have always felt more comfortable leading the way. In fact, my wife laughs about this at the mall or a stroll in the neighborhood, because I just can’t seem to slow down. While hiking with my family in the Tetons, my father-in-law found it so funny, that he coined the Chingachgook name. And it has stuck to this day.
 
As a entrepreneur, being ahead of the pack and visionary is a good thing. Especially if you are well grounded and can focus on the execution of your plan. Do leaders need to be out in front? We all can picture the Army captain taking the hill leading his troops that follow behind. It is what I was taught and what many expect. As a hiker? Well, perhaps there is value in slowing down to see the world around you.
 


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 2

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images