How One High Sierra Trip Turned Into Permanent Nomadic Travel

Getting outdoors often makes all the difference, and a long expedition can go a long way to transforming your life.

This is a preview of a member exclusive premium article.

All it took was one long distance hike through the High Sierras to change the course of my life forever. I went from climbing the corporate ladder, to climbing through the Sierras, to traveling the world indefinitely. My preconceived ideas about what life was about were challenged in a very big way.

Every story has a beginning, and mine was on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

As I sat digging my toes into the sandy beaches, I turned to my friend and exclaimed, "There's more out there that I want to experience. I want to sail around the world, I want to through-hike the AT. There's just more out there for me to do."

My friend, a little perplexed, stared at me with wonder. He had known me my entire life and knew that this wasn't that path that I was on.

ARTICLE OUTLINE

Introduction
Let the change begin
Author Bio

# WORDS: 1370
# PHOTOS: 10

--- End of free preview ---

Member Exclusive

A Premium or Unlimited Membership* is required to view the rest of this article.

Membership Login

* A Basic Membership is required to view Member Q&A events

This topic is empty.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

Author

Posts
Jul 8, 2014 at 4:25 pm #1318733

Stephanie Jordan
Spectator

@maia
Locale: Rocky Mountains

Companion forum thread to:

How One High Sierra Trip Turned Into Permanent Nomadic Travel

Jul 9, 2014 at 2:38 pm #2118528

billy weinman
Spectator

@bubbyman
Locale: Manzano Mtns

Liked the fact that you didn't wax too wordy in describing such a sea change in your life.

Probably a lot of us who hike and backpack have a gnawing anxiety hidden deep that whispers we may follow your path. That we may head out one day and never find our way back to where we started.

Indeed, one might say that is a truth. You can never go home again, amigo!

Keep trucking.

Jul 12, 2014 at 4:28 am #2119132

todd
BPL Member

@funnymo
Locale: SE USA

Thanks for the writeup of your Journey.

I am glad that, while you are wandering, you have your wife to share it with. Sounds nice.

Jul 12, 2014 at 4:56 am #2119134

Ken Thompson
BPL Member

@here
Locale: Right there

Is 3 years permanent? Nice that this is working for you now. How do you plan to make this sustainable?

Oh, Brock's not a member so can't post.

Jul 12, 2014 at 11:19 am #2119193

HkNewman
BPL Member

@hknewman
Locale: The West is (still) the Best

Great story and would love to do something like this May thru Sept, maybe October in a normal ,non-drought year …. but begs the question about reintegrating back into the wonderful world of work and the accompanying great industrial cafeteria food.

Think I could go for semi-permanent nomad at this point…hmmmm

ed:add
Author

Posts

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

Become a Backpacking Light Member

Forum Access

Unrestricted access to all forums, plus the ability to post and start new threads.

Premium Content

Unrestricted access to all 2,300+ articles, gear reviews, skills, stories, and more.

Community Posts

Post new content to the community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more!

Online Education

Get unlimited access to all our online education (*Unlimited membership required).

Pack less. Be more. Become a member today!