The night before the trail

Every year, as I look down on my backpack, checking zippers, counting meals, debating the number of socks…I feel it creeping in. That familiar mix of emotions: excitement, nerves, anticipation. And I know I’m not alone.

My students are feeling it too.

This week, we’re heading out on our annual coast adventure. For many of them, it’s the first time carrying everything they need on their backs. The first time sleeping beside the ocean. The first time realizing just how heavy a backcountry pack can feel after a few kilometers.

They’re thinking about bag weight, how to rehydrate meals, whether they’ve packed too much—or not enough. And underneath it all, they’re wondering: Am I ready?

Truth is, I ask myself that question every year. Even after dozens and dozen of trips. Even after all the planning, prep, and checklists.

Because this kind of adventure invites something deeper. It humbles you. It teaches you to hold uncertainty and joy in the same breath. It reminds you that growth rarely happens when you’re comfortable.

So as we buckle our bags and prepare to head out, I remind myself and my students…that it’s okay to feel a little unsure. That’s where the learning begins. That’s where the magic lives.

Here’s to the journey ahead: the blisters, the laughs, the ocean sunrises, and the stories we’ll carry long after the trail ends.

Reflections from the Trail

• When was the last time you stepped into something that made you nervous and excited at the same time? What did you learn from it?

• What would be in your metaphorical “backpack” heading into a big adventure? What do you carry with you mentally or emotionally?

• If you could give your past self one piece of advice before heading into a big journey, what would it be?