I walked the West Highland Way in Scotland. I completed a hundred miles hike. So happy! It’s a huge personal achievement for me, the sense of success and triumph I felt at the end of the trail, and still do, is just wonderful. I still quite can’t believe I did it! While I enjoy the outdoors, the power of nature and the solitude of magnificent landscapes, I am not a serious hiker by any stretch. In fact, before setting off I didn’t own any hiking equipment. I borrowed what I could and bought a few items new. So what possessed me to do it, you may ask?
What Made Me Undertake A Hundred Miles Hike?
Well, I blame Reese Witherspoon, or rather Cheryl Strayed. Reese stars in the 2014 film ‘Wild’, directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. The movie is based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the Pacific Crest Trail. But it is not your typical hike-in-the-woods story. It’s a raw and honest exploration of self-discovery, resilience and the healing power of nature. I really loved the film, not only because Reese is one of my favourite actors and a smart producer who focuses on and champions other women in the industry.
I have not faced any of the life’s setbacks that Cheryl had but I really felt inspired. In fact, the movie and its message made me want to hike my own trail. A few days after I saw the film I googled ‘easy hikes in Europe’, very aware of my non-hiker status. The West Highland Way came up top, together with a hike in the Dolomites in Italy. They both looked amazing and as Scotland is easier to get to from the West of Ireland, I decided. I wanted the challenge of a hundred miles hike.
Cheryl Strayed’s Hundred Miles Hike Times Ten
If you haven’t seen the film, Cheryl, played by Reese Witherspoon, is lost, broken and desperately looking to find herself. Her world is chaotic, her marriage has crumbled and she’s grappling with the loss of her mother, beautifully portrayed by Laura Dern. When the weight of grief and mistakes becomes unbearable, Cheryl decides she needs a drastic change. To stop herself from drowning in despair, she makes the impulsive decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
Stretching from the Mexican border to Canada, this is a punishing 1,000-mile journey. In the film, walking the trail becomes a metaphor for life’s challenges. Cheryl’s physical struggles mirror the internal battles she takes on. You feel the blisters, the exhaustion and the sheer determination as she pushes herself to the limit. The cinematography places you right into the majestic landscapes and unforgiving terrains, making Cheryl’s every step of the journey tangible.
The Pacific Crest Trail As A Journey Of Self-Discovery
There is a lot of pain in the film, but it is also a celebration of the human spirit. Cheryl meets fellow hikers, each with their own stories and reasons for facing the formidable PCT challenge. These encounters are moving and give a sense of solidarity. They remind us that we’re never alone in our struggles. Cheryl’s working through the weight of her past makes us reflect on our own burdens and the potential for growth through adversity.
You’ll find yourself rooting for the flawed, real and relatable character brilliantly played by Reese Witherspoon. She captures the essence of a woman on the brink of self-destruction who chooses her own path of healing. As Cheryl gets nearer to the Canadian border, you’ll know that it is not just about the destination but about the transformative power of the journey itself. It is about letting go of the old to making room for the new, about finding strength in vulnerability and about embracing the wild within ourselves.
I Did Not Do A Hundred Miles Hike On My Own
Inspired by Cheryl Strayed’s courage, the healing power of nature and the enduring influence of loved ones, I decided to take on my own hundred miles hike. I was not going to tackle the Pacific Crest Trail, but the he West Highland Way seemed a good way to channel that spirit. I saw it as a chance to push my limits, connect with the great outdoors and maybe find out a little about myself along the way.
Unlike Cheryl, I was not comfortable hiking the trail on my own. My husband could not take the time off work, so I asked my friend Jane to join me. And after some diary rearranging, she said yes. We researched the trail, bought a guide book and booked flights to Glasgow. Within a couple of months and without pretty much any training, we laced up our hiking boots (I broke mine in before setting off), packed our backpacks and embraced the wild within us. If Cheryl could do it, so could we. I kept a diary throughout the hike, which is what will be transcribed in the next few posts.