Finding Community on the Trail: My Alaska Story

Everyone Has an Alaska Story

I’ve found that most people have an Alaskan story, even the people that have lived here most, if not all of their life. I’m not talking about specific Alaskan adventure stories, I’m referring to THE Alaska story. The story of how The Last Frontier captured you and convinced you to call it home. How this big and very bold state gets in your blood and suddenly nowhere else compares and the thought of living anywhere else becomes distant in your mind.

“When Alaska chooses its people, it does so with boldness that isn't for the faint of heart, just like the strength of the land itself.”

Everyone has an Alaska story, here’s a little bit of mine and how it led me to TrailMates.

The Call of Alaska—How I Came to Stay

Us transplants share a lot in common, in the sense that Alaska captured our hearts in an unexpected way. Four years ago I visited Alaska for 8 days, and when I got on the plane to fly home I cried because leaving this place felt so wrong. One year later, I moved across the country with whatever I could pack in my car. No job, no family, and a tentative plan. The most important thing was I trusted that pull to Alaska and took a chance.

“The call of Alaska is hard to ignore and I didn’t fight it one bit.”

From Highs to Lows—Finding Community

The first couple months were very exciting. I was riding a high from life and the experience of moving across the country and I didn’t want it to stop for anything. After the excitement settled down, the reality of the move set in and I realized I didn’t have my community, or any community for that matter, I felt very alone. I knew I needed to make an effort to expand my circle and find people with similar interests and values, and the universe led me to Elevated Community, now called TrailMates.

Finding Community on the Trail

My first group hike was Gordon Lyon in Arctic Valley. I almost didn’t go on the hike. For some reason the idea was weird to me—getting together with a group of strangers, heading into the wilderness, by myself. Fortunately, I got my ego to stop talking and headed in the direction of adventure. The group met at the trailhead and Megan (founder of TrailMates) brought a group of random but committed strangers up the mountain and guess what—

“I had FUN.”

I met some awesome people, had good conversations, and I got to explore a new place I hadn’t yet ventured to. When we got to the summit Megan invited us to stand in a circle and share one challenging, and one positive thing we’d experienced in the last week.

When the activity was explained I felt instantly uncomfortable because this was going to require me to be vulnerable with strangers I had just met, how could this possibly benefit me? What could these strangers offer me that my friends and inner circle couldn’t? Everything. It was a shared moment between fast friends after accomplishing a challenge. We stood together for a moment of intentional listening while each of us spoke with honesty, and offered silent nods of encouragement. We didn’t know each other's stories, but that wasn’t the point. We were able to offer a presence because the finer details weren’t important. I think we all needed that moment. This is one of my first core memories with the TrailMates group and after that experience I was committed.

Climbing and Healing—Ascent vs. Descent

When I take a moment to reflect on my experience in Alaska so far, I realize during the peak of my lonesome moments is when I leaned on the community even more. I know that not everyone has the same experience with moving away from home like I did, but sometimes even when loved ones are close and the place is familiar, loneliness can still creep in unwanted. We don’t have to be far away to feel lonely. That’s why community is so important, so we can lean on others for whatever we’re going through individually.

Often the conversations I share with people on the ascent differ from conversations on the descent. The journey up is a climb, and usually I find myself talking about challenges I might be going through. For some reason it’s easier to talk about the challenges of life when our legs are burning and the lungs are pumping. The energy is not spent trying to think about what to say. It allows the heart to speak openly and honestly, because all that we need is the mountain and the earth beneath our feet. The mountains are taking all of that energy because it is strong, tall and bold and absorbing it for us while reminding us that we embody those same characteristics. The medicine might also be a quiet moment to yourself while still feeling the silent support of those around you. I think it changes every time, but the experience always delivers exactly what you need.

The descent is a totally different experience. We got through it—regardless of the size of the challenge—we got through it. The conversations find their way to new topics surrounding goals or exciting things to come in the future because there is now a remembrance that we can accomplish anything we set our mind to.

Epic Things on Bird Ridge

On my recent hike with the group up Bird Ridge, I got the opportunity to chat with somebody that is training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro following an injury almost one year prior. She said she was sitting on her recliner recovering and thinking about all the “rad adventures she was going to go on” when she was able to, so during her immobility, she signed up for the climb of 19,341 ft. My favorite quote from her on the climb is:

“Do your own epic things.”

I hope you come do epic things with the community at TrailMates. I hope you push yourself outside your comfort zone and prove to yourself you can accomplish something you didn’t think you were capable of. Let the mountains and nature provide the healing, and let the community provide the support.

Why Hiking with Strangers Works

I’ve thought a lot about why hiking with strangers is enjoyable and I think a big part of it is the community. It’s getting together with like minded people and participating in an activity with others that share similar passions. We accomplish challenges together and we are supportive while doing it. We encourage the challenge and make people feel comfortable and confident in new environments. It’s teamwork, it’s individual growth, and it’s healing. This is the atmosphere and energy of TrailMates, and we hope you join us on a hike soon!

Want More from Granola Me?

To dive deeper into Kayla’s Alaskan adventures and get her latest granola-inspired insights, head over to Granola Me.

Join Us on the Trails

Looking for your next outdoor adventure? Find all upcoming TrailMates events and RSVP for a hike at our events page. We can’t wait to hit the trail with you!