Problem getting back to normal life after a long hike and stay in the mountains.

farebi

Bluelighter
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
24
Location
HImalayas
Hi, I am having problems settling back into my daily life, it has been 10 days since I return back from a solo hike, needless to say it was an overwhelming experience an unforgettable trip in the upper Himalayas where I wandered in the forest along with a Sheppard dog which i befriended in the mountains, I camped in a very remote hamlet detached from the modern world with no phone and electricity for 13 days, I didn't go on any binge up there, I had some mescaline with me and took it only once and loved it, I had stopped smoking charas prior to the hike for like 2 months. But ever since my return, I am having problems getting on with life it almost feels like I left my soul up there somewhere. Staying put and concentrating on my work has become a pain in the ass, I even discussed it with my father and came to the conclusion going back is not an option.

The hike has definitely sobered me down and I have a sense of calm inside of me, but the problem is it is becoming very hard to move on from the mystic charm of the mountains. I almost feel like the place is calling me and every time I put on some music it takes me back to that place. It's like my body is here but head is not.

Any recommendation? :)
 
After I do something like that (never done anything as exotic but similar) I sleep outside at first. Eventually, I want to come inside again but it is a nice way to prolong that awareness. I don't think you left your soul up there, I think you found out how important journeys in nature and journeys within yourself are to your wellbeing. Just like an important entheogenic trip, it is important to integrate what you learned--otherwise you will be tricked into thinking you can only find that kind of wisdom and peace when you are on the trip.

I also recently returned from a 4 month walking trip in South America. It was soul feeding but also addictive in it's own way--I not only did not want to return but I could not imagine not having the absolute luxury of being by myself (I'm married and work as a teacher). It took me a good two months to admit I was back home in my life and it is not a life I dislike! What I have done is to try to aim my life in the direction of more experiences like this in the future. the truth is that I will always have to work hard to make the money that these experiences require. I try to write about my memories and revelations and that helps me to connect with that precious time as well as to integrate who I became there with who I am here.

That sounds like an amazing adventure and I hope that your life presents more of that opportunity in the future. Have you ever thought about working as a wilderness guide where you live or in another country?
 
Hey Farebi and welcome to Bluelight. Sounds like an amazing journey. I love the mountains and am drawn to them as well. I have not yet had the opportunity to experience the Himalayas, but i would love to do this.

If you don't currently live in a place you you like or are drawn to you may want to consider pursuing some sort of mountain life style and making your home away from the rat race and up in some nioce mountain range. I was a ski "bum" for almost a decade and plan on getting back to the mountain lifestyle as soon as I can. I love the way the towns are on the seasons.. winter is work, ski, snowmobile, etc.. mud season travel (everybody leaves for two or three weeks as the towns kinda shut down) .. spring kayak season.. summer work, hike, camp, climb, golf, enduro.. fall mud season travel again.. back to winter and repeat. I absolutely love it. Allot of people go surfing come spring as well.

Just an amazing life style far away from the rat race, in tune with the seasons, and hanging with good awakened people looking for something different then a commute to work to by a never ending list of useless shit.

So you might be having a little trouble transitioning back in because you don't belong where you are. So you may wan't to look for a path that allows you to be in amazing places and also allows you to travel a decent portion of the year to amazing spots.

If you took any good pictures consider posting them in the TDS picture thread.. I would love to see them.

As far as transitioning back in.. no need to look at where you are a permanent as you can go and do anything with a little planning and work.. find some like minded individuals and possible a like minded partner and just start planning and executing the good life, even if its in chunks divided by "real life" in the beginning. As we all have to figure out how to be able to "live the dream." If your jonening bad consider reading some good lit about adventure akin to your tastes untill you can get back out there.

Im figuring out how to get back at it myself.
 
yes I got some photographs, not much thou since there was no electricity, I will post some in TDS Picture thread. I've people I usually hang around with and I live with my family so I don't feel like a loner, I am from Kashmir the troubled region in india. yes many of old mates whom I grew up with have gone out for the better of their own careers, I also run a small business with a couple of guys and i am doing fine on that front. But I'm playing with the idea of pursuing a career up in the wilderness, maybe operate a travel agency or open a small cafe with cooking being one of my hobbies. I am single though broke up with my girlfriend a year ago and she got married 2 months ago, it was a terrible time emotionally it sucks when you end up on the wrong side of love (otherwise it's a bliss).. right now I don't feel like getting into another relationship.

things have improved though and this hike has helped me, the trip I had with mescaline was very introspective and intense. the tolerance was low since I've only have taken some aMT in the last 6 months,Overall a very enjoyable experience. I confronted many demons on this trip and I can feel I am much more clear-headed now. But now I am stuck with the mystic charm of the Himalayas. =D definitely going back next summers for a longer time with proper preparations.

here's a link to the pictures not much: http://postimg.org/gallery/8f76e6fq/
 
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Those are great pictures. Is the water you are in by the tall wooden wall a hot spring?
When I was in the Andes I met many foreigners that had built small inns for hikers and it seemed a great life--simple, out in the mountains and always meeting new adventurers.
 
cool pics, farebi, seems like it was quite the trip! ime the key to adjusting back to normalcy after a vacation is not pushing away the memories but rather embracing them and reinforcing them. i like to collect trinkets on my travels small enough to keep within arm's reach that trigger memories. i've never been very fond of photographs for memory, i find it's more powerful to have, for example, a conch shell to remember the ocean by, or a perfume to remember a person by. i know that without reinforcing my best memories i'd easily become complacent and just accept life, but with them i feel constant pressure to fight the status quo and become more than i am.

As we all have to figure out how to be able to "live the dream."

i feel that most people know what it takes, they're just hesitant to take the first step out of their comfort zone.
 
Those are great pictures. Is the water you are in by the tall wooden wall a hot spring?
When I was in the Andes I met many foreigners that had built small inns for hikers and it seemed a great life--simple, out in the mountains and always meeting new adventurers.

yes it's a hot spring, it calms you down after a day long trek, I stayed with villagers eating home grown vegetables and Rice, the life is just too good to describe, 100 times better than what we called a more civilized society. also from a fitness point of view i lost like 6 kilos in 13 days and I do have some extra pounds.


Forsure go back.. make it summer tradition.
Sure mate, I am planning to explore more and deeper next time. Maybe a trip before winter's sets in.
 
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