Christopher McCandless in front of the bus near Denali National Park in Alaska. CreditChristopher Johnson McCandless Memorial Foundation
Introduction
After my unforgettable trip to Mount Whitney in June 2017, I was physically exhausted, but was full of inner strength and filled with a lot of inspiration. My friend suggested to me one of his favorite movies about travel which is exactly what I was interested in at that time. Oh boy, that evening after watching the movie, as the final credits rolled, I told myself, “I am going there this summer!” and then asked my friend, “Do you want to go with me?” After a couple of months later we were going on the trail in a deep forest in the middle of nowhere in Alaska surrounded by bears, wolves and moose… On this trip, I almost drowned in a river, but we made it to the famous bus from the movie and even slept inside it. This trip was one of those experiences that truly showed me how hikes in nature can benefit our mental health.
The Movie
The movie that we watched was called Into the Wild, about a guy who was traveling in the U.S. and ended up living in a bus far away in the deep forest in Alaska. He was connected with nature and talked about how great it was to be in nature. Somehow this inspired me because I also love nature and travel.
Preparation
I didn’t wait. I decided to go that same summer. Some of the reasons were that I already was well prepared after the Mount Whitney trip, I was physically trained, I was mentally ready for all difficulties of hikes. I also had all the gear and recent experience using it. This trip consisted of several steps:
1. Fly to Anchorage, Alaska
2. Drive to the edge of the forest near Denali National Park, where we’d begin the hike
3. Hike for two days to reach the bus
4. Hike two days back to the car
It seemed to be nothing unusual. But it was wild Alaska, it was deep in the forest in the middle of nowhere, and civilization was far far away. We needed to learn and prepare how to deal with wild animals, what additional equipment we needed to buy, for example, bear sprays, special whistles, etc. My friend even considered buying a large revolver for protection against bears.
On the trail in Alaska, 2017
Our Journey
Even though it was the beginning of September when the beautiful summer was gone with its best weather in Alaska, we were surprised to see the bright colors of autumn. Alaska had these vibrant colors of forests, swamps and rivers and it was giving us a lot of joy and inspiration to push forward. We had one big goal where to go, but this trip showed us very clearly that the finishing point in these kinds of trips is not even the most important thing, the path itself is not less important and not less inspiring than the goal of the trip itself. We passed through forests and swamps, crossed and swam across many rivers, hiked through areas flooded by beavers, walked for miles with heavy backpacks, and camped far from our supplies to stay safe from bears. All this was physically and mentally difficult, but seeing these beautiful views around, everything seemed magical and very exciting, it was easy to walk.
Mountains in Denali National Park, Alaska, 2017
The Science Behind It
Such trips become very healing and inspiring, not only because they are connected with some interesting purpose, but also because you are constantly in contact with nature. This idea is even backed by science. For example, in the research article by Peter A. Coventry and colleagues “Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis” they call these trips as Nature-Based Interventions (NBIs). NBIs, such as green exercise and nature therapy, were found to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. So, when you’re somewhere in the forest or on the mountain, you actually get rid of potential depression symptoms. How cool! Enjoying the views and nature and at the same time improving your mental health.
NBIs, such as green exercise and nature therapy, were found to significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety
At first, it was hard to believe actually, but then when you read that the study systematically reviewed 50 studies involving over 14,000 participants to assess the impact of nature-based interventions (NBIs) on mental and physical health, it becomes more clear and easier to believe in it. The benefits of NBIs were observed across various populations, including individuals with mental health conditions, physical health issues, and the general public. And according to the study, you don’t have to go deep into the wilderness, simple activities like hiking or gardening count too. According to the study, effective NBIs included activities like gardening, walking in green spaces, and structured outdoor programs.
A Bonus Benefit: Frienship
I should also mention that this trip didn’t just improve our mental health, it also strengthened my relationship with my friend. Before the trip, we had some arguments with each other, and when we were on the trip, we became best buddies and our relationship went to another level. In fact, there was a moment where I nearly drowned in the freezing cold, fast-moving mountain river and my friend saved me. You can imagine the amount of energy and gratitude I felt in that moment.
In conclusion, we had a great experience and saw many great views on this trip. We didn’t just achieve the goal of seeing the historical place, we also enjoyed the moments in nature that positively impacted our mental health.
Happiness only real when shared
Christopher McCandless’ quote
Works Cited
Peter A. Coventry, et al. “Nature-Based Outdoor Activities for Mental and Physical Health: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 21, 2021, 101319. ScienceDirect, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827321002093.