Hike to Heal - by Mandi Fusaro

Driving towards my place of solace, I see the Rockies slowly appear right in front of me. The orange glow of the sun peeking out just perfectly behind the white capped mountains. The closer I get the more I feel a sense of excitement and calmness overcome me.

I lace up my boots, adjust my pack and take my first steps onto the trail. In that moment, is where the transformation begins. Suddenly my heart beats faster and I begin to breathe deeper. My mind is focused on each step and the connection to the land.

I first began my hiking journey at a time when I was mentally exhausted. I wasn’t alone in this feeling as the entire world was at a standstill living in uncharted waters with no end in sight. We were living in a time where connection was all we needed but was forbidden; It was my doctor that first told me to take a walk and that I did. I walked every night to clear my mind, to feel free of the burden that seemed to weigh me down each day. It wasn’t long before I was looking west to the mountains. I can’t explain the feeling that I felt, other than I felt a calling. A calling to begin a journey to self-healing.

My first hike was in the winter, it was a challenge. I was sore, tired and freezing cold but not once did the smile leave my face. I felt at home at a place where I belonged, with the feeling I had been missing for some time. It was a few months later, I summited my first mountain, Mount Yamnuska. I will admit, I didn’t have a smile on my face the entire time. As I was completely exhausted; I tripped multiple times and was constantly telling myself I couldn’t finish. Every step felt like a thousand needles were sinking into my legs. My lungs felt like they were going to explode and I was starting to run out of water.

I was talking to myself the entire time, “just keep moving, you’re just walking, you can’t quit now”. I finally made it up the last bit of incline and made my way to the peak. I looked back with tears in my eyes, I had done it. I summited a mountain. I was standing on the top of a mountain! The views stretched for miles, the sky was the brightest blue, and I felt invincible. The beautiful thing about hiking is that it’s beautiful the entire time. The terrain changes, the views become more breathtaking. The climb is hard but worth it, much like life at times.

People often ask me why I hike as often as I do. My answer is always this: hiking gives me a sense of freedom. Nature healed me in a way that brought me closer to my soul and closer to who I am. Being in nature allows me to slow down, listen, while living in the moment. I can escape the stress that our day-to-day life can bring. We live in a world that is measured by money, possessions, image, and popularity which is often fueled by social media. Being in the mountains gives me time to be in awe of the simplest moments: plunging your feet in the riverbed after a long hike. Taking a sip of water after a strenuous incline. Stopping to smell the flowers (literally!) and being able to see wildlife in their natural habitat. The camaraderie amongst other hikers at the peak all with a common sense of accomplishment and shared motive.

My journey further led me to obtaining my certification as a Hiking Field Leader with the Outdoor Council of Canada. This will eventually allow me to lead others into the mountains to make their souls happy. Hiking is for everyone regardless of age, size, or gender. Nature is there for everyone; you will get to create your own journey and connection.

Hiking can be a bit like life, as you constantly must put one foot in front of the other and allow yourself to be present no matter the terrain ahead. I find myself again and again in the mountains and continue to get in touch with my strengths and heal myself. MF