“When on a long trail there is no finishing, I am just existing.” Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast! Today we sit down with Masochist, also known as Matthew, to learn more about his deep dive into this life of adventure. We begin with a little backstory learning of his career in IT which began only 2 weeks out of high school. Flash forward to his 39th year around the sun and he was ready for a change. We chat the impetus for the change, a mixture of loved ones passing away, the support of a wonderful partner, and the appreciation for learning you just never know how much time you have. We chat the difficulties of balance when consumed with passion, a very irregular existence in general, and having more plans than available time. We chat travel fatigue, cravings of stability, and the treat of “nothingness.” We chat becoming antsy, campground conundrums, and volunteering with the Sierra Club. We discuss shorter distance trails losing some of their shine, surviving without zero days, and the feeling of just existing. It’s less about mileage he says and more about just the time on a trail. We then jump into the Condor Trail. We learn of the bushwhacks, the lack of consideration for resupplies, and preparing oneself for the indignities of “actual trail.” We chat the why. We chat goal oriented mentality and going from point A to B. We then take a look into the PCT in 2020 and the flavor of the first long trail in the year that shall not be spoken. We chat normalcy in the abnormal, a “private tour” of the PCT, and exposure in town being minimal. We chat planning a long hike while actively finishing a long hike, aiming higher, and learning of the ECT’s existence. We then chat all things Eastern Continental Trail. We chat homeless encampments, being told by a person it was “my bush,” and $300 for one of the worst hotel stays ever. We chat magic, consistency, and the meat grinder that is called pavement. We chat mentality around 5,000 miles, the Florida Keys, and how to avoid the scariest wildlife of all; aggressive dogs. We chat moose hunting, caribou mating, pit bulls, something called Meat Cove, a untouchable lighthouse, and a “snarl torpedo.” We then get into the heavy segment of emotions. We chat Matt’s choice that was not a choice to get of his CDT hike earlier this year. We chat altitude cough turned into a serious case of COVID. We chat being bedridden, feverish, and physically depleted. We chat being used to being in pain but the threshold that exists between “push mentality” and when it becomes unsafe. We chat bargaining, acceptance, and planning for the future. We chat deeper questions of existence and doing everything one can to continue. Truly a wonderful chat with Matthew, thank you for sharing with us all your journey! FAVORITE QUOTES: “[Thru-hiking] gives you appreciation for how hard it is just to exist when you don’t have a place to go home to.” “Long trails tend to be addicting to some of us…” “Even bedridden I was already making plans.” “I can push through anything, I can keep going.” To learn more about Masochist go to: YouTube: @FirstChurchofTheMasochistHikes Instagram: @mattonamtn To learn more about who we are click below: Website: www.ElevenSkys.com