The Last Englishman

We all carried duct tape. The wide, silver material is easy to tear off yet extremely strong. To save space in our packs, we wound it around trekking poles. We used it for pack repairs, broken sunglasses, ripped clothing and even taped it to our ankles. The strength and slippery surface were ideal for blister prevention. I considered it one of a few truly necessary items.

I agreed with Brains; we’re becoming too greedy, we live in a democracy but our voices aren’t heard. We elect leaders based on broken promises. What can we do? Not much – write a letter to our MP or post on social media. It’s frustrating to feel so helpless. Democracy isn’t democracy any more.

Though material pleasures provide a sense of achievement, the feeling is only temporary. Two weeks after buying a car, it is just a car. That bright, shiny new cell phone is exciting for a few days until the next model is released. It’s a never-ending loop of buy and replace, a fake pleasure. If you’re after true fulfilment, I say take a walk in the wilderness.

I have a recurring dream in which I am 85 years old, sitting in my living room, swaying back and forth in a rocking chair, studying the newspaper. I pause, look up and think of all the adventures I could have experienced and say to myself, 'Shit, I should have done that.' That is a scene I am determined will not happen in real life.

The apprehension you felt making such a big decision suddenly seems insignificant, and your goal appears clear and lucid. Make the choice, and everything falls into place.

We seem to be brainwashed into thinking that there is an acceptable way of living our lives, and anyone that moves off that path or makes their own choices against the grain is not normal.

It’s more than just walking. There’s a whole culture that goes along with the people. You know how you want the world to be? It’s like that on the Pacific Crest Trail. People are helping people. Monty ‘Warner Springs Monty’ Tam

The long trail can change us if we listen and let it. The longer we are on the journey, the deeper the truth penetrates and the deceptions of modern life vanish away. Ned Tibbits

Experiencing the outdoors or – even better, the untamed wilderness – imparts a certain wisdom about what is truly needed to be happy. Though material pleasures do provide a sense of achievement, a feel-good factor if you like, I worked out many moons ago that the feeling is only ever temporary. Two weeks after buying a car it’s just a car. Your bright, shiny new mobile phone is exciting for a couple of days and then you look for the improved version. It’s only a fake pleasure. If you’re after true fulfilment, I say take a walk in the wilderness.

Many people just sit behind their steering wheel, scared to venture into the wilderness.

One of my most enjoyable experiences was listening to the wind rush through the forest. It struck me several times how simple this phenomenon was. It transported me to an almost primitive era, before technology took over the free time of collective society

When you have such a close brush with death, life seems that much more valuable.

It seemed funny that in the wild we had millions of acres to pitch a tent, but when we reached town there was no availability and, even if there was, we would have to pay for it.

Hiking a long-distance trail is not about giving up six months of your life. It’s about having six months to live.

Size, we are told, is not important. This maxim is not applicable to bears. The size of a bear is in fact directly proportional to the fear it strikes into one’s heart.