Beginning of October, two Dutch friends came visiting me for an unforgettable adventure: hiking the Kaiserkrone Trail in the Wilder Kaiser mountain range in Tyrol. We set out for four days of hiking, fully embracing the great outdoors, and sleeping in mountain huts along the way. It was a journey that reminded me of the value of disconnecting from the digital world and reconnecting with nature and each other.
The joy of being truly offline: Digital Detox
Before we started our hike, I made a choice which was a new personal Milestone – I turned off my phone. It wasn’t just about cutting ties with technology, but about being with only myself, my friends and nature. Our daily lives are so tied to screens and notifications, but out on the trail, we were entirely focused on the present moment. This digital detox was a much-needed reset, which made me appreciate every step and view even more.
Misty mornings, snowy peaks and wild animals: Adventure Therapy
Friday and Saturday welcomed us with misty weather, and at higher altitudes, we even had some snow. Although the conditions were quite a challenge, they made the trails feel like a true adventure. We made a bet that the first person who slipped on the snow and fell had to pay a round. I lost. Apart from the fun, there’s something therapeutic about being in nature, especially in not so sunny conditions. The mist made the trails mysterious, and when we reached the snowy heights, it felt like we had stepped into a different world.
Sunny days
By Sunday, the sun returned and brought clear skies and warmer weather for the last 2 days, which was much appreciated! We further hiked through the incredible landscapes of Wilder Kaiser, surrounded by wild animals and stunning views. Each day ended with simple but delicious mountain food in the huts, the perfect reward for a full day of trekking. The peacefulness of sleeping high in the mountains, having good company and only hearing the sound of nature around us; all you need!
Sharing experiences: Authentic Connection
Obviously, we still had to make good use of the Milestone Headlamps that we brought. On the last day of our hike, we woke up before dawn and started hiking to Stripsenkopf, one of the mountain tops nearby the hut we were staying. The first sun rays spilled over the peaks through a few clouds hanging above the mountains, which made it a very special sunrise to watch.
While hiking the last part of the trail on Monday, I realized how cool it had actually been to share this experience with good friends. Next to having an amazing time together, for me it was a reminder of the power of authentic connection, adventury therapy and the joy of slowing down.
When was the last time that you have been really offline and connected with family and/or friends in an actual authentic way? Try it and you'll see! ;)
Cheers,
Thijs
