What this Utah hiker realized watching the movie 'Wild'

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The film "Wild," about a bereaved woman hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, is in theaters across the country. My wife and I saw it Friday. As someone who has spent a lot of weekends hiking, the movie made me realize a few things.

• Hiking is a sensory experience. We forget this in the 21st century. In fact, a lot of people go to the outdoors to get away from the sounds, lights and other technological pastimes and distractions. But looking at a mountainside, a river or lake, or a green canopy of trees or red rocks, and the sounds and smells produced by that nature is mankind's original stimuli.

• Hiking alone is great. I don't advocate it in all circumstances. In "Wild," we see where Reese Witherspoon's character could have used assistance in a few spots. And there's certainly something to be said for family time or conversation. But solitude can eliminate distractions, enhance those sensory experiences and just give you time to think.

• Nature is not so scary. Ever heard someone say, "Nature is always trying to kill you," or some variation thereof? I don't believe that. Sure, you need to be careful. I wouldn't have hiked some of the places Witherspoon's character hiked alone. But nothing tried to eat her, there were no wildfires or rock slides and I can just about guarantee none of that will befall me on one of my hikes.

• Don't be ashamed to indulge in some creature comforts. The first thing I like when I get done hiking is a cold drink. My wife likes a hot shower. Both are OK. Know when to go to nature and know when to let it go.

• Getting away from it all doesn't solve everything. For all the hiking and the vistas in "Wild," the main character's breakthrough comes when she speaks to someone about her problems. I have not read the memoir on which the film is based and would be curious to know if any breakthrough is described the same way. But the film, at least, is a reminder that nature is a good treatment but no cure for what ails us.

— Nate Carlisle is among The Salt Lake Tribune reporters who contribute to the Utah Hike of the Week. A former Hike of the Week is tweeted every morning from @UtahHikes.