Accidentally Becoming a Thru-Hiker
- UNPLUG. Magazine
- Mar 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 17
A life on long trails.
In the growing culture of long distance hiking, few careers begin by accident. Yet for one professional thru-hiker and digital storyteller, the path emerged gradually through curiosity, endurance sports and an instinct for documenting experiences. Today Timothy Larsen (@timothyvslarsen) shares multi-month journeys across demanding terrain, often in regions where long distance routes are still developing. His story reflects a broader shift in modern exploration, where storytelling, technology and personal endurance intersect on remote trails.
The foundation for this life began in adolescence. As a teenager, he often asked for multi day hiking trips as birthday gifts. Over time those outings grew longer and more ambitious. On his 18th birthday, he attempted the Drakensberg Grand Traverse, a route that spans roughly 220 kilometers across South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains. Severe weather ended the attempt early when rain forced the group off the mountains after nine days, but the experience left a lasting impression and sparked a deeper interest in long distance travel on foot.
Family influence also played a role. Growing up with a father who documented daily life with a camera created an environment where recording experiences felt natural. Over time that habit merged with an interest in filmmaking and online storytelling. Long distance hiking, he realized, offers a structure that naturally lends itself to narrative. Each day contains a beginning, middle and end, shaped by landscape, weather and human endurance.
A major turning point came during a solo journey along the Transcaucasian Trail, a developing network of routes that crosses the Caucasus region. Unlike many well established trails in North America or Europe, the Transcaucasian Trail remains incomplete in places and passes through remote mountain communities and sparsely traveled terrain.
During that journey he spent about two months hiking alone while documenting the experience through daily video recordings. The process required a demanding routine. After walking long distances each day, he returned to his tent to edit footage and prepare stories for an online audience.
Solitude on the trail created an unexpected space for reflection. He describes solo hiking as a paradoxical experience that can appear self focused yet also encourage personal growth. Hours of walking without distraction created time to consider how each day’s experiences might be shared and understood.
There is something profoundly selfish about hiking, but I think it's often a helpful selfishness. If used correctly, it can be used as a time to become a better version of one's self~Timothy Larsen
One moment during the journey stands out in particular. On the 31st day of the hike, after traveling 50 kilometers through open terrain, he paused alone in a field as the sun set. The stillness of the landscape brought a sudden sense of optimism about the future and a recognition that his life might be moving in a new direction.
Planning for such expeditions often involves extensive preparation, including detailed route analysis, supply logistics and contingency strategies. His approach has tended to be less structured. While searching for long distance routes in Asia or South America, he simply looked online for hikes extending roughly 1,500 kilometers. Within minutes he selected the Transcaucasian Trail as his next challenge.
"Many people are deep planners, mitigating risk as far as possible. I am an adapter," Tim says.
Preparation followed a similarly instinctive approach. He packed gear suitable for temperatures ranging from minus 5 to 30 degrees Celsius, carried multiple pairs of shoes and booked a one way flight to Georgia after only a few hours of research on the route.
The philosophy behind this approach emphasizes adaptation over perfect planning. Long distance trails frequently present unpredictable conditions, including sudden storms, route changes and logistical complications. Success often depends on the ability to adjust quickly rather than anticipate every detail.
Although rugged terrain and physical exhaustion are common challenges, some of the most memorable lessons came from everyday realities. For someone who once prioritized cleanliness, the difficulty of maintaining hygiene on extended hikes proved surprisingly humbling. Long days often ended after dark in cold conditions, leaving little motivation to wash in icy rivers.
I have this strange lack of fear in the mountains; unlike normal life which terrifies me~Timothy Larsen
Rain also tested resilience. After several consecutive days of wet weather, nearly every piece of clothing and gear carried traces of moisture. Learning to begin each morning by pulling on damp socks and continuing forward became part of the psychological adjustment required for life on long trails. Over time, those moments fostered a deeper tolerance for discomfort and uncertainty.
Years of endurance sports helped prepare his body for the demands of long distance hiking. Even so, he emphasizes that the activity itself gradually builds strength and stamina. The most important step, he suggests, is simply beginning.
"The physical realities that shaped me are kinda funny: 1: Being dirty for extended time, and 2: Wet gear," Tim says.
Technology now plays a significant role in his approach to thru-hiking. Unlike many hikers who limit
gear to essential equipment, his pack includes a range of tools used to document each journey. Cameras, a drone, power banks and other electronic devices allow him to record daily experiences while traveling across remote terrain. This equipment replaces traditional comforts that some hikers carry, such as lightweight chairs or books.The digital tools allow him to continue producing videos and stories even in areas where electricity is unavailable for days at a time.
Despite the excitement associated with exploration, he no longer believes in a single defining moment when someone discovers exactly what they are meant to do. Instead he views meaningful work as a balance between effort and reward. Long distance hiking can involve fatigue, logistical challenges and many hours of editing video each evening after a full day of walking.
“I think over the last few years I have stopped believing that there is a point that says “this is what I am meant to be doing,” because so often we use that as an excuse to change what we are doing as soon as we feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed by the current scenario. I think that we need to find something where we can say, ‘I am willing to do the hard work because the reward is worth it.’”
Yet certain moments highlight why the effort continues. One occurred when he stood on the final
mountain along the Transcaucasian Trail and looked back across the route he had traveled. The view represented not only the physical journey but also the hundreds of hours spent documenting and sharing the experience. For him, that perspective captures the essence of the work. The challenges are real, but the opportunity to explore distant landscapes and tell their stories makes the effort worthwhile.
Timothy on Leave-No-Trace and Trail Ethics: “It’s so easy to treat thru hiking as a consumer, and
perhaps it’s inevitable to be a consumer in this space especially when we fly across the globe to do these trails. Keeping a clean camp, leaving nothing behind is a base given rule, but I think on top of that there are a few key things a thru hiker would do well to think about: 1: I know you are trying to be ultra-light but picking up someone else’s trash is still worth it; 2: Only buy gear from brands who actively pursue ethical practices, thru hikers destroy gear and so it’s vital that we support brands that will use our support to improve the outdoor gear industry; 3: Support local, and by local I mean the towns you pass through, the cities you land in.”
📍You are warmly invited to follow Timothy’s continued journey and adventures on Instagram:
