by Rev. Doug Douma
SOLA Appalachian Christian Retreat in Unionville, NY
the Missions Banner, June/July 2025

There have long been two peaks in the demographics of thruhikers on the Appalachian Trail; they are either 22 years of age or 62; they are either just out of college or just retired. But recently I’ve noticed a major trend that really has surprised me. A new large demographic of hikers is men age 35-45 who have disengaged from or “checked out” of the world. If this is a trend not just in the hiking community but a larger trend in the world, we ought to ask “why are these men checking out of society?” and “what if anything should we as Christians do about this?”

I’m not a sociologist nor a demographer but at some point, the trend becomes impossible to ignore. Men, in the prime of their lives, are quitting everything to hike. Unfortunately, their decision doesn’t seem to be primarily for reasons of romantic adventure, but more often caused by a “failing out” of the world. I even asked a hiker the other day (a 45-year-old man; in an age category I would rarely see hiking even just a few years ago) and he confirmed my theory in his case. The theory is: the world is difficult, housing prices are high, good jobs are hard to find, relationships are difficult, and all is so difficult in fact that “why try?” and “I might as well go hiking.” Now, I don’t condone this attitude, but as a missionary to the hikers I want to first understand it.

That is what we as Christians are first called to in such situations. Listen and understand. The world has grown increasingly difficult to live in. Prices are up. Jobs can be difficult to find. Houses are unaffordable. And finding a relationship with someone of similar views is a great challenge. After years of failing, people get frustrated and perhaps give up trying. That seems to be what is going on with these hikers. You likely have seen similar issues in your church and in your community.

So, what are we to do? Listen and understand first. Then, we are to always preach the Gospel. Happiness is not to be found in the things of this world (jobs, relationships, possessions) but ultimately only in the Lord. If you know people who have checked out of the world, check in with them and proclaim the light of the Gospel to them.

Yet, while we are to “seek first the kingdom and his righteousness,” there remains the concern of things of this world. We are not to live on bread alone, but we do need bread. A call to trust in the Lord is necessary. And trusting in the Lord, we ought to remember that the Proverbs say, “the Lord does not let the righteous go hungry” (Proverbs 10:3a) and “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Proverbs 37:25). The Lord provides.