Summary

The article recounts a transformative spiritual journey while hiking the challenging "O" circuit in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile, emphasizing the profound connection with nature experienced in the wild.

Abstract

The author shares their experience of choosing the less-travelled "O" trek in Torres del Paine National Park, a decision that led to a deeply spiritual and physically demanding adventure. Despite the hardships faced during the multi-day hike, the author found moments of pure connection with the wild, which provided a sense of accomplishment and spiritual fulfillment. The highlight was reaching Gardener Pass in perfect weather conditions, offering breathtaking views of the Andes and the world's third-largest ice field. The author reflects on how these experiences in the wild, much like the indigenous Australian Walkabout, serve as a form of spiritual transition and worship, reinforcing the idea that spirituality can be found in nature's solitude.

Opinions

The author believes that the "O" circuit's difficulty and remoteness contribute to its spiritual significance, making it a preferable choice over more popular routes.
There is a strong conviction that the wilderness holds an unexplained magic that draws people in and creates a lasting connection, particularly noted in the African bush and the Australian wilderness.
The author expresses that the spiritual connection with nature is more easily felt when distant from the noise of human civilization.
The article suggests that spiritual journeys in the wild are not exclusive to any one place or culture, as evidenced by the author's experiences in Africa, Australia, and references to indigenous practices.
The author acknowledges the influence of Anne Bonfert's story "The Roaring Meg" and Oksana Kukurudza's "Mystical Walks" in inspiring their reflection on spiritual journeys in nature.
The author encourages readers to explore their own spirituality in the wild and to follow their stories through provided links.

The Road Less Travelled — Spiritual Journeys In The Wild

Globetrotters Monthly Challenge – December

The Gardner Pass in Torres Del Paine National Park | All Photographs by Author

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less travelled by,

and that has made all the difference

- Robert Frost

Is there spirituality to be found in the wild? Oh by gosh there is! Nature is ever so good for the soul.

February 2014, we were sitting in a backpackers in Patagonia, Chile. We were there for an information session about hiking in the famous Torres del Paine National Park. We had always planned to do a multi-day hike in the park but we had yet to decide which trek to actually do.

A very entertaining Dutch lady (“Dutchie”) explained the various trek options in great detail as everyone sat eating a delicious banoffee pie. There was the “W”, the “Q” or the “O”. The “W” was by far the most popular option considering it was the shortest but still took in the most iconic spots in the park.

The “O” however, was much longer and much tougher. It circumnavigated the central mountain range in the park and could take up to 8–9 days to complete. When you are out on the back of the range you are very remote. As Dutchie put it, “if you get into trouble ‘out back’ nobody is coming to rescue you — be careful!” In light of the difficulty and potential risks, it was definitely the route less traveled.

It was then that I knew we had to do the “O”. This was my kind of trail — just us, the wildlife and the mountains.

After the presentation, we had a day to make our final preparations and then we were off. Off to let our souls drink in the pure spirit of the wild.

Each day of the trek was difficult in its own way and each day filled us with a sense of accomplishment when we reached camp. There were moments every single day, bar the first, where we second-guessed our decision to choose this route. However, each day too brought moments of pure connection with the wild. This filled us with the resolve to push on.

The beauty of this trek was astounding. Our connection with the spirit of the wild was strong.

On day four, ‘the big day’, we made our final push to the top of Gardener Pass. Dutchie had explained that the weather up on the pass could be horrendous. We could reasonably expect very high winds, low clouds, rain, sleet, or snow. We would be lucky to see the view apparently.

So we were overjoyed when by some miracle we crested the pass in glorious sunshine and with not a breath of wind.

The view that greeted us took my breath away! The third largest ice field in the world and the Andes stretching out in front of us. The title image is of that view and believe me the picture does not do it justice.

We made the most of our good fortune and sat and enjoyed our lunch atop the pass. It was the best lunch I’ve ever had and for me, in those moments, I had found my place of worship.

My soul soared and I felt eternally grateful for the opportunity to sit up there and take in the magnificence of the world.

I had connected with something bigger than myself.

The Torres del Paine | Like The Spires On A Cathedral

The experience I had in Patagonia was not the first time I felt a deep connection with wildness and it won’t be the last.

Having grown up on a farm in Africa I had many opportunities to be immersed in the bush and find deep connection with nature. I also believe these experiences were not and are not exclusive to me. Ask anyone born in Africa, or travellers to Africa, about the unexplained feeling one gets in the bush. It’s a simple magic that draws you in and then takes hold — never letting go.

Some say that once Africa is in your blood it never leaves. How else, can we explain this other than the Spirit of Africa? This spirit is ever present in Africa but is definitely stronger in the wilderness areas.

For me personally, the spiritual connection is easier to feel when I am far from the noise of humanity.

This same spiritual phenomenon is present in other parts of the world too. I get a similar feeling in the bush of Australia. It is slightly different to Africa but it is there nonetheless.

Indigenous Australians have, for millennia, embarked on a ‘Walkabout’ during adolescence. This is a period of journey into the wilderness. They undergo this journey alone in order to make the spiritual and traditional transition into adulthood.

For me this is evidence enough that spirituality abounds in the wild.

This is why I generally choose the road less travelled. That is MY spiritual place, MY place of worship.

I’d like to acknowledge a story by Anne Bonfert that first inspired this exploration of my spiritual journeys in the wild.

Her story The Roaring Meg is about hiking an overgrown trail in beautiful New Zealand. A bonus was that her story reminded me of one of my favourite poems (excerpt above).

I then read Oksana Kukurudza's story Mystical Walks and found it enchanting. It reinforced for me that spirituality can be found anywhere and everywhere.

Thank you Anne and Oksana please read their stories via the links above.

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