Storytelling as a Method of Connection - Ollie Schlosser

 Something I often forget until I'm reminded is how much I enjoy a good story. Today was one of those days. During our last class of the semester, Kip shared a hilarious story from one of his previous hiking adventures. In short, he was up towards Canada when he decided to remove all of his clothes and gear in an effort to completely detach himself from civilisation before ultimately returning to it. Hearing the story took me back to Professor Atkinson’s guest lecture and his perspective on storytelling as an avenue to connect with people. I have experienced this several times over the course of my life, and it always amazes me how quickly a story can help make people more comfortable or close. During the two-week trip with Kip on the Appalachian Trail this past spring, I remember sitting in the school van or around a fire after a day of hiking as the whole class and other hikers would listen and enjoy some of Kip’s stories. He would share, then maybe another student or thru hiker would share, and it always created a very welcoming atmosphere. Kip was not the only storyteller, however, most through hikers taking a break for lunch or setting up camp for the night would often have a story of some sort about their adventures thus far on the AT. 


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