Sisyphean Trails
Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology, was the king of Corinth known for his deceitfulness. He repeatedly tricked the gods, even escaping death twice. As punishment for his hubris and defiance of the divine order, Zeus condemned him to an eternal task: rolling a massive boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time he neared the top.
His story symbolizes futile effort and endless struggle, which backpacking and hiking can often emulate.
Although not condemned to an eternal task, I find meaning in the struggle and redundancy of hiking. There’s beauty in the simplicity of walking, camping, sleeping, and doing it all over again - not to mention the beauty in the sights, people, and places you see along the way.
I like to think that the boulder Sisyphus pushes throughout eternity helps carve the trails we all hike and learn from. And every time the boulder falls, I hope he at least looks around and sees the beauty in the Sisyphean Trails he’s created.
Writer / Creator
Raised in Florida, I grew up going to the beaches and finding adventure wherever I could. Blessed with parents who loved to travel, they allowed me to explore much of the world. I’ve seen most of Europe, traveled through nearly every state of the US, and studied abroad in Southeast Asia. Seeing the world at a young age and experiencing various cultures through adolescence allowed me to develop a unique perspective.
After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in finance, I moved to Portland, OR, to see a different part of the country and settle into the corporate world. Work was fine, but I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and the natural playground it offered. There seemed to be an activity for every season, and I spent my weekends hiking, surfing, snowboarding, rock climbing, foraging, or just exploring the city.
After a couple of years, I got a new job, and the stress from it started to wear on me. I wasn’t enjoying what I was doing, and I started prioritizing going out to the bars over being in nature. I lost focus on the activities that brought me joy and burned out. After I quit, I moved back to Florida to reconnect with my family, passion for life, and love for nature.
Before I made another career move, I wanted to do something for myself. Learning so much in the PNW, I signed up for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to put my skills to the test.
I created this blog to share my experiences with backpacking, foraging, rock climbing, and mountaineering, and to allow people to follow my journey along the trail.
Happy Trails!
- CS
Chase Silberbusch
a quote to live by…
“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show… let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
- Etienne de Grellet