Meet 乃勻[Nǎi Yún]
乃勻 Nǎi Yún became a customer and introduced herself to us on Instagram in the Fall of 2023 when she shared a picture on top of the North Peak of 合歡山 [pinyin: Héhuān Shān, or Joy Mountain].
We kept in touch and followed along with her 2024 PCT completion. Feeling inspired, we reached out to see if she’s interested in being the very first guest of this new project, “Make Peace with Time”. The series will take a closer look at the not-so-ordinary paths carved by the “ordinary” human beans from around the world.
Guest Profile:
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🥾 Trail Name: Sunshine
🥜 Go-to Snack: Gummy peach rings
🚽 Best View: Too many to choose from
😇 Trail Angel Shout-out: Scout & Frodo
👯 Trail Buddy Shout-out: Smile
☀️Relationship with the Sun: The Sun is my natural clock, I leave campsite at sunrise and start to find another at sunset. -
🧠 Name of Noggin: Nai Yun
🐲 Chinese Zodiac Sign: Dragon
🏡 Homeland: Taiwan
💼 Main Gig: Hiker Club Founder
🌙 After-Hours Gig: Gym Receptionist
🪀 Uncommon Ability: IET & Reiki Healing
☀️Relationship with the Sun: I’m like a solar panel needs to be charged by sunlight all the time. -
To me, making peace with time means appreciating every moment and recognizing that while we can't control time, we can control how we respond.
And It’s about accepting that change is a constant, and finding ways to adapt positively rather than resisting it.
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Nature’s cycles, like the changing seasons and the growth of plants, remind me that time is a natural process that brings both change and renewal. And knowing that everything has its phases, including my own life, brings me a sense of acceptance and peace.
Spending time in nature helps me to be more present, appreciate the moment, and slow down rather than always racing against time.
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The combination of time and nature has played a significant role in building my courage by teaching me acceptance and resilience.
I learned how to accept changes, both the positive and the challenging with more grace. This experience reminded me that everything goes through phases and difficult times will eventually pass.
Just as trees that lose their leaves in winter will bud again in spring. I'm inspired to face my own challenges with the understanding that I can always renew and grow, even after setbacks.
Parapack:
Can you tell us about 合歡山 and what do you recall from that day?
Nǎi Yún:
There are hundreds worth of hiking mountains over 3000 meters in height, locally known as 百岳(Baiyue) in Taiwan. 合歡山北峰(the North Peak of Hehuan Shan) is the most accessible and beautiful one. The trailhead is right next to the highway, it only takes less than 3 hours to get back from the peak. It's my favorite place to escape city life when you only have one day off.
The plan for that day was to shoot some product photos. I didn't have specific plans, so it was more like a relaxed hike. Just took some photos along the way while enjoying the great nature.
Parapack:
In your 合歡山 photo caption, you mentioned the search for a sweet spot between living and working. Where are you at with your live-work balance currently?
(Side tangent - have you seen this American show called "Severance"? We thought you might find it interesting. It is a psychological thriller about a group of people who seek live-work balance by undergoing a procedure that divides their work and non-work memories.)
Nǎi Yún:
Life is not static, things are meant to shift and change. I have been striving to maintain disciplined habits, such as exercising regularly, eating at the right times, and resting when I need to. Sounds easy, but very difficult.
One of the precious lessons I learned from PCT in 2019 is that every step counts, no matter how small it is. You just need to keep going and remember not to quit on a bad day.
(And I'll definitely check "Severance" out. I love watching tv series while sewing.)
Parapack:
Was the Nature part of your childhood growing up at all?
Nǎi Yún:
I grew up in Taipei City and have lived in Taipei for more than 35 years. My parents often took me to Xiang Shan Hiking Trail (Elephant Mountain Trail) in Taipei on the weekend when I was a child. It got me into the habit of going for a walk outside whenever I have free time. Elephant Mountain is now a famous place for the sunset and nighttime views of Taipei City.
Parapack:
Nǎi Yún, we want to take a moment to say CONGRATS for completing the Northern section of the Pacific Crest Trail last Summer! We learned that your first PCT journey actually started in early 2019, but the trip was cut short due to the critical condition of the weather in Washington State.
Can we rewind to what was on your mind when you realized you were halfway through the PCT (around the California and Oregon State border)?
Nǎi Yún:
I was full of confidence, thinking that since I had hiked through the snowy Sierra section, I would definitely reach Canada. As time went by, I also realized no one would give me the answers I wanted at the border, like the purpose of being on Earth in this lifetime, whether I should go back to my former company for a relatively steady income or I should plan for another adventure to find out. I was overwhelmed by anxiety. I had no clue about "what's next".
Parapack:
Can you take us back to Day 165 (October 9th, 2019)?
Nǎi Yún:
The sun was warm, the trees were all covered by snow, and some ducks were swimming in Lake Janus. It was one of the most beautiful mornings in my life.
I looked back at the precious memories I've made over the past few months, the people I met along the trail. I knew deep down I had already reached the border at some point.
It was not safe to continue hiking in the weather conditions at the time, so I decided to leave the trail. It was a difficult decision, but I wanted to get home safely.
2019-10-09
Parapack:
When you officially returned to Washington State last Summer (2024) to complete the PCT, what did the trail feel like the second time around?
Nǎi Yún:
Everything feels familiar, yet I can't tell specifically what's different. It's probably like finally returning home after 5 years. My phone automatically connected to a supermarket's free Wi-Fi when I arrived in a small town near the trail.
But unlike last time, this time I was able to anticipate what would happen on the trail. So I had more time to connect with other hikers.
Parapack:
When did you first hear about the PCT trail, and can you recall where you were mentally and physically when you decided that this was something you had to try?
Nǎi Yún:
I started hiking Taiwan's Hundred Peaks and saw the movie 'Wild' in 2015, I had the idea of doing something crazy in my life. And I wanted to experience the hiking culture of different countries.
I think the most difficult part was the preparation and the actual departure, physical fitness was never a concern, I knew it could be trained.
At that time, I couldn’t find any public information about PCT experiences shared by Taiwanese, either in books or on social media, so I had to search for all the information in English. It was also the first time I learned about long-distance hiking and ultralight gear which gave me a new perspective of hiking.
Later in 2018, a friend who finished PCT in 2016 recommended that I must go if I had the chance, which reignited my confidence. After that, I spent a year saving money and planning the trip.
Parapack:
Why does backpacking have this magical way of taking down the social barrier we typically have with strangers in our daily lives? Speaking as an ambivert, sometimes, chatting with an Uber driver or even a shared rider kind of has this similar brief moment of openness.
Nǎi Yún:
These people don't know you at all, they don't know your past, and they don't have any preconceived notions about you. It's like you pressed the 'restart' button, the past is in the past, you don't have to care about other people's opinions, and you have a chance to truly be yourself.
Parapack:
What are the pros and cons of an international backpacking trip?
Nǎi Yún
The costs are relatively high for international hikers, especially with the rising prices in recent years. During the journey, you can't just go home like local hikers when the weather is bad, when you get injured, or when you are just in a bad mood. Most international hikers will have the mindset of completing the entire journey in one go.
Parapack:
Is there a habit that you’re trying to replace or practice in this new year?
Nǎi Yún:
I'm always open to changes or anything that can bring me sparks. Maybe I'll try things I always wanted to do but haven't done before. I'm sure I'll pick something up as the year goes on.
Parapack:
Nǎi Yún, thank you for sharing with us a glimpse of your journey!
Cheers to health, safety, peace, and more adventures to come in the Year of Snake🐍.
Nǎi Yún:
It was great talking with you about my journey and getting to know Parapack more. The connections between people are always so magical. I look forward to having soy milk and fried dough sticks with you someday.
Parapack:
Heck yes. Will top it with a humble Taiwanese ham and cucumber sandwich.
