AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Texas man is channeling his grief and loss into an opportunity to aid others — one hike at a time.
Everyone experiences grief at some point in their life. For Roland “Bones” Jimenez, he can trace grief in his life back to the death of his youngest brother, Michael, from cancer in 1988.
Since, he’s lost his eldest brothers, his mother and his father, in addition to other family members, friends and loved ones.
Amid a decades-long battle learning to live with grief, Jimenez said he found himself drawn to spending more times outdoors, basking in the recreation and time spent with nature. He began hiking and backpacking, noting the impacts on his physical and mental health and wanting to extend the same benefits to others.
That desire led to the creation of “Come and Hike It,” an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. As its founder and executive director, Jimenez envisioned removing people from the everyday stresses and distractions — traffic, television, work and phones — and sitting with yourself to process grief more deeply.
-
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez) -
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez) -
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez) -
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez) -
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez) -
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez) -
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez) -
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez) -
“Come and Hike It” is an organization designed to help those suffering from grief to unite with others experiencing loss on outdoor hikes and trips. (Courtesy Roland Jimenez)
“More than anything else, you have to be selfish in times of grief,” Jimenez said. “And I think naturally hiking is a great way to do that, because it puts you out in nature, away from all these distractions.”
With that time in nature comes the opportunity to be present and reflective — something that can lead to healing, he added. Through the group’s format, you have both one-on-one contemplative time while also being surrounded by others who profoundly understand loss.
It’s a combination Jimenez saw success form during the organization’s inaugural trip in October, which took four participants out to Big Bend National Park. The road trip involved pit stops in Fredericksburg, pitching tents and chats in nature alongside a wellness guide before exploring the trails.
Within the organization is a program called “Hike to Honor,” a way to dedicate the trip to a loved one you’ve loss.
“Our main hike was up this mountain, it’s Lost Mine Trail in Big Bend National Park. And I have an iconic photo of my brother on top of a rock, at the top of this hike, and I kind of use that as a base point,” he said. “At the end of the day, even though I’ve lost a lot of family members, I did this in honor of him.”
On those Hike to Honor treks, the goal is to be present with the sensory experiences happening around you while also reflecting on one’s loved ones. In testimonies shared with KXAN, participants said they were able to find a supportive environment and speak candidly on loss without fear of judgment.
In the weeks leading up to the trip, I had been carrying a heavy heart and feeling significant stress. However, I returned home feeling as though a weight had been lifted. I now feel a sense of contentment and gratitude. Come and Hike It allowed me to experience the healing power of hiking, nature, and community. I am deeply grateful for the Come and Hike It team and the new friendships formed.
Yvonne, participant on Come and Hike It’s inaugural trip
When the group reached the peak in October, each went and did their own thing — some took photos, one meditated and others just basked in the moment.
“It was a beautiful moment, and it was interesting, because I never cried or anything on this trip, except when I walked up there and I just kind of saw everyone do their thing,” he said. “I turned around and just started bawling. I didn’t say a word. No one saw me crying, but I was crying and that was the moment I realized ‘this is amazing. This is awesome.'”
Come and Hike It is working to secure its nonprofit status, and launched a fundraiser to aid in those efforts. As the organization continues, Jimenez hopes to reach thousands of people and expand the group’s reach into additional states.
He added he has some connections in North Carolina and Colorado, and is working to solidify expansion opportunities once the nonprofit filing is completed.
“Come and hike it with us. Come and enjoy it,” he said. “Let’s do this together and have some fun at the same time.”
Those interested can donate to Come and Hike It’s fundraiser or learn more about volunteer and participation opportunities online.
