I'm sorry your mother can't see how wise you are to end the trip before you got seriously hurt or sick. She says you are a failure for not giving it a shot? But you did give it a shot and found you need more preparation!

I mean, has she ever hiked the Colorado Trail herself? What hiking successes has she achieved to make her an authority on what should be deemed a "hiking success?"

Besides, isn't hiking supposed to fun? Your mother is reminding me of one of those Little League father's who slaps his kid for striking out. But instead of slapping you she cries, which is really, really manipulative. I can't believe she would actually be that distraught over this. Sounds to me like she really loves messing with your head.

I hope you also give yourself some credit for taking care of yourself and doing the right thing despite pressure from your mother to do otherwise. That's not easy to do when you are young. Not at all.

--Ceara1010