At the Tech on the Trail lab, we’re always curious about how different people experience nature—and we love a good comparison. Our labmate Morva Saaty recently published a paper at a top HCI conference asking the question, “Is Long-distance Hiking an Emotional Roller Coaster?”. She explored, and continues to research, how Appalachian Trail (AT) hikers express their emotions, especially in relation to weather. In this post, we’re putting her work side-by-side with a blog post by Ian Watson, who took a deep dive into Earthship Biotecture and what it’s like to live off-grid. Both pieces are all about understanding nature lovers—Morva focused on hikers, and Ian focused on Earthship dwellers. Different paths, but similar questions: how does living close to nature shape how we feel?
Morva’s study dives into how people express emotions during long-distance hikes—specifically on the Appalachian Trail—by analyzing blog posts from hikers. Morva used emotion recognition tools and topic modeling to figure out what kinds of feelings hikers were sharing and what might be causing them. Unsurprisingly, weather played a big role in shaping those emotions. The takeaway? Emotions are a huge part of the hiking experience, and understanding them better could help build stronger support systems for hikers. Plus, it shows how personal blogs can be a goldmine for understanding real human experiences.
Ian Watson’s informal study is a personal deep dive into Earthships—those off-grid, sustainable homes made from recycled materials. Ian Watson took part in Earthship Academy, helped build Earthships in different countries, and then surveyed people actually living in them. His goal? To understand what it’s really like to live in one. The responses revealed a mix of excitement, challenges, and a strong sense of independence. People loved the self-sufficiency and eco-friendliness, but also faced real struggles with maintenance and community dynamics. Overall, it’s a thoughtful look at what it means to live sustainably—and what it takes emotionally and practically to make that lifestyle work.
Whether it’s through the lens of long-distance hikers or off-grid Earthship dwellers, one thing is clear: people’s emotional experiences with nature are rich, complex, and worth paying attention to. Both Morva Saaty’s research and Ian Watson’s Earthship study show that when we listen closely—especially through personal reflections like blog posts—we gain powerful insights into how humans connect with the natural world. These stories and data points aren’t just interesting; they’re essential for designing better technologies, communities, and support systems that align with how people actually live and feel. As we continue exploring the intersection of tech, emotion, and the outdoors, we’ll keep turning to these digital diaries for guidance.
Technology on the Trail 