MJ calls what happened to her in Zion national park “small ‘T’ trauma”. She knows women have experienced worse from their partners. But she still feels the anger of being left behind on a hike by her now ex. “It brings up stuff in my body that maybe I have not cleared out yet,” she said.
Five years ago, MJ and a new partner – he was not exactly her boyfriend, and the pair were not exclusive – traveled from Los Angeles to Utah for an adventure getaway. MJ, who is 38 and works in PR, was looking forward to exploring Zion’s striking scenery; its vast sandstone canyon and pristine wading trails were on the list. But on the morning of their big hike, MJ was not feeling well. She could not shake the feeling that something was “off”; indeed, MJ would learn on this trip that her partner was seeing other women.
As they made their way up Angel’s Landing, MJ’s partner started walking faster than her. “I could tell it was getting on his nerves that I was slow,” she said. “I was like, ‘Fuck it, just go ahead of me.’” He did without hesitation.
When she caught up at the top of the mountain, they took a picture together. Then her partner hiked down the mountain with a woman he had met on the way up, leaving MJ to finish by herself. They broke up shortly after that trip. (MJ asked to be referred to by her initials for the sake of speaking openly about a past relationship.)
Last month, MJ opened TikTok and heard the phrase “alpine divorce”, a label she now attaches to her experience in Zion.
deleted by creator
I would argue you shouldn’t give the person trying to do something bad exactly what they want
deleted by creator
Ok fair tbh
I agree with you. It just gives them plausible deniability. Better to communicate clearly. “Stop walking so fast. I can’t keep up. I don’t feel comfortable being left behind. In fact, if you leave me behind, I’ll start a TikTok trend to shame you.”
deleted by creator
Tell him to wait for you. You don’t abandon your hiking partners.
deleted by creator
What part of “you don’t abandon your hiking partner” was unclear to you
deleted by creator
None, which is why I’m confused about why you think I’m blaming her.
deleted by creator
You asked what else she could do. She could do that, but as I said, the fault lies entirely with him: you don’t abandon your hiking partners.
It’s both of their faults. She chose a piece of shit and he is a piece of shit.
Women need to learn how to protect themselves from scumbags if they want to stop being taken advantage by them.
Unfortunately, I guarantee the women he switched to will not learn from the previous ones’ mistakes. They’re just going to be glad it’s their turn, lol.
Your portrayal of the woman in this story is wildly inconsistent. Reflect on why you keep changing your views to make what happened her fault.
Not really. I’ve been consistent this entire time.
As usual, you people need to twist your brains into knots to find ways not to blame a woman.
Did you read the article? What about the guy who refused a rescue helicopter and left his partner on top of a mountain alone to die without even using the blanket? Surely that’s the woman’s fault somehow?
Both of these people seem like shitbags so it’s not surprising they both do shitty things to each other.
Wow what an insughtful and balanced take. It must be true because your position is in the middle of two arbitrary extremes. Why didn’t I think of that!