Backpacking: Between Individual Journeys and Societal Pressure to Prioritize Health and Well-Being

In this study, we seek to identify and understand the reasons that motivate hikers to engage in backpacking. The Stevenson Trail was established and designated as GR70 more than 100 years after Robert Louis Stevenson’s backpacking trip in 1878 along the trails of the Massif Central. We conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with eight hikers on the Stevenson Trail. Considered more than just a long-distance hiking trail, it may be undertaken for therapeutic purposes—following physical or mental injuries—or more generally in pursuit of well-being. However, this study shows that a preference for this activity is shaped both by individuals’ past experiences and by their socialization. The social pressure to prioritize health and well-being, which is very prevalent in our contemporary societies, greatly influences interest in backpacking.

Hiking is one of the most popular sports activities among the French during their vacations and free time. Participation in this activity has increased by 25% over the past ten years, and this growth is driven by a desire to reconnect with nature (Atout France, 2019). Indeed, “the need to return to nature, the pursuit of well-being and health […] contribute significantly to the development of these tourism practices” (Siau, 2007: 16). These concerns, which are “at the heart of a dominant discourse” (Rail, 2016: 20), are taking hold in people’s minds and permeating our society (Klein, 2008).

“Walking is a wonderful escape from the routines of thought and daily life, and even from those of anxiety and sadness” (Le Breton et al., 2012: 55). In 1878, it was for this “therapeutic” purpose that Robert Louis Stevenson decided to embark on a journey of discovery. Following a breakup, this young Scotsman needed to “find himself” and put his personal problems behind him. For 12 days, he set out, accompanied only by his donkey. This story invites us to refer to the work of Bessin et al., who study how social sciences address breaks and turning points in individual life trajectories. “The term ‘bifurcation’ has emerged to describe situations in which contingent events or minor disruptions can lead to significant reorientations in individual trajectories or collective processes” (Bessin et al., 2009: 9). This means that each person’s past life experiences can explain what these authors call biographical ruptures, which contribute to shifts in identity and changes in attitudes. This is why, according to these authors, it is essential to study individuals’ biographies to understand certain current behaviors.  We can view Stevenson’s breakup and the associated suffering as a key moment—“turning point”—in his journey that may have led him to set out on the trails. Furthermore, setting out on a hike for several days might sometimes be necessary to “prune away thoughts that are too heavy,” all the more so “if suffering was the driving force behind the departure; it might sometimes have the chance to fade with each step and no longer choke one with such intensity” (Le Breton, 2012: 55).

Beyond the reasons that explain why young people turn to a life on the road, Trontin (2019) shows how these nomadic stays can bring about profound changes in behavior and lifestyle. As an educator working with troubled and academically struggling adolescents, Trontin draws on his field experience and observations regarding “recovery retreats.” According to him, temporary removal from one’s usual environment, walking, and nature are essential for introspection and enable these young people to take the steps needed to reconcile with themselves and those around them. For several philosophers, such as Nietzsche (1888), Gros (2009), and Pavie (2014), walking can be practiced as a spiritual exercise and is believed to be beneficial for physical and mental health. Although demonstrating these health benefits is not our objective, we note that the discourse and data on this subject are part of our daily lives and help shape our choices.

Strauss (1992) analyzed “identity transformations in the context of socially organized changes in status” (Bessin et al., 2009: 28). According to him, although this is a personal assessment, the change stems “obviously from a socialized and socializing process” because biographical events “that trigger a reevaluation of identity are highly likely to occur and to carry the same meaning for other people belonging to the same profession or social class ” (Strauss, 1992: 106). We cannot study this social phenomenon during Robert Louis Stevenson’s time, but we observe that today the pursuit of well-being is far from being addressed solely by the medical community; rather, it is a topic heavily promoted by the media and advertising. Moreover, health is defined by the World Health Organization as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being” that “is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Our society pushes individuals toward a wellness imperative by dictating how they should feel, how they should be, and how they should behave (Rail, 2016). Taking care of one’s health is now the social norm, though it leaves individuals free to choose how they wish to care for themselves. Klein calls this phenomenon “self-health” (Klein, 2008: 224). It is as if individuals were responsible for their own health, even though we know just how significant social inequalities are in this area (Feillet and Roncin, 2006).

It is within this framework that we will attempt to explain the commitment to backpacking. In this article, we aim to link Bessin et al.’s (2009) concept of “bifurcation” with health and well-being concerns shaped by social norms, drawing on the work of Rail (2016) and Klein (2008). Stevenson’s love story thus leads us to believe that we must look to individuals’ life trajectories for the reasons behind their decision to set out on these journeys. However, as the literature suggests, we will consider this activity as being more broadly embedded in a social context that encourages individuals to take care of themselves. Balancing both aspects of this reasoning seems to us to be the best way to capture the reality of the phenomenon.

Methodology and Study Area

The purpose of our qualitative study is to understand how people get started with backpacking. We chose to conduct this analysis along the Stevenson Trail (GR70)¹, because I myself hiked part of this GR trail over the course of five days. Along the way, I became interested in the history of the trail—and, by extension, in the life of R.L. Stevenson. Encountering hikers, some of whom were traveling alone, sparked my curiosity about why they had set out on their journeys. I also discovered the existence of the Stevenson Association² , which allowed me to post an announcement recruiting hikers on their Facebook page. Following this announcement, twenty-one members expressed interest in participating in our survey. Among these individuals—some of whom had provided details about their experiences or profiles—we selected eight people for our sample based on standard diversity criteria: gender and age³.

We were thus able to conduct eight in-depth interviews (ranging from 21 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes) with hikers who had traveled the Stevenson Trail. Our interview guide, inspired by Blanchet (1992) and Kaufman (1996), included an introduction and a series of questions grouped into six themes: the experience on the Stevenson Trail, physical activity, professional life, family life, and each participant’s personal tastes and interests. This method allowed us to maintain a guiding framework for our interviews while leaving room for spontaneity by adapting our questions as the data collection progressed.

Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, our interviews were conducted via various platforms—including phone, Skype, and WhatsApp—during the first lockdown (March–April 2020). These conditions (with most interviews conducted without a camera) prevented us from observing our interviewees’ body language and facial expressions. This might have helped us deepen our analysis of the hikers’ emotions as they shared their life stories, but we did pay attention to interjections that expressed spontaneous emotions.

Table 1: Profile of Respondents.

Life experiences and social influences: the reasons behind the different paths taken by our hikers on the Stevenson Trail.

The aim here is to understand what motivates people to hike the Stevenson Trail. Discourse analysis reveals not only individual reasons but also numerous elements suggesting that hikers’ routes are collectively constructed.

Physical or emotional injuries and the need to “find oneself” again.

An analysis of the life trajectories of the hikers surveyed reveals several turning points, as defined by Bessin et al. (2009). According to our data, these turning points may correspond to health issues and/or emotional trauma that result in a need to rediscover oneself. Sometimes, this trauma can lead to a need to prove one’s abilities to oneself. This was the case for Alain, who wanted to challenge himself physically and mentally following a heart attack.

“It was a little challenge I had, too—uh, after the heart attack I had in November 2017, […] it was about being able to, uh…, manage to do something, you know […] and in a way, that’s an achievement, […] not feeling like I’m good for nothing.”

(Alain, a 56-year-old man)

It was a health issue that prompted two interviewees not only to take up backpacking on the Stevenson Trail but also to start exercising in general. Just like Alain, Jean had his first backpacking experience on the Stevenson Trail, but as for how he got to that point:

“The thing is, there’s actually a long-standing issue here, and also a challenge behind it, because in 2012 I had heart surgery, and after that surgery I started exercising […] to move on and to show that just because you’ve had heart surgery doesn’t mean your athletic career is over—far from it.”

(Jean, a 57-year-old man)

Indeed, Strauss (1992) studied this phenomenon by incorporating the identity formation process into the analysis of the trajectories of chronic illnesses. According to Strauss’s theory, “the onset of illness introduces a discontinuity between the self of the past and that of the present, subject to a biographical process that introduces irreversibilities while restoring a sense of continuity ” (Bessin et al., 2009: 29). It can be said that this emotional shock caused them to seriously reevaluate their lives, which prompted them to take control of their lives and start exercising to take care of their health. These biographical ruptures were the triggering event in the change of their lifestyle habits.

“Well, ever since the heart attack, I’ve been going to the gym twice a week […] so yes, exercising—yes, absolutely, it was the heart attack that got me started on exercising.”

(Alain, a 56-year-old man)

This problem forces the individual to acknowledge that he or she is no longer the same person and, as a result, compels him or her to adopt new lifestyle habits (Bessin et al., 2009).

However, this is not just a matter of physical health. Life-altering events can just as easily take the form of emotional wounds that lead to a need to be alone with oneself and to clear one’s mind through the practice of backpacking. That is precisely what Cécile came to seek on this trail.

"Well, actually, I was going through some personal issues back in 2018—nothing too serious, but I just wanted to be alone for a bit, to think things over."

(Cécile, a 31-year-old woman)

In fact, the need to reconnect was frequently mentioned during the interviews, often in the wake of unhappiness at work, personal problems, or a breakup.

“I was leaving to find myself, to spend some time alone with myself […] and, yeah, my sources of motivation, too—to go into a little more detail—were that I’d just broken up with my partner at the time […] I needed more freedom, more flexibility, let’s say, in my life.”

(Raphael, a 34-year-old man)

According to Bessin et al. (2009), just like health problems, mental injuries can precede the bifurcation phenomenon⁴. Each of these biographical events may then explain why certain people—sometimes abruptly—change their habits, exercise routines, diets, and social circles, as if they were taking a completely different direction in life. Here, these wounds justify the decision to set out on the Stevenson Trail (just as for others it might have been the Camino de Santiago) and, for some of our hikers, to take up other physical activities. Hareven and Masaoka (1988) refer to “turning points in life,” which they equate with “perceptible markers.”

Hiking the trails allowed our hikers to confront themselves and change their perceptions of themselves and others through the encounters they had along the way and the reflections they had while walking alone or with others. Raphael set out alone on the Stevenson Trail but met some wonderful people.

“I was in my element during the evening get-togethers—chatting, getting to know… myself […] during our conversations on the trails, which were all about the trail—they helped me get to know myself a little faster, so to speak.”

(Raphael, male, 43 years old)

According to Mormont (2019) and Le Breton (2012), hiking in nature “is a form of renewal” (Le Breton, 2012: 55) and allows us to reexamine how we view ourselves, the world, and others. The goal is to achieve a contemplative state of self-reflection. Other authors disagree with this idea of reconnecting with oneself. For Pavie (2014: 74), “walking is not about finding oneself, but rather about escaping the notion of identity, being nobody, being nothing more than a body that walks.” One might think that our hikers also detach themselves from this notion of identity during their trip because

“Going for a day-long walk—well, you just go back to your daily routine […] whereas when you set out on a backpacking trip, you have to let go and operate differently.”

(Catherine, a 55-year-old woman)

Indeed, traveling allows one to break away from one’s environment (Trontin, 2019). The “breaks” created during walking are thus defined as a trigger or a transformation that takes place “in the form of micro-changes” and attests to “a movement of breaking away from previous ways of functioning ” (Trontin, 2019: 124). For Le Breton, “walking is a way of restoring order to inner chaos; it does not eliminate the source of tension, but it puts it at a distance” (Le Breton et al., 2012: 55). As Raphael puts it, it is about going:

"Looking for a few things we can't get back home"

(Raphael, male, 34 years old)

This practice reveals “the experience of a true ordeal […] in which departure can sometimes be seen as a remedy,” because “what cannot be satisfied within and by one’s social circle—namely, the need for the infinite—finds a form of fulfillment in departure” (Maffesoli, 1997: 148).

Still with the aim of breaking away from everyday life, we were able to identify in the statements of some of our interviewees a relationship to time that seems specific to itinerant practices.

“Hiking is really… yes, it’s a break; it’s about… well, not forgetting, but at least setting aside work worries—maybe we’re trying to step away from a certain routine in our everyday lives.”

 (Jean, a 57-year-old man)

For Jean—and Julie, too—it’s really about taking a break, putting their current lives on hold, and getting away to recharge by stepping back from their problems, big and small.

“For me, backpacking is a break—a chance to be 100% immersed in the experience and not get distracted by other outside information […]. And the fact that I’m in a completely different setting just a few kilometers from home—well, […] you’re somewhere else, basically; you’re in France, but you’re completely somewhere else.”

(Julie, a 33-year-old woman)

It's as if it were a parallel life:

"I took my body somewhere completely different."

 (Raphael, male, 34 years old).

This sense of being elsewhere has been studied by Bourdeau (2003; 2018), who, at the conclusion of his dissertation, focused his research on “the relationship to elsewhere in contemporary urban societies” (Bourdeau, 2003: 15). He examines the relationships between “here” and “elsewhere,” and in particular access to “an elsewhere that breaks with the here” (Bourdeau, 2018: 2). Based on our interviews, we observe that the environment facilitates the “transition” between “here” and “elsewhere,”

“Walking through a forest where, um… there was a deep silence—it was extraordinary. I really felt as if I were passing through… When I say ‘passing through,’ it might make you smile, but it was like an airlock leading into another world…”

 (Jean, male, 57)

It is precisely that sense of being somewhere else that our hikers came seeking on their multi-day hike along the Stevenson Trail—to the point where, at times, they even became someone else. As Jean says:

"It's a break from our everyday lives. It's a different way of doing things."

(Jean, male, 57)

Some sociologists refer to the phenomenon of bifurcation as a radical change. For them, it is a form of identity transition leading to a biographical shift—that is, becoming someone else, with both an old and a new self (Bessin et al., 2009).

That is why, as in Trontin’s (2019) research, we find that backpacking trips bring about changes that continue after the trip. The act of walking, being connected to nature, and the insights and reflections that arise on the trail lead our hikers to change some of their behaviors and lifestyle habits after their trip. In fact, they all returned “shaken up,” “transformed,” “deeply moved,” “more confident,” “less stressed,” and so on. Catherine, for example, changed her lifestyle after her experience on the Stevenson Trail:

“When it comes to my consumption habits—whether in terms of food, clothing, or my carbon footprint in general—it’s actually my relationship with the world that has changed.”

(Catherine, a 55-year-old woman)

Charles, who had never gone on a backpacking trip before and set out to meet up with his girlfriend, found the experience to be therapeutic. He explains:

“It was actually after that hike that I found a mindset that allowed me to put things into perspective, to give things time, to not get carried away, to stay calm, and to keep my voice down.”

(Charles, a 36-year-old man).

But also that he felt the benefits for a long time:

 "I think that for a year after that, I didn't have any outbursts or stress, or anything like that—it was really therapeutic."

(Charles, a 36-year-old man)

This backpacking trip also left me wanting more: “I came home, and everything had changed—I didn’t want to go on day hikes anymore. I think I’m now a die-hard fan of backpacking.”

(Raphael, a 34-year-old man).

Sometimes even moments of self-doubt:

"I didn't question my life, but I certainly questioned myself."

(Raphael, a 34-year-old man).

Indeed, “nature puts humanity in its proper place simply because it is there—simply there—and not because it seeks to stand in humanity’s way” (Mormont, 2019: 156–157). 

Bessin et al. (2009) and Trontin (2019) offered two interpretations of the phenomenon of bifurcation—one preceding it and the other following it—which are closely related and based on the pursuit of well-being and good physical and mental health.

Social Influences on Physical Activity and the Importance of Well-Being and Health

Our theoretical study helped us identify, in our interviews, elements of social pressure toward a focus on health and well-being through sports. Our analysis highlights a sense of belonging to a social group; let’s look, for example, at the way our hikers present themselves:

"Like many people, I've come to enjoy walking and taking strolls."

(Jean, a 57-year-old man)

 "Um, I go hiking—well, you know, like a lot of people do on the weekends."

 (Julie, a 34-year-old woman)

It’s as if they felt compelled to justify themselves, and the phrase“like everyone else”—mentioned here twice—clearly illustrates this desire to be part of the hiking community, but also to be part of a group of people who stay in shape through regular physical activity. Indeed, this allows individuals to identify with a social image. Charles also says that the Stevenson Trail “is a wonderful community of hikers” ( Charles, a 36-year-old man). Raphael, on the other hand, does not feel he fits the social norm when it comes to his career path:

"I've taken on quite a few odd jobs; I haven't really settled down career-wise."

(Raphael, a 34-year-old man)

So even though we’re not talking about sports here, it’s as if there were rules for belonging to this social group. This sense of belonging fosters shared values regarding sports. In fact, when analyzing the various sports activities of our hikers (e.g., running, skateboarding, dancing, yoga, rock climbing, snowshoeing…), we notice a lack of competition. There is a clear preference for certain types of sports, contrasting competitive sports with hiking. This is the case for two of the people interviewed. Sandra, who rejected this competitive spirit, felt excluded from her gym group after expressing her preferences, which led her to quit:

“I was in a group. I’m not very competitive, so I asked not to participate in competitions. But then I felt like the teachers weren’t paying much attention to me, and as a result, I had a hard time making progress.”

(Sandra, a 29-year-old woman).

Julie, for her part, says she is not part of this social group because:

“You have to fit into certain categories; you have to be better than your peers. It’s not about helping each other; it’s not about pushing yourself to your limits—it’s about outdoing others; it’s about beating others.”

(Julie, a 34-year-old woman)

However, it is clear that past experiences (socialization) play a role in shaping tastes, as we saw earlier. In fact, Julie recalls unpleasant memories related to her experience with physical education in school.

 "For 31 years, I had a relationship with sports that could be described as one of hatred. I hated it because I had terrible teachers."

(Julie, a 34-year-old woman)

Based on the work of Bessin et al. (2009), Julie and Sandra’s past experiences with sports led them to shift toward hiking and to reject competition.

According to Jean, backpacking is an activity

"The style that's popular these days—which you could call minimalist, right?—means just a pair of shoes, a bag, and the bare essentials inside, and with that, you can travel 280 km—or even farther."

(Jean, a 57-year-old man)

Indeed, walking manages “to free us from the illusions of necessity” (Gros, 2009: 12). But if we were to define fashion, we would say that it is a phenomenon that encompasses both the collective and the individual, involving the codes that society imposes and the image it reflects. Fashion also allows people to assert their social status. The backpacking market is just as thriving as the health and wellness market. The statistics speak for themselves: 56% of backpackers are between the ages of 25 and 49, according to the French Hiking Federation⁵. We can also observe how hiking gear is becoming increasingly technical and stylish, accompanied by attractive visual marketing aimed at promoting well-being. Indeed, health has permeated our society, and “many consumer products claim, directly or indirectly, to be related to health, positioning themselves as tools for self-care. The marketing of major companies, whether consciously or not, plays on the concept of health, aiming to integrate their wellness products into a trend that is currently on the rise” (Klein, 2008: 214). This messaging, which blends hiking and well-being, influences people to take up the activity, but the growth of alternative medicine also shapes this choice. Today, the growth of unconventional medicine is increasingly leading toward a non-pharmaceutical approach. Engaging in physical activity—particularly low-impact exercise such as walking—is highly recommended by healthcare professionals for maintaining good mental and physical health (Duchez, 2020). For Jean,

"We walk for ourselves, but we also walk for an ideal."

(Jean, a 57-year-old man)

Indeed, our society values beauty and performance, which is why people of all ages—but especially older adults—feel a sense of duty to take care of their bodies by engaging in physical activities that allow them to maintain social integration (Feillet and Roncin, 2006). We also note in the responses of those interviewed that they are concerned about their health and well-being. In our conversation with Raphael, we observe external social pressure:

“I’m a smoker, too, so that’s not great,” but running makes him feel “cleaner”—“it cleanses me; I think it’s psychological, too.”

(Raphael, a 34-year-old man)

We all know that smoking is bad for our health because that’s the message society conveys to us: “Smoking kills.” It’s as if everyone were being encouraged to take charge of their own lives and stay physically and mentally fit (Feillet and Roncin, 2006). Jean, who has had heart surgery, feels responsible for maintaining his health and, in a way, accountable:

"Well, this heart needs to be taken care of—it was given to me, so I have to take care of it."

(Jean, a 57-year-old man)

Health is not solely in the hands of healthcare professionals, since it is also a “matter of duty and individual responsibility, reconnecting with the concept of the ‘self-healer’” (Crignon-De-Oliveira, 2010: 179–180). This is also true for Raphael, who chose to take control of his own life and tells us that playing sports helped him get back on track.

“That’s what sports are all about. For me, today was a moment in my life when I could have gone off the rails—just like everyone else, for that matter; we’ve all had that choice—and for me, it was sports that told me, ‘No, no, don’t go off the rails.’”

(Raphael, a 34-year-old man)

But having a choice “would perpetuate the illusion of normative freedom for the social subject within a normative system in which he or she is, in fact, trapped” (Klein, 2008: 223). Our feelings, emotions, or pain allow us to assess our state of well-being. Logically speaking, everyone is free to eat, work, engage in physical activity, or seek entertainment as they wish. Yet our society still manages to persuade us to adopt—or not adopt—certain lifestyle habits to promote our well-being and thus remain in good health, as defined by the WHO⁶. Raphael’s final remarks—“like everyone else,” “we’ve all had that choice”— clearly show that we feel free even though we are bound to the collective, without necessarily realizing it.

In conclusion, the benefits of walking, the growing interest in well-being and good health, and the story of Robert Louis Stevenson led us to wonder why hikers on the GR70 embark on this journey. To address this question, we conducted in-depth interviews with eight hikers on the Stevenson Trail and examined their life stories. We found that each individual’s life experiences shaped their passion for long-distance hiking. Indeed, through the biographies of our Stevenson Trail hikers, we observed mental or physical trauma, or a need to rediscover themselves, which drove them to take up this activity. Drawing on the work of Bessin et al. (2009), we were thus able to define this as a “bifurcation” phenomenon. Furthermore, various pieces of evidence have been provided by Trontin (2019), Le Breton (2012), Mormont (2019), Gros (2009), Pavie (2014), and Bourdeau (1994) regarding the ability of this practice to promote good physical and mental health, as well as reflection. “It provides an opportunity to reflect on oneself, to engage in introspection, and to analyze our actions and deeds” (Pavie, 2014: 75). However, individuals are not free agents; they also live within a structured society, and we needed to understand their experiences and living conditions to comprehend their choices. We live in an era where we’re expected to stay healthy for as long as possible, and if we don’t, our responsibility is called into question, as our health is supposedly our own responsibility. Even though we know full well that there are significant social inequalities, society still manages to place the responsibility for one’s health squarely on the individual. It is as if everyone were expected to take charge of their own lives, to maintain physical and mental fitness, and to cultivate social connections (Feillet and Roncin, 2006). Indeed, following the approach of Feillet and Roncin (2006), we analyzed our data by linking the individual to the collective. We have shown that the practice of physical activities in general—and, in our case, backpacking—is influenced both by our life experiences and by the prevailing discourses emphasizing the imperative of well-being and health, as well as the importance of engaging in physical activity. These social imperatives generate a collective interest in backpacking and thus help shape individuals’ preferences. The fact is that individuals take up backpacking following life-changing events, but also to integrate into a social group and to respond to this imperative of well-being as defined by Rail (2016). Furthermore, we have observed that health and well-being are becoming a truly thriving market, with well-crafted marketing centered on wellness. Moreover, “physical and sports activities are exploited by commercial enterprises, which incorporate them to facilitate the conquest of new markets in the name of well-being” (Rail, 2016: 20). Thus, we understand that the individual and the collective are two interdependent variables, and we are unable to determine which is dominant.

Thus, each individual’s responsibility for maintaining their own health can contribute to reinforcing social inequalities. This emphasis on health and well-being influences the practice of physical activities. The wellness market drives consumption (particularly of high-tech equipment) and, in doing so, distorts the original purpose of backpacking, which should require nothing more than a good pair of shoes, a backpack, and a small budget for lodging. This leads one to wonder whether the choice to go backpacking following a life-changing event, in search of well-being, is not limited exclusively to higher social classes. This question could be an interesting topic for future research.

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https://www.pourlascience.fr/sd/neurosciences/les-pensees-viennent-en-marchant-10504.php

WHO 1946https://www.who.int/fr/about

1. The Stevenson Trail is a flagship route in the Massif Central, marked in 1993 by the French Hiking Federation and designated GR70—more than 100 years after the publication of his travelogue *Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes* (Stevenson, R.L., 1878). This 272-km route crosses four departments and can be traveled on foot, with a donkey, by bicycle, or on horseback. According to a 2014 study by the Stevenson Association, the trail attracted more than 6,000 hikers that same year. ↩︎
2. The Stevenson Association, founded in 1994, is dedicated to bringing together economic, tourism, and cultural service providers (producers, lodging providers, restaurant owners, donkey rental companies, transportation providers, etc.). The network includes more than 200 professionals who work to promote the region’s economic development and keep the history of the GR70 alive and thriving. ↩︎
3. Recruiting via Facebook can affect the age of respondents, which is why we took great care to vary this criterion when the “candidates” scheduled for an interview specified it. ↩︎
4. As explained in the introduction, according to Bessin et al. (2009), the phenomenon of bifurcation stems from an unpredictable event that may occur during an individual’s earlier life. ↩︎
5. PowerPoint Presentation (ffrandonnee.fr) ↩︎
6. See the definition in the introduction on page 4 ↩︎