You’ve
been cooped up in your vehicle for hours.
Your lower back aches. You’ve
long since lost all sensation in your feet.
Your lungs feel like they need a filter change and you’re as limber as a
gimpy snail stuck in a molasses factory.
Muttering, moaning and groaning, you roll into your camp site, motel
room or cabin determined to enjoy The Great Outdoors if it kills you – and
everyone else.
Sound
familiar?
If
it does, there’s one sure-fire, fail-safe remedy to improve both your physical
and mental health in an hour or less: take a hike.
That’s
right. Hike. Hiking is one of the most popular,
inexpensive ways to enjoy any outdoor destination, relieve stress, and work out
some kinks – both mental and physical.
No Special Gear Needed
Unlike
other outdoor pursuits, a well-outfitted hiker needs minimal gear at minimal
cost. The key is dressing comfortably
and being prepared. This means checking trail conditions,
weather, and terrain in advance. You can
manage all of this with some purposeful planning, the clothes already in your
closet, food in your fridge, and maybe a quick run to Wal-Mart, Cabela’s, or
REI.
Don’t Scrimp on Footwear
Perhaps
the most important item you’ll want to have is a good pair of sturdy hiking
boots. Don’t scrimp. You and your feet will pay for it. I recommend any pair of hiking boots by Red
Wing Shoes.
Pricey? They can be.
But my mom, an avid hiker, owned a pair of Red Wings for almost fifty
years. They’re that good. Besides, when it
comes to headin’ out on the trail, the sole of your boot is your only real
protection against severe discomfort (blisters, bruises, wet feet), injury
(turned ankles, sprains, etc.), and the elements – water, tanglefoot, brambles,
briars, ice or snow. Sturdy footwear is
no time to get cheap. The old adage,
“You get what you pay for” is never more true than hwen it comes to a good pair
of hiking boots.
Be
mindful of the weather when you’re preparing for your hike and dress
approrpriately. That means sunscreen and
a good, wide-brimmed hat on a sunny day; a sweater or jacket, preferably
waterproof and with a hood, on a cloudy or damp day. If you’re hiking in the Northwest,
particularly in the
The Ten Essentials
The
original Ten Essentials list was assembled in the 1930s by The Mountaineers, a
Seattle-based organization for climbers and outdoor adventurers. The group's
updated "systems" approach made its debut in the seventh edition of
its seminal text on climbing and outdoor exploration, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills (The Mountaineers
Books, 2003). They are
- Map
- Compass
- Sunglasses and
sunscreen
- Extra clothing
- Headlamp/flashlight
- First-aid supplies
- Firestarter
- Matches
- Knife
- Extra food/water
Why
create such a list? The book's editors explain: "The purpose of this list
has always been to answer two basic questions: First, can you respond
positively to an accident or emergency? Second, can you safely spend a night—or
more—out?"
Packing
these items whenever you step into the backcountry, even on day hikes, is a
good habit to acquire. True, on a routine trip you may use only a few of them. You'll
probably never fully appreciate the value of the Ten Essentials - or the wisdom
that went into building the list - until you really
need one of them. When it comes to the
Ten Essentiasl, think American Express:
“Don’t Leave Home Without Them.”
Health Benefits of Hiking
Hiking is an obvious way to get some exercise. Hike on a regular basis and the health
benefits add up. According to the American Hiking Society (AHS), health
benefits of hiking include:
-
Preventing heart disease
-
Decreasing cholesterol levels and hypertejsion (high blood pressure)
-
Improving and maintaining mental health
-
Slowing the aging process
-
Preventing osteoporosis
-
Prevnting and controlling diabetes
-
Improving arthritis
-
Relievieng back pain
Mental Benefits
Life
can be stressful and hectic. Walking a
trail, taking in some fresh, clean air, listening to a roaring waterfall or
just walking along a quiet walk along pine-needle carpeted trail is like taking
a timeout from busy schedules and crammed calendars. Relax.
Suck in some chunks of conifer-crisped air. Hiking helps burn off stress and gives you a
chance to just think without interruption. No TV, email, phone, Play Stations or
Ipods. Just you and the Great
Outdoors. Enjoy it. You’ll be refreshed and rejuvenated by the
time you return to camp.
Family Connections
Hiking
is also a great way to connect as a family, swap stories, take turns, and learn
new skills like basic land navigation and map reading. Some of our best family memories were forged
out on the trail together, chugging through miles of pristine backcountry. We’ve encountered jaw-dropping vistas,
crystal-clear lakes, achingly blue skies, historical markers, flora, fauna and
adventure that you never see in the city – or from the inside of your car.
No Substitute
If
you really want to get to know and experience the great outdoors on its own
terms, there’s no substitute for hiking.
Leave the exhaust fumes and aching backs for car-bound rookies and dive
in to that sure-fire, sure-fire, fail-safe remedy to improve both your physical
and mental health in an hour or less: take a hike.
For more hiking tips and how-tos:
How to Hike
Hiking Basics
Hiking Gear & Equipment
Essential Tips
Tips for the Trail
