View Full Version : Y hike?
Jaybird62
08-15-2009, 23:58
Just was wonderin what do you hike for..........specifically between these choices. For the solitude/wilderness/chance to clear your head, or for beautiful environment/friendship/meeting new people etc. ?:-?
Nearly Normal
08-16-2009, 00:01
....................
Jaybird62
08-16-2009, 00:07
I guess what i was trying to ask is if you hike for the solitude or for the chance to either hang out with friends or meet new people......
greg burke
08-16-2009, 00:12
I like taken my 3 son down trails ,so they can see there is more to life than concrete and steel.
Just was wonderin what do you hike for..........specifically between these choices. For the solitude/wilderness/chance to clear your head, or for beautiful environment/friendship/meeting new people etc. ?:-?
All the above, plus spending time praying, giving thanks to God for the creation around me. I also spend much time praying for folks at home. Work often occupies my mind in my everyday life and I end up unthankful. Hiking helps reverse that.
Jaybird62
08-16-2009, 00:14
I like taken my 3 son down trails ,so they can see there is more to life than concrete and steel.
For sure man....i have a young daughter, and am looking forward to the day that we backpack together:banana
Lone Wolf
08-16-2009, 00:15
Just was wonderin what do you hike for..........specifically between these choices. For the solitude/wilderness/chance to clear your head, or for beautiful environment/friendship/meeting new people etc. ?:-?
buffets, beer and broads
Jaybird62
08-16-2009, 00:17
buffets, beer and broads
Well that there sounds reasonable:-?:D
Trailweaver
08-16-2009, 02:27
I hike to be alone and think, be surrounded by nature. When I do run into people, I find their stories very interesting, so I enjoy that too. I just like the AT because you're never alone too long to be bored, but can be alone long enough to be silent for several hours or even a day.
theb1440
08-16-2009, 02:55
ill be 25 this month. ive been fortunate enough to grow up with parents that loved to camp/travel. ive seen alot of places and done alot of things that most people never get to do in their lifetime all before im 25. ive lived all over the country, plus was in the military for a few years of my life... and for some reason i feel like it just isnt enough... i havent found myself... im planning my first thru hike in '10 and im doing it solo. i guess my main reason is because im almost 25 and i dont have a clue about who the hell i am. im hoping i might be able to figure that out while im out there. plus seeing the true unmolested beauty of this country the way that most people never get to see it is an added bonus.
ill be 25 this month. ive been fortunate enough to grow up with parents that loved to camp/travel. ive seen alot of places and done alot of things that most people never get to do in their lifetime all before im 25. ive lived all over the country, plus was in the military for a few years of my life... and for some reason i feel like it just isnt enough... i havent found myself... im planning my first thru hike in '10 and im doing it solo. i guess my main reason is because im almost 25 and i dont have a clue about who the hell i am. im hoping i might be able to figure that out while im out there. plus seeing the true unmolested beauty of this country the way that most people never get to see it is an added bonus.
life is a long process of self-discovery. those who look to find themselves on a long adventure often have a great trip, but are disappointed that the only thing they found is a great trip. definitely go hike, but consider lowering your expectations and just let what comes come. you will have more fun that way and whenever you finish, reflect a little and move on to whatever is next... new job, family, another adventure. just have fun. :)
I'm at that empty nest time of my life.....so I turn to my wife and say...since all the kids are gone we can stay around the house and have sex all the time...her response was...TAKE A HIKE. ............ I started hiking last yr.
ill be 25 this month. ive been fortunate enough to grow up with parents that loved to camp/travel. ive seen alot of places and done alot of things that most people never get to do in their lifetime all before im 25. ive lived all over the country, plus was in the military for a few years of my life... and for some reason i feel like it just isnt enough... i havent found myself... im planning my first thru hike in '10 and im doing it solo. i guess my main reason is because im almost 25 and i dont have a clue about who the hell i am. im hoping i might be able to figure that out while im out there. plus seeing the true unmolested beauty of this country the way that most people never get to see it is an added bonus.
here is a thread with some thoughts to ponder...
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53120
I'm at that empty nest time of my life.....so I turn to my wife and say...since all the kids are gone we can stay around the house and have sex all the time...her response was...TAKE A HIKE. ............ I started hiking last yr.
:rolleyes: Welcome to the club!
Kerosene
08-16-2009, 12:32
I'm out there primarily for the solitude and wilderness, such as it is on the AT. I tend to remember every day from my section hikes for decades; something I can't say about my work life.
shelterbuilder
08-16-2009, 13:43
When I'm "out there", I feel alive...like I'm SUPPOSED to be out there. Fewer "civilized" distractions...easier to remember what's really important. I usually hike alone, so I have time to re-connect with God and myself...it's easier to be thankful for what you've got.
It's more pleasant and effective for staying in shape than a treadmill.
It helps me keep my mind in shape as well as my body.
Y not?
I just like walking in the woods, nothing deep.
It helps me keep my mind in shape as well as my body.
This is one of the main reasons that I hike... When I breathe mountain air, troubles drift away.
Just was wonderin what do you hike for..........specifically between these choices. For the solitude/wilderness/chance to clear your head, or for beautiful environment/friendship/meeting new people etc. ?:-?
All of the above and more. Doesn't need to be either/or. Some great posts. I'm in the right place.
Stay centered(focused) and grounded. Stay connected to the present moment. When we lose connection to this present moment, get lost in fears of the future, or regrets of the past, we lose power to take appropriate action "in the now." When we attain a state of "relaxed alertness", we can then ask.....
"What does this moment ask of me right now?"
Life gets simple, orderly and clear again. Joy bubbles up from the bottom of the feet. The vital force is opened and flowing in the body, connecting with the stream of life within and without.
Long distance or extended duration hiking is a vehicle that takes me to a place where I'm focused, grounded, in the moment, and that vital force is flowing. This pattern carries over into life when not hiking,
The beauty of the trees,
the softness of the air,
the fragrance of the grass
speaks to me.....
The summit of the mountain,
the thunder of the sky,
the rhythm of the sea
speaks to me.....
And my heart soars.
Unknown
I hear the voice of God in the songs of the birds, the rippling of mighty waters, and the sweet breathing of flowers. Gertrude Simmons Bonnin
I walk in to woods looking to find myself.....
Lone Wolf
08-16-2009, 20:06
i find myself hungry and thirsty
Blissful
08-16-2009, 20:12
Because it's there...
:)
Because there is nothing like it that is good for the mind, body and soul.
i find myself hungry and thirsty
Because it's there...
:)
yupperdoodle
Different Socks
08-17-2009, 01:11
I am hard of hearing. In my every day life, job and relationships, because I wear hearing aids, the people around me that have normal hearing cannot seem to tolerate me because they believe that since I am wearing aids, that my ability to hear is as good or greater than theirs.
I find that that is not the case with people that are deaf. Normal hearing folks seem to go out of their way to make sure a deaf person knows what they are saying.
This is very frustrating for me. So to relieve myself of the stress I go hiking/backpacking, kayaking, star watching, just to get away from people. Ironically, I don't like to always be out there alone. That is why I like being on the "long trails". In most cases the long distance trail hiker is much more laid back and tolerant of my handicap and I can be who I want to be.
Different Socks
08-17-2009, 01:14
Ialso feel as if I am out of place when I am in the modern world. When in the woods, on a trail, sitting at an overlook, standing on a mtn top, watching autumn leaves float by on a stream, etc, I am at a greater peace than any religion, music, or drug could ever give me.
I'm at that empty nest time of my life.....so I turn to my wife and say...since all the kids are gone we can stay around the house and have sex all the time...her response was...TAKE A HIKE. ............ I started hiking last yr.
Are our wifes sisters or what? Those were more wife's words also...Except she went hiking with me a week ago--now cover in poison ivy---and is not a happy camper....:D
Are our wifes sisters or what? Those were more wife's words also...Except she went hiking with me a week ago--now cover in poison ivy---and is not a happy camper....:D
sounds like a setup, 'come hear dear and take a look at this pretty vine' :eek:
Rocket Jones
08-17-2009, 08:32
Are our wifes sisters or what? Those were more wife's words also...Except she went hiking with me a week ago--now cover in poison ivy---and is not a happy camper....:D
XKCD covered this (sorta), titled "Know Your Vines":
http://xkcd.com/443/
fredmugs
08-17-2009, 12:22
None of the above. I am section hiking the AT simply because it is a physical challenge. I need some challenge to keep me in shape and knocking out 150 mile sections at +/- 20 miles a day forces me to stay in shape. Weighing 195 pounds is much preferable to the 235 pounds I once weighed.