I Like Hiking; Camping...not so much, Huh?

[rocketsocks]

I like camping for all of 3 hours. I'm too anxious to see what's over the next hill.

gotta go/gotta go/gotta go/gotta go/do/do/do/do......doe doe doah!

[jwalton]

Hawker,
I understand what you're saying. I have dreams of long distance hikes, but for a variety of reasons I'm not sure it will happen. I do plan to finish the Ga section of the AT this year. Interested in some day hikes after the heat breaks?

[T.S.Kobzol]

Camping is a means to stay out there longer and farther. It also means you won't miss sunset, sunrise and starfilled sky. If you want to extend your stay then work on getting comfortable camping. Once you'll break this barrier you'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner :-)

I enjoy the athleticism of hiking. I enjoy seeing new scenery, birds, wildlife and the feeling of accomplishment after a lengthy hike. However, I don't care for camping very much and I'm not sure why?

Unlike many of you, I think I was turned off to camping when in Boy Scouts. I lived in upstate NY and all I remember is being uncomfortable and cold most of the time. When my aunt and uncle took me camping several times all I remember is feeling lonely because neither my parents nor my siblings came along.
I just wonder if all those negative things early on have somehow had an affect on how I feel about camping today? Am I nuts? Or maybe...I just don't like being away from the comforts of home; my bed, my computer and the refrigerator?

[OzJacko]

I like both but the camping only since I got a comfortable mattress.
I can fully understand not everyone liking it though.
I love a campfire and a chat and hot drinks etc.
Having said that am looking forward to hiking in Europe after my 2013 AT hike. Will be walking with my wife and mostly going from B&B to B&B etc.

[Wise Old Owl]

I enjoy the athleticism of hiking. I enjoy seeing new scenery, birds, wildlife and the feeling of accomplishment after a lengthy hike. However, I don't care for camping very much and I'm not sure why?

Unlike many of you, I think I was turned off to camping when in Boy Scouts. I lived in upstate NY and all I remember is being uncomfortable and cold most of the time. When my aunt and uncle took me camping several times all I remember is feeling lonely because neither my parents nor my siblings came along.
I just wonder if all those negative things early on have somehow had an affect on how I feel about camping today? Am I nuts? Or maybe...I just don't like being away from the comforts of home; my bed, my computer and the refrigerator?

Well clearly you are just not into it, that's not a bad thing. I am huge on camping, hiking, kayaking. There's nothing that is going to sway you from that comfort level. But I use camping as an inexspensive tool to get out further and do different things. I drive out to Harpers Ferry to pitch a tent and section hike... and keep the the trip as cheep as possible... but thats because a 5 star hotel doesn't compare to a million star hammock! Find what you want to do and plan around it... you would be surprised that the only way I can get my wife out on a hike is to go places and Bed and Breakfast with her. She has that same comfort level, she enjoys the family atmosphere that a B&B offers. - and there's nothing wrong with that.

I really hate the time consumption on setting up a tent - so I worked around it - first finding tents that set themselves up then getting into hammocks and snake skins - because its so quick!

[Rasty]

When solo camping is boring, I just want to set up, eat, read for an hour and go to sleep.

When going with the wife and kids then camping becomes a more important part of the trip. Exploring a creek with the kids, making a campfire, preparing a gourmet trail meal, etc.

[Hawker]

Thanks folks for your input. I guess I don't feel too out of the ordinary now, but I plan to do a bit more camping an maybe change some things up a bit to make it more interesting or comfortable. I've been reading a lot about hammocks recently and I'm sure itcing to give it a try. I pray a bear doesn't see me as a large burrito.

[tdoczi]

i used to hate camping and mostly still do. trying to not camp is too much of a hindrance to hiking though ive discovered. trust me, i've tried. its ultimately more fun to just suck it up and camp ive found. constantly shuttling, setting up slackpacks, doing extra miles because you have to reach town because you dont even have a tent, it all just got to be too silly for me. hike until youre ready to pass out, you wont mind sleeping outside in the least.

[Josh Calhoun]

it just aint for everybody. aslong as your doing something you love "hiking" enjoy it. beats the hell out of sitting on the couch.

[teachergal]

I agree..love hiking, not so much on the camping! I did buy a small RV - camper van - and that is as close to camping as I'll get! It's nice because I can stay overnight in the parks or the National Forests and still have all my creature comforts! Still gonna be hard to get to all the good places though...many of them aren't RV camping friendly...Baxter State Park being one of the 1st amazing places I've found that I want to go back to but need to bring a friend with a regular car!