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

[Hawker]

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?

[Edie]

I like camping, better than hiking. Hiking is a means to get to a nice place to camp. I love them both but camping is cool.

[theinfamousj]

You aren't nuts. My brother is like you in that he likes to hike but not to camp. I'm the opposite.

[Ktaadn]

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?

I didn't camp at all when I was a kid, but I was always trying to build a "fort" out of pillows, blankets, furniture, or whatever else I could find. I think I like camping because being in a tent is like being in a really cool high tech child's fort.

So, to answer your question; yes it is all about your childhood. I just saved you 10's of thousands of dollars of psychologist bills!

[10-K]

I'm not big on camping but I'm usually glad when the day is done because I like to hike until I'm really tired. My eyes pop open sometime between 4:30 and 5:00 and I'm usually back at it by 5:30.

[Creek Dancer]

Speaking of childhood memories, when hiking I often see in my mind's eye the sandbox where I used to carve elaborate trails for my dolls to walk on.

[scree]

I like getting as far away from the ever-present 60Hz hum of civilization as I can. Hiking and camping both do it.

[rocketsocks]

No, your not crazy, you just don't like to be away from the creture comforts, many don't. Not to worry though, there's plenty of day hiking, and communion with the great outdoors and the critters (including we humas) of the forrest, have some great hikes Hawker, it's all good.

[Hairbear]

do you take short hikes or long maybe shorten your hike a little and camp in the pre galded stage you might enjoy it more or plan trips with a lake as your finish point then your golden

[Feral Bill]

Huts, lodges, inns, and motels, even RV "camping" combined with day hiking may be what you are looking for. Nothing wrong with that. Except maybe the RV thing

[Cookerhiker]

As a kid my parents never camped but we did day-hikes. My scouting experience was mixed but it was the only camping I did. Despite scout camping trips with varying levels of unpleasantness, they did get me used to camping and didn't turn me off. I learned what it was like to sleep on the ground in a tent.

[Hawker]

I didn't camp at all when I was a kid, but I was always trying to build a "fort" out of pillows, blankets, furniture, or whatever else I could find. I think I like camping because being in a tent is like being in a really cool high tech child's fort.

So, to answer your question; yes it is all about your childhood. I just saved you 10's of thousands of dollars of psychologist bills!

Thanks Bro, check is in the mail.

[bamboo bob]

I agree with the all hike no camp contingent. I would be happy to hike from Inn to Inn from Georgia to Maine. Quite a few thruhikers do it that way as much as possible.

[atmilkman]

I like both, but I can understand your point. My wife feels the same way. She likes to do moderate day hikes with me in the 7 -8 mile range but her idea of camping is the state park lodge. With that said she really loves hanging out in the campgrounds outside of our travel trailer. She likes hiking in to beautiful vistas but at night she wants the comforts of home.

[Slo-go'en]

The only time I don't like camping (at least in a tent) is when it's raining. Hiking in the rain is okay, but camping, no.

[10-K]

I agree with the all hike no camp contingent. I would be happy to hike from Inn to Inn from Georgia to Maine. Quite a few thruhikers do it that way as much as possible.

Slackpacking all the way...

[Cookerhiker]

The only time I don't like camping (at least in a tent) is when it's raining. Hiking in the rain is okay, but camping, no.

Yes........

[Hairbear]

Speaking of childhood memories, when hiking I often see in my mind's eye the sandbox where I used to carve elaborate trails for my dolls to walk on.

i like that very nice

[hikerboy57]

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

[10-K]

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

3 hours is about the max I can go without checking on my SILWF.