Hiking with someone special

[johnnyq]

The trail is great but I love being on the trail with my Love. She makes it so much better.

[coach lou]

P7010653.jpgP4060011.jpgP4060030.jpgP9080904.jpg I will agree 200%

[johnnyq]

Thats Great Coach!! I hope other people agree, trail life is great but so much better with someone.

[Biggie Master]

My wife and I spent our honeymoon hiking from Springer to Dicks Creek. Unfortunately, after two knee replacements and other health issues, she can no longer hike. I still love to get out on the trail, but it will never be the same as when we could share it together.

[Double Wide]

It's not just hiking or the trail. Having someone special alongside makes all of life's experiences sweeter.

[HikerMom58]

P7010653.jpgP4060011.jpgP4060030.jpgP9080904.jpg I will agree 200%

Awww.. coach, you 2 are too cute together!! I love it!!

My wife and I spent our honeymoon hiking from Springer to Dicks Creek. Unfortunately, after two knee replacements and other health issues, she can no longer hike. I still love to get out on the trail, but it will never be the same as when we could share it together.

Nice honeymoon!! What you said is so sweet....

[Uncle Walkie]

I concur... I hiked for years, starting as a teen, by myself and thoroughly enjoyed it. Then started taking my son backpacking when he was 8... Was even better...he's 13 now and is getting stronger as a hiker. It's really cool to see him grow and develop skills...and fantastic to see him actually enjoy it. I tried doing his thing (video games..and I just can't do it!...lol)

Then last summer took my wife on a trip and it was wonderful...Better than I could have imagined. She is my best friend and it was so exciting to share my favorite pastime with her. I went on a solo trip about two yeas ago, thinking I wanted to get some solitude,push myself and sustain some outdoor skills...I was surprised how much I missed having one of them along with me.

I plan on taking a 30 day hiking trip with my son when I retire from the Marines in a couple of years ...then thru hiking with my wife when the kids are grown

[Sunshine82]

I use to love hiking alone and the thought of thru hiking alone thrilled me.however when I met my boyfriend and we began sectioning the AT I can't even imagine standing on Katahdin without him beside me

[illabelle]

I've done solo dayhikes on occasion, and there's a certain freedom there that I can understand. But by far most of my hiking and all of my backpacking is in the company of others, always my husband, and sometimes a few others. Not knocking those who hike alone, but it's not for me. Sharing the trail experience, sharing a tent, sharing meals = sharing life. It's a good thing!

[Tipi Walter]

Most of my trips are solo but on occasion I take out Little Mitten and figure I'd share some fotogs of her in action. These are all from backpacking trips and NOT dayhikes WHICH DON'T COUNT.



Here's a great shot of Little Mitten eating supper around the firepit as she peers out from her hat. Notice her wearing my old army liner pants for warmth as we are backpacking in January. This was taken on the North Fork trail in the Citico wilderness.



Here she is crossing the South Fork of the Citico near the Brush Mt trail junction.



Here is Little Mitten with her son Blade on the Upper Creek trail in Pisgah NF, Grandfather Ranger District.



Here we are preparing for a winter trip into the Bald River wilderness.



Little Mitten is doing a winter crossing of the Upper Bald on the Brookshire Creek trail.



Mitten climbing up to the top of Whiggs Meadow at 5,000 feet.

[Tipi Walter]

Here are a few more---


Going thru blowdowns on the Cold Spring Gap trail aka BMT.



Performing the all-important Tent Pole Yoga.



Little Mitten and I camp near the Brush Mt trail jct in the Citico wilderness. She is enamored with her new tent, a Hilleberg Akto, just the right size for a "short round". Here's the secret to compatible backpacking trips with the significant other---Have separate tents.



Coming up a snowy trail with my old backpacking buddy Johnny Be.



Resting in the Bald River wilderness, TN.



On top of the Whigg in a windstorm. Note pinhead coming from tent, this time it's a Mt Hardwear Light Wedge.

[Tipi Walter]

Little Mitten on Bob Bald in my old North Face down jacket.



In the Wedge below Bob Mt at Little Cove Camp using our two separate tents.



For newbs, here are the Uncle Fungus Stages of Spousal Acceptance to a Backpacking Trip---(from bottom left going clockwise)---

1 First presented with the idea of a 6 day backpacking trip.

2 A mindless flurry to get the gear sorted and arranged.

3 Sitting down and covering the face in the realization of how very horrible it will be.

4 A complete breakdown.

5 A final mindless shuffling under load.

[Another Kevin]

My wife is a total non-hiker. Once she asked to come along on an easy day trip so that she could see what it's about. She was game enough to smile for a picture, but otherwise, her attitude to my going hiking is "You're crazy. Go. Enjoy. Come back safely."

Kevin and Mary Ann by ke9tv, on Flickr

My daughter, on the other hand, can outhike me. I'm glad she's still willing to go out with her dad once in a while. Those are indeed special times.

The hikers set off by ke9tv, on Flickr