Do you like hiking? I do. This past summer I was able to embark on an epic 16 mile hike that led to an epic mountain ridge with views that went on for forever. What blew my mind hiking wasn’t the views though, it was the people.
I encountered multiple people on the trail that didn’t have proper hiking shoes or even a bottle for water! This specific hike was 8 miles up a steep incline then 8 miles back down. I couldn’t believe it when I would pass someone on a scorching hot day wearing simple sandals and scouring the mountain. How the heck are they doing it? I wondered.
When I hike, I bring a hiking bag full of equipment, food, and water. I went through 3 liters of water on this hike alone, so it blew my mind when I was at the top of the hike to see people with no water. Maybe they had super human strength and could hike in 90 degree whether up a mountain 8 miles with no water...lol. I wish I had that kind of strength and endurance! Even with the water, I thought I was going to pass out a few times due to the heat.
Hiking is no joke. I didn’t realize it was a hobby activity until I pushed myself to hike every weekend a few years ago and watched myself progress and advance through the years. I probably started out as the person in sandals with no water doing excruciating hikes, not realizing a backpack and hiking shoes would make the world of a difference.
I don’t enjoy hiking trails that are dangerous. I have before, but I prefer to stay away from cliffy trails where I can slip and fall. Although I hike a lot, my balance isn’t great and I don’t want to tempt fate. The areas I hike in during the summer, though, are loaded with bears so maybe I am tempting a different kind of fate? Fortunately, I didn’t see any bears this season and I made it through another hiking season!
Hiking is a journey and a wonderful mind-filling activity to engage yourself in. What are your favorite hobbies?