Hiking merges two requirements of human existence, connecting with nature and exercise.
Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity…
The potentially prophetic John Muir was a stud. He was a naturalist and storyteller who mused on his nature adventures in the Sierra Nevada Mountains out here in Cali. Muir’s devotion to the preservation of the Yosemite Valley, to name just one, is to be celebrated. He passed away in 1914 and was digging on the virtues of walking in nature well before you snacked on trail mix and rocked your Camelbak.
We should pay our respects by getting out and hiking. I know all the excuses, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t need special equipment, boots or even the khaki shorts. I just came back from a hike. I wore sweats and carried a few bottles of water in a ripped school backpack.
You also don’t need to be experienced on trails or terrain. A hike is simply a walk in nature, and it’s a necessity.
What’s that you’re saying? Venturing into the wild is not a necessity? I vehemently disagree. Close your eyes, and allow the idea of smog, traffic, crowds and tall buildings to penetrate your outer layer. Now breathe in icy mountain-fed streams, crashing waves, windy canyons… You can choose your own jaw dropper. From 8shields.com:
We recognize that our senses, minds, and bodies have developed in rhythm with the natural world; continual primary contact with nature is beneficial and needed for optimal health and well-being. A number of studies demonstrate that obesity, depression, and other problems are linked with lack of time spent in the outdoors. This is called “nature deficit disorder”
That might be an extreme take, but getting outside and away from the hustling pace of modern life feels good and reduces stress.
You don’t have to rely simply on some theoretical and unquantifiable benefits. The most important pre-requisite for well-being is health. We should take a peek at how hiking can directly impact our fitness goals. You dig numbers, and I dig delivering them.
I’m roughly 200 pounds. Okay, fine, 194 (damn, this honesty thing is hard). Let’s imagine I’m 205 and throwing a backpack on to hike up into my beloved Santa Monica mountains. If I hike at a normal pace, I’m smashing 650 calories, give or take a few depending on my incline and appetite for keeping a brisk pace.
Smaller or bigger tyke? At 130 pounds, you’ll be knocking out 415 calories in an hour while lowering your stress levels and getting away from the madness of society. If you’re heavier, that calorie number will hike (see?) up.
I know, you have one last bullshit excuse. “But I live in New York City,” you cry. Hop on the 4 train, get your ass to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and hit up, of course, the John Muir trail.
Kap
Karl says
Thanks Kap, I live in NYC suburbs and there are plenty of hikable trails, flat and elevated. I am going to hit one on Saturday morning. Thanks for the inspiration.
Gabe Kapler says
Thanks, Karl. Too many folks will use the excuse of living in the city. Glad you’re showing us the way.
Kap
roger says
Thanks Gabe you hit it out of the park with this one. Those are all the reasons I hike. Sometimes I will lock my bike to a tree on one end of the trail. Drive to another part of trail. Hike to my bike, bike back to my truck.
Gabe Kapler says
Love that, Roger. Appreciate you stopping by.
Kap
Chester says
People: water. Cannot stress this enough. Better to have it and not need it (you will need it), than to not have it and need it.
Not Getting Lost, a preventative — a good tip I have used a bunch: if you are in a place with multiple trails, spin-offs, spurs and branches of a main trail, or if you are on a trail that is not obviously marked — in these situations and at these junctions, turn around. See, and make a mental note on what your hike will look like on the way back to the trailhead later. This way it can help prevent unwarily wandering off your route.
Gabe Kapler says
Don’t get lost. Got it.
Michelle says
But…but…there’s too much traffic from Denver to Breckenridge…and it gets chilly after 3 p.m…and the altitude makes me work twice as hard…and my nose gets too sunburned…and I have to carry too much water…LOL
Gabe Kapler says
Sharp, Michelle. As always.
billstraehl says
There IS something special about the outdoors. I always believed, though I couldn’t explain it in scientific terms, that it was good for me, and on SO many levels.
Gabe Kapler says
Indeed, Bill.
Trevy Bumps says
It sounds like you need a new backpack from LL Bean! 🙂
Gabe Kapler says
You should see my wrecked excuse for a backpack. Embarrassing. And I love it.
Duane says
Love to do long hikes but don’t always have the time so we do short ones around the hills where we live. You make valid points to get outdoors. Last year hiked around our property in colorado for 3 days. Longest hike was 9 days in the Grand Canyon. Great times sir, great times. There you go again just schooling us. Love it!
Gabe Kapler says
That 9 day trip must have been insane. I’ll get there some day. Nicaragua in December/January.
Duane says
Did a search for “Nicaragua in December/January” and found that it’s the perfect time and place. 🙂
Kevin says
Kap, I`m a backpacker who does 3 to 4 weekend trips a year in the White Mountains and the adirondacks. What is some good conditioning to include in my weekly weightlifting plan that won`t zap my strength and detract from the weights? Thinking stadium stairs, hill sprints or incline on my spin bike, any suggestions for incorporating a specific plan?
Gabe Kapler says
Nice work, Kevin. Let me sit with this for a bit.
Msquared says
This will go great with my beard and a flannel (circa ’92).
Nice post Kap.
Gabe Kapler says
Boom.
Joe says
Kap: I live exactly 7 miles Northeast of Downtown Boston (93 North remember?) and enjoy walking 3 – 4 miles a day, (hiking if you prefer). The other evening I’ll be damned if I didn’t see a freakin Bald Eagle! ayfkm? A Bald Eagle this close to Boston? You bet! So, while you’re out there hiking I suggest you look up every once in a while, because you never know what you’ll see. An eagle … damn.
Gabe Kapler says
Joe, glad you stopped by to see us with your eagle story. So cool.
Kap
kbeyazdancer says
Sad to say that I have not been hiking in years. I used to love it. This post brought back memories
Thanks Kap
-Kelebek