What The Heck Is Hiking Anyway?

Hiking Instagram vs. Reality

When people see hiking pictures on social media, they generally see stunningly gorgeous lakes, stellar mountain views, and thick forest landscapes. Sometimes, they might see an adorable picture of a baby deer or even a bear. A lot is missing from those pictures, though. What you don’t see in the photos is the grueling climb it took to get to those sites, the hours spent preparing for longer trips, and all the mishaps along the way. More importantly, the pictures don’t show the mental toughness that hikers develop or the feeling of hard-earned success after wanting to quit on a long, uphill slog. There is beauty in the pictures that hikers post, but there is so much more beauty behind the scenes.

So What Is Hiking?

Don’t put too much pressure on the technical “definition” of hiking, which, according to the dictionary, is “the activity of going for long walks, especially in the country or woods.” Sometimes it can feel intimidating to get started hiking, but it’s really just going on a long walk – however long you want it to be! It’s a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of civilization, escape to the outdoors, and reconnect with yourself. 

While walking along a sidewalk may be a tad different than hiking up a mountain, it’s the same idea. Don’t get intimidated if you’re new to hiking; the community is incredibly welcoming and there’s no pressure to go at a certain pace. It’s an activity that people of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels can enjoy. I mean, when I started, I couldn’t even bend over to tie my own hiking boots! I have built up my hiking abilities over time, on my own terms, and I encourage you to do the same. However, it is important to know your limits, whatever those may be! Hiking can turn dangerous quickly if you push yourself too hard, do a trail that’s too strenuous for your abilities, or don’t listen to your body’s cues when something is wrong. I know I shouldn’t drink 20 margaritas in a day, and I also know I shouldn’t plan to hike 20 miles in a day because personally, that’s just too much.

Trip Lengths Vary

Hiking trips can range from day trips to quick overnights, or even longer. Hikers who hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) are hiking for months on end. Don’t worry, that sounds crazy to me, too…and I love hiking! I also love a comfortable bed every so often and hot meals that don’t come out of plastic. That’s the beauty of it – we can all be as intense about it as we want! It’s sort of like chess; some people play it daily and practice on their own, others like to play twice a year with close friends and some beer.

The jargon can get confusing too – “day trips, overnights, backpacking” – what does it all mean? These are mostly just referring to the length of each trip. On day trips, you usually bring a small day pack with you, carrying water, a snack, and a basic first aid kit. For an overnight backpacking trip or longer, you carry more supplies on your back. These packs can range in size and definitely add more weight to the uphill climbs. If you’re like me and already have enough weight to carry up the hills on your own, be wary of packing your backpack too full since it can really slow you down. If you’re wanting to try a longer hike, I recommend starting with an overnight trip and carrying just enough for one night, then slowly working your way up to a heavier pack for longer trips. 

Take The First Step

Getting started hiking is much like the hike itself: it can seem overwhelming and insurmountable at first, but you just have to take a step and put one foot in front of the other. Just start! Don’t wait to get in shape or find the perfect trail, just use the internet or my favorite hiking app, All Trails, to find an easy trail near your house and go for it! I recommend starting out with friends. It’s safer to start out this way and you have reinforcements in case anything goes wrong…it’s also just less fun to complain about an incline if no one can hear you. 

Once you feel you have mastered group hiking or have a trail you know extremely well, then maybe dip your toes in a solo adventure if you’re drawn to it. Some people prefer the solace of hiking alone, and others get bored if they don’t have company. Both are perfectly fine, it’s all about preference. I love hiking with my friends because nothing brings you together like having to stand guard while the other one takes a poop! Also, the collective “stench” a group of hikers develops along the way is quite impressive. 

Is Hiking Worth It?

Okay okay, so you have heard about the beauty, and you’ve heard about the fun, but you have also heard about how tough it can be. You may be wondering if hiking actually lives up to the hype. In my experience, I have never met someone who gave it a fair try and didn’t end up loving it. Yeah, the first few times may suck as you get the hang of it. The blisters may seem too big and the freeze-dried food may get old, but suddenly you grow to love those aspects too because they represent so much more. 

The toughest parts of hiking remind you how strong you are, mentally and physically. The benefits of hiking are holistic; somehow this sport manages to change you as a person, physically, emotionally, and sometimes even spiritually. There’s nothing more empowering than summiting a mountain after you doubted yourself when standing at the bottom of it. Being surrounded by nature, something so much bigger than yourself, is a great reminder that the world is big, but with one step at a time, you can conquer anything. And hey, who doesn’t love eating a Snickers and being able to say, “I have to do this, gotta keep my calories up!”