slo’s TUESDAY 8/23 poll - Hiking

[loves to dive]

I'm sitting our RV right now, which I know is not really camping but I count it. I love hiking and just being outdoors. I don't get to do it as often as I'd like because hubby hates anything that might be exercise and we have a little yorkie you has bad knees so she can't walk long distances. Right now we are in Decatur Alabama at a campground that is about a mile from the TN river. While hubby is away at work, I strap on the puppy carrier, put her in her harness and leash and grab her water bottle and off exploring we go. She will only walk a little then I put her in her carrier. We go down to the river where they have a number of hiking trails. We also camp at a campground in Chattanooga that sits at the base of a small mountain, which we (puppy and me) hike every day while Hubby works. Since we live and camp in the south, mornings are just about the only time we can get out, too hot otherwise.

 

[Mysterian]

I like it but there's other things I'd rather be doing.

It's good to get outdoors, but the area matters too. If your scenery is just a Big Lots and a decaying day care facility, you're probably doing it more for the exercise.

Also some people go hiking and get attacked by wildcats or they get kidnapped. Not my cup of tea, but fortunately many feral felines and kidnappers know not to try the funny stuff with me. I typically hike with a colorful fringe jacket, giant sunglasses, and elbow tassels because animals and attackers are by nature fearful when you assume the silhouette of "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Oh, I also bring water, because it's important to stay hydrated.

 

[AppleDumpling]

Yes, I grew up doing lots of camping and hiking with my family and in Girl Scouts. DH and I like to hike in local parks, nature preserves, and in the mountains, and have hiked in several national parks as well. We also enjoy other outdoor activities, including biking, skiing, kayaking and canoeing.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm the opposite of you - I love hiking but really don't much care for walking in my ordinary paved surroundings. It is just so much nicer to go walking somewhere with some visual interest, without the constant sounds and smells and dangers of vehicle traffic. I don't walk around my own community nearly as often as I should, living in a place where most amenities are within walking distance, but I think nothing of going for miles on a hiking trail.

ETA: I did grow up camping but not hiking. I don't remember my mom ever taking us on a hike, but she loved to set up the tent, cook over a fire, etc., mostly at family campgrounds that had amenities like pools and playgrounds and scheduled activities for the kids.

 

[Ta.Ham1989]

I don't hike now but I want to take up hiking in the future.

 

[fla4fun]

Not a fan. I don’t mind a leisurely stroll when the weather cools down enough that I am not drenched in sweat (Florida is not the best state for a summer stroll) but hiking implies a rougher terrain and more effort required to reach your goal.

 

[MamaMermaid]

I live in South Florida. There’s no where to hike around here so I don’t think I can say I’ve honestly ever done it. It does not sound like a hobby I’d enjoy but I do enjoy being outside!

 

[scbruno]

Not a hiker. prefer to enjoy the trails on a bike or something motorized.

 

[tvguy]

Been hiking twice this year. Most recently at Donner Lake Memorial State park. Only about 3 miles along the lake.
And earlier at Mount Diablo State Park, but there the drive up to the top is the work out. It is less than two miles, but the road is soooo windy it takes 30 minutes. Plus, bike riders love to go up and down that road, so it is a challenge.

 

[mumto3girls]

I like “walking” trails in the woods but not “hiking” where it involves walking up steep hills.

I don't understand the statements that some enjoy walking but not hiking. It's kind of the same thing in my mind ? Hiking is just walking in a more interesting place than around the neighborhood or city - especially if you choose the easier hikes without much elevation change.

I was reading this thread and trying to figure out the difference between a walk and a hike. I often walk on a trail through the woods along old converted railroad lines but I consider it a walk and not a hike. There is definitely a wide path (enough for two bikes to easily pass going opposite directions) that is maintained by volunteers and has very little elevation (even in hilly SW Pennsylvania). If I were to leave the trail and go up and down the hills climbing over fallen trees, ducking under branches, and being really careful about foot placement, I would consider that a hike. Not sure I am correct, but that’s what I am thinking.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I enjoyed camping and hiking. I was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. My agility is gone now. I miss it.

 

[mrodgers]

I don't understand the statements that some enjoy walking but not hiking. It's kind of the same thing in my mind ? Hiking is just walking in a more interesting place than around the neighborhood or city - especially if you choose the easier hikes without much elevation change.

Sure, there is plenty of great scenery you can see from a car window, but the really special things I've found often require a bit of a hike / walk.

To me hiking is in the woods on say a narrow dirt trail. Walking can be done in the neighborhood or on manicured rail trails. Hiking takes effort to do. Walking is effort, but far less and takes a lot longer walking to get exercise than hiking which is going to elevate your heart rate.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

To me hiking is in the woods on say a narrow dirt trail. Walking can be done in the neighborhood or on manicured rail trails. Hiking takes effort to do. Walking is effort, but far less and takes a lot longer walking to get exercise than hiking which is going to elevate your heart rate.

There's a wide variety of hikes one can do. I can do a mostly flat easy hike that is no larger effort or increased heart rate than walking on the streets around my neighborhood, or I can do a strenuous hike with several hundred feet of elevation gain scrambling over roots and rocks, and that is definitely more effort. I can also speed walk in my neighborhood and get my heart rate more elevated than I would do on an easy hike where I'm taking my time to enjoy the scenery. Seems like anyone that enjoys walking would also enjoy an easy hike.

 

[Moliphino]

There's a wide variety of hikes one can do. I can do a mostly flat easy hike that is no larger effort or increased heart rate than walking on the streets around my neighborhood, or I can do a strenuous hike with several hundred feet of elevation gain scrambling over roots and rocks, and that is definitely more effort. I can also speed walk in my neighborhood and get my heart rate more elevated than I would do on an easy hike where I'm taking my time to enjoy the scenery. Seems like anyone that enjoys walking would also enjoy an easy hike.

I live on a hill, so most walks on the roads involve some strenuous effort, too. They're just on pavement instead of dirt trails. Walks on the road have some nice scenery, too, so it really is just a difference in the type of ground.

 

[E&Cmom]

I just went hiking today. I like it but can’t say I love it. It isn’t really something I think of doing unless we are on a getaway like now. I like in an area of lots of beautiful hikes too but I need easy trails. This year I started going on hikes every few months with friends I always end up enjoying myself but joke that I go for the post hike lunch. Trying to build up my endurance so hopefully I can do some more challenging trails one day but happy with easy ones.

I did not grow up hiking or camping but moved to a province where mostly everyone does. I still do not camp.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I voted “like it”. I don’t have much experience with it... some trails at parks. As long as it isn’t too hot or cold I am game.

 

[adkkev]

There is hiking and then there is backpacking. Both involve walking on trails or, in some cases, off trails (bushwhacking). You can hike and carry a minimal amount of ‘stuff’, like water and maybe a coat/sweater/raincoat. You’re not camping while hiking. Backpacking involves carrying everything you might need to stay out there for a night or more. No matter which one you choose, the activity is whatever you make it to be.

I love doing both. The outdoors is my cathedral.

 

[Kittyblue]

I love hiking, but hate camping.

 

[SueInBoston]

I didn't grow up liking the outdoors but my boyfriend introduced me to day hike and now I love it. We tend to plan at least one hike wherever we vacation. We just came back from Kauai and hiked the beginning part of the Napali Coast trail (about 2.5 each way with two 700+ elevation)