The Outdoor Adventure Giving you tips, tricks & recommendations to help make adventuring in the Outdoors fun, safe & exciting for you and your kids.
About a month ago I asked Ray Anderson who runs the blog TakeaLongHike.com to tell his story of how he got into hiking and what advice he could offer for those hoping to do the same. Take it away Ray:
WHAT GOT ME INTO HIKING
About twenty-five years ago, on a family weekend in New Hampshire, I noticed a trailhead parking sign for Mt. Liberty. We were not prepared for a mountain hike, but the family gamely started up the trail. It was tiring, and when it began to snow, about two-thirds of the way to the summit, we turned around.
The following year, wearing proper footwear and clothing, we started the trek earlier. The picture below is of my family and me on the summit of Mt. Liberty that day. It’s one of my favorite family photos, and, for me, sparked a continual interest in hiking.
We traveled to New Hampshire every year on Columbus Day weekend. Either before that weekend or after, I took vacation days to climb the 4000 foot mountains. My sons joined me once, but the weather was foggy and rotten, and they complained about not seeing a thing, which was true on that day.
For me, the passion built. I went on to climb all the 4000 footers in New England–67 peaks. It was soon after this that I contemplated hiking the Appalachian Trail once I retired. Something about the quietness of nature, the beautiful scenery you could experience on foot, the exercise, the feeling of accomplishment relaxing on a mountain peak–all these things and more led to an early retirement.
My wife, Nancy, realized thru-hiking the A.T., was a big goal of mine; she didn’t squawk at all and supported me. On my last official day in the corporate world (my boss was good to me–thank you, John), I stepped north on the A.T. in Georgia that morning. What a way to retire! What an adventure!
I’ve since hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, The Long Trail (Vermont), and much of the Continental Divide Trail. That sense of adventure still beckons. As long as I’m able, I intend to get outside and follow my feet.
You can do the same; it’s not hard to get started in hiking. If you’ve already done some walking in local parks and would like to take longer hikes, go to an outdoors store and tell them your plans.
They will fit you into trail shoes (low-cut boots). Don’t wear cotton clothes–buy nylon or Gortex. You may not need trekking poles yet, but get some type of small backpack to start off. The people at REI, EMS, and similar stores, can help you.
Now pack some water, some munchies, and get out there. Tell people exactly where you are going and when they can expect you back. Pack your cell, but turn it off. Finally, just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Happy trails!
Ray Anderson
www.TakeaLongHike.com
Ray also recommends the two following links:
www.rei.com www.easternmountainsports.com
