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Hiking in the outdoors! A wonderful pastime and hobby for many outdoor enthusiasts, is gaining in popularity. It is no longer just for the Boy Scouts, although they are masters of the sport. Today all types of people enjoy hiking - from couples, to families to senior citizens. There are so many benefits to getting outside into a woodsy or natural environment and just taking a walk. That’s basically all hiking is – walking. There is really nothing to it and anyone can do it. The fresh air and exercise are just the beginning. There is a wonderful world out there just waiting to be explored. The word hiking, though, connotates that it is a bit more than just a walk in the woods. Well, that can be true. A hike can be a shorter walk of a mile or two in the park or it can be a much longer trek that involves gear, hiking boots, a backpack with some essential supplies and maybe even a compass and map! There are beginner hikers and then there are advanced hikers that seek challenging terrain and conditions. Wilderness trekkers are the diehards in the sport who seek out the thrill of hiking during any season in the roughest terrain that can be accessible only by foot (like those high adventure Scouts or thru-hikers on the AT!). Thru-hikers are folks who travel the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia – all 2,168 miles of it – on foot! They require survival skills and high quality gear and a higher level of physical fitness and endurance. As a Scouter for the past 15 years I’ve been on several long hikes and many, many campouts and shorter hikes. I hope to share some of the tips and skills I’ve learned along the trail. From my experience with the Boy Scouts, our troop would choose a 10, 15 or 20 mile segment of the AT that was within a 3 hour drive, and plan a weekend campout around that hike. They would usually choose a segment of the trail that had some historic significance to add to the learning experience for the scouts. My husband and I are planning such a trip this summer – a weeklong backpacking hike somwhere scenic along the AT in our neck of the woods. Someday, though, we’d like to try a thru-hike but that is still in the “thinking about it” stage! Let’s just say it’s on our ‘bucket list’.
The key to any hike, regardless of level, is to be prepared. By the way, that is the Boy Scout motto. A hiker who uses a backpack to carry those important essentials can also be called a ‘backpacker’. Hiking and backpacking are kind of interchangeable but there are some differences. Hiking can be a simple day trek; usually called a day hike, but backpacking more often involves at least a one day hike with overnight camping where the hiker needs to carry supplies and equipment needed for sleeping and eating. As mentioned before, there are all levels from absolute beginners to advanced wilderness trekkers. Having the proper equipment and gear is critical to the success or failure of a hiking trip. Investing in good quality gear not only saves you money in the long run but also insures that you will be safe and comfortable during your experience. Backpacking with a poor fitting pack can result in serious injury, wearing the wrong socks or footwear can result in painful blisters and not having proper hydration can be life threatening. There are things to be learned and all for good reasons so join me in exploring some of the wonderful things about trekking in the outdoors. Whether you are a beginner looking to get more involved or a serious experienced hiker, this blog hopes to offer advice and new ideas for all levels. Together we will explore all the aspects of the hiking experience today as well as the latest equipment and gear, information about water, food, destinations and trails, hazards and first aid, orienteering, LNT (Leave No Trace), photography and much more. Please come along on the trek! 
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