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Solitude vs Socializing: Which is Better for Backpacking?
Many people who have gone on backpacking trips have done it to learn more about themselves – they want to get out into the world, into nature; they want to discover who they are by bringing themselves and only themselves into the world with them. But not everyone takes this approach. Some people take a friend or travel in groups, and find that backpacking trips can be just as transformational and life-changing that way. So which way is better, and which way should you approach your backpacking trip? Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Going Solo
Advantages: Going solo is a big investment in your personal growth. By exposing yourself to the world with you and your wits, and nothing else, you literally force yourself to become more independent. You grow up a little. And you learn that you can meet challenges that you didn’t think you were capable of overcoming. Many people go solo simply because it provides this amount of self-discovery.
Disadvantages: Going solo can be great for the above reasons, but it also has its dangers. If you get lost in the wilderness, there’s not much you can do to get back home without a good amount of technology. You can also run into trouble if you find yourself in need of a few friends because someone wants to pick a fight. You’re on your own; sometimes it works for you and sometimes it can work against you.Going with Friends
Advantages: Going with friends can add a buffer against some of the dangers of backpacking, giving you support when you need it and help when no one else would otherwise be there. Bringing friends along on a backpacking trip also has the benefits of giving you a shared experience; it’s one thing to view the stars over your head while a fire burns by yourself. It’s another thing when you and your friends can share that story forever.
Disadvantages: Having a buffer is great. But it can also handicap you. If you’ve never been by yourself before, perhaps that’s exactly what you need. Being on your own can build independence and self-reliance, while bringing your friends would only buffer you against from those kind of personal growth experiences.
What type of backpacking sounds good to you? Ultimately, of course, it’s up to you. But if you know what you want to get out of your backpacking trip – personal discovery or simply some good times – you have a head start and know which way to lean.
Photo Credits: justinjohnsen
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Exercise Benefits of Hiking
If you’ve ever been hiking, walking, or even running outdoors, you know the feeling of gratification that occurs when you open that door back into the house. You remember how it feels good to be back out of the cold – or the heat, depending on where you live – taking a shower and feeling like you’ve really done yourself a favor. “Hmm,” you wonder. “Why don’t I do that more often?”
Well, why don’t you. There are plenty of benefits to exercise, but what are the benefits of using hiking as your form of exercise? Here are some quick benefits you’ll notice when you start taking those treks into the wilderness:
-Fresh air and sunlight.
Depending on the day, of course, sunlight can be a variable, but when it’s there, you get a nice dose of Vitamin D that humans have been wired to enjoy and soak up since the days of Adam and Eve. The fresh air also does wonder for the lungs, gets you outside of your head for a while, and allows you to fucs on what’s important. Many people even forgo the iPods and mp3 players – why distract yourself? Being outdoors gives you a mental energy and focus, a sharpness that will last you throughout the day, which is why so many people enjoy going in the morning.
-Leg strength.
Hiking has its challenges, and for that you should be grateful – without the challenges, there’d be no growth happening. Hiking is a great way to build lower-body strength and stamina, giving you a confidence about being in the outdoors that you didn’t have before. After you’ve hiked ten miles through some treacherous woods, you feel like you can beat anything, and after habitual hiking, you’ll find that your legs grow stronger, healthier, and ready for action. That’s personal growth you can’t buy.
-Endurance.
Endurance is also one of the hallmarks of the hiker, particular those especially-devoted hikers who can’t get themselves out of the woods. Keep in mind that while you’re enduring out there, getting out of your comfort zone, you’re also building endurance for next time, constantly building up your ability to enjoy this fundamental exercise. The more sweat, the better – you know you’ve accomplished something when you finally step on the bottom of that hill, soaked in sweat, looking up at the hill you just conquered. There’s no feeling that substitutes for the natural high of endorphins that comes with endurance.
These are just some of the benefits of hiking. To experience it for yourself, in short, get out there! You don’t know what you’re missing until you try it just once – and you never know; you might get hooked.
Photo Credits: footloosiety
