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Understanding Five Different Types of Hiking
When it comes to hiking, most people don’t always have the most ambitious plans. They imagine hiking as a tame sport in which you’re simply crossing up a trail on a slow hill, using a hiking stick to keep your balance. But when you really get into the great outdoors and meet other people who are passionate about outdoor sports, you realize that there’s more to the terrain “out there” than you originally thought.
In fact, there are different disciplines of hiking that may appeal to your adventurous side. Here are five different types of hiking that you may not have considered hiking.
1. Mountaineering. Mountaineering is exactly what it sounds like – climbing, scaling, and hiking up mountains. Essentially, “mountaineering” refers to “hiking on mountains,” but the truth is a little more complicated than that. If you enjoy climbing up large hills in your free time and wanted to up the ante, you may consider doing a little mountaineering – just make sure to be cautious and safe and seek some professional advice.
2. Dog hiking. No, this type of hiking doesn’t refer to climbing up a dog. Instead, you simply add your “best friend” to your hiking experience to make it a totally different adventure for the day. Dogs love coming on adventure trips with their owners, especially if you own a retriever.3. Snow hiking. You guessed it – this means hiking in the snow. Some people who live in cold-weather states like Wisconsin or Minnesota realize that it’s not always easy to go hiking, at least for around six months of the year. The cold gets to you. But if you take it easy, snow hiking can be a great way to get out even in the cold.
4. Canyoneering. Like “mountaineering,” this one isn’t too difficult to figure out. If you’ve ever wanted to hike along the Grand Canyon, you may have the personality of a canyoneer. It doesn’t take much experience canyoneering to realize that this can make for some great views.
5. Desert Hiking. Have you ever wanted to have an adventure like they do in the movies? Desert hiking may be up your alley. Of course, this requires a lot of fortitude and plenty of preparation and experience, but the great views and sense of exploration can be worth it.
Photo Credits: Alex E. Proimos
Republished by Old Post Promoter
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Are You A Backpacker?
When we think of the term “backpacker,” we probably get a particular image in our heads: someone walking solo through Europe, going from town to town after graduating from college and hoping to discover something about themselves.
Okay, maybe our image of the backpacker isn’t that specific, but we do know one thing: being a backpacker isn’t limited to the profound. Backpacking is also about integrating hiking and camping into one enjoyable, relaxing activity that helps you get out of the world for a few days and cut loose. Spending the occasional weekend on a backpacking trip doesn’t mean you’ve mentally checked out; instead, it means you’re simply recharging your batteries.
With that in mind, ask yourself a few questions to determine whether or not you have the personality of a backpacker, and you’ll understand in a few minutes whether you have it within you.
-Do you function well alone, or at least feel the yearning to get away from things?
You might have a busy and active social life, but sometimes taking “time off” doesn’t only refer to work. Spending a day or two camping by yourself can be totally reinvigorating, especially if you’re used to the hustle and bustle of a highly active social life. If a break from “people” sounds as welcoming as a break from work, you might want to spend a weekend backpacking, if even just to try it out.
-Do you enjoy camping?
You don’t need to enjoy being alone to be a backpacker; often, you can spend a backpacking trip with a friend or loved on. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you come to another question: how much do you really like camping out under the stars. To some people, the novelty of sleeping directly under the clouds or under a tent is refreshing and welcoming. To others, they can only think about how many canisters of bug repellant they’ll have to bring. If camping out without breaking the bank sounds good to you, you might have the personality of a backpacker.
-Do you want to learn self-sufficiency?
Sometimes, you don’t need to be predestined as a backpacker; you can develop those skills by backpacking! Learning self-sufficiency is a great skill, especially to people entering college or the work force. For you youngsters who want a taste of what it will be like to depend on yourself for your livelihood, a simple “one-weekend trial” can be a big step forward.
Do any of these personality types sound like you? If so, consider giving backpacking a try. You’ll enjoy your own cooked food, clear summer nights, and sometimes a more developed relationship with a loved one.
Photo Credits: Mat Honan
Republished by Old Post Promoter
