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Lessons From Today's Outdoors Success Story

The other day I was asking for reader's examples of exercise success stories. Today provided one for me to describe. It is especially worth writing about because it was a hike, and it takes some effort and finesse to make hiking fun. 

1) Homo Sapiens is a tribal animal. Hike with others. Solitude and nature sometimes get connected in preachy sentimentalisms, but this just isn't accurate. In fact, solitude sucks for us, as it does for a dog -- and for the same reason. Don't detract from the social interaction by focusing on only one person, or by going exactly at the perfect pace for you, as if other people don't matter.



2) Emphasize intensity, not duration. Intensity stimulates you to do your best; it is inherently interesting and dramatic. (And, brother, hiking could use a little drama.) Lotsa miles and hours are merely things to be endured.


3) Lean against the big disadvantages of hiking: heat and still air. Look for coolish conditions. Don't start too late in the day. Look to enjoy fresh breezes; your skin is an under-rated sensory organ. 


4) Scenery does help, but don't make a fetish out of it. It is easy for a blogger to imply that they had a good time primarily because of the scenery. You should demand your money back from that blogger.

Comments

John V said…
The heck with tribalism. Nothing ruins a great hike like too many people on the trail. Too many people equal more noise, more garbage and fewer wildlife viewing opportunities Tribalism is the over rated item, not solitude.
Well yes, if the other people are strangers or members of the general public. Implicit in my advertisement for tribalism is the assumption that they are people of your own choosing.