“Soon the terrain began to change. The landscape was still arid, but juniper trees, piñon pines, and scrub oaks started popping up. Occasionally I passed through shady meadows thick with grass. The grass and the trees were a comfort to me. They intimated that I could do this. Until, that is, a tree stopped me in my path. It had fallen across the trail, its wide trunk held aloft by branches just low enough that I couldn’t pass beneath, yet so high that climbing over it was impossible. Walking around it was also out of the question: the trail dropped off too steeply on one side and the brush was too dense on the other. I stood for a long while, trying to map out a way past the tree. I had to do it, no matter how impossible it seemed. I backed up to the tree, unbuckled my pack, and pushed it up and over its rough trunk, doing my best to drop it over the other side gently. Then I climbed over the tree after it… The thing about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, the thing that was so profound to me that summer—and yet also, like most things, so very simple—was how few choices I had and how often I had to do the thing I least wanted to do. How there was no escape or denial. No numbing anything down with a martini or covering it up with a roll in the hay. As I clung to the trees that day, attempting to patch up my bleeding finger, I considered my options. There were only two. I could go back in the direction I had come from, or I could go forward in the direction I intended to go. And so I walked on.”
Hiking is a term that encompasses so many
you’ve never hiked before, a walk through
terrains, difficulty levels, and lengths
historic land might be perfect, while oth-
of trails. It can describe my pre-workday
ers might prefer hours on a mountain
jaunt with my dog, a few hours of rock
trail. Once you’ve decided on a hike, plan
scrambling, or the three months on the
accordingly. Pack a bag, wear a good pair
Pacific Crest Trail detailed in Cheryl
of shoes (sneakers or hiking boots), and
Strayed’s memoir, Wild. It offers both
bring a buddy. Lastly, be sure to allow
physical and mental benefits, acts as a
yourself plenty of time to enjoy it. Hikes
low-budget pastime, and awards gorgeous
aren’t meant to be rushed, so take breaks,
scenery, great memories, and an enormous
sunbathe in a clearing, go swimming if the
sense of accomplishment.
opportunity arises, and take in every last
Excerpt from Wild: From Lost to Found on the
one every now and then.
Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
With so many options as far as hiking goes,
It’s no secret that hiking is a healthy activity, but in addition to the more obvious
detail of that view. Pack lightly, travel far:
health benefits that any exercise brings, like preventing heart disease, the Ameri-
❖ A backpack that’s comfortable and
can Hiking Society reports that it can also
lightweight. I keep it old school with this
decrease high blood pressure, prevent os-
one: Jansport Slacker Backpack
teoporosis, and relieve chronic back pain. Additionally, hiking is a great way to improve and maintain mental health. When
❖ Plenty of water. We like carrying this water bottle: LifeFactory Glass Water Bottle
you’re hiking, you’re moving, which causes your brain to release serotonin
❖ Snacks. We like these: Clif Bar Energy
and endorphins: the chemicals that make
Bar (or get creative and make your own!)
you feel happy. Combined with fresh air, a break from the stresses of everyday life, and the stimulation of your senses, hiking ends up being a healthy, refreshing, happiness cocktail that you can be proud to
❖ A durable camera. We like this one: Olympus TG-1iHS 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera
❖ A cell phone (in case of emergency).
consume. Leave your work e-mail or that looming exam at the trailhead and allow yourself to be present. Take in your surroundings – the scenery, the smells, the sounds –give your mind a break. It needs
❖ Trail maps or information. ❖ First aid kit. Make sure it includes moleskin in case your shoes start bothering you. Nobody likes blisters.
a little research can make your day. Contact the National Park Service or do a search for popular hikes in your area to see which ones sound most attractive to you. If
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