I really hope everyone got out this weekend—even it wasn’t hiking related. It was so beautiful and warm. I headed over to Lopez Island in the San Juans to hang out and camp with a friend of mine. We did only a bit of hiking—walking on a few short trails in our sandals to get to wonderful viewpoints. We found one viewpoint of Mt Baker that showed still how much snow is still there. I don’t think that the Mt Baker area is going to melt out this summer.
Like you, I’m itching to get into the real high backcountry hikes—the ones that may still covered by some snow even this late in the season. But the hiking challenges of this year has really helped underscore that there are a number of reasons why I hike and getting to high alpine places is just one of them. I figure the more reasons I have for why I enjoy hiking, the more I will enjoy any trip I go on regardless of destination and distance. I enjoy hiking for the following reasons in order of importance: beautiful scenery; spending time with family and friends—both old and new; enjoying nature and solitude; getting to the destination; minimizing stress in my life; eating tasty food before, during, and after a hike; and it’s good exercise. Notice that I put the exercise reason last. I would hike even it didn’t provide good exercise.
I encourage you to think about the reasons you like to get out and walk in the wilderness. If there are only a few reasons and they center around either the exercise part or getting to the destination, then you’re going to find yourself frustrated on many days when you can’t meet those needs. You can’t always get to the destination you had in mind, or the hike that you’re going on isn’t the most strenuous thing you can do to exercise your body on any given day. Enjoying the company of your hiking partners, scenery of all kinds, and eating food that isn’t always good for you are the pleasures of hiking also. Be open to enjoying all of the opportunities available to you during any given hike, and you’ll have fun on any hike you go on regardless of destination or difficulty.
Thanks for the invitation to reflect on why I love hiking, Kelly. This weekend's CHS2 hike with Kim, Catherine, Bruce and Terry to Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm contained all but one of the reasons I hike (not in any order): fresh air, views of mountains and lakes, stretching my legs, challenging myself, feeling the earth, touching foliage, conversation, "Wows!", sunshine, fitness, wildflowers, and a cold beer at the end of the hike. The only reason missing was my family. But we'll be on the trail together this weekend. Anne Aumell
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