rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,677
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Post by rebeccad on May 4, 2016 19:25:57 GMT -8
(Except that one cousin who canceled a trip to Italy because an American was killed in London.) See the "unreasonable fears" thread.
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Post by stickman on May 4, 2016 19:30:45 GMT -8
I hike, because when in the general population, people look at me weird when I talk to trees, rocks and squirrels.....
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Post by llamero on May 4, 2016 20:31:30 GMT -8
Definitely in mine. I get it legitimately ... (Except that one cousin who canceled a trip to Italy because an American was killed in London.) Unreasonable fear methinks.
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toejam
Trail Wise!
Hiking to raise awareness
Posts: 1,795
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Post by toejam on May 5, 2016 5:52:44 GMT -8
I decided to quantify the various motivating factors for people who spend time in the outdoors. Here is what I came up with: 1- People who want a challenge (e.g. those who climb peaks, ultramarathoners) 2- People who want to enjoy nature and maybe photograph it (e.g. me!) 3- People who want some exercise 4- People who want to get away from their day-day routines 5- Other reasons which I have not quantified yet If all apply, it brings us back to the original question. Much calm ensued. That's what it's all about. Nice post.
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Post by hippiebutterfly on May 5, 2016 6:33:23 GMT -8
I hike/backpack because it gives me peace.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,993
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Post by driftwoody on May 5, 2016 12:23:10 GMT -8
I hike, because when in the general population, people look at me weird when I talk to trees, rocks and squirrels..... Be careful. Squirrels talk back sometimes.
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Post by llamero on May 5, 2016 16:33:03 GMT -8
Be careful. Squirrels talk back sometimes. Little buggers can be sneaky aggressive, too.
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Post by stickman on May 6, 2016 20:52:20 GMT -8
I'm fluent in squirrel.
squeek squeeker squeekum
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,151
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Post by reuben on May 7, 2016 2:23:09 GMT -8
Watch your language. And that kind of one-sided incendiary diatribe belongs in TPA.
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Post by graywolf on May 7, 2016 5:42:08 GMT -8
I meditate for 30 minutes every morning before I go to work. Hiking and backpacking is like meditating for hours and/or days to me. Its not about the walking, its about the experience and the benefits I get out of it. Spiritual, mystical, physical, emotional and even restful. I experience them all while hiking/backpacking.
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tarol
Trail Wise!
Redding, CA
Posts: 582
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Post by tarol on May 7, 2016 6:28:16 GMT -8
Something I wrote a few years back...
Why all the fuss about backpacking anyway? Why would anyone in their right mind actually leave their automobile behind, leave all comfort behind, don 30-40-50 pounds on their back, and walk up steep mountains, cross fast rivers, brave bears and snakes, and generally just sweat a lot... all for what? A view that you can see by flipping through a coffee table book at home?
Maybe it's because for a few precious moments we are in control of our lives. We have planned the trip, we packed well, and we are in charge of everything that happens to us during our trek.
Maybe it's to relinquish control. Knowing that if the trail were to crumble beneath your feet on a cliff, you would fall and there wouldn't be much you could do about it.
Maybe it's a stress reliever. You get to leave behind your work or your classes and in many cases your spouse, your kids, and your everyday life.
Maybe it's to experience silence. To stop all the noise of TV and traffic and our boss' voices. To sit still and to not only hear the silence, but to feel it.
Maybe it's to open up all your senses. To smell the sun on wet bark. To feel the mossy rocks in a cool hollow. To taste the dinner you prepared on your little stove up at 11,834 feet.
Maybe it's to see wildlife, the shy deer browsing, the brave squirrels chasing each other.
Maybe it's to allow time to sort through your emotions, to let them out in the open and to solve them.
Maybe it's to stop your mind from thinking, to experience life on a basic level, only having to think about what to wear, what to eat, when to filter water, how far to hike, and where to sleep.
Me? What do I think it's all about? It's about a connection, one I make to the place and the place makes to me. I try to impact a place as little as possible, but it definitely impacts me. Every time I go out into the forest I am renewed in my desire to protect it. It affects me and I go back to work and I try in my ever-expanding circle of influence to make sure it will be there to affect my children and their children.
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