October 01, 2003

And Now For Something Completely Different - OCTOBER 2003

A Step in the Right Direction
by LuluJones
When someone asks you if you'd like to go hiking with them, do you cringe? C'mon, you can admit it. I used to. Just the thought of getting out of my comfy couch and away from my television marathon viewing nearly turned my world upside down. I'm talking about a serious nervous breakdown here. Fortunately, I started fighting against my slothfulness, and now I NEED to get out! Hiking is a blessing, not a curse (as I so believed previously). Really. Disbelievers, read on!

Go Take a Hike!

Okay, I don't want to sound like MOM but here are a few reasons why you might want to check out hiking on a regular basis:

1. You feel better and your energy soars when you keep fit.

2. It's fun to see the world and breathe some fresh air.

3. It's an excellent way to shed excess pounds.

4. Regular exercise lowers high blood pressure.

5. It's a wonderful way to connect with your friends and family while getting exercise. Call it multi-tasking!

6. It decreases cholesterol levels, a common cause of heart disease.

Plan

Wherever you live, there's sure to be at least a day hike not far. If you're not ready for a complete day hike or are not used to long walks or hikes or higher elevations, start out small and low then work your way up. Remember to stretch your leg muscles before and after hikes to avoid cramping. Do a search on the Internet or in your local library to find out what your options are, maps, elevations, preparation, etc. You can then pick trails that work with your age and ability. Here are places online to start:


Click on photo to enlarge

Web Sites:
http://www.webwalking.com/hike.shtml
(Intlx Hiking Organizations)

http://www.americanhiking.org (U.S.)

http://grinfos.free.fr/gr-an.htm
(France and Belgium)

http://www.cyberhikes.com/ (International)

Be Prepared

From novices to veteran hikers, always know about and bring:

A. First Aid Kit (compact and waterproof) containing, moleskin, aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, alcohol
preps, bandages, non-drowsy antihistamines, Telfa sterile pads, sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, Dermiclear or Transpore clear tape, safety pins.

Optional items: large bandana (for a sling), Ace bandage, tweezers (for ticks and splinters), duct tape, Second Skin.

B. Water! Bring at least 2 cups of water per person for every hour of your hike. Bring some sort of water purification method (and know how to use it) if you can't bring water. Do not drink directly from streams no matter how unpolluted it looks.

C. If you have breathing problems or a heart conditions, limit your hikes in time and stay at a low altitudes.

D. Wear proper footgear. Ankle-high hiking boots are recommended, and please break them in before going on your hike. Make sure the boots are long enough so that when you hike downhill, your toes do not press against the top of the boot.

E. A Walking Stick. Umbrellas make good walking sticks as well as coming in handy if it rains.

F. Check the unexpected weather conditions in advance to help you with what you wear. Make sure you wear and bring appropriate clothing, raingear, snow gear, gloves, hats (wool over cotton) in cold climates, and lighter cotton clothing and visors or brimmed hats in warmer weather.

G. Sunscreen and insect repellent (also a preloaded syringe of adrenaline if anyone is allergic to insect stings)

H. Avoid slippery or dangerous footing: wet rocks, wet leaves, logs (step over logs rather than on them). Do not walk on ice without crampons.

I. Food: nuts, granola bars, raisins, and food high in protein and in vitamins that are easy to transport.

J. Backpack to carry all of the above! Make sure there’s enough space for extra clothing and room to shed some clothing.


Doing a little tiny bit of homework and preparation before your hike does pay off and you’ll be amazed that suddenly you feel like a million bucks! You’ll also be delighted to discover some breathtaking scenery not far from your home. AND! You’ll be further astonished that happiness can be found by exploring Nature! Yes, it’s true - and not just sitting in front of your trusty TV. (Though, admittedly, doing just that does have its moments…)

Get out of the house often for a hike – and see what’s outside your front door!

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