Reasons for Backpacking
November 10th, 2006 spryken
Late one night this week, I was thinking about the differences in Process and Goal hikers. Let me explain what I mean. Process hikers are all about the hike, the joy is the actual trek up the trail. Goal hikers are all about getting there, the joy is in reaching the peak or camp. The fun for them is the destination. Some people talk about as “Do you hike to camp or camp to hike?”
It is really a continuum. Few actually fall into the extemes. I am more of a Process hiker. I enjoy my time on the trail. I don’t try to hurry, but enjoy being in the wild. I definitely like having goals: reaching that next peak, seeing that great vista, camping by a stream, etc. But getting there is more than half the fun.
That is probably why I like longer trips of 4+ days. A weekend just doesn’t seem to allow me enough time to enjoy the hike.
So as a partial list of reasons (primarily mine own) I offer:
- To really get away from it all
- To see nature, up close
- To see views that you can only see by walking there
- To challenge myself physically, mentally and emotionally
- To think
- To keep physically fit
- To enjoy the company of a few like minded souls
- It is fun
Want to offer any more???
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