How to like hiking
I’ve never been a big hiker. In fact, I hated ‘hiking week’, a popular torture method for young schoolchildren. Nowadays they have adventure weeks where they go rafting, climbing and whatnot, but I’m from the generation of those who were forced to hike. It might be because my mother was not exactly a fan of hiking either, whereas my dad sports a mountain tan in the summertime that makes him look like he’s.. Morrocan. My brothers, then, seem to be pretty divided on the issue. The older one is not was I’d call ‘sporty’. He DID mountain bike when he was younger, has a PADI Open Water Diver card (not sure if he ever went diving again though) and makes efforts to stay fit despite his job. The younger one, on the other hand, is as sportive as it gets, from climbing to skiing to biking to other things that make him break bones and dislocate joints.
So I guess I’m slab in the middle. I love sports. I’ve been horseback riding since I was 6 years old, did ballet for a long time, ran a half marathon, trained for a triathlon, kayaked around lakes and streams solo when it was still barely 32F outside, tried out rock climbing, love swimming laps, started road biking last year, blablabla.
Enough with the praise. I feel good about myself now. Hah. Despite all that, I have to admit: I hate hiking. It’s slow, tedious, at times boring and definitely a bit… what old people do, eh? Not here in Boulder. Hiking is Boulder’s official sport, next to rock climbing and skiing. Everyone does it. I started out three months ago by doing some small hikes in Chatauqua park, mainly up the Flatirons. When I moved to West Boulder, I had a couple of trails right in front of my house, most prominently the Mount Sanitas trailhead. That’s a tough trail. It goes up the ridge of Mount Sanitas for a couple of miles and is fairly steep and stair-laden. Not my favorite type of trail by any stretch.
But I go hiking anyway. Because once I’m up the mountain, it is actually pretty cool. Hiking is not only super good for you, it’s also free, can be very social, you get a big dose of fresh air, and on top of all that, you get to see cool things if you’re in the right area.
In just 12 days, I’m leaving Boulder behind. It’s a shame, really, I like it here a lot. But new experiences await. First a road trip through several National Parks in the Southwest, which means I’m actively training for hiking in the Grand Canyon right now. Then, after a short stint in New York (to grab some Shake Shack, hang out at the MoMA, walk around the East Village and generally be happy in the best city in the world), it’s time to go back to Europe.
I’ve thought about writing this often, while on a trail, panting, asking myself why in the world anyone would do this voluntarily. So, here’s my guide to liking hiking (hey, that rhymes!).
1. Get some awesome shoes.
This is somewhat flexible. But if you’re serious about hiking up a mountain, or even just a hill, you need shoes that are fun to walk in, don’t put too much strain on your legs and feet, look great (don’t we all want to look great, even when on a remote mountainside?) and that you LOVE putting on. I have two different types of shoes for that: a pair of leather hiking books that go above the ankle, for those rocky, wet or snowy trails. I chose Waldviertler Jaga Flex, because I don’t like the look of high-tech plastic hiking boots, and because they look smart enough to wear around town on a cold day. This is what they look like in action (in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, worn with socks knit by my aunt)
Then, I have two pairs of Five Fingers: KSO and Bikila LS. The KSO are a bit more flexible and offer a bit more ground feel, the Bikila LS have more stability and are a little more rugged. Both are excellent for hiking. I’ve been wearing the KSO for over a year now and my feet and legs have become incredibly strong – and my back doesn’t hurt nearly as much. There is a lot about barefoot walking, running and trekking on the internet so I’ll spare you a discourse about this right now. Five Fingers ended up being a great investment for me.
Here are the two models side by side – KSO left, Bikila LS right.
What type of shoe you choose is entirely up to your liking. But choose some that you absolutely love, otherwise you’ll dread putting them on in the first place.
2. Find an awesome place.
This is a no-brainer. Hiking is much more fun when the scenery is great. Which is part of why I do it here. The Rocky Mountains are beautiful. My boyfriend and I did a hike in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area two months ago and it was just magical. Even here I sometimes suspect I’m actually in a video game and the boulders are made of cardboard. Huh. When the scenery bores you, hiking will bore you, too.
If you don’t live near a place that is pretty, consider doing your first hike on vacation.
3. Go alone the first time.
I though about making the exact opposite recommendation. I love having my man along and meeting other people on the trail, but to get into your groove, consider hiking alone in the beginning. You can set your own pace, concentrate on breathing and footing, and you’ll also see more around you when you’re not chatting with a friend. This is also why you should not put in headphones while hiking: enjoy nature. Listen to the sounds. Hear that bunny hopping away from you. The trees crackling. The crunch of gravel or leafs under your feet. It is all part of the reason hiking is actually quite great.
4. Reward yourself.
When you’ve got a thermos full of coffee or tea to look forward to once you’re up on the mountain, your pace quickens when the summit is in sight. Sitting down with a steaming cuppa is awesome when you’re exhausted and happy. Get a good thermos that doesn’t leak and keeps liquids hot. I’m using a Klean Kanteen Insulated and I love it. Stanley is also a good choice. I haven’t found a leak proof one in Germany yet, but I’m sure there are some. Those colorful ones from IKEA suck, by the way.
Or plan on a special breakfast/lunch/dinner when you’re back. I recently made Biscuits and Gravy for that reason. You’ve earned it, now go enjoy!
Well.. today I was too lazy to go. But in the face of hiking the Grand Canyon in just two weeks, I should probably log a few more hours, eh?
Now go forth and hike.
