Wikipedia says that hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in outdoor environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain.  We’ve all been out there and seen the sprinters with bright white tennis shoes, the dog tired overly big backpackers, families with dawdling children who have chocolate smeared on their faces, in-shape, outta shape, young and the infamous 78 year old man who is plain and simple kicking your butt up the trail.  Why?  Why go hiking?

Is hiking just putting one foot in front of the other – the perseverance of beginning at Point A (the trailhead) and ending at Point B (the waterfall, the summit, the campsite)?   Is there more enlightenment in the walk?  For some, a resounding “YES.”  For others, well maybe “NO.”  When was the last time you went for a walk, no matter how short or long, and allowed the scenery and surroundings to fully capture your attention?  Did you simply put one step in front of the other or did you stop, ponder, evaluate and consider.

Look at that snow spray copy.

For me, hiking allows me to get lost in my own thoughts.  I’ve resolved a wide array of problems that come with life.  Mother Nature gave me that privilege of scenery and time.  Other times, I simply gawk with magnificent admiration at the plethora of small and large – a lizard cooling itself with pushups, a 150-foot tall ponderosa stand, a spider web breathing minutely in the breeze.

Nearly every day I tell someone, “Today, walk to your mailbox.  Tomorrow walk a few steps further.”  Go outside.  How far you walk doesn’t matter – as long as you do it.  “But, it takes me longer,” I’ve heard time and time again.  “So,” is my immediate response.  Getting older doesn’t mean no walking.  It simply means that the distance may be shorter and the time may be longer.  Think of it as a chance to see more of what is around you!

I had the great privilege of going with a couple on an overnight backpack.  It was their first backpacking trip.  Guess what, it was just as spectacular and rewarding as hiking with four kids a couple of weeks ago.  Know why?  We huffed and puffed to over 11,000-feet, we ogled at the amazing array of flowers, we stared at rock formations that are reminiscent of hoodoos, we glissaded in snowfields (its July) and threw snowballs, we gingerly and with shortness of breath dunked ourselves in icy tarns, we heard an elk bugle, we stared and stared but never saw a mountain goat, we drank hot chocolate and ate a tasty vegetarian dinner, we stayed up late waiting to see the Milky Way and then got up early for the sunrise, we watched the alpine glow as it receded from The Divide, we sat on gi-normous rocks and looked as far as the eye could see, we rested as needed, we felt no hurry and we returned to the trailhead dirty, tired and rejuvenated by the wilds.

It isn’t the destination that is important but instead the placement of each foot getting there or maybe not getting there.  And, it’s okay to take off your pack, set it to the side and play a bit along the way.  After all, that is the fun of stepping out.

About Step Outdoors, LLC

Step Outdoors wants you to go outside and we lead individiually inspired one foot in front of the other adventure pursuits to get you there.  Whether you are interested in a first time overnight backpack or a more challenging multi-day hiking adventure, we will tailor a trip just for you.  Perfect for mothers and daughters, families, co-workers or a group of friends, we provide a 100% guarantee of fun.

Check out our blog at http://stepoutdoorscolorado.com/blog/.