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Healthy Hiking
Hiking for Fun and Fitness
By Tamar Weiss
Paul Miller, an avid hiker for more than 30 years, has found that one key to a successful hike is knowing your own limits and desires. Also, knowing what gear to bring along. This information can be obtained from park rangers and clerks in outdoor stores in the general area of the given hike. Miller's main objective in hiking is to enjoy the "peace and solitude" found in hiking. "As I've grown older, I've come to value more and more the chance to get away from the rat race and sit and do nothing more than stare at clouds," he says. He uses hiking as a way to "forget about watches, calendars, responsibilities, demands."
If complete solitude is not on your list, hiking is a great activity to do with friends, and especially with family. "Hiking is a wonderful family activity," says Greer. "Even toddlers can enjoy a hike if a parent is willing to wear a child carrier backpack."
But, remember when taking the kids hiking to "et the kids go at their own pace and plan short distances, says Greer. Also, "let the kids find what interests them ... and be sure to take things for their creature comforts – food, drink and warm clothing," he adds.
Another positive outcome of a family hike is that you have more time to appreciate the flora and fauna because you go a bit slower, says Hooper. "It's also a great opportunity for the kids to learn about nature," she says. When hiking in general and specifically with the family, don't forget to bring along a first aid kit.
Jim Zaleski began hiking to be able to share the outdoor experience with others in his family, no matter what the physical condition, athleticism or age of the family member. The hike itself, he points out, "can be the means to get the family from one place to another, or it can be the focus of the day." This specific activity, says Zaleski, allows everyone to participate on the same playing field, but at the same time allows them to set their own ground rules and therefore their own sense of accomplishment.
