Sometimes, we over-complicate things. It’s just human nature, I guess.
Cooking? Over-complicated. Throw it in a pan and cook it over medium heat until it’s done.
Politics? Over-complicated. Use the common sense God gave you.
Driving? Over-complicated. Drive the speed limit and don’t hit anybody or anything.
Sports are over-complicated, too. The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that becoming a “player” in any sport — including hiking and trekking — is really about only one thing: gear.
(I know that sounds strange, but just hang with me.)
Let’s use pickleball as an example. How does one become a pickleball player? Easy. Go to the sporting goods store, completely outfit yourself with pickleball stuff, and then step onto your first pickleball court. Guess what? You’re a pickleball player! It’s only time and practice that separates a good pickleball player from a poor one — but both are pickleball players.
(Is the word “pickleball” sounding weird yet?)
You can apply this concept to practically any sport — football, billiards, lacrosse, whatever — which brings us back to hiking. At its most basic level, what is hiking? Simple. It’s walking across unpaved ground. That’s it. If you can walk on a dirt trail, you can hike.
So, what makes someone an “official” hiker? Hiking boots (or trail shoes) and a backpack. That’s it. Get those things, walk on a dirt trail, and boom, now you’re a hiker. I’m not even kidding or being glib; this is the unvarnished truth, and I say this at the risk of removing some of the mystery of my own industry.
Now, are there some people who have extensive hiking experience, a high level of fitness, and more gear in their garage? Of course, but those are just details.
“But Mark,” you say, confused. “Just because I can walk on a trail with boots doesn’t mean I can walk a long way! Don’t you have to walk a long way to become a hiker?”
Sometimes, but not always. Again, those are just details. Some adventures require walking a long way and some don’t. With only a few months of practice and training, even a beginner could do most of our treks.
And, by the way, what’s the difference in hiking and trekking? This, too, is simple. Hiking is usually a one-day affair of walking from the starting point to a destination and back again. It normally happens in close proximity to civilization. Trekking is usually a point-to-point, multiple-day situation, often far away from towns and cities. Both, however, are just walking with good footwear and a backpack.
OK, but how about an overseas trek? That’s scary and out of my league, right?
Nope and nope.
Don’t be intimidated by the concept of an overseas trek; it’s really not as dramatic as it might sound. Trekking in, say, Peru, is just walking in Peru over unpaved ground. If you can walk at home, you can walk in Peru. The wonderful, magical part of this is that you’re IN PERU! You are walking over land that is different from what you’re used to, grows different vegetation, hosts different animals, and supports a different culture. An overseas trek is an experience that can’t be duplicated in any other way and will change your life perspective profoundly.
But you’re just walking with a backpack and good footwear. (Is this starting to sink in?)
Folks, the bottom line is that Hobnail handles all the pesky logistics and details of an overseas adventure — all you have to do is show up with a backpack, good footwear, and walk. (OK, there’s a little more gear involved, but not much.) Use the two strong legs, feet, and common sense that God gave you and go experience this world — different languages, cultures, landscapes, and all.
I promise that you’ll get substantially more out of it than a game of pickleball.
***
Here are some good treks for novice hikers and trekkers. Check them out!
Croatia’s Culinary Adventure
Scotland’s Three Lochs Way
Italy’s Amalfi Coast Expedition
Spain’s Andalucia Classic
Recent Comments