Is there any other means to discover the beauty of nature, apart from being a camper who has to carry lots of costly equipment in order to stay right in the middle of unknown without having a trouble. Yes, it seems that camping might not be suitable for everyone. There must be another way to soak up the great outdoors. A way that could strip every customary behavior off. Such as paying daily visits instead of several days expeditions, roaming forests or hills with a prearranged map on condition that you go back home that night, not having necessity to camp out. There is one though. It is hiking.
What is hiking?
Hiking is basically walking in nature as a recreational purpose, with a little planning and preparation that anyone can do easily. Either a national park or a hill overlooking your house. As long as there is pretty terrain to explore, one can be a hiker whenever he wants to. Just a simple backpack to carry what you need for the day is the only thing a hiker should definitely have. Compared to those other outdoor activities, hiking is a deal cheaper and sounds affordable for every single budget.
Besides, gearless feature of it makes persuading a friend of yours as company easy. Grab someone to join you, lessening the risk of getting lost or wild animal encounters. Two heads are better than one. Being alone means freedom and your own adventures, yet think always the worst-case scenarios. If you are not an expert, an old ranger.
Feeling the challenging trail under your boots, it provides not only physical exercise but also joy of moment that help improve mental health of ours. Nature is the main source of fresh air which is good for senses, perception and self-control. Oxygen is essential element for brain. The more amount of it, the more quality of life. Combined with surrounding view and soothing sounds of avifauna or notable silence of them compared to cities that are exposed to the pollution of horns, it becomes no surprising that many doctors recommend their patients to take a hike regularly. Once in a week, we, city dwellers, should do the same too. For staying healthy.
‘The Ten Essentials’
Although hiking doesn’t require to have bunch of materials, in fact, there are several essential items you should carry lest become helpless in case of emergency. They are a collection of gear and clothes that was named ‘the Ten Essentials’ and assembled in 1930s by The Mountaineers, an organization established in the USA for mountaineers, alpinists, climbers and outdoor adventurers.
- Navigation : The map of area you want to hike and a compass ( if you have: altimeter, GPS device ); Sun protection : Sun glasses, UV protection clothing and sunscreen;
- Insulation : A raincoat and additional dry clothes;
- Illumination : A headlamp or flashlight;
- First Aid : A first aid kit Including especially tincture of iodine for prospective wounds;
- Fire : A box of matches or lighter;
- Repairs ( Knife ) : A knife and repairing items such as needle and thread;
- Nutrition : Some snacks and food that doesn’t require cooking and has a long shelf life;
- Hydration : At least two litres of water;
- Emergency shelter : A tarp or lightweight backpacking tent to take shelter in a sudden heavy fall of rain.
That’s all. These are the items that generally exist in every house and weigh no more than five kilos which makes the backpack a bearable burden on shoulders. One of the tempting reason that we have to start considering getting outdoors by means of… Hiking, exploring nature in a single day.
