Why do you hike?

[prain4u]

I was talking with my 15 year-old daughter tonight and I was attempting to convince her to try taking up hiking as a form of recreation--especially long distance hiking. Frankly, she did not seem very interested in pursuing hiking. (She took an 8 mile walk on Mackinac Island this summer. She became tired pretty quickly and got blisters from wearing the wrong shoes. Thus, she presently has no desire to ever take a long walk ever again). However, she DID ask me a semi-serious question: "Why should I hike?"

Because I am her father (and because she is age 15), any answer that I would attempt to give would automatically be considered "wrong". Thus, I would ask you fine people to answer her question: "Why should I hike?" (another way to phrase the question would be: "Why do you hike?".

Thanks!

[buckwheat]

Great question:

I hike because there's something out there that I can't get anywhere else in the world.

It's a quieting of the mind, as I concentrate on footfalls and navigation. I'm rarely headed anywhere where I "have to get to Shelter X by Y o'clock" so for me, hiking is a way to work off all the stress of everyday life and to get my spirit re-tuned to nature. You don't even realize how out of tune you are until you get back into a wilderness.

But there's more. Hiking reminds me of what life for most people on the planet has always been. The typical life we lead is an abberation. We are not living the lives that most of our ancestors experienced. Not that I'd necessarily want to live prehistorically every day, day in and day out. But to occasionally be totally alone, sitting on a mountainside, admiring Mother Nature's handiwork ... that's a good day.

I also hike to stay in shape, and to feel the muscles in my body ache at the end of the day. I get a deep sense of personal satisfaction knowing that I was able to get to the top of whatever hill I just climbed. Even if that hill was only 500 feet above sea level.

If I was trying to introduce hiking to my daughter, I'd focus first on helping her to properly gear up. There's a lot to be learned about just picking a good tent, understanding how blisters form and how you can avoid them, knowing why a stove can't work above a certain altitude. Hiking might seem boring if all she's doing is the walking part. Get her on the computer helping you research a gear purchase and let her show you her mad tech skilz.

Considering her initial experience with hiking, it's no wonder she has zero interest in having her body pummeled and blistered again. Help her understand that hiking isn't about punishing your body, but is about building it up so that it can take you anywhere you want to go. The payoff? Well, there's only one way to get this:



And that way is to hike up there. When you get up there, point to the house below and remind your daughter that inside that house, some punk kid is sitting on a couch inside, getting fatter, playing a video game.

[fiddlehead]

teaches me what's important in life.

[Christus Cowboy]

Prain4U,

Is there an echo in the room? Boy..... This conversation you had with your daughter sounds like a discussion that I had with my 15 year old daughter, minus the blisters... I have both a son and a daughter who I have taken backpacking on more than one ocassion. The last trip I took with my daughter was a 29 miler in Cumberland Gap National Park and we had a great time. I do have some ideas that worked with my daughter...... Just PM me and I would be glad to share them with you if you wish.... As for my reasons for hiking here's my reasons.... just click the link

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...272#post727272

[mudhead]

Tell her boys like tom boys. They just don't know it yet.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Because it's fun.

[Pedaling Fool]

Hiking is not for everyone.

[Lone Wolf]

to get chicks and for the buffets

[garlic08]

Because it's the best way I've ever found to travel. A hiker is a traveler, as opposed to a tourist.

I was similarly stumped when a teenager in a trail town asked, "So what do you get when you finish?" I never could find an answer that question.

[Lone Wolf]

I was similarly stumped when a teenager in a trail town asked, "So what do you get when you finish?" I never could find an answer that question.

a patch, a certificate and a job. summer vacation over, back to reality

[yappy]

to stretch my legs, my spirit and see the country , SEE it.

[Pedaling Fool]

I was talking with my 15 year-old daughter tonight and I was attempting to convince her to try taking up hiking as a form of recreation--especially long distance hiking. Frankly, she did not seem very interested in pursuing hiking. (She took an 8 mile walk on Mackinac Island this summer. She became tired pretty quickly and got blisters from wearing the wrong shoes. Thus, she presently has no desire to ever take a long walk ever again). However, she DID ask me a semi-serious question: "Why should I hike?"

Because I am her father (and because she is age 15), any answer that I would attempt to give would automatically be considered "wrong". Thus, I would ask you fine people to answer her question: "Why should I hike?" (another way to phrase the question would be: "Why do you hike?".

Thanks!

Really is a hard question to answer for your daughter not knowing her interests. Is she physically active? Hiking kind of demands that you, at least, like to do physical activity. You mentioned her getting blisters, well that's part of hiking and the physical challenges get much worse on the AT. You can’t hike without pain.

You may have to show here why physical activity is important for quality of life, not just hiking.

[bigcranky]

My daughter hiked with us until she was 14 or so, then she quit. We can still drag her out for a quick overnight, but no more 2-3 week hikes.

Hiking isn't for everyone. Most of my colleagues are aghast at the idea of sleeping on the ground, outside, in all kinds of weather.

A hiker has to be motivated from within. That's how one overcomes blisters, sweat, bad food, no showers, and all other the little annoyances. When I'm on the trail, I am so overjoyed to be out there, that the little stuff is just, well, little stuff. But if it doesn't feed your soul, so to speak, then hiking is just hard, dirty work.

[BookBurner]

I hike because, more so than anything else I do, it puts me in an environment where I can be more present, in the now, aware, enlightened, whatever you prefer to call it. That presence then follows me back home and reminds me how to live my life in the "real world".

I suspect some people find their presence while knitting, jogging, or playing with puppy dogs. I would encourage your daughter to pursue presence and awareness. If she happens to find it in hiking, wonderful. If she happens to find it in dancing or yoga, just as good ... As long as she finds it somewhere.

[BradMT]

As said above, if she's not motivated from within, you'll not motivate her from without.

BPing/Hiking is something you do or don't do mainly based on some inner compunction. Like it's said of writers, "f you're a writer you write." Obviously that also illustrates the opposite too,

If you're a hiker you hike, if not you don't."

Having two teenagers I can tell you trying to "convince" a daughter at age fifteen is a bit late... you have to raise them hiking from tots and still they many not take up the past time... we're all so different. Fifteen year old girls generally have other things on their minds none of which involves carrying a pack and getting sweaty, dirty. and tired.

[prain4u]

I am REALLY appreciating the answers that I am getting to this question. THANK YOU! I pretty much agree that the motivation to hike needs to come from within--and hiking is not for everyone. (I even told my daughter that many of you would post answers along that line). Yet, I was intrigued by daughter's curiosity and her sincere question: "Why should I hike". Thanks for giving your answers to that question. Your answers are delightful and insightful.

[Slosteppin]

I would not consider Mackinac Island a good place for an introduction to hiking. I think most people walking there get blisters. Early hikes have to be fun! Good fitting shoes and socks are the biggest requirement.
Hiking can be as easy or as hard as you want it to be. There are just so many interesting things to see and do on a trail that are not possible other places. When my boys started hiking (the oldest of the 3 was 5) their interest was bugs and rocks. this evolved to bushes (with berries), trees, then birds and then other animals. Finally the scenery became an interest for all.
Now 2 of the "boys" are giving their daughters an interest in animals and the outdoors.
A camera, binoculars and preferred food make hikes much more fun.
I suggest short and easy walks with good shoes and a camera. A challenge to take interesting pictures can help interest in hiking.

Slosteppin

[Aiwix]

Something to do.

[Penn-J]

The forests, too, seem kindly familiar,and the lakes and meadows and glad singing streams. I should like to dwell with them forever. Here with bread and water I should be content. Even if not allowed to roam and climb, tethered to a stake or tree in some meadow or grove, even then I should be content forever. Bathed in such beauty, watching the expressions ever varying on the faces of the mountains, watching the stars, which here have a glory that the lowlander never dreams of, watching the circling seasons, listening to the songs of the waters and winds and birds, would be endless pleasure. And what glorious cloud lands I should see, storms and calms,-a new heaven and a new earth everyday, aye, and new inhabitants. And how many visitors I should have. I feel sure I should not have one dull moment. And why should this appear extravagant? It is only common sense, a sign of health, genuine, natural , all awake health. One would be at an endless Godfull play, and what speeches and music and acting and scenery and lights!! -sun, moon, stars, auroras. Creation just beginning, the morning stars "still singing together and all the sons of God shouting for joy."
John Muir "My first summer in the Sierra"
That pretty much sums it up for me!

[Kirby]

It's a great workout.

Kirby