Whiteblaze: Why do you backpack?

[lori]

When so many would see us as fools, as aimless wanderers, why do we do it? Why do we go out into the woods carrying heavy packs day after day and just walk, over the grueling climbs, in the rain, in the heat and cold, through the dirt, in the vast woods devoid of civilization -- why do we backpack? Looking for some interesting answers.

If it were grueling, cold, etc. I wouldn't do it.

I backpack in ways that don't cause me pain and suffering. Because I love the outdoors, and the people I find in it.

[darkage]

I like to poop in the woods, pick my nose in the woods, and and and.......

About sums it up .... I'll second this.

[Graywolf]

Because going into the Mountains is going Home..

[58starter]

I hike to see if I can still make it to the top of the next hill and see what God has created for me to see there.

[cricket71]

It's my parents fault...

[neonshaw]

Well, I've figured out my reasons for loving hiking, backpacking, and just everything associated with being out in the wilderness, but I wanted to hear your reasons.

When so many would see us as fools, as aimless wanderers, why do we do it? Why do we go out into the woods carrying heavy packs day after day and just walk, over the grueling climbs, in the rain, in the heat and cold, through the dirt, in the vast woods devoid of civilization -- why do we backpack? Looking for some interesting answers.

its the only activity i have done where i feel totally free if only for a few days

[garlic08]

I think it's one of those things that if you have to ask, you'll never understand the answer.

When you tell people what you're doing, some get the questioning look, like "Why would you ever do that?" and some get the wistful look, like "Man, I wish I could do that." Some get it, some don't, and no explanation or answer is going to change that.

[earlyriser26]

If you turn pro you can make the big bucks.

[crazystick]

I'm homeless anyway, backpacking just makes it cool and gives me something to do!'

[Carbo]

It's a mindless thing. It feels right.

[johnnyblisters]

The smells are incredible. Rotting and growing organisms all symbiotically smelling like "woods". Also smelling like what humans actually smell like is really interesting, albeit astringent.

[d.o.c]

i been doing it for as long as i can remember.. nothing else is as necessary to keeping me sane or insane hvnt figurd it out

[Furlough]

For the crowd freeing, mind clearing, spirit renewing, grid escaping, outdoors loving, backpacking skills betterment, sight, sounds, smells, freedom invoking pure joy of it.

Other than that I have not got a clue.

Furlough

[Different Socks]

No bosses, time clocks, speed limits, working while surrounded by an enclosed artificial environment, no bills to pay on time, no vacuuming rugs or cleaning the bathroom, no shoveling snow or mowing the lawn, generally no rules, regulations, restrictions or laws, no stoplights, angry motorists, no caring about how I need to look every morning, in a sense no worry about where I gotta be or by a certain time, no dealing with certain types of co-workers. No alarm clocks, no potholes, traffic jams or spilled coffee on my uniform. No buzzers, chimes, alarms, deadlines, ringtones, or door bells.
I could go on and on.

[kayak karl]

in the "60's i backpacked to be with my dad.
in the "70's i backpacked to get away from my dad
in the "80's i backpacked to get away from wife #1
in the "90's i backpacked to spend time with my son.
in the "00's i backpacked to get away from wife #3
in the "10's i backpacked to spend time with my grandson

But most of all, because i want too.

[Slo-go'en]

...Because is feels good when we stop

(addicted to endorphines)

[TallShark]

Because going into the Mountains is going Home..

I Like it.

[excuses]

because others look at you strangely and I can eat the big calories.

[WingedMonkey]

To get away from the rest of you.

[10-K]

I like the physical challenge - how far, how fast, how much, can I go/do.

I like looking back and thinking, "Wow, you just walked over ALL that!"

Love the views and what a shower feel like after being in the woods for a few days.

I like going for extended periods of time without having a conversation with someone.

Like being in my tent during hard rains with high winds.

Definitely like a good, hot cup of fresh coffee from a store close enough to the trail to walk to then walk back and continue hiking.