Seniors like to hike. A park or a bike trail is fine for everyday
walks, but nothing compares to the “walking meditation” that you experience
when hiking in the wilderness. We rented a cabin near the Mount Baker National Forest
last week and did several lengthy hikes.
Normally our hikes are closer to home, and more of the foothill variety,
but this particular vacation was perfect.
We drove 11 miles on a
primitive road to the trail head. There were more than a dozen cars in the
parking lot and twice as many hikers. Many
of them were seasoned hikers who were planning to stay overnight. We were
surprised how many seniors made up
the small groups.
We like our creature comforts these days so
gave up overnight backpacking years
ago, but we still try to do day hikes
most weekends. A small backpack to
carry water, energy bars, and a kit with emergency supplies are all we usually
take with us. A few hapless hikers were
wearing sneakers but for the most part cargo pants, long sleeve shirts and
sturdy hiking boots were the uniform of the day. I have never used trekking poles but saw many people wielding them with great
proficiency, and it seemed like a good idea.
A mountain trail probably
isn’t the greatest place to start if you aren’t accustomed to distance walking
or altitude, but a short hike might inspire you to do more. We met a few younger people who were huffing
and puffing before they got to the first switch back so we allowed ourselves to
feel a little smug. Although the best thing about hiking is that it is not a
competition. It is okay to slow down and
rest at every switchback. Use this time to catch your breath and admire the
view. If you look around when you should
be watching your feet you could trip and fall, and that is not why you are out
there. Older hikers need to be a little more careful as most of us are not
as surefooted as we used to be. If you
are not having fun because the hike is too hard take a break. Stop as often as you like, nibble good tasting
energy bars, and drink plenty of water.
Wear comfortable clothing
and dress in layers. It doesn’t take long to work up a sweat. One minute you might feel too warm, but thick
foliage and cool breezes will have you shivering a few minutes later. The most important thing is comfortable hiking shoes; break them in before that
first hike, and don’t forget to splurge on a pair of hiking-specific socks.
Be safe. Hike with others, and be prepared for
emergencies. No one expects to get lost but it does happen. Tuck a whistle,
map, compass or GPS, flashlight, matches, and first aid kit in your backpack.
If you plan more than the
occasional day hikes think about purchasing and mastering trekking poles. The lightweight poles ease impact on
knees and will help with balance. When a
sudden loss of balance occurs you will appreciate that extra contact
point. If you carry a sizeable backpack
you want to be sure the contents are distributed so as not to throw off your
balance.
You will be pleased to know
that waterfalls, amazing views and snow packs can found within a few miles of
the trailheads. Research your hikes,
start early in the day, take your time and enjoy the beauty of it all. If you don’t have a hiking buddy you will find that most senior centers and
recreational facilities have age specific groups for you to join.
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