- Hike your own hike. Learn from others but do what you need to do.
- Set your course but allow for adjustments and setbacks.
- Share the experience – make memories with your friends as it is their excursion too. No pushing….
- Take care of yourself even when you are not pursuing your goal – I'm talking about nutrition , sleep, and stress management.
- You will uncover strengths and weaknesses but you can use it for growth.
- What is your personal growth challenge with this goal? For me it was relying on other people and compromising.
- Deal with and prepare for constraints – for me it was diminishing available light, road closures, creek crossings, weather, and logistics.
- Not everyone will be your cheerleader… jealousy, not approving of goal, or just not interested.
- As with all good things – it takes $, time and sweat equity.
- You must have the passion first.
- Ramp it up – gradually but consistently increasing the level of difficulty wins the race. Whether you are hiking uphill, climbing a difficult boulder, or paddling against the current - the resistence makes you better and helps you cross to the next level.
- It’s a journey.
Suggestions - I've been hiking for 5 years and it's time I put some of my 'experiences' and 'reflections' in one place. Please come back and visit this page as I will update this section quite often I'm sure. I'm not including the obvious tips like bring plenty of water since there are enough sites on the internet where you can find that information.
- Hike a trail more than once - with different people and/or during another season. Make a unique indicator on your trail map of hikes that were extra special and that you would want to hike again.
- This can't happen all the time but when you have a great trail, great weather and great friends with you it's just like a mini-vacation and nothing compares to that experience.
- Nature gives you perspective and hiking in it over a substantial period of time can help you to guide your own life as to what's really important.
- 95% of the hikers I know have certain core traits - one of them is that we are addicted to hiking! The others are - we are generous, we look after one another, we are quiet during part of the trip to allow for reflection time, and we are fun. I look at each fellow hiker as a mentor and all have changed my life in some way.
- If you don't do the uphill then you'll never get to be a better and stronger hiker. This statement has carried me through some 'bad attitude' times, especially during your first two years of hiking. Hiking uphill pays you dividends later on and helps to build confidence in your abilities. Also, you are in the mountains - so there will be rocks, buzzy bees, creeks, hard uphill, abrupt weather changes, etc. Enjoy!
- Find something in nature that interests you - mushrooms, ferns, birds, flowers and start taking pictures of them, look though identification books. Learn a few names each year and you'll start to enjoy seeing them year after year. You can always find the 'top 10 most common' species and go from there.
- Women especially - thank your body after each hike and marvel at how hard it worked and how well it came through for you. A little gratitude never hurts....
- Large group hikes are fine when you are getting started or are interested in meeting new people and seeing new trails. Try to find smaller groups to go with as well since it allows you more quality time with nature.
- Hiking and dieting don't mix. Bringing healthy foods that have the good fats in them is more than acceptable. If you don't eat well and stay hydrated you will not enjoy your hike. Trust me.
Thoughts - What do I think about when I'm hiking? That's a really good question. Other than the regular stuff like I'm sore, tired, contemplating the weather, worried about my car needing repairs, or thinking about what to make (or order) for dinner - sometimes I have what I would deem an 'Elise epiphany'. Thoughts too random to include in the note section of the various hikes listed in this blog. I thought this might be a good spot to jot them down....
- In my mind, a flowers functionality and aesthetic are almost unparalleled in nature. Other than humans, do any other animals find them beautiful too? What would be their definition of beautiful?
- It never ceases to amaze me as a transplant from Texas how many shades of green one can find in East Tennessee - I didn't know that many variations of color existed.
- I always find myself wondering why more people don't hike these trails and the trails in other nearby parks. At the same time a part of me knows this is one of the best things that could happen for the Park's ecosystems.
- When I hike it often seems like time itself has been suspended. There is a certain rhythm that happens to your pace, movements, and thought patterns. On longer hikes, you can almost go into a trance - weird stuff. :-) It could just be me...
- When I hike a trail for a second time I can recall conversations I had in certain places along the trail. Often, it's the first time for me to have ever remembered it.
- Sadly, I often realize with a deep down intensity just how vulnerable and fragile and harsh nature is and how civilization has torn down so much of what is really our home. I think about if where I was standing was not a park what would it be?
- I love hiking all four seasons - Winter views and solitude; Spring flowers and life in bloom; Summer brings longer daylight hours; Fall colors and crisp air. There is always something to be thankful for and to enjoy.
