Zen of Hiking

People always ask if I enjoy hiking alone. The answer is a simple yes. There is something relaxing about being alone on the trail. There is something mediative about hiking. You are out in nature with nothing else to do but think about something or nothing at all. When I hike, I spend the first 20 minutes trying not to think. It is hard to do.

Once I get in that non thinking mode when I am hiking, this is where I can find some peace or some answers. My non thinking mode isn't saying that I don't think far from it, but I don't have an agenda on what I am going to think about. It is a free flow of thoughts and ideas running through my brain.

Recently I called a friend just to chat while I was hiking. I thought no big deal. No one else was around me. During the short conversation I felt like I was violating some unwritten rule of the trail. It got me thinking what are the rules of hiking. So here are my Unwritten Rules of the Trail for mindful mediation.

Unwritten Rules of the Trail

Don't wear earbuds

This tells others please don't talk to me. Plus you are missing out on the sounds of nature.

Don't play music so others can hear it

Just plain rude

Don't talk on the phone

If you are on your phone how can you be taking in all that is around you? A friend always said disconnect to connect. It is true on the trail too.

Keep Noise to a Minimum

It's common courtesy to keep noise to a minimum by talking softly. Loud noises can scatter wildlife and disturb fellow hikers.

The Camino was a great example of hiking alone. When I say hiking alone, you can always see a line of hikers in front and behind you. One minute you are walking by yourself and then you get caught in a group of hikers. This is not a bad thing. People are generally respectful of the lone hiker, but at times it good to have conversation especially because you have things in common the trail, the weather, the last camp, and the time of day. The trail makes you instant friends.

One of my favorite quotes from work is "I like idea of people." I think the same goes for most hikers and that is why we hike. I don't mind people talking to me on the trail but at the same time the conversation is light and doesn't have a point expect to just to pass time. So yes I like the idea of people.

So a bit of a tangent, I had a conversation with a hiker. They were coming up a steep part of the trail and I was heading down. So I stepped aside and motion for them to come up. They stopped me and said I had the right of way. So we had a discussion of who had right of way. This lasted for a couple of minutes. They also wore an AT hat which to me gave them some additional creditability. So when I got home, I did a lot of research and found nothing to support their claim. I found a lot suggesting that hikers coming up has the right of way. I just wonder why they were so assured that they were right. Any thoughts on this one???

All too often we need distractions to get us through the day. We have our phones in hand to do things other than what we are supposed to be doing. When I am hiking, I feel very disconnected from the world in a good way, I find clarity, it restores my soul, and plus it just makes me happy.

Pack Lightly

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