Catch The Hiking Virus

By Kim Cottrell

For years, I was a walker. That’s how I thought of myself and that’s how I proceeded to get my exercise. Walking served the purpose of getting me where I wanted to go and kept me physically conditioned. Then my mother died, and I learned I could walk myself back to emotional health. These healing walks became even more valuable as time went on.

I was introduced to hiking on a visit to England, where a friend took me walking. In my naivety, I thought we were just out for a walk, but in England, walking is about traversing a hill with elevation and distance. As I panted through that walk, I realized that in the United States, we call it hiking. After experiencing several walks and seeing the most amazing viewpoints, it was clear that I’d been infected by the hiking virus.

I call it a virus because it has invaded all my walking experiences. To this day, a good walk is a walk with some uphill portions. I’ve gained a new perspective as I’ve learned how to pace myself going up hills with little strain or mental effort. My favorite part of the Portland Marathon is the approach to the St. John’s Bridge. Most importantly, the hiking virus has added a contemplative tone to my walking and hiking that just didn’t exist prior to those walks in England.

While my neighborhood walk generally satisfies and fills the time I have available, there are some days when my feet itch for a hill. The other day, there were family problems pounding in my brain. As the pressure increased, I gave in to the call of a good long walk. I gathered the dogs and headed to the Columbia River Gorge to hike among the waterfalls. We walked, unhurried, drinking in the perfect blue sky, the just-right coolness, and the terrific views of the river.

If you find yourself infected by the hiking virus, here are a few suggestions:

Your walking shoes are fine. Try hiking first before investing in new footwear. If you catch the bug, invest in a pair of lightweight, flexible hiking shoes. Your foot needs the freedom to mold and adapt to the terrain. Avoid shoes with rigid, unbendable soles.

Invest in a good set of walking poles. If you’ve been hesitant to try hiking but always longed to be closer to nature, a set of walking poles will help you compensate for issues such as poor balance, bad knees, or chronic injuries. You want to use two poles, because one is inefficient and puts you off balance, like an animal with three legs. Better to be the four-legged animal, beautifully balanced and flexible, for increased resilience on any terrain.

Begin slowly. Start with a couple of miles, a mile in and a mile out, and work your way up to hiking longer distances.

When you least expect it, the hiking virus may invade you too. If it does, grab a friend, take food and water, and always pack the 10 Essentials for a Safe Hike. To view the 10 essentials for a Safe Hike visit www.isu.edu/outdoor/ten.htm.

You’ll find that hiking invigorates the body, soothes the spirit, and grounds the soul. Let this uphill walk take you beyond the rockiness of everyday life.

Kim Cottrell is a walking coach, Feldenkrais practitioner, and author. Her new book, While Walking, will be released summer 2008.