Taking a Hike

127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Beautiful scenes; gripping story. -Would you have the guts if it meant your very survival? Aron Ralston's story and movie "127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place" presents many different messages. For hikers; telling people where you are going is the most critical. Pilots file a flight plan; if they crash it is far more likely they will be located. When they go renegade, that is when the trouble begins.

I keep my friends informed by posting my plan on my Facebook. I will often upload images along the way. Posting images is fun (and how cool when someone sends a comment on the beautiful vista, while you are still there!). Yet it would give rescuers information about my last known whereabouts. BUT let's not think this way...  Just be prepared and let others know.

I enjoyed the message of destiny; everything lead up to this moment...

If you are a hiker - see this movie or read the book! Learn from it. Do you have the necessary supplies with you; for survival and first-aid? Would you have what it takes?

Book: A Journey North - One Woman's Appalachian Trail Story

A Journey North by Adrienne Hall - an interesting read recommended if you are contemplating a serious attempt at the fabled Appalachian Trail.

Adrienne takes you along on her journey north bound on the trail with her male companion. Will I ever take this journey, one can never say never. However, after reading her book the real challenges and pain come through. Not meant to scare anyone, but to prepare you, mentally and physically. I believe this book should be read by anyone seriously considering undertaking this extensive six-month hike.

In addition, her book contains a wealth of history and environmental facts, and the challenges of maintaining a 2,000 mile trail through the eastern United States. And the drama that is the trail; from population encroachment, cell towers and acid rain... trail angels and personal self doubts. And ultimately an amazing sense of personal accomplishment!  We highly recommend her book.

Other hiking books by Adrienne Hall:

 

Hiking with your Children: Get Outdoors!

Kids Today! Playing video games, texting their friends... c'mon, let's get outdoors.

I am gratified that my 11 1/2 year old daughter  likes to go hiking with me. Naturally we take easier trails, yet she seems to enjoy the challenge. And it gives us special daddie and daughter time.

On the Australian Hiker Blog (see previous article0, Our Hiking Blog, Frank and Sue write about an American based hiking with children program (go figure - discovered on their Aussie site). Discover the Forest provides locations near you and activities to do while hiking with your kids. Leaf rubbings, identify animal tracks, learn to use a compass and more.

Hiking has become a fabric in my life and it is wonderful to share this with my daughter. Are you hiking with your kids?

100 Hikes by 2010: One Man's Adventure - Kolby Kirk

Twitter is cool (a social media platform), a great way to find and learn about other like-minded people. Today, I discovered Kolby Kirk - a man on a mission. 100 hikes by 2010 (he is at '77' hikes now). Interest that I began this blog by saying I was not going to do a Julia-Julie thing - however, perhaps I will set some type of goal for 2010's hikes.

He even set forth rules - that hikes are atleast '2' miles and no hikes to the "store".

Go visit Kolby's site, 100 Hikes by 2010; he has some interesting tales and great photographs from his journey. Booyah!