(This is a guest post kindly submitted by Cyrille who grew up in Cannes, then moved to the Pyrenees and now lives in Colorado).
It is in any season in the year that one can do it, depending on what you prefer and how well equipped you are and how you manage harsher weather conditions. For me it is worth it, it is about connecting with nature, to lessen my stress, escaping, being on top of the world, exercising, it’s just so many things.
Hiking for me began when I moved into a more mountaineer area in the country I lived in. I used to live next to the seaside and long for mountains and hiking, and fresh air. Then going to University changed my life and I began with short walks in the mountains during the weekend time. Then, My feeling that I wanted to travel grew stronger and I moved to California to chase my dreams. Instead of being a Hollywood actor, I did some jobs that were not suited for me. I worked as a waiter, in a factory, and even started my own house moving business with my buddy which never took off. After a few years, I eventually moved from California to Colorado to be closer to some great climbing.
At first, I had no equipment I could use for hiking, as I was a seaside person. I did not even know what was appropriate, what was best to buy, when and how to wear. In time, it all sorted out for me and currently, I am a keen climber. I recognize, it is not something that I do for profit, but I do it for me and I feel it is enough.
One reason I love hiking is that after a hard-working week, I just go hiking and have no time to think of anything else while doing it. It just gave me time to meditate and to just be in a state of mindfulness, with nothing to focus on, just to relax my mind. This will recharge my batteries for the next week in a manner no other thing can do, not even a long day sleep. It is like being on the top all the problems and the stress seem to just have vanished away. It is the relax and stress-free feeling it gives me.
Hiking has discovered in me the sense of adventure. It is very nice to just pick a point on the map and do not know what expects you out there. When getting out of the car, take my hiking shoes and outfit on and start on the trail of your choice. I always discover all the new things I never saw until then, new trees, leaves, branches, rocks etc. No matter how many times I have been on a trail in a certain place, it is never the same. It is always new. It is the unknown and the curiosity that keeps me going.
I love bonding with family. As one does never go hiking alone, so being with my family, my friends, experiencing new things is always great, especially if there is no internet connection and no technology available to interrupt us. It is this bond that you form with each other, for me.
For me, it is like an optimal exercise. It is a very strenuous one and it puts all my muscles to work. And this is the best workout – the one done in nature and healthy fuel is important to take in. I do not feel I should hike and climb the biggest mountain to feel like hiking properly, each hike is different. There is just one thing in common, once you started it, you always come back to it.
One of the other thing I love about hiking is that you take something away from it. There are breathtaking views that I cannot find anywhere online or in a shop. It is the feeling that view gives me and the memories that I leave with. No one can give me this and I love the amazing views.
It has taught me what is like to live in present. Once I am hiking I cannot be anywhere else with my mind or body, you must be fully there. This is one thing we cannot obtain so easily as we are used to being multi-functional. But practising hiking more often taught me to enjoy what the present moment is all about.
For all the above reasons and more that each of you can discover for yourself, I do love and recommend hiking.
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