So, does anyone here go hiking or backpacking?
I am a day hiker. I like to go hiking on a local trail here in town that cuts through many parks and allows for plenty of chances to rest, drink water and enjoy nature. I have yet to go on an overnight hike or multi-day hike.
There are those thru-hikers that like to spend weeks or even months on a major trail like the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and so on. I have not been on any of those.
Heck yeah! I’ve loved hiking since my summers in Colorado as a kid. For years I had to stick with flat urban trail walks in Chicago, but now I live in the Blue Ridge foothills.
I’m staying just steps off the Chester Valley Trail when I go to MST3Kon, and I’m planning to hike it unless any friendly MSTies lure me away with food and drinks.
I day hike to fly fish all the time. I’m that weirdo in the floppy hat down there in the creek.
Often if I just stand still, other humans hike right by without noticing, because nobody’s looking for people in the creek.
Loved you in The Incredible Melting Man! (You know, prior to your bloody decapitation.)
Yeah there’s always the danger of being misidentified as an elk.
The trail I walk on follows the Red River; on the other side in this photo (that’s the Minnesota side), people get ready to go fishing.
During my hike, I came across people fishing and even a few who caught some fish!
Is that the Red River that occasionally floods like crazy and shows up on the news?
I like to hike when given the opportunity. Waterfalls are my favorite destination, but I’m willing to take some changes in topography for a change of pace from the flatland here.
About 20 years ago, I did a two-day hike on part of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, and that gave me a real appreciation for people that hike the whole thing. Wow.
This hiking thing (am I saying that right?), it takes place outside, yes? How quaint.
I used to do occasional short hikes when I was younger, but these days I only walk to get somewhere, which might be a nice bit of nature or something. I think I did too much working outside, lugging stuff around in horrible conditions to enjoy the hiking part any more.
I try to get in at least one 2-5 hour hike every weekend. Living near the Litchfield Hills, the lower Hudson Valley, and around 2.5 hours from the Catskill Mountains gives me quite a few quality choices on that front. The views from the summits and fire towers are very stunning in some places (Mount Beacon and Giant Ledge being some of my favorites).
A benefit to global warming is that it is allowing for more frequent winter hikes in these parts (though someday it will lead to fewer summer hikes).
I enjoy hiking but don’t get to do so much in my flat, swampy state.
Yes, it does flood - that happens usually in the spring when all the snow & ice melts. It even tends to flood the surrounding areas; that ends up closing off the trail I walk on.
I enjoy hiking, though I don’t do it as often as I should. Recently visited Shenandoah National Park with my wife and kids. At one point we walked on part of the Appalachian Trail, and I swear my 10 year old had a religious experience! He took some of the dirt and rubbed it on his pant leg, and he wanted several pictures of him on the trail. I can envision him as a big time hiker as he gets older.
I like hiking as long as I can sleep in my own bed at night. No camping. 
I’m still finding places to go around here (and I haven’t been exactly mobile for the last few months), but I went hiking often back in Idaho. Here’s a place called Gold Bug Hot Springs. It was really hot while we were hiking but it was a lovely view once we got to the hot springs.
I understand. I’m only a day hiker myself.
Just once, I would like to try an overnight trip. But that does require some kind of sleep system such as a tent, a hammock, a tarp or perhaps cowboy camping.
I do local day hikes once or twice a week.
Backpacking sounds… heavy. And expensive. And unnecessary since I can get to plenty of pretty places in a day. I do want to try properly camping, and have vague plans for Great Basin National Park this year, it’s just difficult to work up the nerve alone.
I thought the ticks were bad in NY this year, but Maine is positively crawling.
Testing out picaridin spray. I don’t like deet because it melts plastics. And maybe neurons.
That reminds me - I checked out a nearby state park this weekend and, while looking for parking, drove across the evocatively named Chigger Lane.
ETA that I’ve had good luck with lemon eucalyptus oil.
Investing in bug repellent is a good idea. I don’t worry much about it myself as my normal hiking trail is paved & I rarely hike through grass and forest.
