How addicting is hiking? Well....I'm sitting here in Wisconsin enjoying yet another near zero degree day while thinking back to a recent issue of Backpacker magazine, longing to head into the mountains for some alpine, winter, freezing my tail off but having a blast doing it hiking. Maybe it is the set of foot claws that I received as a gift this past Christmas, but I am getting incredibly antsy to head off into nature for a long, rewarding, playful winter hike.
Winter hiking is an amazing activity to experience. The air is cold, but the crisp, clean smell of it takes you to another place and time almost instantly. The crunching of snow under your boots, and you had better be wearing a good pair of these, is at times the only sound you will hear. The hills around you are layered in unbroken white snow, which is gently and warmly reflecting the suns dim rays. Occasionally the sudden call of a bird breaks the steady crunch-crunch noise of your footsteps.
Pause for a moment and look around. What do you see? What do you hear? Can you imagine what the now bare trees or forest floor must look like in July? Can you believe how small, or maybe how large, this forest or meadow appears to you know versus when everything is in full bloom? Check out how differently the sound travels around you - whether it be a squirrel running up a tree, a bird chirping, or how the wind sounds as it whips through the empty branches or dry grasses around you.
Notice how different the sun's light looks as the sun is still relatively low on the southern horizon. The lack of intensity, though robbing you of its heat, as a very calm and gentle effect on the world around you, illuminating the natural serenity with an inviting, peaceful, glow.
Close your eyes and take a nice, slow, deep breath. As that cold, clean winter air enters your lungs, notice how quickly it warms inside of you? Can you feel the connection with nature that you have just made? Can you think of the problems that are waiting for you at home? I would wager a "no" for your answer.
Need something to do on your day off, or for an hour or two on the weekend? Read the above, grab your boots, bundle up and head out to nature.
Winter hiking is an amazing activity to experience. The air is cold, but the crisp, clean smell of it takes you to another place and time almost instantly. The crunching of snow under your boots, and you had better be wearing a good pair of these, is at times the only sound you will hear. The hills around you are layered in unbroken white snow, which is gently and warmly reflecting the suns dim rays. Occasionally the sudden call of a bird breaks the steady crunch-crunch noise of your footsteps.
Pause for a moment and look around. What do you see? What do you hear? Can you imagine what the now bare trees or forest floor must look like in July? Can you believe how small, or maybe how large, this forest or meadow appears to you know versus when everything is in full bloom? Check out how differently the sound travels around you - whether it be a squirrel running up a tree, a bird chirping, or how the wind sounds as it whips through the empty branches or dry grasses around you.
Notice how different the sun's light looks as the sun is still relatively low on the southern horizon. The lack of intensity, though robbing you of its heat, as a very calm and gentle effect on the world around you, illuminating the natural serenity with an inviting, peaceful, glow.
Close your eyes and take a nice, slow, deep breath. As that cold, clean winter air enters your lungs, notice how quickly it warms inside of you? Can you feel the connection with nature that you have just made? Can you think of the problems that are waiting for you at home? I would wager a "no" for your answer.
Need something to do on your day off, or for an hour or two on the weekend? Read the above, grab your boots, bundle up and head out to nature.