Safe Hiking

   A couple questions came up from a comment on a picture I had posted earlier. In response, no, I have never made the trek to the top of Mt. Denali. It's a two-week ascent and usually completed as a guided tour. Thats way above my experience level and I don't think I could even afford to pay the guides for that one. It would be an incredible feat to accomplish though, and many have made it in the past knowing the risks. The other question posted was have I encountered any "near-death" experiences while out on the trails. Once again, I wouldn't count anything I've came across as really dangerous. I did see a brown bear (grizzly) while on a hike in Alaska with my girlfriend and her cousins. We were with a guide and the bear was across a valley on another mountain. I can't imagine how intense that encounter would be, but our guide did have a story for us. His name was Mike and while he and his wife were hiking, he found himself at the bottom of a hill alone. He goes on to say that a grizzly walked up to him and stood in front of him, sniffing, grunting, and baring his teeth. Mike said he did not look the beast in the eye, and he remained quiet and still until the bear lost interest and lumbered off into the brush. Meanwhile, his wife was atop the hill looking down while her husband nearly became a source of protein for this dangerous carnivore. The toughest part for her was remaining quiet and not screaming out to her man. I don't know what I'd do if this happend to me. I know that my girlfriend and I pretty much hike together, make plenty of noise when we know dangerous animals are around, and are both trained in first aid in case anything does happen to the other. Also, a nice sharp knife on hand is good security as a last resort.

   Chimney Top Trail at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. One of the toughest trails Alicia and I have been on! 4.0 miles roundtrip with a 1,600 foot elevation. We had to stop a few times to catch our breath on this one.

Fall Hikes

This is my favorite season to go for a hike, rain or shine. There are many wonderful things to view on a hike this time of year whether it be autumn foliage, migrating birds, or animals scrambling for food before winter. Most of these images can be viewed in our metroparks around Columbus. One of my favorites is Highbanks Metropark. It has several trails that aren't strenuous but provide hikers with an opportunity to train for longer backpacking trips. I'm sure everyone in the Columbus area has heard of the bald eagles that nested there last spring too. I plan on going out to one of their full-moon hikes this month to hopefully hear some of the coyotes in the area. Wish I had a dog to bring with me!

Highest point in North America.  Mt. Denali (McKinley), Denali National Park in Alaska

More Information about backpacking

There are many places to visit on the net about backpacking, but here's one you can check out for some more information.

This link shows some of the most intense places to hike.  I plan on doing the entire Appalachian Trail someday!

http://www.backpacker.com/october_08_ten_epic_hikes/destinations/12624

Three facts about me

• I have visited and hiked in West Virginia, Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, and Alaska.
• I lived in Germany for two and a half years while in the military.
• I plan to travel with my girlfriend after I finish school.

What I hope to learn

Hopefully I'll be able to discover the information I'm looking for in the previous questions.  I also want to learn more about myself and my drive to explore America.  We've been given a gift and I don't think many people realize that very often.  I want to learn not to take our land for granted and begin to notice the natural beauty that's fairly close to home. 

What I don't know

I'm a novice when it comes to backpacking. I have been on many hikes, but usually end up driving home or settling down at the campsite once the trail ends.  I hope to learn more about thru-hiking.  Thru-hikes are done on trails that may reach up to 1,000 miles or more.  I would like to know why people subject themselves to these hikes for such long periods of time.  Why would someone want to isolate themselves from everyone else for weeks at a time?  Even if they don't go alone, which I wouldn't try, being around the same person for that long of a time could cause some problems.  Another question I have is how can people afford to leave their homes, families, and jobs for these trips? 

What I know

First of all, I have always enjoyed the outdoors.  I grew up outside of a small town in Ohio, and spent a lot of time outside.  I never really enjoyed living near a big city because of the lack of trees and wildlife.  Many people hike, camp, kayak, and backpack for these same reasons.  Spending time outdoors can relieve stress, help us appreciate our environment, and can provide opportunities to exercise.  Backpacking in particular can be very strenuous depending on the trail and terrain.  It is important to train with weight in your pack before going on long trips. 

What drives me to go backpacking?

Through this blog I plan to search for different reasons why myself and others love to go hiking and backpacking.  I will focus primarily on these activities in the United States. 

Who Am I?

I'm Nate, a 26 year old student at Columbus State Community College majoring in nursing.  I plan to transfer in the spring quarter and complete my four year degree in nursing. I have lived in Ohio for most of my life.