Fun Hiking Stuff

Are you kidding? FUN hiking stuff??

Some people read that title, and say "What's so fun about getting hot and sweaty?"

You read it and say "Hmm, I'm going to check out the fun hiking stuff she's found to add to her enjoyment of hiking."

I should warn you that fun is in the eye of the beholder. For me, getting sweaty and dirty by spending a glorious day out on the trail is the most fun you can have in life. Not everyone would agree!

When I stumble across something worthwhile in my explorations (cyber or otherwise), I make a note of it so I can pass it on to other hikers. So here are my recommended sources of fun, in no particular order.

For instance: hiking humor. Belly laughs are good for your skeletal muscles (all that gasping for air sends lots of oxygen to them!) Try these cartoons, too.

I have to put in a plug for one of my favorite local (Seattle area) outdoor writers with a wicked sense of humor: Ron Judd. He's managed to make a living as a columnist for the Seattle Times, as well as writing an impressive array of guide books. For a quick shot of humor, dip into one of the essays in The Roof-Rack Chronicles: An Honest Guide to Outdoor Recreation, Excessive Gear Consumption, and Playing with Matches. Buried beneath the humor are little pearls of outdoor wisdom from a guy who has spent a lot of time thinking about gear, trails, hiking techniques, and outdoor safety.

Here's just a quick sample of his chapter headings: "Pestilence: Why God Owns Stock in DEET" and "Bears Are Your Friends - Just Not Very Good Ones".

He's also pretty good at making you wish you were outdoors - at Artist's Point (Mount Baker), for instance.

Or you could try a shot of hiking inspiration. How do women hikers deal with physical and mental challenges and adversity? What motivates a woman to set a hiking goal and then achieve it? I've got a short list of inspiring outdoor women. Helen Thayer is at the top of the list. Hearing her speak at a National Geographic Live! event several years ago, I was amazed at her understanding of how the wild places on this earth can inspire women to be their best. And as I get older, I value the trailblazers who don't let their age get in the way of their mileage.

Here's another inspirational story: women thru-hikers.

Ever ponder who the famous female hikers are? I did!

There is no shortage of entertaining and educational blogs. The only trouble is finding time to read all of them! What are your favorite hiking blogs? I'd love to swap lists with you.

What about a hiking memento? Hiking stick medallions are a great way to remind yourself of great hiking trips.

One more "fun" themed thought: check out these book recommendations. One of them might open up a whole new universe of hiking fun for you - flowers, trees, clouds, rocks, critters....

Discovered enough fun hiking stuff for now? Return to the home page.