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I hiked by myself! December 22, 2008

I’m so excited that I actually hiked by myself. I’m done hiking with Jack’s hiking merit badge group because they have met all the requirements (miles) to earn the merit badge. I looked up a local hiking group and found one. They do hikes that are generally an hour or two away and they generally hike 5-7 miles. So I know I sound like a hiking snob but I would hate to drive 2 hours to just hike 5-7 miles. In the hikes with the hiking group, the least we ever did was 11 and the most we ever did was 23. We worked progressively up to the 23 hiking and 14 and 16 miles respectively. I know it’s not all about miles because terrain is also key. But, here’s where I’m not a hiking snob – I hate stairs and huge hills. I like interesting terrain like big boulders but I’m not that keen on just hiking up steep terrain just for the heck of it. So, it could be a great 7 miles uphill and I’d still prefer 15 miles of relatively flat.

Anyway, I really wanted to be able to hike by myself so I could keep it up. When we first started hiking I was in so much pain but then it got to be where were could walk 14 or 16 miles without any muscle pain. So, I didn’t want to lose whatever it is my muscles have done to withstand some mileage in one hike. I figured I would need to hike at least once every 3 weeks or so to keep it going.

But, when I went to hike alone, my biggest fear is that the exit would keep calling my name and that I wouldn’t be compelled to keep with it on my own. I didn’t have a hiking map but when I got there I could buy one for a quarter. Cane Creek State Park is only a few miles from home so it’s a good place to go. I started hiking at 12PM yesterday and finished at 2:45 PM. I hiked just over 9 miles! I did it by myself. I was also just a little worried about scary people or being uncomfortable as a female in the woods. I guess it depends on what the weather is like and what other outdoor people are doing that day. I did hear one gunshot so at least one person was hunting somewhat nearby. I went with the thought that they were in a designated hunting area.

So, the only long trail that was open was a 3.4 mile trail which I finished precisely at the one mile point. I then started red again and took an offshoot on a yellow trail. It wasn’t enjoyable because it split like a T so I had to walk up one path, down the left, back to the center, down the right, and back. The big purple trail was closed – likely because of rain. So, next time I will try that trail. Two bottles of water and no powerbars later I hiked my first 9 miles alone!!! I hope to do it again on Jan 4th.  -