The essence of hiking is to leave life behind, if only for a few hours, and explore the world around you using only the power of your body.
It is feeling your lungs labor, your muscles tighten and relax, and all your senses bringing new information into your brain.
Being a Hiking Dude is being on the move, covering ground, challenging your body, and renewing your soul.
It's not so bad when just car camping, but if your food is lost while deep in the backcountry, you can be in a world of hurt. With a couple days hiking between you and the nearest trailhead, running out of food probably won't kill you, but it's a big step in that direction. What? How can someone LOSE their food? - you might ask.
Water - Rain and crackers don't mix well. Dropping a food bag into a lake or stream can ruin unprotected items. Fortunately, this is easy and light to prevent. Repackage everything into zip-loc bags. This reduces packaging weight and keeps everything safe from moisture. Putting multiple small bags into a larger 2.5 gallon zip-loc increases th
Swami, from Australia, hiked around the USA over the past 18 months - completing the AT, PCT, CDT, AZT, SHT, and some other trails. Just an amazing trip and person. I met Swami heading southbound on the Arizona Trail while I was heading north. I didn't realize then what sort of wild hike he was on. See his website at TheHikingLife.com.
Here's an Australian news story about his adventure:
The number one problem in America is the drop in miles walked per day. The sedentary lifestyle that so many of us now lead (especially people spending too much time making web sites!) is causing us to keel over right and left. Just going for a walk (let's call that a hike) for 30 minutes every day is about the best thing you can do for yourself, and for your family!
Hiking is a sport unto itself. But, it is also the means of locomotion that backpackers use to get around on multi-day adventures. I'm offering information about the art of hiking and all the preparation, skills, problems, and gear used by hiking dudes in moving about from place to place on foot. After learning all about hiking here, please visit the Outdoors Dudes web site for even more great advice about skills for trips and the outdoors.
If you've been surfing the web to find out something about hiking, then please check out my
Beginner Hiker Plan to learn how to get ready to start hiking.
Love your page. I have wanted to take up hiking for well over 20 years, but life got in the way. So now I find it is time to take this challenge up and proceed forward. Thank you so much for all the great information I will continue to reference your page often.
Mar 26, 2012 - Tom Ryan
It sounds like you off to a great start. We at T370 in E.P. are monitoring your progress and wish you great success!
Mar 27, 2012 - george petros
Hey Dude! Thought I'd check up on you. Snicker's are Gods' & Hikers' Favorite Food! Have some fun!
-George-
Mar 28, 2012 - Mom
Hi Paul - wish I was hiking with you.
Mar 28, 2012 - Mom
That message was from Karl not me. He is following your progress too.
Apr 02, 2012 - scott
preparing for a 7-day appalacian trail hike. your site has been a fantastic tool and a wealth of information. you've helped me a lot!
now, if you could just do something about the black bears in the smokey mountains ... haha.
thanks again!
scott
Apr 10, 2012 - Bill Hunter
Stumbled upon your sight. It's great to find a sight full of info and not trying to sell something. Thanks. Never thought about a hike like the ones you are doing, you've given me something to think about. The pictures are great.
Apr 16, 2012 - Anne
I will be hiking the AZT in May, from Telephone Hill to Utah. Maybe we will see you, or maybe not!
Apr 16, 2012 - Hiking Dude
Anne - I hope to be finished by the first week in May, but we'll see. There should be plenty of water on the north end of the trail then.
Apr 16, 2012 - Greg
While you are in Flagstaff this week you and your hiking friend are welcome to spend some freshen up time at my home, and get the feel of home comfort again.
May 14, 2012 - Cindy Bellinger
Thanks for being so generous with information. Lots of useful stuff here.
Sep 22, 2012 - Sharon Barker
You have visited some of our favorite spots on the North Shore. Great pics. Glad to hear you have had a couple of nights out of the cold. Good luck next week.
Sep 24, 2012 - Mike Wagner
Greetings Hiking Dude; Just read your story in the Eden Prairie news and by chance will be heading to Lutsen tomorrow (9-25-12) with my wife. Planning on doing a couple hikes Tuesday and Wednesday and if you've got a recommendation please feel free to share.
Enjoy the day!
Mike & Aimee
Sep 30, 2012 - Ompa
Wondered what happened to you on Friday. Saw the big distances between spots from your sender. Thought a bear was chasing you as fast as you were moving.
Glad you updated us as to the hitching rides on roads.
Will be watching for your next trip.
Good hiking is healthy.
Jan 07, 2013 - Janusz Zak
just checked out your web site.looks good to me. Mine is neglected for about a year. I have your e-mail writen in my litle diary which is yet to be found in a pile of papers. Inspired by you I'v looked at your Arizona Trail treck and wanna do it maybe in April or so. We've met at Rainbow Lake viewpoint (lots of benches there). My website is januszhiker.webs.com
Feb 01, 2013 - Redzuan Rasul
Hiking is purposed to enjoying the nature. I'm very glad if my partner or groups is walking at the same time in group. Not rushing to the summit and rushing to going back. If they lost from your eye, That is horroble!
May 09, 2013 - Mark Elwood
Hi love the website. I bookmarked it and its my go to for all things hiking. I'm fortunate that I live two hours from the Canadian Rockies. I love the solitude and feeling that being out in the woods and nature brings and although I'm just starting to get into hiking I'm looking forward to it and think about it constantly as it is my escape from everything. Thanks for all the info, your site is down to earth and easy to use. Take care and happy hiking.
May 11, 2013 - ESol
Hello hiking dude. I've only done hikes locally around the San Jose, CA bay area. Quick Silver, Alum Rock, along with some others. Most recently with my hound dog Sasha.. She loves long hikes and it's great bonding. Planning a over night hike with friends in Arizona, Grand Canyon in Sept. Thank you for all the information on this site! You really could save a life preparing someone who was possibly quite unprepared for a long hike.
It's not so bad when just car camping, but if your food is lost while deep in the backcountry, you can be in a world of hurt. With a couple days hiking between you and the nearest trailhead, running out of food probably won't kill you, but it's a big step in that direction.
Click the image to view a fun map image of the Appalachian Trail with 35 reasons to hike the trail.
