Welcome to episode # 12. Today is all about grabbing your sneakers or hiking boots, and hitting the trail! We’ll explore why winter is a great time to start hiking, and talk about various fun characters and people pairings that you might encounter along the trail. We’ll also dive into tips for a great hike and share some trail etiquette to keep in mind.
You can find the show notes with links to anything I mention today, at getyourselftogetherchica.com/podcast. And if you have questions, tips, or stories you want to share, please send them to podcast@getyourselftogetherchica.com. I love getting your letters.
But first, I want to share what’s bringing me joy right now.
The dark-eyed juncos are back! These adorable little cartoon-like birds have completed their journey from upstate New York and Canada… and returned to my North Carolina neighborhood, to stay for another winter. I spotted the first male scout, a few weeks ago, but I hadn’t seen any since then.
As of this morning (I’m recording this episode shortly before Thanksgiving), the whole flock has arrived, and they appear to be delighted with the upgraded birdfeeding stations we’ve provided this year. In my opinion, they make the cutest sound of all the birds. It’s a pew-pew-pew sound, almost like a 1980s video game.
I’ll post a link to the Audobon Society’s page about dark-eyed juncos to the show notes, and also a video of their cute little chirp, so you can keep an eye out for them. Maybe they come to where you live, at some point during the year, too.
And yes, it is my goal in life to turn every one of my listeners into a crazy bird lady. It’s my mid-life obsession, and I don’t care one bit that it’s a complete cliche. Birds are freaking awesome, chicas.
Alright. Let’s jump right in and talk about why I think that winter is the very best time to start hiking, if you’re not already in the habit.
[Get outdoors often, especially in the winter.]
Back in late 2020, when so much of normal life was still locked down from the pandemic, I started to get a little concerned about how I was going to navigate the approaching winter.
I’ve always been prone to the winter blues, even after 20 years of living in a fairly warm and sunny part of the United States. And I knew that the social isolation that everyone was battling, it was going to feel even harder, when the weather grew cold and dark.
So I was thrilled when I saw that a local organizer had created an 8 week winter trail challenge series, back in late 2020. It was designed similarly to signing up for a road race, except that it lasted for weeks, and each Monday, they’d send you a new and mysterious hiking route to try out.
I signed up, and each week, I would talk someone else into getting out of the house, getting their mask, and going with me. (Remember, this was back when vaccines were just starting to come available, and when we were all still trying to sort out whether you needed to wear a mask if you were outdoors, etc. It wasn’t easy to get people out of the house, but we all needed it. And so that became part of my goal. To lift myself out of the winter blues, and to bring someone else along, too.)
Sometimes it was my best friend. Other times, it was my kids. A few times, it was my partner and his kids, and twice, we managed to get all six of us out on the trail together.
Truly, getting outdoors and into the woods at least once a week? It saved my soul, during a dark time. In fact, I remember noticing that in prior winters, when I was training for long distance races, winter seemed less hard. There’s something freeing about facing the cold, for an hour or two at a time. It takes its power away, and reminds you that actually, winter isn’t so awful, after all.
Now, of course, those of you who live where winters are much harsher, you’ll need to be careful. You’ll want good gear that protects you from the elements. And you’ll need to time your hikes carefully, to make the most of the warmest and driest parts of the day. So if you’re new to winter hiking, make sure to seek out advice from locals in your area. There are people who do go out, in almost all weather, and hit the trail. You just might have to visit an outdoors store, or a trail parking lot in December, to find them.
These days, I try to get out for a walk around my neighborhood every day during the winter. And I aim for a longer hike, usually 2-3 hours, with my best friend on most weekends.
[Couples and other pairs you’ll spot on the trail:]
It was during one such hike, a few weeks back, when my friend told me that she’d been hiking alone the day before… and started noticing that you could almost perfectly categorize every couple or pair who passes you on the trail. She gave me a few examples of couples you’ll spot on the trail, and pretty soon, we had hiked 3 miles and come up with a whole classification system.
Okay, so first pair you’ll spot frequently on the trail is…
The Platonic Pals
That’s two friends, like us, who are happily hitting the trail together. No romantic entanglements. No expectations. Just two people who love the outdoors, keeping each other safe from bears and creepers.
Oh, sometimes, they’ll be squabbling. Especially over which way to go at the fork, and whether they took the wrong turn, and what happened last time that the other said, “I’m sure this is the right way.”
But don’t be fooled. It’s all part of their little routine and ritual. And no matter how close things come to blow… they’ll probably be back out there next week, hitting the trail.
In stark contrast, we once spotted what my friend dubbed the “Poorly Executed First Date” couple.
He was wearing dress shoes and a button down white shirt and pretty much everything else you’d expect of someone headed out to a dinner date. She was wearing a short dress and high heels.
And while they both seemed game for the strange twist that this obviously first date was taking, they were not dressed for this part of the plan. Nice idea. Not so great execution.
So if you’re not the platonic pals, and you’re thinking a walk in the woods seems like a good addition to your first date with someone… make sure you both have a heads up, so you can at least bring a pair of walking shoes.
High heels and pine needles do not mix.
That brings us to the next couple you’ll spot often on the trail:
The Health Nuts / Fitness Buffs
This couple can be identified by the pep in their step and their shared enthusiasm for being there. They’ll usually be wearing pretty high-end hiking gear or fitness outfits. If either has a ponytail, it will be bouncing happily as they smile and chat. Even if it’s mile 7 and you’re resting on a log, at the top of a steep hill, wishing you’d brought more water? They’ll bound right past you, like two gazelles, full of life and love.
They’re probably on their way to go eat a nice, big, clean bowl of kale salad for lunch.
In contrast, stands the…
The “Let’s Get Fit” Pair
You can identify these two, by the newness of their outfits, and the way they encourage each other to just keep going, no matter how much they’re huffing and puffing and sweating.
Other times their outfits suggest that they own absolutely nothing that is suitable for hiking through the woods, but they’ll slap on a pair of cargo shorts or a velvet tracksuit, and get out there anyway. Because by golly, they’ve made a resolution together, and they intend to keep it.
This pair sometimes hopes, with a few more months, they’ll be magically transformed into The Health Nuts / Fitness Buffs.
Spoiler alert: They probably will not. But good on them, for giving it the old college try. They’re certainly happier than they would have been, if they’d stayed at home on the couch.
They are much better off than…
The “Come On, It’ll Be Fun” Pair
If you spend 5 minutes on the trail, you will see this pair, who in my experience, tend to be a heterosexual couple. But in any case, one half of the pair–the fitter, enthusiastic one–will be several steps ahead of their other half.
That’s the one who has been talked into this hiking business, under the guise of, “Come on. It’ll be fun!”. They’re probably wearing the wrong shoes, and trying to catch their breath, and glaring at the back of their partner’s head.
It will not be fun, by the way. At least, not for everyone.
Sometimes the “Come on, it’ll be fun” pair aren’t a couple, at all. They’re a human and a dog. And you can tell who talked who into this, by which one has flopped down on the side of the trail, and is refusing to take even one more step.
But in any case, they’re better off than…
The “Let’s Work On Our Relationship” Couple
Every time I’m on the trail, I run into this pair. This is the couple who is out there, hitting the trail… and clearly trying… so hard… not to hit each other.
But, of course, like anyone in a troubled relationship… with all of this time on their hands… mile after mile… all they can do is argue.
You can spot this couple from the waves of resentment and rage that roll off of them. Or, you know. When you hear one of them hiss, “I haven’t liked you since 2007.”
So, which pair are you? Are you the Platonic Pair, like me and my best friend? Are you those lucky Health Nuts, out there pounding the trail before you grab some quinoa and call this a date? Are you working on your relationship?
Or maybe, you’re like my best friend, and you’re… The Solo Hiker.
You’re willing to get out there on the trail, on your own. Soak up the solitude. With a little pepper spray in your pocket.
Because (life metaphor alert) it is actually much more pleasant to walk alone, than to be accompanied by someone who is unhappy about being there.
Now, of course, these categorizations are not a complete list. And it’s mostly just a fun way to pass the time on the trail. Ultimately, I’m happy to see almost anyone taking a walk through the woods. (I say “almost” anyone, because as you’ll see when we get to the etiquette tips later on, there are some things you can do on the trail that will make other folks wish you’d pack up your stuff and head back to the sofa. Stay tuned to the end, for that!)
[Where to find a trail.]
But I’m getting ahead of myself, now, aren’t I? When I talk about hitting the trail, you might be wondering, what kinds of trail? I like trails that aren’t paved, but instead, are a marked and cleared path with a soft surface. Usually dirt and fallen leaves. You can find this kind of trail in state and national parks, and sometimes, in local parks, especially along rivers, creeks, or lakes. If you search online for local trails, you can usually find pictures that will show whether it’s paved. I enjoy a paved trail, but for a more restorative, nature-full experience, I’ll drive a further distance to a soft path through the woods.
Oh! Speaking of nature, I’ve been meaning to tell you What I’ve been reading this week. A few days ago, I started thinking about how every year, my partner and I both wait too long to decide it’s time to buy a calendar. When we get to the bookstore, it’s entirely devoid of any good calendars. We’ll end up with something completely random, like the Hamsters With Bad Hair calendar.
So I suggested, why don’t we make a date of it? We can pop into the bookstore or go to a calendar kiosk, on Saturday, specifically to pick our 2024 calendars.
And that’s what we did. My calendar of choice is the 2024 Audubon Songbirds & Backyard Birds calendar, and it’s been so fun to flip through it, before the new year arrives.
My partner chose a Greek Isles calendar, so I have a feeling that Santorini will be calling both of our names, all year long. Opa!
Alright. Let’s talk Tips for a Great Hike.
First, Break in new gear on short trails. I would hope this one is pretty self-explanatory, but actually, it can take you by surprise. For example, you might think that it’s no big deal to bring a new water bottle on a 5 or 6 mile hike, right?
Yeah. I did that once… and discovered, one mile in, that it leaked. Badly. That was annoying.
So whatever new gear you have, especially shoes, take it for a test drive first. A mile, maybe two, tends to be a good, safe stretch to start breaking it in and also confirm that it’s suitable for longer treks.
Second tip is: Follow the blazes. Check often.
Most trails have some kind of colored blaze system, that marks which trail you’re on, and confirms you’re heading in the right direction.
It might be a color that’s spray-painted onto the trees. Or a little plastic shape that’s nailed on to the trees. Or sign-posts, if you’re on a fancy trail.
But whatever the blazes, the blazes are… check often that you’re following them. It’s very easy to get lost in thought, or lost in a conversation, and realize you’re lost on the trail.
And it’s even easier to both make the assumption that the other person knows where you’re going.
Which brings us to my third tip: Assume the trail is at least 10% longer than the map says.
You might get lost, or turned around. Or the trail just isn’t accurately measured. But either way, almost every time I hit the trail, I find that my Garmin watch says I’ve hiked about a mile longer than the trail map suggests I should have.
So whether that’s figuring out what time you’ll be home, or how much food or water to bring, assume the trail will be longer than it’s meant to be.
Fourth, super important: Pee before you go.
You don’t want to arrive at the trailhead, with a full bladder… only to discover that the bathroom is closed for repairs.
And you really don’t want to get on the trail… only to realize that you should have used the bathroom one more time, at the trailhead.
Sure, you could go traipsing off into the woods, dodging ticks and snakes and poison ivy, and maybe all will go well. I know some of you might even wear that experience as a badge of honor.
But really, it’s a lot easier just to make a habit of using the restroom at home and at the trailhead, before you get on the trail.
My next tip is to always Pack snacks & water.
Even if you’re hiking a short distance, it’s nice to have a little something waiting for you in the car, when you’re done. And if you’ll be on the trail for more than an hour or two, a handful of raisins and almonds, with a big swig of water, can be just the pick-me-up you need.
My best friend and I usually hike between 5 and 7 miles, which takes us a few hours. So we like to pack some really appealing snacks. Sometimes I’ll bring homemade peanut butter protein bars, or she’ll bake some hearty banana muffins to share.
It’s a good idea, too, to Ease into hiking.
If you’ve hardly taken a stroll around the block this year, don’t jump into a moderate difficulty, 4 mile hike as your first one. Pick something that’s labeled easy and one that’s short. A mile, maybe two, 3 at the most.
You want to give your joints, especially your knees and hips, and also your muscles, time to get acclimated to the movement of hiking. Walking on uneven, root-filled, hilly terrain is different than walking on pavement or sidewalk. It takes longer, and you tend to feel it more, the next day.
So keep those first few hikes short, and maybe treat yourself to a soak in the tub with some Epsom salts, afterward.
Along the same lines, make sure to: Enjoy the hike. It’s not a race.
Slow down, catch your breath, and absorb everything around you. Walk slowly enough that you can hear the birds, and see the squirrels, and feel the leaves crunching beneath your feet.
If you’re hiking with someone who is much fitter than you, or you’re more fit than they are, an easy way to make it enjoyable for both of you is to…
Pack a rucksack, if you’re not equally matched for fitness.
Whoever is in better shape, should carry a little weight on their back. Even just adding 10 or 20 pounds is enough to make a slower pace suitable for someone who is more fit.
You can buy what are called “ruck weights” if you want to get fancy about it. Or you can just bring a lot of water, and have the fitter person carry it. Water gets heavy fast.
And if you’re unevenly matched for fitness, it’s also wise to Let the slowpoke set the pace and take the lead.
If the slower person walks in front of the faster one, they don’t have to repeatedly ask to slow down. Which tends to be pretty awkward for a lot of people, when you already feel less fit than you want to be. So make it easy on both of you, and let the slowpoke take the lead and set the pace.
That brings us to Trail Etiquette:
First up… Turn your music off, or wear headphones.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to hike several miles in the woods, while listening to somebody else’s music.
Yet on a semi-regular basis, I encounter hikers who seem completely oblivious to this! They’ll put their phone on speaker and crank up their iTunes, or even worse, bring a portable radio.
Don’t do that. The same goes for taking phone calls while you’re on the trail.
Nobody wants to hear even just your half of a business deal, when they’re out in the woods, trying to escape the working world.
If you absolutely have to take a phone call, then step to the side of the trail, and do it there, so that people can pass you. And not have to listen to you blab on and on, for miles.
Second bit of trail etiquette… Announce when you’re passing someone.
So that means, when you get about, let’s say 6 or 8 feet behind them, call out, “Passing on your left” or something like that, so you don’t startle them.
I know, from looking at my podcast stats, that quite a few of my listeners are men. And that’s cool. I appreciate you, chicos. But let me call out here: announcing your approach and that you’re passing? This is especially important if you are approaching a woman from behind, on the trail.
If you don’t do it, and she thinks you’re sneaking up on her, she might just whirl around with pepper spray in her hand.
And that’s not going to be fun for anyone. So, just say, “Passing on your left,” as you approach anyone on the trail. It’s just a common courtesy.
Third bit of trail etiquette… Take your trash with you.
Whether it’s the wrapper from your protein bar, or that little green bag of doggie poo, the same is true. You need to pick it up, and take it with you, even if it means hiking several miles, until you can deposit it in a trash can. The trail is nobody’s trash can, friends.
Last but not least… Greet your fellow hikers.
A simple nod, or a “good morning,” goes a long way toward making the trail feel safe for everyone.
With that being said, you should also be cautious about engaging people in conversation, beyond that passing greeting.
Unless you’re getting clear signs that someone wants to talk to you, and that talking to them feels safe to you, it’s probably best to give people their space. Striking up a brief conversation by the trail map, or back in the parking lot, tends to be fine. But on the trail itself, folks often want their solitude.
Although I must admit, I don’t know if that might be a regional or cultural difference. In the mid-Atlantic region, from Pennsylvania down to the Carolinas, I’ve found that to be pretty consistently true. I’m curious to hear if that might be different, say, out in the Midwest. Or in other countries. Send me a note at podcast@getyourselftogetherchica.com and give me your opinion on trail etiquette… what you think I got right today, and where you think I’m dead wrong.
Well, it’s time to share what’s been blowing my mind this week. I came across a YouTube video called, “Become who you’re afraid to be,” and it’s all about understanding why you sometimes prefer to live in a fantasyland (such as “I could write a great book…”) rather than live in reality (and do the hard, messy work of actually writing a book). It digs into some interesting philosophy from one of the fathers of modern psychology, Carl Jung, and I’ve found myself thinking a lot about it, ever since I watched it.
If you’ve ever found yourself holding back from really pursuing your dreams, from really going after what you want… maybe give it a watch.
