Hiking-- Not *Exactly* the Same as Walking

There are occasions I am so far behind my group,  I wonder if only the echo of my voice could reach my fellow hikers. (I blame my need to take pictures, yeah, that's it… the pictures). 

As I huff and puff to keep up, I not only marvel at those who never seem to exert any energy, I actually get a little annoyed. The nerve of them to just drift along while I am gasping for air.  It doesn't help me that there are some slopes so steep-looking that I clutch my poles as if they make the difference between life and death.

Apparently I have a hiking learning disability, and this qualifies me for a little extra support.  Actually I notice the guides consistently offer information, suggestions, and energy saving advice-- novice hikers like me benefit from these things that others may take for granted.  And I learn a few things that surprise me. 

Going up the tree-lined slope, Thierry demonstrates the "ape walk"  (ok, maybe he doesn't call it that....) Knees slightly bent, legs slightly apart so your torso is a little lower to the ground; shift weight from leg to leg as you walk.  Apes do this on hills because it saves energy, improves stability, and can increase speed.

I notice after a few days that our guides rarely take their hands out of their pockets.  They do not feverishly pump their arms...they stroll, nonchalantly, with hands in pockets. This is so the opposite of the arm-pumping, aerobic walking I see at home... because here we've got mountains to climb.  

We often walk on paths  created by animals who know what they're doing as the traverse the mountains.  They've worn paths--game trails--that make for more secure footing than crossing previously untrod areas.

hiking along a game trail

I also learn about the 'rest step' --something that works well when you're not using the ape-walk. (Our guide really did call it 'rest-step'.  Really)  Now how different can something be from aerobic walking? In the rest step, you take a little nap between steps. The 'rest step' allows a split second of rest between each foot-fall.  Put your foot flat, and  straighten your leg, resting all your weight there briefly while the other leg is poised for step 2. 

Hiking across broken shale.

I have decided I love the rest step.  I especially like the little snooze I get to take, where I dream of being a better hiker.   

This learning takes place throughout the week.  

Save energy.  Hands in my pockets when I’m not using  poles.  Take small steps, don't look for big gains, and save energy.  Put foot flat, keep ankle stable, and save energy.  By the end of the week I am beginning to get the idea. 

Back to that first hike, I'm following Thierry on a cold, rainy hike through the woods.  I’m hiking in the wild and want to enjoy the view, the forest, the mountains... that’s the opposite of my city-walking.

This is Thierry about to cross over a fallen tree by simply stepping over it.  I, on the other hand, had to sit on the tree and swing my legs over....ah the joys of being short. 

Every once in a while Thierry encouragingly says "Feefty feet more", or “a leetle beet more'” or “we are almost zere”.  He keeps saying it the entire time we’re ascending through the woods. 

I fall behind a little. Then a little more.  When I finally break through the woods, I’m the last one to cross from the tree line to the rocky peak. 

Thierry approaches me holding a metal cylinder in one hand and saying  "Dawneee, I hev sumsing for yuu."

I look at the cylinder and gasp.... "Oxygen ????"

"I hev tea wis honey and limon".

Ok, it was a great second choice. 

 View of the Purcell Range  

As I catch my breath and sip my tea, I take in the view...the astoundingly beautiful view.  We’re above the tree line, looking across the Purcell mountains and down at a green world from our rocky peak.  We have gained about 500 feet in this hike (that's about 200 feet higher than the highest hill near me) and the view is stunning.  As I look at the horizon, everything else fades.  As usual, the wonder and power of nature overwhelm me.  

In my notes, I refer to this picture as 'Day Two's view of Day One's Hike'.

#      #      #