HikeArizona.COM

I have asked fellow hikers this question, and so far, I haven't gotten an answer that really seems to satisfy me. So, I've decided to expand my query, and take it to the masses.

Has anyone else had a conversation w/ someone where you mention that you hike, and they say, "Oh really? So do I". Only to find out their idea of hiking is strolling along the Scottsdale Greenbelt!! I have had friends want to hike w/ me, only to turn around 1.5 miles into the hike saying, "This isn't hiking... this is mountain-goating"

There has to be a better term for what we do... bushwhacking, traversing, trekking, adventuring, bouldering, climbing peaks and canyon walls, canyoneering, going places, doing and seeing things that "regular" hikers would never ever consider. Is there a word, phrase, term, etc. that encompasses all of the above and then some?????

Suggestions and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Several years ago I organized a hike for a church group. Five or six showed up. One was a woman who did not fit the stereotype hiker-slightly over weight, tenny runners, etc. I started to question her ability, gently of course, and was quickly put in my place.

We hiked the National Trial in SM Park, from Telegraph Pass west to the Ramada, maybe 5 miles, big down hill section, nice trail. By the time we got past the stone house, and topped out for some cruising, she was done. Within a mile she was whimpering at the base of even the most minor uphill section.

Others were more fit, and seemed to be enjoying themselves until a bit further into the trip. It soon became evident that something was wrong. They wouldn't "go behind a bush." And they had been over hydrating, drinking more than enough water.

Another one, apparently overly cautious of the desert, brought along, and I'm not kidding, 6 gallons of water. Two - three gallon bottled water containers. He carried one, and got another hiker to carry the other.

Needless to say, all were "cured" of the hiking urge.

And equally needless to say, I don't lead newbie hikes anymore either.

When I say I "hike' I quickly work some recent trips into the conversation, such as a rim-rim, Ridgeline, Red Tanks Loop, Mt Wrightson, multi-day backpacks, etc.

But JMZ is correct, another word is certainly needed.

Here is your word, now have Noah put it in his dictionary:

trekkawackabushyclimbicusboulderiumrouteicusfindercrawlycuriumcactipokabutticus

Okay, a few margaritas later and I just might be able to pronounce that!! Funny thing is, even w/o the margaritas, that word somehow makes perfect sense to me and I understand it completely!!

Sredfield wrote:
But JMZ is correct

I think I might have this framed!! Merry Christmas to me!!
Thanks, Shawn

Good topic. I'd suggest intense hiking, serious hiking, or maybe half marathon hiking. I've learned not to break in new hiking partners on the Flat Iron, Mt. Humphrey, or trail running the Peralta.

I sense in this topic hints of "eliteism", when, after all, none of these hikes such as the Flatiron, Ridgeline, etc. are actually of a high level of difficulty. When one has done, perhaps, the Grand Canyon R-R-R, in 8 hours, at that point, one could act condescending to fellow hikers who are not at that level of skill and endurance. But, I hope not, as, after all, it is just hiking!

I think you run into this in just about everything. I like to take my jeep out 4x4ing, I have friends that say they like to go 4x4ing. When they came with me they messed their pants. Their faces turned white when I told them what to do if we roll.
Same thing with rock climbing. They say they’ve done it before, then you get them to the climb and their eyes pop out of there head.
Same thing with basketball. Some friends asked me to come play with them, they say “we’re not pros, or league level, we just have a good time.” I say “sure, I can play basketball.” Then I get there, they mop the court with me and never ask me back…

I don't think there is any sort of "elitism" going on in this topic. Unless you have run into people that want to hike with you, you get there and these people are asking if we are there yet at the mile 2 or 3 marker, you know what we are talking about. I like Kent's word, although I can't pronounce it very well, I quit trying in the middle.

sidhayes wrote:I sense in this topic hints of "eliteism", when, after all, none of these hikes such as the Flatiron, Ridgeline, etc. are actually of a high level of difficulty. When one has done, perhaps, the Grand Canyon R-R-R, in 8 hours, at that point, one could act condescending to fellow hikers who are not at that level of skill and endurance. But, I hope not, as, after all, it is just hiking!

Funny... when I started this topic I NEVER had any thoughts or intentions of belittling anyone's personal accomplishments nor was I trying to be condescending towards anyone's abilities, especially since the Ridgeline is my feather in my personal hiking cap at the moment. I've never considered hiking to be a competition... for me, its a pleasure and a privilege that I enjoy having as a part of my life. This had nothing to do w/ bragging about climbing every mountain in the Western Hemisphere in under an hour, or suggesting that anyone has to feel like they need to compete w/ anyone else and their goals in order to feel worthy. If I wanted to "fly" through, and around, and over the Grand Canyon or any other mountain or peak, I would take an airplane!! Until then, I will continue to do what I do, be who I am, and feel happy and proud at the end of every day. Hopefully, everyone else feels the same about themselves and their accomplishments regardless of skill levels, times, distances, or others opinions.

Since opening up this topic, obviously I'm not the only one that has noticed the broad interpretation of the term "hiking". Everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinions and interpretations. I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced the same things as myself, and apparently, they have. Its nice to know I'm not the only one, or alone in my thoughts. And it has been FUN to read others thoughts, experiences, and suggestions. That's all I was looking for, and I appreciate all that understands that.

You know, I think the problem isn't anyone's level of hiking ability; the problems occur when someone misrepresents their ability to themselves or others. There's nothing wrong with being a leisure city-park hiker, but if that's your level, you shouldn't screw up someone's overnight ridgeline trip because you couldn't make it up the mountain, and your companions couldn't abandon you (much as they might want to).
The responsibility rests with the more able hiker to make sure the difficulty of a hike is well understood by everyone who is going on it.
Asking if someone has climbed Squaw Peak recently (and was the hike fun) is a good indicator. If they have done it recently and without undue difficulty, they can pretty much handle most stuff. Except maybe for the stuff Sid evidently does.

Well, being that I have hiked with you, cactuscat, and AZHeat, there is not one word, but two. And borrowing from Heat, what you guys do is Masochistic Trekking. Simply put, there is no other explanation. However, I will do it again with you guys in a heartbeat.

Good point Wiz. Before hiking with someone new I usually ask what other hikes they've done, and how recent to get an estimation on what they can do and what they like.

For everyone, like me, looking for a more satisfying term and/or word besides simply "hike" (an extended walk) here is what I've found...

"Intense" characteristics of an extreme degree; to the utmost; deeply felt by nature or temperament; immoderate, intemperate

"Vehement" marked by extreme intensity of feeling or conviction characterized by energetic action or activity

and both are associated w/ the following words as well...
blood-and-guts, consuming, exquisite, extreme, fantastic, fierce, glorious, hard, howling, intoxicating, magnificent, marvelous, overwhelming, passionate, phenomenal, potent, powerful, profound, pronounced, resplendent, severe, splendid, splendiferous, superb, supreme, terrific, tremendous, vigorous, wicked, wild, wonderful, and wondrous

This represents how I feel about what I do. It is my opinion. This is what I'm trying to express when I say, "I hike". From now on, I will use either or both "intense" or "vehement" when attempting to convey and encompass all I do, all I think, and feel when I hike. To me, I am doing more than just taking an extended walk.

Thank you to everyone... your suggestions led me in the right path and helped me find what I was looking for!! Thank You

"Intense" & "Vehement"

OOOOO I like those words!

A case on point regarding who hikes the hardest. If you look at the Rincon Peak trail log you'll see my write-up, with some obvious gushing that I was able to complete the thing, preceded by Sid's succinct statement of a very impressive time. I consider myself an adequate hiker, and take pride in some of the treks I've completed. Obviously, there is always someone faster (stronger, thinner, richer, handsomer, older, younger, etc. etc. etc.) The point? HIKE YOUR OWN HIKE!

snow22_5150 wrote:

"Intense" & "Vehement"

OOOOO I like those words!

How about:

Weapons-grade hiking
Full-frontal hiking
In-your-face hiking

Here is my point from the beginning and all the way thru to the end...

There are many different levels, abilities, types, personalities, etc. of what we do. This is the best example I've been able to come up w/...

There are people who walk, wog, jog, sprint, run, marathon, cross-country...
There are also words/terms for the varying degrees of what they do. And a marathon runner isn't being condescending to someone who jogs simply because they make a reference to the differences in what they do. And I'm sure the jogger doesn't feel belittled, begrudged, or discriminated against either.

We hike, and that one word seems to be everyone from the Greenbelters to the SidHayers. I find myself somewhere in between. I feel like I do more than just take an extended walk, however I don't come close to doing what Sid does and never will. So, sometimes I feel the word "hike" isn't sufficient. It just seemed odd to me that everyone on both extremes of the hiking scale are all lumped into the same word/term. I was just looking for words/phrases/terms to help distinguish between the differences... thats all.

I can see it now: trekkawackabushyclimbicusboulderiumrouteicusfindercrawlycuriumcactipokabutticusArizona.com

Gonna be hell gettin' that on a bumper sticker or Tee shirt :roll: But I'm sure teva's up to the task

sidhayes wrote:I sense in this topic hints of "eliteism", when, after all, none of these hikes such as the Flatiron, Ridgeline, etc. are actually of a high level of difficulty. When one has done, perhaps, the Grand Canyon R-R-R, in 8 hours, at that point, one could act condescending to fellow hikers who are not at that level of skill and endurance. But, I hope not, as, after all, it is just hiking!

Boy, who ever said that anybody was better than anybody else. Sounds like kindergarten. As you can see, there are different terms for the type of hiking one does. Sure it is all hiking, but there is an appropriate adverb that you could put along with it to better describe for others' who might like to tag along. I don't care what level of hiker anyone is or how fast they have completed a hike, great if you can do anything in a specific amount of time, but that doesn't make you superman. Unless of course you can fly. Case in point, this was never meant to be condescending to anyone.

Well, I end up in some out of the way places like from deep Mexico to the more pedestrian stops around Arizona and one thing is for sure. If you want to walk to some place and ask for directions and aproximate distance, the sure answer seems to be: That's over a mile, you can't walk there.

We are in the minority. The automobile has changed the way the masses look at distance and abilities.

In the end I guess it had to come down to some kind of distinction in the hiking cult. It is like that between mountain bikers and road bikers, trout fisher folk and bass fishers and just about any other pursuit out there. To tell the truth I have always been somewhat apothetic to these disscussions. You do what you do and I hope you're having fun at it. Achievement and discovery is something that should fuel the endorphins and your sense of accomplishment wheather it is walking the wild or needlepointing. Hopefully it is not some keeping up with the Joneses mentality.