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.

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!

I beg to differ a bit with that. First, I don't think it's a sense of "eliteism" - just distinguishing what it is we do from others who don't get out as far off the beaten path. Granted, Flatiron is quite a beaten path, but still represents a level of difficulty many people are unwilling to even attempt.

The R-R-R in 8 hours seems nearly impossible unless you're running marathon pace the whole time, and even then, that's not really a difficulty level, just an endurance thing - those trails are still quite beaten as a path.

Nobody ever said we didn't want these people on the trails, or that we wouldn't gladly help them to get the skill/endurance to go hiking with us. We are more trying to define a term so that when we do invite someone along with us we give them a clear picture in as few words as possible for what we will likely be doing on our outings.

Personally, I think Adventure or Extreme hiking convey the thought nicely. Hiking used to be just fine, but somehow has gotten to be more of a mild term. But, quite frankly, I still use the term Hiking for all of it.

Sorry - I hope I didn't offend Sid.

I find it fun to be with people that have never really hiked before. So many times it reminds me of what it was like the first time I hit the trail in ernest. Instead of getting frustrated with a hiker-wannabe, help them to learn to enjoy what you take for granted. If the experience is fun they will want to return and get better and you may just end up with a great partner.

There may be more to learn from climbing the same mountain a hundred times than by climbing a hundred different mountains.

BoyNhisDog wrote:Hopefully it is not some keeping up with the Joneses mentality.

I'm doing well if I'm keeping up w/ arizonaheat or snow22_5150!! They are great pace-setters and motivators. As is Mike... now to me, he's a fast hiker worth trying to keep up with... if you can, that is!!

BoyNhisDog wrote:It is like that between mountain bikers and road bikers, trout fisher folk and bass fishers and just about any other pursuit out there. .

There's a distinction between mountain bikers and road bikers? : No WAY! I never noticed. Good analogy Glen.

It comes down to perspective...I work with a woman who speaks of hiking and once asked me if I had ever hiked Camelback...I responded by saying that my wife and I used to do it on Sunday mornings when we first moved here...I saw her sholders drop and she said that making it up Camelback has been her goal for the last year...we both hike...but at different levels...

In cycling, if you're a newbie, you're called a "Fred", it's a pejorative term, but none the less is understood by riders. There are amature and professional athletes...

The distinction between the degrees becomes an issue, and in some cases a real concern, when someone doesn't understand that hiking the greenbelt is different than a rim to river to rim, regardless of their time.

Interesting topic...I like intense and vehement, but...I'm sticking with adventure hiking...

jmzblond wrote:

BoyNhisDog wrote:Hopefully it is not some keeping up with the Joneses mentality.

Mike... now to me, he's a fast hiker worth trying to keep up with... if you can, that is!!

Mike's okay, just not the Joneses.

ck1 wrote:
In cycling, if you're a newbie, you're called a "Fred", it's a pejorative term, but none the less is understood by riders. There are amature and professional athletes...

...

Gaboffo as well as more unsavory terms come to mind as well. Did I ever use those terms??????? Now let me think. Every one's a sinner and everyones a saint.

I think with the revolution of 'getting out there' and 'getting back to nature' the definitions have become more broad range. When I hike, the hike may include some flat trail, hills, bouldering, and even a little canyoneering. It's all hiking to me. My neighbor 'hikes' the canal. Same with mountain biking. To some it's meandering on an open road. Other's it's a challenging single track. To me, camping is throwing my pack on my back and truly getting away from it all. To a co worker of mine it's hitching up his fifth wheel. The terms fit us in the way we view them. I certainly understand your frustration Jamie. The first time I went to Colorado Springs I had a friend there make plans for a day of hiking. She picked me up and we headed for Garden of the Gods. While a beautiful place, our day there was a 'walk in the park'. :roll:

Heck I don't "hike" I go "gruelin'" that's about what it is......its gruelin' goin' in and it's double gruelin' coming out.......

The word hiking sure does not tell you much all by itself. I call overnighters or longer backpacking. Anything else from tough to sissy is day hiking. Flat ones in the park are just goin for a walk.