Bob Ehrmann, age 13, of Hattiesburg, Miss., for his question:70
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HIKING?
Hiking is walking for pleasure that often takes you through rural areas and sometimes over a great distance. And while hiking provides enjoyment, it also provides you with healthful exercise. Exercising the entire body is perhaps the single most important benefit of hiking.
People who like the outdoors but dislike strenuous activity can regulate the amount of exercise they take through hiking. A hike may be a walk of an hour or it may be a trip that lasts for a weekend. Medical experts say hiking is an excellent sport for children. It gets them into the fresh air and sunlight. It helps build vigor and endurance. And in addition, children may develop self confidence by grasping new skills related to hiking. They may learn to find their way along forest paths, for example.
Because of the many benefits of hiking, the activity has become an important part of such groups as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls. Often a hobby can be combined with hiking. Some hobbies, which may be enjoyed with hiking, include photography, nature study and such outdoor sports as hunting and fishing.
Hiking may also provide a good opportunity for companionship. It is an excellent sporting activity for a family group or for a number of friends. Hiking clubs are organized in many parts of the country. They promote walking as a pleasant group activity in many areas of the United States and Canada. Many large cities have hiking clubs that plan out of town weekends for their members.
National parks provide guides for hiking trips and shelters for rest and refuge. Many state parks and city recreation departments offer similar aids. Youth hostels, where hikers may spend the night, have been set up in areas where hiking is popular. One such area is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which extends all the way from Maine to Georgia.
The average hiker doesn't require a great deal of equipment. But it is important that he dress properly. He should wear well fitting, comfortable shoes and woolen socks. His clothing should be warm, lighting weight and loose enough to permit complete freedom of movement. A small knapsack is useful for carrying food and a raincoat. For longer hikes, bedding may be tightly rolled and carried on the back in a packsack.
When you go on a long hike and will be exploring unfamiliar territory, you should also include maps and a compass in your gear. To avoid getting lost, persons who take long hikes through forested areas should know woodcraft. It will make the trip less stressful than it might otherwise be. An experienced hiker can guide him by the sun and stars, the courses of streams and such signs as the growth of moss on trees.