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It's Hiking Season!

© Kelly Smith

Ahhh, summer. The ideal time of year for one of my favorite outdoor activities, hiking. It is much more than just a great workout. You get to be outside of the confines of a gym and commune with nature. There is nothing like feeling the satisfaction of reaching the top of a summit where you can look down below and see the whole valley. You just drink in the incredible scenery. Like, they say, "The best view is from the top." You breathe in the fresh, clean air while the concrete jungle you endured all week just fades away . . . You are suddenly transported somewhere else. You are suddenly in a place where you can appreciate the untouched, simplistic beauty of nature. The trees are bountiful and green, the wild flowers are blooming and the woods are bustling with activity. Once it encompasses you, you're hooked.

Whether hiking in the canyons of Arizona or mountains of Alberta, you suddenly realize you are not alone and there is something much bigger at work. There is a realization that life is precious and cause you take inventory of your life.

Another wonderful aspect of hiking is that you can participate at any level and it is, for the most part, free. It is a great way to escape the rat race, even during the week. If you have any problems you need to solve, hiking is really good for clearing your head and relieving stress.

If hiking sounds intimidating to you, it is essentially walking on a whole new level. Experts have toted the benefits of walking for years. Walking doesn't stress your joints a much as running and countless studies attest walking leads to weight loss and better health. * It is good for your heart, reduces diabetes and has even been shown to enhance your thinking. So why wouldn't you want to do it?

Social Exercise

Hiking can be a great excuse for meeting new people or getting together with old friends. There are even night hiking groups, which can be pretty romantic. Can you imagine communing with nature under the moonlight? There are usually plenty of hiking groups in your area. If you can't find one, start one of your own.

If you are an amateur, hiking is not something you can just jump into by yourself without some general knowledge so I have put together a few basics for you.

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