For years, Timothy and I have been on a lot of adventures together,
visiting 26 different states in America and hiking a lot.
We’ve been to National Parks, National Forests, Sacred places like Sedona and Mt Shasta
and always had an amazing adventure together, feeling like we were the only ones there.
Would you like to know how we did it?
Here are
8 Tips for hiking on popular trails
without feeling like a tourist:
(Bell Rock, Sedona, AZ)
Go early
Best wake up before sunrise and get there before everyone else wakes up.
This way it won’t be too hot in the summer –
and you don’t have to deal with a full parking lot.
Additionally, you can take your time, take amazing pictures
and enjoy wildlife just a little bit more…
Look for alternative routes
Spots that are close to tourists but far enough away
are perfect for an adventure together…
Take in every moment you have.
Take the camera/phone with you
but find some time where you can enjoy the energy
without always having a phone in your hands.
Go with someone you enjoy the company with.
You will be spending quite some times with whomever you take along,
so make sure you enjoy the company you keep…
(Mount Shasta)
Take a tripod with you.
Whether you go by yourself or with someone you like,
if you have a tripod, you don’t need to ask other tourists or strangers
to take pictures of you, if you have a phone (and set the timer to 10 seconds)
and a tripod with you.
wear a fanny pack or a small backpack
if you walk for a longer time.
Take some snacks with you, too.
Nuts will give you energy – Trailmix is often a good choice.
It’s a mix of nuts and chocolate, peanut butter or spicy food.
They come in so much variety that there is something for everyone…
Have a hiking stick with you (or two for the balance).
It protects you from slipping and helps you to climb on huge mountains.
It also protects you from wild animals.
Snakes are often afraid of humans.
They are often gone before you know it – unless you surprise them or they feel cornered.
So if you make some noise by with the stick, they will be warned and leave you be.
Also not every hiking trail is trimmed and taken care of –
with a stick you can point branches and/or thorny bushes away from you.
ALWAYS have a bottle of water with you.
You will need it. If you have a long way to drive,
keep extra water in the car/truck as well.
If you do it right, you will feel like you are all alone in this world…
No one will photobomb you –
and you can enjoy the silence and hear the birds chirping their songs, just for your…
We used to be told that it seemed like we were all alone…
even if we went to the most famous places like the Grand Canyon or Sedona…
We chose to do that consciously –
so we could actually go on an amazing adventure together
and not feel like everyone is on this journey with us.
At the end of the day – wherever you go and whatever you do –
This is your journey – and it is up to you if you want to stay at home –
or explore this beautiful life as an epic adventure!
Helen Davies
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