Wednesday, August 21, 2013

How Can Hiking Have A Greater Purpose?

By Mark Dupont


Whether professional mountain climbers or occasional amateur eco-tourist, either people would tell the world that hiking is one of the best outdoor activities of mankind. Fortunately, they can be as convincing as the ideas they live for. There is always a group of like-minded people who finds innate sacredness while stepping onto high ground.

There are two general symbolic ideas that make hiking a special activity. The first idea revolves around the ancient reverence for mountains or hills, once and oftentimes still considered sacred ground. The second idea signifies the general celebration of humanity's physical capabilities and the sentimental reward it entails for setting foot on the summit.

Whether you ask either a novice or an expert workout buff, all of them would reasonably agree that hiking is an excellent for of workout. No matter where you go, an ascending journey on foot always requires twice the normal gauge of strength. So even if you are just plainly walking, you can barely be conscious about exerting twice effort and you are less likely to anticipate getting tired in the same way as what people are mentally conditioned with running or jogging.

Speaking of breathing, the higher vantage point of earth is always blessed with what one can verily describe as "sweet air". One may feel tired from hiking but the finish line on top offers a certain amount of rejuvenation that makes recovery easier than working out on level plain around civilization. The air around high ground is denser and it suppresses the normal urge for thirst and somehow neutralizes the discomfort from internal body heating.

Another way of explaining why hikers feel rewarded when reaching the summit is due to the excellent view on top. It is a natural human tendency to feel pleasure at being above the world they normally live in. Human nature is more akin to elevation, either in actual or metaphysical sense and they find happiness in "marveling at how small the world can actually be".

Though hiking's benefits are highlighted when a hiker reaches the summit, it does not solely limit its advantage "after the hiking is done". The hiker can still enjoy while the he or she is just on the way to his or her finish line. There is enough of the natural vast tapestry to marvel at, especially when one is traversing a copious rainforest biome.

Hiking is not just a physical pastime, as oftentimes this kind of activity has become a prerequisite to many esteemed vocations. The ever-exalted National Geographic Society has been around for centuries and the brunt of their profession makes hiking inevitable. Hiking is also an essential part of field scientists operating either in the domain of biology or geography.

The main theme that dwarfs every other sentimental cause one can find in hiking is the theme revolving around eco-crusade. Our planet needs more help than it can get and we are barely giving anything that actually works for the betterment of the ecosystem. Organizing an awareness campaign through an exciting activity of hiking can not only gain audience, but also boost market advertisement for capitalist sponsors.




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