Extreme DayHiking by Day Hiker . Visit his website at www.dayhiker.com
What is an Extreme Day Hike?
“Extreme Day Hike” … sounds like an oxymoron, like “jumbo shrimp” or “boxing championship.” “Extreme,” which indicates a difficult variation of a physical activity, would appear to be an exaggeration of the simple feat of walking during the day. While overused today as an adjective, “extreme” does seem to fit the type of hikes described on this web site. (in reference to www.dayhiker.com)
For a person not in shape, an extreme day hike may be a walk around the shopping center. On the other hand, for a trail or marathon runner an extreme day hike may be a walk in the park. This site characterizes “The Extreme Day Hike” as one that consumes most of the day in a challenging adventure in a spectacular natural setting. Most of the hikes described here will have an elevation gain of 4000 feet +, 14 miles round trip, and on a trail. Other day hikes may not be “extreme” but will be included here if they are exotic, entertaining, or otherwise exciting.
Who is an Extreme Day Hiker?
Anyone who can walk can do this. The goal is to walk (hike, trek) fast, far, high, and come back the same day. The attractiveness of this “sport” is each person sets a goal and strives to achieve to it. Rather than a casual walk around a lake (also, a good thing to do), this endeavor requires some planning and a commitment. Since “extreme” is in the eye of the beholder (or in the feet of the hiker?), specific hikes will be too hard for some and too easy for others. The main goal is to achieve a sense of accomplishment similar to more rigorous sports like ultra-trail or marathon running but with a lot less stress on the body.
Extreme day hiking is becoming popular with all ages especially two aging baby boomer groups: The formerly active and the inactive.
Active Baby Boomers: The first group engaged in strenuous activities all their lives, perhaps as a serious runner, or some other competitive sport, now find knees and other body parts have slowed them down. Maybe backpacking and camping in the wilderness is not as much fun. The outdoors may have lost its allure due to the heavy pack, the logistics of sleeping, the complications of cooking, and personal body maintenance. Or simply, they find the time commitment is too much for the extended overnight trip, and thus, day hiking is the answer.
Inactive Baby Boomers: The other group may not have been a fan of exercise, opting for the proverbial couch and TV. Perhaps during their twenties and thirties, the lack of exercise did not really show. However, as their weight increased and their breathing labored, reality set in. In search for something more rigorous than lifting a can of beer, they are not motivated by jogging, tread mills, or triathlons. Day hiking is easy to do and not boring.
Both groups may share the desire to do something sporting and rigorous, yet returning to the creature comforts of civilization: hot tub, Epicurean delights, and a good night’s sleep. The quintessential day hike can satisfy the need for a renaissance of rigorous physical activity for the 40 plus age group.
