Topic: Hiking
Take A Hike
Written by Dorothy Williams
Bust out your backpack. Become a trekker. Take a hike. There
are all kinds of ways to get out there and enjoy a day on the
trails. Backpacking, trekking, and hiking are three great
outdoor activities, and while they may seem the same, there are
subtle differences to each. 
As far as outdoor adventurers are concerned, hiking and
trekking are basically the same. The differences lie in the
origin of the words. The term "hike" is derived from the Middle
English word "hytchen" which became the English word "hitch".
The word "trekking" is borrowed from the African term for
ox-cart transport. Those taking part in a hiking adventure
through the Himalayas could safely use the term "trekking"
without literary repercussions.
The term "backpacking" is much less exotic. You'll use this
term when you walk to a nearby place, over a day or two.
Generally "backpacking" involves hauling some gear in a package
on your back. If you do want to walk on the wild side, but
you're not quite ready for the Himalayas, backpacking through
somewhere like the Grand Canyon can fit the bill.
When telling people you're about to take a hike, they will
likely imagine you traversing miles of trail. Your audience
will picture you traversing miles of trails, winding through
forests, scaling mountains, and stopping only to admire the
scenic vistas waiting you encounter along the way. It's no
wonder that hundreds of hikers spend their vacations on trips
like these. From leisurely self-guided winery tours, to rugged
backcountry travels through pristine wilderness, outdoor
itineraries are limited only by the traveler's imagination. 
Itinerant hikers have tons of options available. You may have
dreamed of standing at the foot of Mount Everest and reliving
the moments when the first climbers reached its peak. Perhaps
you'd like to witness sunrise over Africa from atop Mount
Kilimanjaro. Those adventures are available to you. One of the
most exciting aspects of planning and taking a hiking trip is
that you can visit places that are otherwise remote and
isolated from civilization.
Most guided hiking trips are basically the same, but the
location and the level of strenuousness can vary. There is also
a bit of variety in the styles of treks, all having affect on
the difficulty or degree of adventure that your trip will hold.
A traditional hiking trip is often expedition-style, which
means that it involves a crew including guides, porters, and
cooks. This support team will prepare meals, set up or take
down camp and even carry your gear.
If you want fewer people along for the journey, consider taking
a lodge-to-lodge hiking trip. Take this style of hike and you'll
stay in alpine huts or rustic mountain lodges, with no cook or
porter. A limited number of support staff may accompany you on
your expedition, but the group will be substantially smaller
than in the traditional style of hiking. Lodge-to-lodge hiking
usually costs a bit less than fully catered alternatives, but
they can be inconvenient. Many hikers would rather focus all
their energy on completing the hike, rather than worrying about
their next meal.
Hard-core adventurers also have a hiking style just for them.
Mountain climbing treks and the exploratory hiking trips, while
offered by only a few adventure travel companies, are trips on
routes not previously offered by that company. These trips
offer genuine adventure, since even the guides aren't sure what
to expect around the next bend.
Hiking, trekking or backpacking. Choose your adventure and get
ready to experience the pure beauty of nature. When your
friends ask where you've booked your next vacation, tell them
you're just going to take a hike.
About The Author: Dorothy Williams writes articles for several
web sites, such as http://nulaf.com and
http://new-recreation.com
