Hiking is just Walking with an Attitude

Check out my AZ Trail Journal - I finished the hike on April 28, 2012.

The essence of hiking is to leave life behind, if only for a few hours, and explore the world around you using only the power of your body.
It is feeling your lungs labor, your muscles tighten and relax, and all your senses bringing new information into your brain.
Being a Hiking Dude is being on the move, covering ground, challenging your body, and renewing your soul.

Join me on My Long Hikes from 2012 to 2017 and beyond.
If you're in a Scouting group, consider accepting my ScoutStrong Challenge.

Hiking Dude Blog

AZ Trail Journal Ready

05/14/2012

I've been quietly resting my legs and putting together my Arizona Trail Journal for the past week.
You can read all about my trek Right Here. I've included pictures from the trail, information about my homemade gear, and a daily record of the hike. I hope it provides you with helpful information, some tips, a little humor, and maybe gets you thinking about doing a longer hike yourself or with others.
A GoogleEarth map of the trail with pictures will be available pretty soon.

Scout

Next Steps

05/01/2012

Now that my little 800-mile hike through Arizona is over, I get to move on to other things. I plan to take a couple weeks to mostly rest up and ensure my leg is ok - probably need to see a doctor about that when I get home. Here's my list of things to do over the next few months:

Present my story at District Roundtable. Show my gear and some pics and then answer questions from other Scouters. Hopefully I'll get them thinking about lighter weight backpacking possibilities with their scouts.
Present Red Cross training. I've got a backlog of Scouters needing certification

Day 43 - Final Steps

04/28/2012

I walked 54461 steps on the trail today.
I traveled about 28 miles today.
I'm Done!
I reached Utah at 2pm today and PapaBear was waiting to take me to Phoenix - we're on our way now.
I overdid it the past few days and my legs really hurt, but nothing serious. The actual hiking today was fairly easy and the painted desert at the end was beautiful.
If someone from troop 479 reads this, please tell Benjamin M. to take a

The number one problem in America is the drop in miles walked per day. The sedentary lifestyle that so many of us now lead (especially people spending too much time making web sites!) is causing us to keel over right and left. Just going for a walk (let's call that a hike) for 30 minutes every day is about the best thing you can do for yourself, and for your family!

Hiking is a sport unto itself. But, it is also the means of locomotion that backpackers use to get around on multi-day adventures. I'm offering information about the art of hiking and all the preparation, skills, problems, and gear used by hiking dudes in moving about from place to place on foot. After learning all about hiking here, please visit the Outdoors Dudes web site for even more great advice about skills for trips and the outdoors.

If you've been surfing the web to find out something about hiking, then please check out my Beginner Hiker Plan to learn how to get ready to start hiking.

Comments:

May 14, 2012 - Cindy Bellinger

Thanks for being so generous with information. Lots of useful stuff here.

Apr 16, 2012 - Greg

While you are in Flagstaff this week you and your hiking friend are welcome to spend some freshen up time at my home, and get the feel of home comfort again.

Apr 16, 2012 - Hiking Dude

Anne - I hope to be finished by the first week in May, but we'll see. There should be plenty of water on the north end of the trail then.

Apr 16, 2012 - Anne

I will be hiking the AZT in May, from Telephone Hill to Utah. Maybe we will see you, or maybe not!

Apr 10, 2012 - Bill Hunter

Stumbled upon your sight. It's great to find a sight full of info and not trying to sell something. Thanks. Never thought about a hike like the ones you are doing, you've given me something to think about. The pictures are great.

Apr 02, 2012 - scott

preparing for a 7-day appalacian trail hike. your site has been a fantastic tool and a wealth of information. you've helped me a lot!

now, if you could just do something about the black bears in the smokey mountains ... haha.

thanks again!

scott

Mar 28, 2012 - Mom

That message was from Karl not me. He is following your progress too.

Mar 28, 2012 - Mom

Hi Paul - wish I was hiking with you.

Mar 27, 2012 - george petros

Hey Dude! Thought I'd check up on you. Snicker's are Gods' & Hikers' Favorite Food! Have some fun!
-George-

Mar 26, 2012 - Tom Ryan

It sounds like you off to a great start. We at T370 in E.P. are monitoring your progress and wish you great success!

Feb 26, 2012 - Lynn

Love your page. I have wanted to take up hiking for well over 20 years, but life got in the way. So now I find it is time to take this challenge up and proceed forward. Thank you so much for all the great information I will continue to reference your page often.