The new year is a time to look ahead and set goals. For hikers, this can be a great opportunity to plan for the year, and establish some goals as motivation for getting outside and on the trail.
Set Hiking Goals
Think about what would make fun or challenging goals for the year. Is there a particular trail that is worth hiking, or a place where one has always wanted to visit? Some other goal-setting ideas include:
- Logging a certain number of trail miles throughout the year.
- Hiking a long trail or an extended wilderness backpacking trip.
- Spending a certain number of nights in a sleeping bag.
- Training for a backpacking expedition.
- Completing a trail over several weekends or months, such as a segment of the Appalachian Trail.
Check Out the Calendar
After buying a new calendar for the year, flip through it to plan for weekend getaways or day hikes. Try to reserve the whole day or days to avoid double-booking something else which could be a distraction from the hike. If planning for a multi-day expedition, make sure that the dates do not conflict with work or other personal commitments.
Buy the Hiking Gear
Purchase any needed outdoor clothing or equipment. Buying a new pair of hiking boots can be a great motivator for getting outside to break them in. Don’t shove the gear into the closet where it can’t be seen. Instead, keep it out in a prominent spot as a reminder of your goals.
Find a Hiking Partner
A hiking partner can be a great motivator for getting outside as one may be more likely to stick to weekend hiking plans when there is someone else that will be along for the experience. Check with friends if they would be interested in coming along for a hike, especially if they have never been on one before. It could be a chance to open them up to a new sport. Also, hiking clubs such as the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Colorado Mountain Club, exist to help people find others interested in the outdoors, and often have planned hikes and activities for its members.
Get Involved With an Outdoor Group
Besides a hiking club, there are other groups that are dedicated to the outdoors that are always looking for volunteers. These can include local environmental centers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and community parks and recreation programs. Volunteering not only feels good, it can be an additional motivator to sticking to a hiking commitment.
Go Hiking With the Kids
Take the kids hiking. What else could be motivation for getting outside than spending time with the kids, and passing on experiences and memories about the outdoors?
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