Fitness

There are three components to hiking fitness - physical, mental, and emotional. Developing fitness across these three aspects is important not only when things goes right, but it is crucial when things go wrong. If you hike far enough long enough, something will inevitably go wrong. I promise.

Putting in the time and effort to develop your fitness across these three dimensions before you hit the trail can make all the difference in the world - and in the most extreme situations, may save your life.

Physical

Let’s start with the most obvious. Hiking is walking with one very important difference - terrain. While a few trails are paved, the vast majority are on single or double track footpaths with a wide range of steepness, surface variability, and distance. To enjoy all the trails of Kentucky, the ability to hike up to 15 miles in a day is a great standard to set for anyone.

Mental

The mental part has to do with the knowledge and understandings you develop as a hiker. This entails not only the planning aspect of identifying trails, routes, anticipated challenges, required gear, and more, but it also includes your ability to execute these hikes under varying circumstances including emergencies.

Proper trip planning involves a great deal of thought and action.

Emotional

On most hikes, emotional challenges are few and far between, but every now and then, you have a moment. When things go awry or if you push the edge of your capabilities, you will at some point find yourself in the midst of an emotional spin - guaranteed. When you talk to long-time hikers, backpackers, ultramarathoners, or others, you will find that each has experienced some pretty tough moments pursuing their passions on the trail.

While it is hard to prepare for these moments, it helps to know that (1) these things will come up, (2) every long-timer has experienced something like what you’re going through, and (3) investments in your physical and mental fitness will help you get through whatever your challenge may be. So, make sure you take care of your physical and mental fitness because these are the things that will invariably pull you through those tough times.

Although we always look at the highlights of hiking, make no mistake, shit hits the fan sometimes, and when they do, you’ll have no choice but to get your shit together. That aspect of self-reliance is one of the great gifts of hiking.