Who knew hiking could DO GOOD?
For those of us that are into hiking (or at least dabble in it), we know that hiking feels good. It gets the blood pumping, it kicks those endorphins into gear and often we also get to soak in some of that good ol’ vitamin D (especially good for all of us in Canada)! Not to mention the sense of accomplishment that you get from putting in those kilometres and reaching your destination, whether it’s a panoramic view, a waterfall, a cabin or a parking lot. You know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!
But something that people can also account for in their trekking is the social impacts and implications of exploring previously charted terrain.
I became acutely aware of of this on one particular hike my wife and I went on through the hill country and mountains of Vietnam. We had hired a guide through a local non-profit that offered employment to individuals from minority cultures in this region. In exchange for your company, conversation in English and a very modest payment, we were able to see the terrain, the land and the peoples of this region through the eyes of someone who knew it better than we ever could.
Almost every step of our travels was steeped in cultural education and an exchange of worldview with our fantastic guide Pe, whom I would genuinely prefer to call our friend Pe after what we were able to share together.
How can you hike in an ethical and socially-conscious way? What are some less-considered considerations when embarking on your journeys?
1) Respect the Land - We all know that mantra “Bring out whatever you bring in”, but what do we do for a view or an adventure that might have inadvertent effects on the land by which we traverse. I must admit I’m guilty of doing otherwise, and being the irritating tourist who goes off-trail to get a unique view that is not really that unique because so many others have blazed a trail where there shouldn’t have been one. I’m going to grow up from now on!
The trail has been set out for a reason, for your safety and for the conservation of the environment around you. Keep to the trail...please!
2) Respect the Way - For the most part, you will not have been the first person to traverse the trail you’re on (unless you break Rule #1...please don’t though). There are rules set out, written and unwritten, for things which you may have little understanding of. Yet, those who frequent and maintain the path along which you travel know what is involved in keeping it safe and available. Consult a local expert or someone who has travelled your route before. Conservation authorities or organisations are fantastic resources and could save you from detrimental or fatal ignorances along the way.
3) Respect the Inhabitants - Humans, animals, plants, birds, bugs; to put it bluntly, those that live along the way have more right to their habitat than you do. Once again, keep to the trail, do not trespass, and if there are areas through which you’ll be traveling which carry cultural unfamiliarity, strongly consider enlisting a guide who can help you navigate both the terrain and your interactions mindfully.
4) Respect your fellow travelers - In the rest of our daily lives, there is already enough distraction comparison and inconvenience. The trail is not another place to compare yourselves to the “competition”. Once again, I’m guilty of this one; judging others for their preparedness or lack thereof, for their gear choices, for the pace of their hike, for their lack awareness of others around them. But really, only the last one of these things is valid. Consider that you’re not the only one on the trail. People hike to get into nature, to get away from the every day, for a sense of accomplishment, to pursue health...and anything you do to get in the way of others’ motivations for hiking is frankly, borderline asshole-ry! Let nature be natural, keep your musical preferences, profanity and outdoor voice to yourself, share the trail, share the views, be willing to let others pass, be friendly, be helpful, be respectful. Easy as pie! Oh, and share your pie if you bring it! ;-)
5) Consider your impact - Few people may consider the social impacts of hiking. But just like other travels, hiking is technically a tourism industry. Consider how the choices you make about your hike impact the long-term sustainability of both the terrain and the people who are affected by this industry.
Consider a good-will donation to the conservation authorities and parks in which you’re traveling.
Or if you’re hiring a guide, consider where the guide is coming from and what they get out of the bargain. Believe it or not, some tourism companies skim more than is fair or ethical off the top of what you pay for their guides. Research what you’re investing in and what the guides ultimately will get through your investment.
6) Keep an open mind - The old adage “pride goes before a fall” is just as true on the trail as it is anywhere else. The moment you think you have the trail, the system, and the culture all figured out is the moment when safety and ethics become compromised! Be willing to receive feedback and guidance from others. Research the route you’ll be traversing beforehand and ensure that you have an emergency and exit strategy. Lookup weather conditions and ensure you’re prepared for every reasonable possibility and are even willing to change plans if things are beyond your capacity.
And TRAIN...HARD! Nothing puts you and your group in danger more than someone who has not considered what it actually takes to successfully hike a route. Lack of fitness, injury and lack of preparedness have the potential to put you and your group in a situation that endangers you and your most well-intentioned plans.
7) Consider extraneous impacts - I’m willing to be labeled as a hippie for the sake of raising awareness about some of these things. What you buy for your trip might impact our beautiful world just as much as what you do on the trail.
Buy second-hand gear - There’s a lot of wannabe and one-time hikers out there with really nice gear that they’ve only used once or twice, including myself in certain seasons. Check your local classified to save money and our planet. Sure this gear is used and might have nominal amounts of sweat, but good gear is built to last a lifetime, do your research and then find what you want second-hand!
Buy ethically-sourced food - There’s a lot of hiking food out there that’s jam-packed with nutrition, but there’s also a lot that is jam-packed with chemicals, preservatives and ‘color 76a’. Find out where your food comes from. Just because it’s expensive and labeled for hiking & camping doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Natural, organic, fair-trade, local foods make you feel good physically and feel great about your impact. Support these types of products and where able, support the local economy.
Ditch the plastic water bottle - ‘Nuff said!
There you have it, several ways that hiking can help you to both feel good and do good!
Feedback, disagreements, anything I missed? Add it in the comments section below! I love to hear from y’all!