Backpacking offers a wonderful opportunity to explore nature, disconnect from daily stressors, and enjoy some revitalizing exercise. However, plus-size individuals often face unique challenges when it comes to hiking and backpacking. Fortunately, with the right preparation and mindset, you can have an enjoyable and fulfilling outdoor experience. Here are five essential tips to help plus-size backpackers make the most of their adventures.
Tag: Hiking
Preparing Your Mind for the Trail: Mental Health Tips for Hikers
Hiking is an incredible way to experience nature. However, it’s not just about exercising your body—it’s about preparing your mind as well. As you gear up for your next adventure, here are some tips to help you prepare mentally for the trail.
The Art of Mindfulness in the Great Outdoors: Enhancing Your Hiking Experience
Hiking is more than just a physical activity; it is a beautiful opportunity to connect with nature and cultivate a sense of mindfulness. The gentle sway of trees, the rustle of leaves, and the rhythmic sounds of your footsteps can create a serene backdrop for quiet contemplation.
History of the Appalachian Trail: From Vision to Reality
The Appalachian Trail (AT) is not just a hiking trail; it’s an enduring symbol of the American spirit of exploration and perseverance. Spanning 2,190+ miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, the trail weaves through 14 states and showcases some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Eastern United States.
Unlocking Mental Clarity in the Mountains
The power of mountains extends beyond their physical beauty; they can profoundly inspire mental clarity and resilience.
Forest Bathing: Good For Mind, Body & Spirit
The Health Benefits of Forest Bathing Let’s face it – the world is stressed out! Whether it’s politics, war, financial crises, job-related stress, or relationship woes, today’s fast-paced world of constant demands is draining us. The natural world offers a powerful remedy, and best of all, it’s free! With its towering trees, lush foliage, and…
14 Days and Fretting: Coping with Pre-Hike Anxiety.
In two weeks’ time I will be driven to North Georgia and left for dead. While that may seem a bit dramatic, I am sure it will feel as such when I wave goodbye to my family and set off on a 2,200 mile walk in the woods. I woke up this morning at…
Shakedown Hike: The Good, the Bad, and the Hungry.
So, what is a shakedown hike anyway? Before I set off on a 2,200-mile trek from Georgia to Maine I need to know a few things. Several things actually. For example, will the quilt I spent hundreds of dollars on keep me warm when temps drop below freezing? Will the tiny one-person tent I chose…
Hike Your Own Hike: What it Means to Me.
It’s about more than pace. One of the most used phrases in the hiking community is hike your own hike. It basically means to go at your own pace and to experience the trail in your own way. For me, a plus-size backpacker, the phrase hike your own hike is about much more than keeping…
Fluffy Folks on Mountains: The Quest for Plus-Size Gear.
When one thinks of a long-distance hiker, often the image of a bronzed, Patagonia-clad athlete with bulging quads comes to mind; perched no doubt on a rocky summit in the White Mountains. And that’s fair enough because that’s the image we’ve all been served. But in reality, my reality anyway, the muscles are more akin…