The Thankful Hiker: 5 Things To Be Grateful For This Holiday Season

Five little things for hikers to remember during this season of thanksgiving.

1. Bear Boxes

That simple metal box elicits a sigh of relief from many weary hikers at the end of a long day.  It is relief that they do not need to worry about selecting a suitable tree and getting their line over the ideal branch without knocking themselves in the head or creating a tangled mess.  The next time you lock your food bag away for the night, think about the distance to the nearest road and remember that someone cared enough about the safety of your food and our wildlife to haul that hunk of metal to your campsite.

2.  Campsites With Sunrise Views

It doesn’t get much better than enjoying a hot cup of coffee and watching the sun come up from the comfort of your own sleeping bag.  These are the moments that many of us hike for. Therefore, when the stars align to provide a campsite that follows leave no trace principles and offers and eastward view, it is certainly something to be thankful for.

3. Trekking Poles

From holding up your tent to finding out how deep that mud really is, your trekking poles end up doing a lot of the dirty work.  They may also support your body weight hundreds or thousands of times in a single day. As a hiker with a knack for slipping, tripping, and landing on my butt, I am grateful for every time my poles catch my fall.

4.  Merino Wool

Nature provides a material that keeps us warm, cool, and comfortable better than any synthetic fabric ever could.  Thank a sheep!

5.  Trail Maintenance

I know this post was supposed to be about the “little things” that we often overlook.  However, I simply could not write about hiker gratitude without mentioning this one very big thing, the workers and volunteers who maintain our trails, parks, and campsites.  These men and women sacrifice their own time and energy to make the outdoors available to the rest of us. This holiday season, resolve to seek out a trail maintainer and express your appreciation.  Buy them a beer, or better yet, lend a hand on your local trail.

I am thankful beyond words for all of my readers and supporters.  Happy Thanksgiving Hikers! I hope you all find time this week to relax, indulge, get outside, and give thanks.

❤ Michele