Hike Types

Meditating while out solo hiking on a search yesterday, realised some different types of hiking.

Firstly, as far as group dynamics is concerned, there's solo and group hiking, and then different kinds of group hiking, I suppose, as well: small group, large group, huge group; kids, teens, young adults, old gits, what-have-you.

Then, concerning duration, there's the study break (15min), quick exercise-hike (30min), short hike (few hours), morning/afternoon hike (half a day), day hike, sleepover, weekend (two nights), and longer.

As far as organisation is concerned, there's the impromptu spur-of-the-moment hike, usually among a small group of friends, the snack-and-water-bottle hike, and the more organised, pack-and-check-your-gear kind of hike.

There's also terrain, exertion and technicality to consider.

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Some of these classifications (can) often overlap. This post will not be a discussion of all possible kinds of hikes, but simply more focused on day hikes, at the longest, and not huge-group hikes either.

1. Yuppy Hike

"You can get the yuppy out of the office,

but you can't get the office out of the yuppy."

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A yuppy hike is organised, on the clock, according to a schedule; get to the target, reach the goal, and get back home again, under the deadline.

2. Exercise Hike/Trail Run

This is a kind of yuppy hike.

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3. Ordinary Hike

This is less of a yuppy hike. It usually involves a destination, but the schedule is more flexible. Set the day aside. We get back home again when we get back home again. It'll probably be before sunset, though. ...but we would like to get to that specific place.

4. Exploration Hike

We've heard of a destination; none of us have been there before; let's see if we can get there. ...or... We've seen a trail going off in that direction; let's see where it goes.

5. Treasure Hunt/Orienteering/Geocaching

Someone has gone ahead, previously, and laid out a course with clues and riddles, and/or map-and-compass directions, and/or a treasure/geocache to search and find. This can be a fun game to play, but it requires work beforehand -- especially if teams compete.

6. Birding/Flowering/Mushrooming/Treeing/Insecting/etc.

How many different kinds can you spot and identify? This can be a more relaxed kind of game.

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7. Search

This is what I was doing yesterday: I was looking for a feather-leaf black wattle (Callicoma serratifolia) for to make meself a shoulder-height hiking staff again. They're invasive here; it's a good thing to take them out. ...But do you suppose I could find one? They're all over the place, but never when you need one! Anyway, looking around for something specific changes your perspective and hiking style. I found it a very stimulating experience again, after not having done it in decades. I'm looking forward to continuing my search soon again.

8. Saunter/Walk-n-Talk

Just go for a walk. It doesn't have to be far. Walk in a direction, find a spot, sit down for a bit, or turn around and go back home again. It's just to get out for a bit, take a break, get some fresh air, and/or chit-chat with a friend for a while. I like this much better than just sitting around in the living room, sipping tea from grandma's porcelain.

9. Mediation/Poetry Hike

Can be done walking or resting, but generally without talking, and, ideally, in a nice, quiet spot.

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