Night Hiking: Finale

 

We went over some of the reasons that you should go on a night hike, as well as some of the precautions that you should take before going on a hike. On this final post, we will talk about a few more things to keep in mind, and tips for making sure that you get the most out of your experience. If you are going to do something like a night hike, make sure that you are doing everything you can to make it a good time. We have already covered most of the basic things required to ensure that you are safe, but here we will go over ways to go beyond safety, and into creating a memorable and enjoyable trip.

Plan, but be flexible

Like most things in life, when hiking, you will usually have the best time if your attitude is somewhere between the extremes of incredibly detailed planning, and no planning at all. Taking the time to check weather forecasts, trail conditions, and the availability of parking and trail access during the nighttime are going to be necessary. But you also must be willing and able to roll with the punches. When you are hiking, particularly when preparing for a night hike or backpacking trip, things will not always go as planned. Trails may not be marked correctly, food may end up an issue, and weather will always threaten. If you find yourself in a situation that you have not anticipated, prioritize safety, but do not let it affect your attitude. Hiking is more than just a diversion or form of exercise, it is an opportunity to react to unexpected and unusual circumstances. It is a chance to get out of your comfort zone, and exercise good judgement. Hiking is a chance to reinvent yourself away from your normal roles. Escaping our normal environment, and going into not only nature, but at night, is a chance to radically change ourselves. There is a reason that people have long touted the therapeutic and healing nature of the wilderness. Mysticism aside, there truly can be something wonderful about having the opportunity to experience something truly different from the rest of our lives. It is a chance to leave our well-lit houses, where we are the master, to wander in the dark, a tiny insignificant speck on a small ball hurtling through space. Sometimes, a small change in perspective can be all we are missing.

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