Hey friends,
For this weeks last free inquiry post I will be reflecting on my semester of inquiry regarding the topic of hiking. I chose this topic to challenge myself to get out and explore Vancouver Island, and also to inspire hopefully a few people to take on some of the trails I traversed. Hiking to me is an amazing experience, one where you can free your mind of everyday stresses and physically engage yourself in a challenging activity. Being fully immersed in the outdoors is a very peaceful experience, but it can also be a test of will if you decide to push your body.
During my free inquiry I discussed my experience of taking on the multi-day trek, Juan De Fuca, on the south-west portion of Vancouver Island. This trail was both physically and mentally challenging, but brought wonderful stories, sights, and memories for myself and my close friends.
My aim for this inquiry was to not only talk about my own experiences, but help others create their own. To do this I discussed what type of gear you would need to get started with hikes ranging from basic, to more advanced in my second free inquiry post. I wanted to use my blog as an educational tool for others and to assist some people who may be interested in hiking, but don’t know where to start! Investing in good gear is always a good idea when hiking, especially for multi-day hikes!
One thing I wish I could’ve done differently was hiked more trails because there’s so much available near by. I was limited with my time this semester as I was enrolled in six courses, but I do plan on continuing my hiking journeys this spring and summer once classes have finished. Hiking is a very time consuming activity, but I believe it’s always time well spent and great for my mental health. I would encourage everyone to try hiking if they have the time and physical ability to do so. Hikes can range from flat trails that take 10 minutes, to multi-day or week excursions that really challenge your physical and mental abilities. I would love to take my future classes on hikes to show them all the beautiful things nature has to offer and allow my students to explore the great outdoors in a meaningful and respectful way. I hope you enjoyed my free inquiry topic and reading my blogs each week.
See you on the trails! 🙂
