My Hiking experiences

I consider myself to be a hiker/backpacker. I differentiate between hiker/backpackers and Mountaineers, peak baggers and fitness hikers.

I've always been told, and read, that hiking is about the experience of being outdoors, away from the rat race, enjoying nature, appreciating that which is not civilized.

There is much overlap in the activities of those groups mentioned above. Tools, techniques, trails, destinations.
One of the main differences is the intent, the goal. I can stop while hiking a mountain before reaching the summit, and not feel like I've failed. Or been incomplete. I've succeeded in getting outdoors, getting some exercise, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and breathed some fresh air. I can also truly enjoy hiking a mountain which is a "mere" 12000 feet. Something which gives me a lot of solitude, since most of the crowds are hiking 14ers.

I've hiked trails to the top of 13000 foot mountains and seen not another human all day... at least on the trail! And.. I like it that way. :)

So, on this web page, I'll have trip reports, pictures, rants, extreme opinions, etc... ..