What risks do you take? Why? Do you think about it, or just do it?

In a recent post, @jarrod said “Much like I think it’s important to do hard things, I also think it’s important to make yourself do scary things from time to time.”

I’m not generally a big risk taker, but I started hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2008, and I simply go where it goes, and take what it gives. I’m on track to finish next summer.

Last fall I found myself climbing up Sugarloaf moutian in Maine, something like 1000' in 1/2 mile. This was not hiking. There are lots of places like that where you think, “Hmm, wish I could rope in”, but nope, that’s just where the “trail” goes. You just do it. And hope it’s not raining when you do.

Snakes like warm rocks. They often blend in very well. Sometimes you almost sit on them or step on them without noticing. Sometimes another hiker happens to see you about to do it and warns you. Sometimes.

A few months ago my son and I hiked the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania”. The trail goes right next to the canyon quite a bit of the time. I’m not a fan of heights. Trails go by cliff sides quite regularly.

Bears a fairly common sight where I go. Generally, don’t bother them, they don’t bother you. Don’t feed them, make eye contact, run away. Hiking in groups helps because apparently bears cant count past 2 or 3 (“One hiker, Two hikers, TOO MANY hikers…"). Making yourself look large is also supposedly good. And of course, smells. They can’t see well, buy they can smell 20 times better than you. Hang your food. Keep it out of your tent.

Then there are the guys-in-cammo-wtih-dogs-guns-and-knives who don’t quite fit in with the hiker crowd. One of them had big black dogs that another hiker commented on “I’m not sure he could control his dogs if they got away”. Of course he camped right by the outhouse and the dogs barked at anyone who came near all night.

Then there is the hike I hope to do next year, up Mount Washington where it snows 12 months out of the year, and where the highest wind speed ever recorded on the surface of the planet was measured. You’ve above tree line. People die there every year, even in sight of the shelters. That’s a hike I plan on taking very seriously.

This is post #1/8 for Blaugust 2024. Joining late. I think I can make 8 posts :-)