Bushwalk Australia

Hey guys and gals,

Just wondering how you all get motivated to enjoy and continue a hike? I know for me its the prospect of having a laugh with mates while out and about, and just generally not having to worry about anything apart from the end destination. But what about you guys? Do you have anything in particular that helps you keep rhythm while walking, eg music, or even counting steps? Or anything at all that helps push you toward the end destination, eg fitness, distance travelled? Currently studying industrial design at uni, exploring the relationship between hiking and rhythm, and potential ways to motivate people to become more physically active. Just doing some research at the moment and any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Louis

I do it to get lost in my own thoughts - the changing scenery and gentle rhythm of your legs and lungs has a hypnotic effect. I do it in the bush rather than someplace more convenient because often the only thing keeping me from going delightfully cross-eyed on long walks is other humans. It is very relaxing, I find the city to be tolerable, but once you remove the noxious stimulus you realise how pervading it is. I like other people a lot and am far from a hermit type but there's only so much noise and pointless conversation I can handle.

I am also taking a break from running, what with the *endless* injuries, and I loved that for exactly the same reason. It makes sense that rewarding us for extended exercise is an evolutionary imperative, and also that being surrounded by the lovely mix of chaos and consistency that is the natural setting would help relax and ground us.

+1 quill

The knowledge that one day I may not be able to - Use it or lose it!

(I was referring to my body but I guess the same could be applied to the bush).

Now, how would Forest Gump answer this question? I concur with his response.

Wanting to see what is around the next "corner" keeps my rhythm. Absorbing the surroundings and sounds none of which are rumbling traffic and industrial residue. Then of course the destination be it either the desire to get there or the necessity.

Love of the bush, fitness, alone time with my missus, and what Quill said. Also a bit of GPS' answer - you never know what you will get.

Sun on your back, breeze on your face and no one around (most o the time) but the person you love.

And the views.

And the fauna.

And the flora.

Thats it for me.

Motivation? Basically hiking gets me out to where I want to be and need to go. Nothing is more relaxing for my soul than getting out walking around in the wilderness. Being in nature stimulates me beyond measure whether it's watching how creatures interact with the surroundings, taking in the scenery or just well breathing it all in really. When everything around you is so alive, how can you not want to keep going?

Getting back out alive.

Louis, I'm pretty sure there is an existing thread on here with many answers. Might be worth your while digging it up.

north-north-west wrote:Getting back out alive.

Haha, you're a weapon ( Hope recovery is going well)
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For me, not too sure, - definitely a form of escapism, from what I don't know. The mundane? the expected? the merry go round? I do know I love it. I do know I make a lousy escape artist!

I do my best thinking when Im hiking and mowing the lawns...

DanShell wrote:I do my best thinking when Im hiking and mowing the lawns...

yes, but one of them achieves something as well ...

the other simply makes the house look neater..

It makes me feel alive. What I see with my eyes, The freshness I smell, The flavours I taste, The sounds of wilderness and everything I feel with my body, the sun bathing me or the crispness that makes my cheeks tingle.

The mountains are always calling. There's so much I could say about that, but not quite sure if it's relevant to your question or not. Natural high from mountaintops, being totally present, a feast for the senses, from the vast grandeur to the micro flowers dwarfed by dew drops etc etc.

But bigger goals have certainly kept motivation high between walks as well - always planning the next ones e.g. doing the AAWT 100-250 kms at a time(still haven't finished the section in the ACT ), hut-bagging in NSW & VIC high country, now Tassie peak-bagging. All those have led to further exploration of lovely places I discovered along the way.

It's interesting that my passion for being on mountains is so strong, while my body has never been good on climbs, even after months of training, Himalyan trekking etc. So I use rhythm.

It revolutionised swimming for me years ago - just developing a rhythm with my breathing, strokes and kick, I suddenly went from being exhausted by 200m, to being able to break through that wall and swim >2 kms

I've applied it to walking uphill. I call it 'the Slow Plod'. I keep a steady rhythm with my steps - always making sure I know where my next step will be so I keep the momentum. I usually include my breathing in the rhythm. If I get too puffed i change down into 'low range' - so the rhythm is slower, but still has a regular beat. I find it much harder going if I have to stop and start behind someone (yes, it happens occasionally!)

If I'm pretty stuffed with a few kms to go, I sometimes count steps. Every step is getting me closer to my goal. I'll break the distance down into more manageable numbers of metres to count. I count my stride as half a metre. It's longer than that (unless on steep stuff), so I always get to the end before I should.

Tortoise wrote:I've applied it to walking uphill. I call it 'the Slow Plod'. I keep a steady rhythm with my steps - always making sure I know where my next step will be so I keep the momentum. I usually include my breathing in the rhythm. If I get too puffed i change down into 'low range' - so the rhythm is slower, but still has a regular beat. I find it much harder going if I have to stop and start behind someone (yes, it happens occasionally!)

Yeah, this is something I found out some 15 years ago. It's easier and far more efficient to just keep plodding along at a slower pace than to hurry and rest. I try to keep the length of my stride as normal as possible (you can't boulder hopping or scrambling or really steep scrubby bits, but still), and just slow it down to a manageable speed. Shorter, quicker steps tire me faster than the longer slower ones.

If I'm pretty stuffed with a few kms to go, I sometimes count steps. Every step is getting me closer to my goal. I'll break the distance down into more manageable numbers of metres to count. I count my stride as half a metre. It's longer than that (unless on steep stuff), so I always get to the end before I should.

I don't equate the steps with distance, just count them. If it's a long steady climb, I'll count altitude: pick a point ahead that's roughly at eye level, and when I reach it that's counted as one metre altitude. As with Tortoise, it's an underestimation so I get up quicker than the count says I will. This is always encouraging, and at my age I need all the encouragement I can get.

Yep, i also find counting steps (for no other purpose than focus really) can help on those difficult slogs

The cliche 'getting away from it all' or finding places to take photos of are usually the motivators for me.

quill wrote:I do it to get lost in my own thoughts - the changing scenery and gentle rhythm of your legs and lungs has a hypnotic effect.

I often listen to music while walking, and it has a similar feeling. It's also nice to listen to a certain song and be reminded of a particular place.

Scenery motivates me. Also +1 for walkon's comments. Music too sometimes when there's a hard climb to surmount. I love the feeling of fitness and fresh-airiness that comes with a hike - strong yet peaced out.

DesignforHiking, if you're into "exploring the relationship between hiking and rhythm, and potential ways to motivate people to become more physically active" you have probably already heard of the 'nudging' technique no? This should be right up your 'stairs' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw

Lots of things.

Getting outside. Finding new trails and exploring areas. Clearing my mind whilst doing something I enjoy. Testing my skills and learning new ones. Training for bigger hikes.

Flora, Fauna & Landscape photography, plus the challenge most times, but my last one was just to get away & have a reset. I was felling pretty depressed after some nut-bag woman jumped in front of my train, she jumped out of the way sometime between the emergency brake application & the train crossing where she stood waving her arms, I looked away so I would not see it, but I was waiting for the thump, I'm clad it didn't happen.

^awful hope you're feeling better now.

JohnStrider wrote:Lots of things.
Getting outside. Finding new trails and exploring areas. Clearing my mind whilst doing something I enjoy. Testing my skills and learning new ones. Training for bigger hikes.

Thank you JS. Ditto......

Snowzone wrote:It makes me feel alive. What I see with my eyes, The freshness I smell, The flavours I taste, The sounds of wilderness and everything I feel with my body, the sun bathing me or the crispness that makes my cheeks tingle.

And again...doesn't need explaining.
How to be more original? My hike. Connecting with life. Personal challenge. In touch with nature.

Another... That feel good factor. Suspect something called endorphins in my head has something to do with it.

Yes thats a good point. That rush you get as you step out! One of the best feelings! when times get tough just rememeber.you are.doing what you love, look at the beauty around!