THEORIES ON WHY HIKING IS SO GREAT

Hiking with Vibram 5 Fingers (EL-X) and hiking with Seneca (baby front carrier, ergo baby carrier) and backpack is sublime.

The other day I went hiking with Cindy (a pretty big loop, around 2 hours each way, 4 hours in total), I think it was a total of 10 miles.

Hiking was an insanely great experience. Why? Some theories:

1. Visual

The first theory:

Hiking is great because of the visual experience.

For example, as a photographer/visual artist, I think I need stronger visual stimuli. I often get this from downtown areas, being in the city, seeing tons of people, watching cinema, etc â€¦ but hiking and being outdoors seems to be supreme. Why?

Depth. When you’re hiking with different elevation (variety), you can see insanely far (exercise your depth perception).

Also, infinite variety. There is more variation, objects, plants, and a variety of shapes, growth patterns, fractal patterns, and unexpected patterns when you’re out hiking.

2. Randomness in environment, elevation

Also a big thing —

When you’re in the city, you are stuck on totally flat surfaces.

I realize I hate totally flat surfaces. When you’re hiking, each step is different and random. And this is better for our feet, tendons, heels, thighs, shoulders, back, neck, jaw, joints, hips, etc. I actually thought, hiking might benefit *everyone*, even powerlifters (who always seek to strengthen their tendons, muscles, and connective tissue).

3. Hiking is the great secret for ‘happiness’, health, or overall wellness?

I have a theory that hiking, being outdoors, sleep, physical exercise might be *MORE IMPORTANT* than food. I first came upon this thought from reading Nassim Taleb (Antifragile) on his theory that walking might be as important as sleep, and other things.

It seems in modern times, we are trying to optimize ourselves from *NOT* walking, being outdoors, etc.