CHAPTER I
HITTING THE TRAIL
W ALKING tours are popularly supposed to be feasible chiefly for those to whom this method of travel is incidental to their occupationtimber cruisers, landlookers, prospectors, game wardens and trappers of the Northmen who daily match themselves against the forces of Nature. To the average city man rarely does it occur that by substituting walking, our most natural means of locomotioneven if carried no farther than the daily to and from business tripfor the rapid transportation perfected in our modern industrial life he can attain better business efficiency and an increased physical and mental well being.
The average sportsman of today is in most cases a plain, unpretentious business man of sedentary habits and with a consequent physical condition a little below the normal, but fortunately he retains a primitive unsatiated love of the outdoors. This same business man needs, as few others do, exercise to regain and retain health and efficiency. Without this exercise his occupation which keeps him indoors results in physical inactivity reducing his usefulness and happiness and markedly affecting his tenure of life. The average span of life is between 45 and 60 years. The age limit should extend from 80 to 100 years and this can be made the rule if we but go about it rightly. A large percentage of American business men have functional heart disease because of lack of exercise. They could well afford to walk daily until tired out in order to rid themselves of drawn faces, sallow cheeks, and weak hesitating steps. To them pedestrianism affords not only profit but real pleasure in getting away from the routine of city and office irk and hieing to the glorious out of doors.
Years ago man was a savage, and in spite of the restraining influences of civilization which have acted for centuries the spirit of this primitive life is still strong within. There is after all but one class of men who live in the world and they inhabit the wild placesthe rest of us only exist. We do not thrive in cities but simply adjust ourselves to their unnatural and perplexing conditions. In the out of doors sheer physical existence may afford the richest pleasure.
It is commonly conceded as a well established hygienic fact that unexercised muscles become useless and inefficient, a condition which only properly directed physical exertion will restore to assist in meeting the exigencies of our modern top-speed life. This exercise must be varied to escape tediousness. Indoor gymnastics is not enough: outdoor games provide proper lung aeration but these are not feasible for all: pedestrianism is the simplest, safest, most spontaneous, and hygienic means of exercise. For most people no other sport is such an untasted experience, yet none is so productive of healthful results or so well adapted to the means, physique, and temperament of the masses. Indeed in this age of mechanical transportation we have almost forgotten that we were endowed with a pair of legs, given us for the sole purpose of walkingan essential exercise in the building up of healthy bodies and minds.
A three mile walk daily in the fresh air is an exercise par excellence and is within the reach of all. It may be tedious at first but when later it becomes a habit it affords real joy. The first cost is in the adjustment of business cares and in selecting time: the next involves physical exertion itself. Anyone who has spent the greater part of his past life in a sedentary occupation can safely enjoy such trips if he uses common sense at the outset and starts, say, on a mile a day and gradually increases the length of the walk. Systematically followed pedestrianism accomplishes a number of thingsthere is better sleep, an increased circulation and new nerve force: all the muscles are brought into play as is proven by the general stiffness of the beginner (which however disappears on hardening); extra fat and flesh are eliminated and minor ailments are overcome. There is a real joy in living for with health everything is a pleasure.
Every one ought to walk and nearly every one who walks ought to do more of it than he does. Should pedestrianism become universal the present generation would be far healthier and happier and their children would be sturdier and more beautiful. The old English habit of taking a constitutional walk every day speaks in no small measure for much of the strength and stability of the British character. There is a general trend of interest in America today toward pedestrianism and many persons are eager for information as to where to go, what to take and how to take care of oneself so as to derive the greatest benefitqueries for which we should now find answer.
Being mindful of the unlimited possibilities which walking affords for renewing youth the first task is found in the revolution of habits of living and the adjustment of the daily routine to include say two hours a day in road tramping. If persisted in a remarkable change will resulta notable clearness of mental power, keenness of appetite and a zest for lifes work. It wont be long until one automatically increases the range and endurance.
Tramping may be arbitrarily divided into (A) Road Tramping and (B) Forest Cruising.
Road Tramping or real pedestrianism comprehends short walks as a training for physical well being which, as one becomes experienced, may be lengthened to include an occasional all day country tour as a wise utilization of holidays, or, one who becomes an adept may even plan to spend his annual two weeks vacation period in a lengthy walking trip upon some of the better known highways in any civilized section of our country or in our National Parks or as a tourist in foreign lands. Road tramping is for those to whom walking appeals yet who do not care to bother with the details incidental to camping. The trip should be so planned that the days journey assures a comfortable bed and warm meals at hotels, inns or at ranch homes. This broadens ones walking opportunities up to the point where civilization and wild nature touch.
Such a trip is good recreation and a splendid sport and in no other way can one better familiarize himself with the countrys topography and the characteristics of its people. On the longer trips a very simple kit suffices his needshe wears suitable walking clothes, and carries a notebook, some few toilet articles, a change of underwear and hose and a rain-proof over garmentall packed in a rucksack of some sort.
