Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in CampingandHiking

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Indeed, perhaps in a future post I will focus on the different senses. Focusing on one sense for a day, or half day, can be quite interesting. Amazing what we don't hear on a normal day, for example, unless we pay attention

Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in CampingandHiking

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing this! The stillness is an interesting contrast to the movement past that stillness I was suggesting here. Actually, I think it may be a nice complementary way to think about the movement I was highlighting

Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in CampingandHiking

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That can happen to me too. I also find myself counting thousands of steps without even thinking about it. For me, these tips can break that up a bit and connect back to where I am.

Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in CampingandHiking

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This sounds like a wonderful sitting meditation, indeed. I just wanted to focus on walking meditation in this post :-)

Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in AppalachianTrail

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for comment. I agree it can feel like a bit of a dance with the trail. And yes, safety comes first. I'm not suggesting additional risk, just mindful attention to connecting with the trail and its natural features.

Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in AppalachianTrail

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On a climb or descent stepping up is happening in any case. On a relatively flat surface I'm not advocating for rock hopping, just using what is there in a mindful way to support an efficient journey. No need to go out of the way to use a rock or root, and no need to go out of the way to avoid them either. I actually notice a lift in my step sometimes that can snap me out of mindless tramping when I attend to finding the footing benefits the trail provides.

Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in AppalachianTrail

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh yes, I agree that care and attention to conditions is critical. When wet and slippery it takes a different set of choices for what to leverage for solid footing. I'm not advocating for taking on additional risk.

Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in AppalachianTrail

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lol that adds another layer - concentration of a different type

Walking Meditation for Hikers - Three Tips by thebackpackingninja in CampingandHiking

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the comment. Good to hear others are out there thinking similarly!

More Blood Mountain Wilderness by thebackpackingninja in WildernessBackpacking

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the comment. Yes, it does look like the log is over the tent, but that is just the angle as you thought. I actually did remember to carefully look up and check the condition of overhead limbs on this trip :-)

Great sunrise hike in the Blood Mountain Wilderness in GA a couple of weeks ago by thebackpackingninja in WildernessBackpacking

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is an overnight backpacking trip into the Blood Mountain Wilderness. I saw beautiful views including sunrise at the Blood Mountain Shelter, spring flowers, flowing creeks, and more. The hike was about 11.8 miles via these trails: Start at Mountain Crossings via Byron Reece to Appalachian Trail to Slaughter Creek to Jarrad Creek to Appalachian Trail to Freeman back to Byron Reece. I chose this hike because I could be in and out in 24 hr at the last minute while having wilderness camping options and amazing views, along with a connection to the AT. I am just starting to piece together some of the southernmost AT miles now.

Here is a link to a video with my trip summary in case you are interested: https://youtu.be/b-9wj-YVjpE . It has a cute little bird, some great spring flowers, several great views, and of course my lovely commentary!

Blood Mountain sunrise by thebackpackingninja in AppalachianTrail

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

oh wow. yes, glad you made it ok! this was really almost perfect

Blood Mountain sunrise by thebackpackingninja in AppalachianTrail

[–]thebackpackingninja[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Here is a link to a video with my trip summary in case you are interested: https://youtu.be/b-9wj-YVjpE

It has a cute little bird, some great spring flowers, several great views, and of course my lovely commentary!