In May, four climbers made it to the top of Mount Everest, in less than a week, using xenon gas.
Tara Dower, a young woman from North Carolina, hiked the Appalachian Trail in 41 days, albeit by slack packing, meaning without a pack.
Then there’s the four-state challenge on the Appalachian Trail, requiring hiking 43.5 miles in under 24 hours.
Or the trifecta of hiking: completing the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Rim Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.
The Adirondacks have their 46ers. You can up the ante and be a winter 46er.
Colorado has its fourteeners. New York State has the fire tower challenge. The list goes on.
I hike to smell the fresh air, see the flowers and trees, identify birds, savor a spectacular view.
While hiking I’ve seen a turtle laying eggs and a woodpecker up close digging for bugs. But these days, it’s all about how fast, how far, how many peaks or fire towers you can add to your list.
Somehow, I think we’re missing the point of Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods.”
