Hiking during a pandemic
“I’LL GIVE YOU THE TRAIL”
HIKING DURING A PANDEMIC
By Kevin J. Rosenberg, Licensed Guide and Owner of International Adventure Guides
We’re living in stressful, unusual, and uncertain times but one constant we can still look to is the restorative effect of spending time in nature. In fact, even while we’re under lockdown and practicing social distancing, we’re still encouraged to go for a hike or a walk so that we can get some exercise and fresh air, albeit in groups of one’s and two’s.
I’ve built my life around outdoor adventure and would normally be getting ready to lead folks on bucket list adventures to Iceland, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, but instead I find myself at home in Beacon, NY looking for ways to stay both physically and mentally healthy while also staying productive. I’ve been spending time hiking the trails of the Hudson Highlands, either for the day or just getting out for an hour or two when I can no longer focus while working from home.
Connecting with nature has been proven to improve our health and well-being, providing clean air, beautiful scents and scenery, and a sense of calm. I believe there is a spirit of exploration and connection to the land in our souls and that we need to make sure we give in to that spirit and reconnect often. Now is the perfect time to lace up your hiking shoes and explore.
During solo journeys I always find myself sort of meditating in motion at some point, focused on a new idea or solving a problem I’ve been facing. So it was when I was out hiking last Sunday. I began thinking how social distancing is best applied to the outdoors. You might think that simply being in the mountains would make social distancing easy but with the most popular hike in America (Breakneck Ridge) just a few miles away, even the lesser known trailheads were crowded.
My first bit of advice is to “Hike Local”. Don’t hop on the train just to go hiking for the day, especially when you probably have beautiful green spaces nearby. The concern here is not just that you may spread or pick up Coronavirus, but also that you may tie up first responders if you get lost or injured.
Over the years the internet has washed away the secrecy of local hiker knowledge, drawing leagues of inexperienced hikers to hit the trail unprepared and often requiring rescue. Last year it seemed like every weekend day saw rescues at local hot spots like Breakneck Ridge or Anthony’s Nose. Most Fire and EMS crews up here are volunteers and these resources are already stretched thin with the pandemic so a long carry out for a broken ankle just adds to their problems.
Find a nearby trail, whether that’s a park or a mountain, but hike with Social Distancing in mind. Most hiking trails are only about 2-4’ wide which obviously doesn’t satisfy the 6’ distance that is asked of us. Normally I would encourage folks to stay on the trail, especially on the well-traveled and well-worn hikes of the Hudson Valley. Normally the concern is that too many people stepping off the trail simply tramples the natural beauty we’re out there to enjoy and widens the trail so that it resembles more of a road than a footpath. Like I said, “normally”.
Given how critical it is for us to maintain social distancing and help to flatten the curve, when being overtaken or when encountering another hiker coming in the opposite direction I would recommend you take the initiative, step off of the trail far enough to provide for a 6’ separation, and kindly tell your fellow hiker “I’ll give you the trail”. I practiced this “Coronavirus Courtesy” this past weekend and it was received with relief and gratitude.
Respect for nature and for each other goes a long way in the outdoor community and if we can accept that we’re living through a unique period where social distancing is the rule we can continue to safely enjoy the outdoors and be restored by its beauty. Communing with nature, be that a city park or the Appalachian Trail, is more important than ever so be sure to hit the trail but keep your distance.