December 5, 2021
On December 5, 2020, my life changed. That’s the day I got addicted to hiking.
A year ago, I decided to try my hand at hiking. I found the closest, easiest-looking hike I could find and set out to make the effort. And I was hooked. I spent many of the following days, weeks, months, seeking out the next hike, the next adventure.
On Sunday, December 5, 2021, I set out to hike that trail once again to see if it was any different.
My total time on the trail the first time was 37 minutes and 28 seconds.
This time it was 30 minutes, 34 seconds, shaving nearly 7 minutes off my total time on trail.
My total moving time the first time was 35:22.
The entire time on trail this time was moving, so my total moving time was 30:34, nearly 5 minutes faster.
The initial ascent up that first quarter mile was more manageable this time. I only had to stop once, as opposed to three times on my first attempt.
I didn’t bother taking my day pack with me; I knew I’d only be half an hour or so, so experience helped me lighten my load for this outing.
All in all, I was extremely pleased with the improvements I saw on this re-hike. It only cemented my feelings that I am now an avid and avowed hiker.
2021
So, from my first hike to my most recent exactly one year later, I can officially share these stats with you.
In one year, I went on 34 recorded hikes (and a small handful that wound up not getting recorded), totaling 80 miles, over 10,000 feet in elevation gain, and 44 hours of moving time.
I’ve stagnated a little lately – still reeling from the moves and the traveling Brandy and I have done since we reunited.
2022
Here, fresh in 2022 though, I want to pledge to do 52 hikes, to average a hike a week. Although, I’ve already missed my “first hike”, not having an opportunity to hike the weekend of January 1-2. Should I make that up with a hike in the middle of the week? Perhaps two this weekend? We will see what the week brings.
I don’t necessarily want to aim for any specific distances or elevation gains or anything, but there are a couple of specific hikes I do want to try to get in this year, such as the Catwalk in Glenwood or one of the lake trails in Santa Fe, like the Williams Lake Trail in Taos.
Alan and I have begun discussions on a late-January camping trip up in Villanueva, NM. A cold-weather camping trip sounds amazing. Gotta bust out the long johns I just got!
There’s so much out there for Brandy and I, or Alan and I to discover and I look forward to doing as much as we possibly can in 2022.
Up next, a trip report from our triumphant return to the Western slopes of Colorado!
Until then, as always, thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you!
-Phil