Every time something extraordinary happens in your life, it's because somewhere along the way you made a couple of good decisions. Sometimes these decisions are conscious, sometimes the buzz that lights you up just comes as an inexplicable and beautiful gift. And when it happens, you just want to reproduce the experience, again and again.
What happens with practice is that you become more and more aware of what makes your hikes epic. In the following text, I share with you the fruit of my experiences, encounters, and research that helped me understand what increased the fun factor in my outings. I hope to convince you that it's not necessary to hire a comedian to have fun when you go walking outdoors.
1- First establish your objectives
What's the goal of your nature outing? Are you just tired of seeing orange cones, or do you want to explore all the ecosystems on the planet? Be honest with yourself and don't play hide-and-seek with your current intention. There's nothing wrong with taking a leisurely stroll on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and it doesn't hurt anyone to seek to surpass themselves. For my part, in the most epic hikes I've been able to do, I either: noticed that at least part of the route offered me a physical or technical challenge slightly above my initial preparation level, or an unknown variable came to add a WOW factor that made the experience an unforgettable moment. I have the impression that we need to realize that we are not quite the same after an experience for it to be etched in us forever.
2- Think about what you want to see and experience
For this reason, I think it's important that you stay connected to what you feel. If you just want to see trees, you'll be more flexible than if you absolutely need a gastronomic escape to close your day beautifully. You can be seduced by the attractions of a region you know, but that shouldn't prevent you from discovering other places. There are parks that offer exclusive access to water points, summits, or canyons, which can transform a quiet little hike into a spectacular and unique experience. And you're lucky, there are good restaurants everywhere in Quebec! As interest in outdoor activities is skyrocketing, parks are offering more services to stand out. It's therefore possible to have new experiences. Whether it's for a night walk where you'll howl at wolves, or a stay in a treehouse, if you look a little you'll find that little extra that will give you the impression that each outing is unique.
3- Consider the time you have available
Unless you really love driving, you won't bother driving 4 hours to do a 2-hour hike. There are parks where you can walk in all regions of Quebec. At first, what you want is to create a habit, a connection. Most parks will offer you different types of routes depending on the time you have available and the degree of difficulty you want to face. Sometimes it's better to do something less exotic and stay close to home to have more time to walk. After all, nature is beautiful everywhere.
Once you're there, consider the time of day when you start your route. Plan to be back at least one hour before nightfall. Taking into consideration the topography of the trails is a good idea. Naturally, a trail that leads to the summit will take you more time to cover than a trail that evolves in a hilly or flat environment. Also take a look at the trail configuration. Usually the distance is marked from one point to another on the site map. If you go to the summit, or if you take a trail that doesn't make a loop, evaluate the time you'll take for the return. (Yes, yes, there are people who don't think about that!)
4- Consider the season
Depending on what you want to see there, the season can influence your choice to go there at specific times of the year. For example, in spring, it can be interesting to go near large waterways to enjoy the presence of many migratory birds, and in autumn in mountainous regions to better appreciate the contrast of colors. Some trails are not passable year-round, which is why this can influence your decision to go to a place or not. In winter, with snowshoes, several places not accessible in other seasons are available to you. Each region has its charm, each route offers different attractions depending on the seasons.
5- Evaluate the equipment you have
It's certain that if the only piece of outdoor equipment you have is your old bivouac from when you were a scout, you'll make different choices than if you're equipped for four seasons for extended excursions. This point is a matter of priority. When hiking becomes second nature to you, you won't feel limited in your choices. But until then, don't neglect the fact that your level of material investment establishes the basis of your comfort. Choosing a route based on the equipment you have is just a matter of logic.
The first piece of equipment you'll need to get is a good pair of shoes made for hiking. Then think about the backpack and clothing. The material you can get to increase your outdoor comfort is almost unlimited. It's really a matter of priority.
6- Alone or accompanied
Making the decision to hike alone simplifies many things. Not only does this facilitate the choice of location and planning of technical details, but it allows you to respect your true nature without having to make compromises. However, sharing this joy with one or more other people can give rise to truly enriching experiences. The pleasure felt by each person adds up and there's like an additional feeling of connection that settles in. On the other hand, in a group, consensus is never obvious. So, either you become a positive leader by guiding and respecting the point of view, or you accept without complaining that a Know-It-All Joe imposes his vision on others. In both cases, there will be compromises and you'll have to accept adjusting your degree of comfort to that of the group. Usually, the more people involved, the more age disparity there is between participants, the more you'll have to expect to make compromises. This is particularly the case when you're accompanied by children or elderly people.
Some parks offer wider trails whose more regular ground has been worked mechanically. Usually covered with rock dust, they are more suitable for family outings or group outings. You should however expect to encounter more people there, especially on weekends. But since you've decided to experience it as a group, this detail shouldn't make you back down.
7- Share your experience
It may seem egocentric, but when you share your questions, your emotions, your experiences, there's like a magic that settles in, and it's easier to connect with people who are like you afterwards. Soon, you'll meet people with the same objectives as you and their experiences will allow you to quickly learn lots of things that would have taken you years of practice to know. Quickly, you'll want to visit new places and lots of practical questions will find their answers as if by magic. Choosing your hike well will have become second nature to you and you'll be able to help others in turn.
And good news, you can share your experiences on the platform right here!
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