We've often
heard the terms hiking and trekking used interchangeably. We all know
they're both outdoor recreational activities. But are they really the same?
Hiking is an outdoor activity of walking in beautiful natural
environments on pre-charted paths called hiking trails. There are day hikes and
overnight hikes.
Trekking is a long journey be undertaken on foot in areas where
there are usually no means of transport available. Trekking is not necessarily
mountaineering; it is walking for a number of days, usually on uncharted paths,
in challenging environments which are likely to be hilly or mountainous.
Contents: Hiking vs Trekking
Depending on the weather
and if the hike is for a day, a few hours or overnight, the equipment one
carries varies. For a simple hike, good hiking shoes (preferably water proof),
weather-appropriate clothing (hat, sunscreen, and waterproof jacket), a trail
map, compass, sunscreen, water, food and basic medical kit can be carried.
The weight and bulk limit the
amount of equipment that one can carry. The Leave No Trace policy
also requires that equipment have multiple or alternative uses. Apart from what
one would take on a day hike, overnight hikes and treks require a backpack,
tent and sleeping bag for camping, fire lighting tools either flint or matches, food, water, survival kit,
water purifying tablets, a compass, flashlight, map, insect repellent, A
trekking pole or hiking pole which look like ski poles can be used in
challenging treks can also be used. Equipment carried is to mitigate the
dangers associated with hiking and trekking such as getting lost, dehydration
or hypothermia, sunburn or frostbite, animal attacks, internal injuries like
ankle sprains.
Trekking requires all of
the above and a good supply of food.
Hiking is known by many
names over the world. What is known as hiking in the U.S and Britain is called
tramping in New Zealand, and bush-walking in Australia. Bushwhacking is a term
used specifically for hiking through dense forest where vegetation needs to be
whacked for slashed with a machete in order to advance. Thru-hiking is a term
associated with long end-to-end hiking (hiking a trail completely in sequence
in its entirety) on a trail specifically, the Appalachian Trail.
People usually go hiking in
places of natural beauty. Hiking trails usually guide people through these
areas which may be signposted so people do not lose their way. Whereas while
trekking, the path is usually not marked and may not be previously charted.
Trekking can take place in areas of great natural beauty but unlike hiking, not
exclusively so. Trekking can also be a means of necessity in places where there
is no vehicular transport. Hiking is a popular holiday experience especially in
Europe, New Zealand, Chile, Costa Rica and Hawaii. Trekking is popular is the
Himalayan foothills in Nepal, Bhutan and India and in the Andes in South
America.
Hikers and trekkers follow
a Leave No Trace policy to reduce the impact of their presence on the natural
environment. A number of hikers over years on the same trail can cause
unexpected damage on the environment such as wood depletion, wood fires. Fecal
matter and non-biodegradable materials can contaminate the watershed. Some
hikers have complained that pole use leaves a visible impact on the surrounding
trail, poking visible holes in the ground and damaging adjacent vegetation. The
most common complaint is that the carbide tips leave visible white scratches on
rock, and make scraping sounds.
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