Well, now that I described what not to do on a hike let's talk a little bit about what you should do. First off: Find a trail. Many people think about hiking but really never do it because they just don't know where to go. How many people have you seen in the gym on a nice day slaving over a treadmill with that blank look on their face? A hike in the great outdoors is so much more enjoyable than a treadmill.

I've lived in a few different areas in my life and my experience is that there is always a place for a hike within a hour or two. They may not all be as beautiful and challenging as Mount Washington, but they are there if you are willing to look. Mount Washington may be a once in a lifetime opportunity, but there are probably many hiking areas within a short drive that you can go on during a weekend. A quick Google search or a look at a map will probably uncover several parks or trails.

Next is to learn about the trail. You should learn the location of the trailheads and how the trail is marked. You should match the trail length with the time that you have available and your ability level. Remember, trails can present a number of different challenges to the hiker. Some are more physically demanding due to elevation. Some trails can have terrain that requires a certain level of skill to negotiate. A beautiful hike can turn ugly if you have overextended your abilities.

Also, we should all remember that we are out in the real outdoors that is not controlled by man. If you sprain your ankle or cross paths with a skunk, you won't be able to hit the stop button on the treadmill! Typically though, with the proper preparation and knowledge, hiking can be a very safe activity with tremendous personal reward. By learning about the trail beforehand and proper preparation, you can take the risk out of the hike and be a happy hiker.