solo Archives - I'd Rather Walk

Hiking in Patagonia – The W Trek in Torres del Paine

Most recently updated June 9th, 2022

It’s been more than a year since I returned from hiking in Patagonia, spending a week on the W trek in Torres del Paine National Park.

I wrote a very short “I’m baack!” kind of post right after the trip, but now I’m finally getting around to sharing more details.

Frankly, this is partly just an excuse to post more amazing Patagonia photos!

Be warned, this is an extremely long post, but it’s jam-packed full of useful information:

- Different options for getting to Patagonia,
- Torres del Paine hiking info,
- What you’ll need to bring for the W Trek, and
- A day by day description of my trip.

This is all really good info for you if you’re thinking about a similar trip. Anyway….about the place:

Patagonia, Chile is at the southernmost tip of South America, very close to Antarctica. Torres del Paine National Park is located on the eastern edge of the continent.

It’s a place of spectacular beauty, with dark jagged snow-topped mountains, turquoise glacier-fed lakes and rivers, and abundant wildlife. Continue reading Hiking in Patagonia – The W Trek in Torres del Paine

How to Plan Your Multi-Day Hiking Trip

Most recently updated June 9th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 6.8 minutes

So you want to plan a hiking trip.

Great! Like any other event outside of your normal daily routine – hosting a party, having a night out, or even creating a special meal – it starts with planning and research.

Don’t know where to start? I’ll help.

Let’s begin by figuring out what your perfect trip would look like….

Continue reading How to Plan Your Multi-Day Hiking Trip

Starting Small – How to Hike with Kids in Tow

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Have you suddenly become a home-schooler and/or a remote worker because of the new social distancing requirements?

Hopefully, this won’t last forever.

Meanwhile, you could take the kids outdoors for a hike to make it feel a little less oppressive.

In spite of my asthma, I’ve always been an active person.

Becoming a mother didn’t change that, or my desire to be outdoors in Nature.

But it did change how I could participate if I wanted (or needed) to include little ones.

Here’s how I did it!

When I first discovered recreational hiking, I was working at a full-time tech job, a single mother of a toddler with few babysitters around, and my closest family was 1500 miles away.

So most of my activities (outside of work) included the company of my little Mini-Me, and hiking was no exception.

Continue reading Starting Small – How to Hike with Kids in Tow

Trail Etiquette – Do’s, Dont’s and My List of Peeves

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

Going for a hike in a park or Nature Reserve could be a solitary pursuit or an activity you engage in with other people (as on a group hike).

I’ve listed below some basic Hiking Etiquette 101. You should follow these simple rules of the trail to keep from being stalked by Rangers and irritating others on the trail.

We are serious about defending our lawns…

I’ve also included some peeves that are my experienced-hiker version of “Get off my lawn!”

If these things annoy me they probably annoy other people too. Continue reading Trail Etiquette – Do’s, Dont’s and My List of Peeves

Why Hiking is the Best Exercise for Non-Conformists and Introverts

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

Hiking is exercise, but its also much more than that – it’s a great way for introverts to do something with people with out really having to interact too much.

Hiking is really a multi-tasking activity: you can burn calories, work on your fitness, hike for weight loss, get green exercise, and all of the health benefits of spending time in the sunshine.

Hiking is not like belonging to a sports league or a doing a sport like tennis where you really can’t play on your own.

You can do it whenever and where ever suits your personal interests and schedule.

And you only have to hike with a group if you really want to. And especially fun for non-conformists, you don’t ever have to wear a uniform.

There are hikers of all ages, sexes, nationalities, fitness levels and personalities – and they may all show up for the same group hike!

Sometimes hiking on your own can be very peaceful.

Solo hiking (hiking on your own) might be the best option for you – for a number of reasons.

Both solo hiking and group hiking come with their own set of challenges and benefits, so it really comes down to what works the best for you.

Continue reading Why Hiking is the Best Exercise for Non-Conformists and Introverts