So many times when I go hiking, I find myself just looking down at my feet on the trail as to be sure not to trip or fall. I forget that there is so much to look up at and appreciate. This article is just meant to remind you and even myself how important it is to look up, look around, look at the small things and the large, and even to look at things from a different perspective. Perhaps in these tumultuous times we can even learn from this and practice it back home.
I have been wanting to write about this topic for some time. In 2004 I saw a video called “Celebrate what’s right with the world” and wow its so applicable today just as it was 16 years ago. It has helped me to see things from a positive and beautiful perspective. When we learn more about how something works or why it’s here we become more appreciative of it.
Here is just a small list of things we take for granted that you can appreciate while on your hike
Bugs
So many insects these days seem to be frowned upon. They are quickly swatted or sprayed in an effort to rid them because they bite, sting, or to many just simply appear gross. One group of insects that play an important role in controlling the population unwanted insects are Dragonflies. These fast flying insects are incredibly maneuverable and do an excellent job of naturally controlling the numbers of many unwanted insects, including mosquitoes. Dragonflies are voracious eaters and can consume their own body weight in as little as thirty minutes. This translates to hundreds of mosquitoes a day. The diet of a Dragonfly is not limited to mosquitoes, as they eat other insects including flies and ants.
If see a Dragonfly on your on your hike or even in your own garden, consider yourself lucky. It is likely there because it has found a source of food and is probably ridding the area of unwanted insects. Dragonflies come in so many brilliant colors, so admire it’s beauty and leave it be. Appreciate the fact that these Dragonflies are saving you from mosquito bites.
Lovely Ladybugs - One of the most famous of all helpful insects is the ladybug. In fact, these little guys are so revered that even those who are terrified of most insects still find spotted ladybugs to be charming. Aside from their cute looks, they are also great for wildlife. They eat pesky aphids, whiteflies and other insects that destroy plants, plants that add to the athletics of your beautiful journey. In fact, a ladybug can eat up to 5,000 aphids in its lifetime.
Weeds
Despite what many people believe, most vegetation in North American forests is safe to consume, according to Andrew Townesmith, a botanist and edible plant expert at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The challenge, he says, is finding plants that are both nutritious and tasty—especially when they're uncooked. Here are a few edible plants that you might pass by unknowingly.
Dandelions—Dandelions are found everywhere and the whole plant is edible. In fact dandelions are an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins (1). What's more, dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Gary and I love dandelions so much we get that Burdock dandelion soda from the UK as much as we can. Its so good - go here if you want for information about it https://www.healthyepicliving.com/post/burdock-and-dandelion-soda
Miners lettuce—Miners lettuce is delicious and very easy to identify. Once you see it, you will always be able to identify it. Apparently, it’s called Miners lettuce because the vitamins and minerals that it has prevented the gold miners from getting scurvy. In addition to all its great nutrients it is a great source of Omega 3’s.
Cattails—Cattails are found in nearly every pond and beside many sources of water. They have been described as the perfect wild food and one could literally survive on them alone. If you are lucky enough to find them where you’re lost, you’re in great shape. The lower stalks can be eaten raw and are an excellent starch. You can eat the spikes, pollen and flowers. They are also great for making mats and baskets.
Grass—Shortly after the snow melts and the new grass begins to grow, it can be eaten and provides a ton of nutrients. The best way to get nutrients is to chew it for a while and spit it out the fiber.
Acorns - All the food so far is very nutritious, but its hard to feel satisfied on vegetables alone. At one point your going to want some protein to help your muscles to keep going. Acorns contain large amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, as well as the minerals calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, and the vitamin niacin.
Pine nuts—The nuts of all pines are edible and can be found almost anywhere in the Sierras.
Bark—The cambium (inner layer) on willow, birch, pine, basswood, spruce, fir and tamarack all can be eaten. Most inner bark contains a surprising amount of digestible starches, some sugar, vitamins, minerals, and the bark also has tons of fiber, so brace yourself for a good internal scrubbing.
Berries and wild onions – Don’t need to say much here. If you find these your in for a yummy treat.
Milk Thistle - This spiny weed that hurts when you brush past it can actually save your life. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver, kidney, and gallbladder problems.
You can find a complete list of edible sierra Nevada plants http://www.backcountryrangers.com/plants_index.html
What we take for Granite
That hard Granite rock your sitting on might not be that comfortable, but think of this...It took millions of years, tons of pressure and thousands of degrees of heat for it to get to that exact spot just for you. Granite is an igneous rock, which means that it was formed from molten lava deep within the earth’s crust. As the lava cools, it crystallizes under this enormous pressure. Then after millions of years of erosion, when the dirt, rock and plant life around it withers away, it finally peeks out into the open air and now is on the earth’s surface for you to enjoy.
Granite is everywhere. You’ve seen it on kitchen counters and in museums. We wonder at it when we look up at monoliths such as Half Dome or El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Granite is the most common igneous rock found on the earth’s surface, which seems a little strange considering how deep under the earth’s surface it formed.
Dirt
The trail may be dusty and you might get dirty, however Forest soils not only provide physical support for trees and other vegetation, but it supplies nutrients and moisture for growth.
The forest floor serves as a bridge between the above ground living vegetation and the soil. It is a crucial component in nutrient transfer between the living roots, mushrooms and other living organisms. Nutrients are supplied by decomposition of organic matter. In addition, energy and carbon is periodically added to the forest floor through litterfall from the vegetation above.
The organic layer within the soil is divided into three layers: on the surface is the leaf litter; underneath is humus which is the product of decomposed vegetable matter. Between litter and humus is a partially decomposed layer of organic matter. All you have to do is dig a small hole next to a tall pine tree to see these layers, and if your lucky you’ll see some mycelium as well which also plays an important role in the transfer of nutrients and even communication.
To see our search for edible fungi check out our episode at https://youtu.be/mK9ylJQeUqk
Fungi
For some people when you say the word “fungus” they might think of that stuff growing between their toes, but actually fungus is an incredible living organism. Most fungus also known as mushrooms or scientifically called - mycelium, growing on the forest floor are intimately linked to trees. This association, called mycorrhiza, occurs between the root ends of a tree and the vegetative system of a mushroom. Mycorrhiza benefits both organisms: there is an exchange of nutrients, one providing to other what it cannot synthesize or extract from the soil by itself. In general, the mushroom helps the tree extract minerals and water from the soil; in exchange, the tree supplies the mushroom with sugar compounds (carbohydrates).
Mushrooms not only help with the exchange of nutrients but it has another role of decomposition. It feeds itself by digesting the organic matter and at the same time returns nutrients to the soil. So mushrooms are just fun guys (fungis...lol) they decompose, give life, exchange nutrients and communicate between trees.
You can also watch this video that describes it in more detail---> https://youtu.be/7kHZ0a_6TxY
Trees that block my view
Trees are composed largely of carbon and continue to take in carbon from the atmosphere as they grow. Trees are capable of storing this atmospheric carbon and typically comprises half of the dry weight of tree biomass. The carbon that is removed from the atmosphere by trees contributes to a more stable climate. So in other words, trees are the storage boxes of atmospheric carbon and help keep global warming in check. As a byproduct they also provide us oxygen. So every time you take in a deep breath up on the mountains, you might want to thank your neighboring trees, even the ones that are in the way of that incredible view.
Hard hike that is making me breathe hard
While we're hiking we don't always conscientiously think about how beneficial the air is up there really is. According to Health Fitness Revolution, Scientific evidence shows that life at high altitudes can lead to healthier hearts. Being up in the mountains gives your lungs the chance to breathe in oxygen that is free of gasses or air pollution. The fresh air helps respiratory problems and easier breathing for people with asthma.
So next time you are out and on a trail breathing hard from that hard hike remember to breathe in deep. Deep breaths are very beneficial to your overall health. They allow your body to fully exchange incoming oxygen with outgoing carbon dioxide. It has also been shown to slow the heartbeat, lower or stabilize blood pressure and lower stress. When you take a deep breath in, your heart rate quickens slightly. As you exhale, your heart rate slows. Repeated deep breaths will naturally bring your heart rate more in sync with your breath.
Creek made my trail muddy
This past weekend while out on the trail we came across a few muddy creeks that we had to maneuver around or risk getting muddy feet. At first it was real annoying, but then I remembered “Ok how can I celebrate whats right with the world here”. I soon remembered how at this high of elevation these muddy creeks accumulate with others to give us those beautiful rivers that we love to recreate on.
Check out our rafting videos here --> https://youtu.be/vjCZS3n1W_o
In addition, its these small creeks that are sought after on long summer seasons. Water is an essential and often limiting factor for life. We’ve been on a few hikes in the past when the summers were long and hot, and as a result many of the creeks were dried up, leaving us with few options to refill our water reserves. In times like this you either have to bring a lot more weight or find other areas to explore.
Do I really want someone to come with me
Working in a group can always bring its negatives, but there are many benefits to taking hiking trips together with a buddy or family.
Its Safer - Safety is obviously one of the most positive benefits of backpacking with friends. Accidents can happen, and it’s never a bad thing to have some backup. Even something mellow like twisting an ankle can be scary and get more painful alone. Its especially important to have someone with you if you plan to go off trail or partake in a risky adventure like canyoneering. Having a buddy with you deep in the back country, can save a life.
You’ll share camp duties. Its really nice to take some time away from filtering water, cooking dinner, or setting up a tent so you can relax next to that lake or river. Sharing in the duties can make that evening just a bit more relaxing and recharging. I especially like to in the equipment when packing. When your buddy is taking the tent while you take the cooking equipment it can really lighten your pack or allow room for a few extra goodies.
Lastly, its a chance to bond. Although there are times I like being alone with nature, it always seems that it’s lacking something when there’s no one by my side to appreciate it with me. The greatest aspect of having an adventure partner is the camaraderie. A beautiful venue to reconnect with an old friend, an extended stretch of uninterrupted time, surrounded by the sounds of nature, and some crisp, fresh air — not much strengthens a friendship more.
You can learn to work better as a team, as something is bound to happen along the way. If it’s a big adventure like a thru-hike, it will be an experience you’ll both be able to remember for a lifetime. As we seek more unfiltered and authentic experiences, hiking with friends and family is a pastime like no other.
Every Day we get to choose what lens we see the world with. Do we choose to see the weeds, the bugs and those things that we think will ruin our trip. Or do we choose to see the beauty in any/all of that? Can we see the possibilities? Do we really believe they’re there?
Celebrating what’s right with the world helps us recognize and focus on what is positive in that moment. It helps us determine what are the opportunities and the possibilities to change and find solutions for many of the challenges before us. Its a powerful idea that encourages us look at our world through a more positive lens. A lens that we as a community really need right now.
For hiking supplies that we recommend - check out our "get the gear page" to help you find what you need. ---> https://www.healthyepicliving.com/get-the-gear
Comments