A Life On Foot

Interview with Hiker & Writer, Diane Spicer / A short pictorial of my hiking journeys

I am attending the Washington Native Plant Society’s annual conference this weekend, so I asked Diane to do a short email interview about her love of hiking. Her website, Hiking for Her, offers abundant information for women who hike or want to begin hiking. Diane’s enthusiasm is contagious! Hiking has been a big part of my life’s journey, and I spent some time reviewing photos of some of the trails I have explored. I added a pictorial collection of some of those hikes.

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What do you like about hiking? In what ways has it improved your
life?
Everything! But mostly that hiking means freedom from clocks, chore
lists, and social expectations. Hiking has improved my life by giving me
space and time to think my own thoughts, go my own way, be my own
person. I highly recommend it!

What do you find difficult or challenging when hiking? Have you made
specific changes to your hiking activities as a result of aging?
When I was younger, the most challenging part of hiking was finding time
to actually do it. Now that I'm retired, the most difficult part is
avoiding crowds. Hiking has become a very popular sport. If I want to
find solitude, I have to work at it much harder than before. This means
going further, going off-season, or going to spots that may not have the
grand view but do have peace and quiet.

As I approach my 70th year, I have learned to modify my hiking plans to
accommodate my daily aches, pains, and energy levels. I'm surprised by how
much these vary day to day. I need to pay a lot more attention to what I
eat, how much I sleep, and how I move so my body can perform at
optimum levels. I've also lightened up my hiking gear to pamper my back
and knees.

What kind of activities do you do daily and weekly to
stay in hiking shape? Advice for beginners? Tips for hiking solo?
My daily life revolves around re-wilding five acres that were neglected
for decades before I showed up. I'm digging a LOT of holes for native
shrubs, removing grass and weeds to nurture a meadow of wildflowers, and
building up soil to grow vegetables. All of that activity translates
into strength and flexibility on the trail. Weekly hikes and yoga
stretches keep my hiking muscles ready to go in the months my garden
spade is in storage.

My website was created as a resource for beginner hikers. If I had to
share just one piece of advice, it's this: Don't let the fear of other
people keep you from hiking. Take your first hike in a safe group with a
knowledgeable leader. Go from there. The trail is waiting for you!

Solo hiking is the pinnacle of hiking for many women. The sense of
empowerment a solo female hiker experiences on her first hike cannot be
described, but I'll try. Imagine a combination of the mind-blowing
moment of giving birth (to humans, to a creative project, whatever birth
means to you) + Sound of Music spinning in circles grandeur + fireworks
booming overhead. My website has some tips on how to handle the
hesitations and planning for solo hikes.

Do you have a favorite hike that you have done often? Why?
It's a wonderful fact that a trail changes with the hour of the day and
the passing of the seasons. You never know what you'll experience on a
hike you've done a dozen times. I have some favorite haunts close to
home, especially around Mt. Rainier. You can come along on my top three
favorite Mt. Rainier day hikes.

What has been your grandest hiking/backpacking adventure?
I've enjoyed several Alaska backcountry trips (trip reports are
available on my website if you'd like all the details with photos).
Alaska hiking ranks high on my list for adventure because it involves
bush planes, bear spray, weather challenges, endless terrain to explore,
and the pristine beauty of unspoiled wilderness. Wrangell St. Elias
National Park and Preserve is one place to consider if you're looking
for big adventure.

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In indigenous ways of knowing, we say that a thing cannot be understood until it is known by all four aspects of our being: mind, body, emotion, and spirit.

Robin Wall Kimmerer, Gathering Moss

From Sue:

I started hiking in my 20s, and over the decades, it has become a significant part of my life’s journey. I spent an hour looking through my photos, remembering the trails, the views, the plants, the animals, the weather, the smells, and, in some cases, the emotional releases I experienced while walking a trail. One photo I wish I had was of my first solo hike (in the mid-1980s) in the hill country of Texas - Diane’s description of completing a solo hike is exactly how it felt.

Lookout Mountain, Mt. Hood, OR - I try to hike this trail each year; the views and wildflowers are incredible; Superstition Mountains, AZ - An emotional walking journey with a dear friend to leave some of my late husband's ashes; Eastern Columbia River Gorge, WA - One of many hikes near my home; Ancient Roman road, Italy - The history of slaves and marching soldiers could be felt; Mount St. Helens, WA - A remarkable hike/climb, almost to the top of the volcano...that I will never do again; Sainte Baume Grotto, Southern France - A silent meditative walk to visit a sacred place that moved me to tears; Deschutes River, OR - Another favorite hike in my region; Conboy Wildlife Refuge, WA - One of my favorite wildlife refuges, close to home and in the shadow of Mount Adams; Cottonwood Canyon on the John Day River, OR - A beautiful hike but I was on high alert for both cougars and rattlesnakes!

Are you a hiker or a walker of paths? How has walking helped you move forward, reflect back, or be present? Share your walking experiences and favorite paths with us.