History
The development of long walks took place way back in the eighteenth century. This time, the concept of taking a walk for pleasure through the countryside has been recognized. Due to the changing features of landscape and nature in general, this undertaking has arose. However, walking in the early times usually illuminate poverty and has also been linked to vagrancy.
United Kingdom
The idea of undertaking walks for the purpose of pleasure has become popular because of the efforts of an English clergyman namely Thomas West. This concept has been featured in the clergyman’s guide to the 1778 Lake District. In this work, he introduced the quest of visiting the lake with the help of a guide. With this, in-depth points of view and stations have been included. To conclude his work, the writer also included different viewpoints and stations around the lake. As such, it would encourage tourists to appreciate the features with respect to the aesthetic qualities.
Another popular personality who has encouraged walks for pleasure was an English poet named William Wordsworth. Way back in 1970, he boarded on extended tours of Switzerland, Germany and France which has been substantially included in his works. His popular poem entitled Tintern Abbey has been a product of a Wye Valley Visit as culminated to the Walking Tour of Wales way back in 1978. Later in the next year, Wordsworth and one of his friends undertook 3-week tour at the Lake District.
From that time on, the number of people who became interested to undertake walking tours around the nineteenth century has continuously increased. It has continued up to the twentieth century with the sub-genre of travel writings as one of the major literary tools for the establishment of the fame of present –day hiking.
Because of the industrialization projects undertaken in England, the communities have been oriented to a place that is of low standard when it comes to cleanliness. In order to break off from this dilemma, people would undertake rambling through the countryside.
Equipment
Since hiking is a rigorous event, walkers need equipment along their way. The most common equipment in undertaking long walking events is a magnetic pocket compass used to trace locations. However, there are also other important equipment usually depending on the duration of the hiking event. But in general, hikers need to bring with them a map, rain-proof gear, water and food. They usually wear durable hiking boots for backpacking as well as mountain walking as protection from the rigorous terrains.
For maximum safety and protection of hikers, the Mountaineers Club suggests list of essential hiking equipment which include sunglasses, flashlight, first aid kits, gloves, hats, emergency blanket, insect repellent, and navigation device.
However, ultra backpacking proponents claim that the long list of these items could be very weighty to hikers which will be additional burden for them. With this, they argue to reduce pack weight in order to make the hiking process easier.
Overall, hiking is a one –of-a kind adventure. While you are interested to join to any long distance waking in the near future, make sure that you are physically and mentally adept in facing the possible challenges along the way.