Walking helps me chill out

[Webguy]

Not particularly NSW related, but was just thinking about why I walk. I work 2 jobs, most week days I do 15 hours or so a day, and every second weekend I work sat/sun over night. Most of the time, I am walking dead tired.

My family probably don't understand, there are always things to do around the house on the weekends I have off etc, but I find that nothing makes me feel like I can cope with my work commitments, more than going for a decent walk. So I try and get a few hours out in the bush or more as often as I can.

I like exploring new places, I enjoy adding the tracks I walk into OSM, don't care if it rains.

This weekend I work overnight, so doubt I will get anytime to get out this weekend, I do "have to try" and keep up with household chores, sons bedroom is being very slowly renovated so better get some work done on that.

I even find now I am not stiff and sore after some of the walk I am doing anymore. Sure I get tired, I get burnt, I sweat like a pig, but man, do I enjoy it and I have seen some great places.

What makes you walk?

[kanangra]

I'm with you. I couldn't have put it any better. Great way to shake out the cobwebs. planning is half the fun though.

K.

[Grabeach]

Probably like most, I go walking for a combination of adventure, scenery, historical interest and the people I meet.

About the one thing I don't get from walking is "chilling out". Having to negotiate two plus hours each way of Sydney traffic to get to and from from my favourite walking area, I arrive home more stressed than when I set out.

[Webguy]

Kanangra, since I am working on mapping as many BM tracks as possible, a lot of where I go is, look, there's a track, follow it to see where it goes etc. But yes, I do like planning as well. I have an extensive book collection of old walking guides and do like to see if the older tracks still exist.

Grabeach, pity it takes you so long to get there, takes me 15 minutes to be in Glenbrook.

[Lophophaps]

Getting outdoors in the bush, on rock or on the snow has provided decades of relaxation. Sometimes there was a massive amount of physical and mental effort to complete the journey. However, this is just part of what these activities are about. The quiet relaxing natural surroundings give me a calm out look that I can take back to what is often called civilisation. The hard work covering distance, climbing and terrain in weather than may not be very kind is all but forgotten once the tent is up and a brew is ready.

Longer trips and even perhaps day trips show that patience is needed to achieve goals. One can only walk so fast. But why bother rushing? Why not sit back and enjoy the wind, sky and sun? Many years ago I did just that in winter, with a very comfortable tree taking a few hours of my time.

The word "chill" is not one I use often in this context, but describes one implicit aspect of bushwalking quite succinctly.

[Webguy]

I'm sitting here, working away, and I am feeling pretty fatigued, but, this is my life, I choose to do these 2 jobs to clear the mortgage as quickly as I can. So don't think I am complaining about that lol.

But like you said, the memories of a walk, hike or overnighter will help get you through until next time you can get out.

I think I will be sleeping a lot tomorrow before I start my 12 hour overnight shifts this weekend.

Easter weekend, I am off, so am planning on at least one nice walk somewhere I have not been before. I may go explore Empire pass and the network of tracks around there. Have done plenty of parts of tracks in that area, but lots I have not been too.