Back to Back Issues Page
Why March When You Can Dance?
March 23, 2022

March 2022: A Note From Diane

Why march along a hiking trail when you can dance?

Obviously, someone here is experiencing Spring Fever (and may have had an extra cup of green tea this morning).

But no matter, the season is turning and with it, Mother Nature's tempo is increasing. So this month there are tips on how to dance down the trail during the warmer months in our future.

(My apologies to those in the Southern hemisphere, where your Mother's tempo is slowing down.)

This month, we're talking maps, apps, inspiring older female hikers, a new giveaway, hiking research focused on trekking poles, and a lot more to get you dancing down the trail.

Shall we step onto the dance floor together? (Seriously, the caffeine consumption will be closely monitored going forward).

NEW MAPS

I've been having a LOT of fun with this new feature from the U.S. Geological Survey: custom topographical maps.

Check it out here:

USGS Custom On Demand Topo Maps

FROM MAPS TO APPS

If you're keen to hike The Wave in Arizona, heads up!

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) used to run a lottery, or issue daily permits at the visitor center, both of which require a combination of luck and persistence.

This new app makes life a lot easier for hikers:

Hike The Wave Permit App

GREAT WAY TO MEET HIKERS

If you're searching for a way to meet hikers, and haven't had much luck, here's an idea.

Pick a place to offer your time and attention AND give back to our outdoor spaces while volunteering with other hikers!

Here's the 2022 list from American Hiking Organization (which can also be used to fill up your bucket list):

Volunteer vacation trips 2022

NEW HFH GIVEAWAY

You can't dance down the trail without great socks.

This month is your chance to win a pair from Blis-Sox, along with other foot care products.

Deadline for entering this giveaway is March 31, 2022.

Hiking For Her Giveaway Details

TREKKING POLE RESEARCH

Are Trekking Poles Helping Or Hindering Your Hiking Experience? A Review is the title of a research article that should grab your attention.

I won't give away the punchline, but it's an important one. You can read it for yourself right here:

Trekking pole full text article

NOTE: You do have to accept cookies from the Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Journal in order to read this free article.

A WIN FOR FEDERAL TRAILS

Feast your eyes on this list of funding that will benefit hikers in the U.S. in the coming years.

Then join me in a little happy dance!

Impressive list of trail funding

NEW HFH RESOURCES FOR YOU

Here are this month's articles to help you dance down the trail, on day hikes or something a bit longer.

The first one focuses on lightening up your load a bit:

Ultralight Sea to Summit sleeping bag review

Self care is so important, although many hikers seem to march along and ignore all of the opportunities to prevent problems before they start.

Case in point: Good eye care.

This article outlines why the right pair of hiking sunglasses matters and helps you figure out which lens color is right for you

Best hiking sunglasses

If you're looking for a new pair of trail footwear, and are not sure about shoes versus boots, take a look at my KEEN review.

In my trail experience, this brand has always been about providing out-of-the-box comfort and stable footing.

KEEN Terradora review

And here's one that will slow you down a bit as you dance along the trail, but for a worthy cause: bringing a deeper dimension to your hikes.

Identifying plants while hiking

MEET MY INSPIRATION

As an older female hiker, I look for mentors who show me how hiking can remain part of normal life regardless of an aging body.

Meet 96 year old Bronka Sundstorm. She’s at the top of my hiking mentor list!

With apologies to the Fastest Known Time (FKT) folks, here’s her philosophy:

"The one who goes slower will make it farther.”

Bronkna Sundstrom is a female hiker role model

Marching along, waiting to dance

The first 3 months of 2022 have seemed like a bit of slog, at least for me.

Wacky weird world events, weather, and all of the rest of it can whisper "Wait for better days".

But consider this.

Hikers are resilient, resourceful and the very opposite of wacky or weird (my bias is on full display, no apologies).

So dance where you find yourself, right now, in whatever way you can.

Are you with me on this? Your messages are always welcome in my inbox.

A photo of you dancing down the trail? Even better!!

Happy Dance Trails,

Diane a.k.a. Happy Hiker

diane@hiking-for-her.com

Please consider this invitation:

Join Our Over Forty Hiker Community

Did you receive this newsletter from a friend?

Sign up for your own free monthly subscription.

Stop by these HFH pages for a little hiking inspiration! Likes, comments and shares are always appreciated.

Hiking For Her

HFH Facebook

HFH Pinterest

HFH Amazon Author Page

HFH Goodreads Author

Some of the links in this newsletter and on the Hiking For Her website may be affiliate links.

What does this mean for you?

You create a small miracle when you buy hiking gear through those links, by allowing a modest percentage of your purchase price to flow into the HFH coffers.

What's so miraculous about that?

You receive great gear that has been trail tested and approved by a seasoned hiker. You pay nothing extra. AND you help keep the free hiking tips flowing to your virtual trail buddies around the globe.

Wow!

And a sincere Thank You for your vote of confidence in Hiking For Her. It means a lot!
Back to Back Issues Page