Hiking Every Day for a Month: 2 Young Hike-a-Thoners Tell Their Story
This year, two young hikers set an ambitious goal. For the month of August, as part of their Hike-a- Thon participation, Lu and Chloe, both 10, set a goal to hike on a trail every day.
This year, two young hikers set an ambitious goal. For the month of August, as part of their Hike-a-Thon participation, Lu and Chloe, both 10, set a goal to hike on a trail every day. Hike-a-Thon is a monthlong event that allows hikers to get out and give back by raising money for WTA. By the end of the month, Lu and Chloe had met their goal — on some days they even hit more than one trail. The two friends were kind enough to hop on a video call to tell us a bit about their month — and offer some advice for kids or adults who’d like to set their own ambitious goal.
Photo courtesy Stella Martin.
What do you like about hiking?
Lu: I like being able to see all the different animals and I like to get into nature. I don’t like sitting around at home. I like getting out. I like the sounds of the birds and I like to learn about the things you see on trails.
Chloe: I like the views and I like the sounds and seeing animals. I like going on road trips. I don’t like sitting around a lot, either.
What was your favorite trail that you hiked?
Chloe: One that I really loved, that I really enjoyed, was Harry’s Ridge. I like that there are a bunch of mountain views — that’s what I like about hiking, the views.
Lu: My favorite was Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm. I’ve done it 3 years now. I knew it was going to be hard but I know I can do it.
Lu: Also, Lena Lake
Chloe: Yeah, that’s a good one.
What would you tell other kids who would like to try hiking every day?
Chloe: I would tell them to be confident — you can do this. I’d also tell them to be prepared just in case it’s long. And tell them to pack extra snacks just in case.
Lu: Start easy and then work up. If it gets hard, find something fun to do while walking and when it’s really hard, just persevere. Do something along the way that captures your interest.
What would you tell the parents of kids who want to hike every day?
Chloe: Bring snacks! Be prepared if they get tired and start complaining. Bring something to entertain them maybe, like conversation cards.
Lu: Bring a book. If it’s a long car ride, pack a book to keep them entertained. Pack a good lunch, maybe like noodles in a thermos. Let the kids help you pick out the hikes. Get a WTA search going for them and have them look through the hikes until they have one that looks good. Bring a stuffed animal to keep them company.
Photo courtesy Stella Martin.
What do you think is cool about WTA?
Chloe: You can help raise money for trails.
Lu: WTA helps establish and maintain trails for all people in our community. And they give reliable resources for hiking.
Why did you want to fundraise to help trails?
Chloe: I wanted to fundraise to help trails because I like hiking. And I want to help to make it so trails don’t get messy so I and other people can hike.
Lu: I really love to go hiking. The Hike-a-Thon sounded perfect for me, hiking to raise money to help other people go hiking.
What are you favorite hiking snacks?
Lu: That’s the best question in the world!
Chloe: One snack that I like to have a whole lot is Craisins.
Lu: She probably ate a bag a week. My little hiking treat is buttered, bag popcorn.
Chloe: Don’t forget your seaweed.
Lu: Yeah, I can’t forget my car seaweed.
Comments