WE’LL START WITH HIKING AS IT THE “EASIEST” ONE
Hiking, in general, refers to the act of walking for longer periods at a time.
It is done for enjoyment and to spend time in nature. Walking next to a river on a path, or through the woods on a narrow trail, is considered a hike.
Usually, it'll last for half a day or full day trip on a specific route. The route is laid out, maintained and marked. You usually go from point A to B and then back again to where you started.
The routes will vary in degree of effort requires and level of fitness. Is the trail an easy or hard one. We will talk about "easy' a little further into the article.
Hiking can include a half-day or a full day trip. For these types of trips, not a lot of planning or supplies is required. Basically, it's just a long walk in nature, with some food, water and maybe an extra layer of clothing. Oh, and extra batteries for the camera!
Examples of day hikes include:
- The Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan
- King’s Canyon in Australia
- Puez-Odle Altopiano, Dolomites, Italy
- Plain of Six Glaciers above Lake Louise
- Faulhorn in Switzerland
THEN THERE'S BACKPACKING
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIKING AND TREKKING! ABOUT TIME.
AND FINALLY, MOUNTIANEERING
One other aspect that we should briefly look at, just to get everything in context, is mountaineering.
The reason to consider this is that often, this is where the confusion between hiking and trekking and backpacking can start to creep in.
People think that trekking is partly mountaineering, and that trekkers have the same journey and challenges in so far as actually going up to the higher peaks and the very technical aspect of it. This might be true in a few instances, but actually, mostly, not at all.
For mountaineering, you need special training and equipment. It is, you can say, a more advanced form of trekking. You need to be very sure how to use it to keep yourself alive.
You would need to know, for example, how to climb on ice with crampons and an ice axe. You would need to know how to survive in snow storms and rescue yourself with an ice axe.
You need to be strong enough to be able to endure long hours of ascending with extremely low levels of oxygen. It is the ultimate outdoor experience. You need to be strong and fit and very healthy to take on this adventure.
Levels of Difficulty
As mentioned, we need to look at another aspect that separates hiking and trekking, backpacking and mountaineering on the level of difficulty.
The infrastructure that supports trekking trips (treks) are very different from that of hiking and backpacking.
Trails and paths on treks are wider and often better maintained. It is very busy with other trekkers as you can usually only go at certain times of the year and there are also are guides and porters with the most groups - more people. Then on top of that, in many instances, the local people also use the same paths.
Trekkers get assistance with carrying gear from porters, told where to go and stay over from guides who make and confirm these bookings for them and have people preparing meals for them (not in all instances obviously, but in many). The challenge for them is the distance they cover and the elements they face. A hard and challenging journey, yes, but not difficult per se.
Hikers and backpackers and mountaineers, on the other hand, are responsible for everything themselves.
They carry their, gear, set up and break down campsites and cook their own food. They climb over rocks and brave rough terrains and find their way by navigation, often without guides. They have to pack, plan and prepare for all eventualities that they might face. In light of this, a more difficult journey to prepare for than that of a trekker.
Of course, there is also mental stamina that might need to be considered when comparing these adventures.
It is much more mentally challenging to go trekking / mountaineering for weeks on end. Braving every element, and fighting with your own endurance and physical abilities, than it is to spend time in nature for time days in a tent, even if it rains every day. The latter will make you tired, annoyed and wet and the former can bring you to your knees if you are not prepared for it. Imagine the disappointment of having to turn back a group of 8 on a journey of 40 days on day number 33 just because you have altitude sickness and can’t continue. Or being away from loved ones for 20 days with virtually no contact.
CONCLUSION
So now that you understand the difference between hiking, backpacking, trekking and mountaineering, you can confidently share what you did over the weekend.
You went backpacking with your friends for three days and you did a lot of hiking over the three days. This was for enjoyment and to spend time in nature.
In your off time from hiking, you were reading a book to help you plan to go trekking in Nepal in the New Year. You started thinking that if that one goes well, maybe you should look into also doing the trek to Everest Base Camp.
And while you are planning these trips and actually going on them, you are going to start training a little harder on weekdays, so that maybe one day, you can be fit and strong enough to be part of a mountaineering group that can climb Kilimanjaro.
