So, I got really into adventure stuff a while back. Hiking, kayaking, just getting out there. But then you start seeing things, right? Trails getting wider ’cause people cut corners, plastic bottles jammed into rock crevices, that sort of stuff. Made me think, gotta be a way to do this without wrecking the place.
Figuring it Out
First thing I did was ditch the idea of flying somewhere super exotic just for a weekend blast. Seemed kinda pointless to burn all that fuel for a short trip. Instead, I looked closer to home. Found a national park a few hours away by train. Trains aren’t perfect, but way better than flying solo in a plane.
Then, accommodation. Didn’t want some massive resort. Found a small guesthouse run by a local family, right on the edge of the park. Read some reviews, seemed like they cared about the area. Booked that.
Gear was next. My old backpack was falling apart. Tempted to buy a shiny new one, but held off. Asked around, buddy had one he wasn’t using. Borrowed that. Same with a water filter – borrowed, didn’t buy.
Hitting the Trail, Gently
Packed real careful. Took reusable water bottles, a metal spork thingy, cloth bags for snacks. Made sandwiches instead of buying pre-packaged junk. The goal was simple: pack it in, pack it out. Everything. Even apple cores and banana peels – yeah, they biodegrade, but animals shouldn’t get used to human food.
On the trail, I was super conscious about staying on the path. No shortcuts, even if it looked muddy. It’s there for a reason. Kept my voice down too. Amazing how much more wildlife you spot when you’re not shouting.
- Water: Used the filter with water from streams. Tasted fine. No plastic bottles bought.
- Food: Ate my packed lunches. Bought some local fruit from a small stand outside the park. Avoided big chain stores.
- Waste: Had one small bag for my trash. Packed it all out back to the guesthouse bin.
- Activities: Stuck to hiking. No jet skis, no quad bikes offered nearby anyway, thankfully. Just used my own two feet.
Was It Worth It?
Honestly? Yeah. It took a bit more planning. Had to think ahead about water and food more. Couldn’t just grab whatever was convenient.
But the trip felt different. Quieter. More connected to the place, maybe? Seeing wildlife up close because I wasn’t making a racket was pretty cool. Chatting with the guesthouse owners, learning about their area, felt better than being anonymous in a huge hotel.
It wasn’t perfect. I still used a train, still consumed resources. But it felt like a step in the right direction. Less like just consuming a place and leaving mess behind, more like visiting respectfully.
Definitely doing it this way again. It’s not about being some eco-saint, just about being a bit more mindful, you know? Thinking about the footprint you leave. It’s not that hard, really, just requires a little extra thought before you go.
