Do you get hot going uphill? Here’s one solution:
I’d never hiked naked through a forest before. In fact it’s safe to say that I’d never hiked anywhere naked other than to the bathroom or the fridge. But there is something remarkable about hiking naked, or “free hiking” as it’s sometimes called. I quickly realised that the skin is an amazing thermostat. I didn’t get cold – as long as I kept moving my body stayed warm – and I didn’t get hot. Normally when I hike up a mountain, I work up a serious sweat, but without clothes to trap the heat, my skin easily regulated the temperature. I walked for hours, up steep inclines, really working hard, and didn’t break much of a sweat at all. Granted, we were hiking in what I consider the ideal temperature for uphill exertions – around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The other thing about hiking naked is that it feels good. It really does.
If you’re inspired by this, you might like to go to Austria to take part in the Naked European Walking Tour, a week of hiking in the nude. Send us some photos!
Mark Haskell Smith, Naked At Lunch: Adventures Of a Reluctant Nudist
Sounds possibly nice — except in an environment filled with mosquitos, Devil’s Club, a few bears, and fast-moving storms, I can see drawbacks.
I didn’t think you’d be so faint-hearted, Teri. Regina and Deke, perhaps?
Skinny-dipping in a nice tarn in a mountain meadow is one thing. Done that. Hiking for miles without protection from the Alaskan fauna? not so much. Regina and Deke, perhaps . . .
Should I try it?
I would love to hear your account of it, Cat!
Of course. What about your trip to Tassie?
Yeah right! As Teri says, what about the mosquitos, black flies, brambles and bears? I’m all for skinny dipping in the water but climbing a mountain – forget it.
Leslie
You’re just looking for excuses, Leslie.
have you ever been bitten by black flies Gert?
I’ll see your black flies and raise you a red-backed spider, and throw in a tiger snake.
but have you ever encountered the “no seeums”?
An indigenous Canadian species?
Perhaps but enough to drive you mad….
Ha, an interesting theory. Not sure I’m quite brave enough to give it a try!
You aren’t far from Austria, Jacqui,
Blogged without commentary. Yep.
Sounds like another great idea – like shoving a firework up your nose or breeding deer ticks.