My family was instrumental in developing for love for the outdoors. My father caught Mountain Fever in 1957. He then raised us as a hiking/backpacking/river running family.
We spent many summer weekends taking care of Park Butte Lookout and some weekends at Hidden Lake Lookout as well.
My father was always doing research for the trail guides he was writing so every weekend and vacation was a hiking one.
As a child, I wasn't always thrilled with that! I did the Yosemite Circuit and part of the John Muir Trail when I was 8.
I remember hating a lot of it. How I long to go back now that I have the fever in my blood!!
I seem to have an innate ability to spot unsigned trails and routes and to instinctively know where to go. Of course, I spend time looking at maps and always knowing where I am on the map, but somehow I know the terrain well enough to spot routes. This probably comes from going off trail as a child, but I tend to have a good sense of direction everywhere except in cities with lots of tunnels!
I seem to have an innate ability to spot unsigned trails and routes and to instinctively know where to go. Of course, I spend time looking at maps and always knowing where I am on the map, but somehow I know the terrain well enough to spot routes. This probably comes from going off trail as a child, but I tend to have a good sense of direction everywhere except in cities with lots of tunnels!