Like to hike? Then try some trail-tested tips

09:25 AM EDT on Sunday, March 30, 2008

By TOM MEADE

Journal Sports Writer

 

CRANSTON — Randy and Sheri Propster walk about 1,500 miles a year. The couple has through-hiked the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, and they have completed the America DiscoveryTrail, from Delaware to California. The Propsters are coming to Cranston on April 9 to talk aboutBackpacker Magazine’s “Get Out More,” program at the REI store at 6 p.m. 

 

What’s your favorite hiking spot in Rhode Island or Southeastern Massachusetts?

“The tour offers us the unique opportunity of visiting participants in their own backyards,” they said in an e-mail exchange. “It provides us a forum in which we can share advice based on our trail-tested tips and techniques and present participants with a hands-on exposure to the latest and greatest gear that is available to the modern backpacker. For those who are currently hikers and backpackers, we aim to share our experience, skills and knowledge in an attempt to enhance their ability to be comfortable and safe while having fun in the outdoors, and for those interested indiscovering the outdoors for the first time, we can provide the information they need to get off on the right foot.”

 

ProjoSports: Is “Get Out More” aimed at any particular demographic group?

 

Propsters: We love the fact that the outdoors offer something for everyone and embrace a philosophy known as “Hike Your Own Hike.” We welcome anyone and everyone who is interested inadding a tip or technique to their “backpack” of tricks, and hope that we can inspire participants of every demographic to create their own unique style when preparing for their next outdoor adventure.

 

ProjoSports: What specific tips are you suggesting for people with busy lives?

 

Propsters: Those with the busiest of lives need the benefits that spending time in the outdoors offer more than anyone. Being able to relax, unwind, refresh and refocus is critical to our mental and physical health, and a major factor in our ability to remain productive in our work environments. We offer guidelines for preparing to easily get into the outdoors, and provide tips for staying organized in a way that will make it easier to get out more.  We evaluate equipment and gear while looking at “Essential Systems,” and can help those with busy lives create a system thatcan easily fit in a small day pack, if not their own pockets, so that they can utilize any free moment in their day to safely spend some quality time in the outdoors.

 

ProjoSports: What about people who live in the city?

 

Propsters: During our travels we have found that there are many people who don’t realize that there are numerous outdoor opportunities within their own city limits. We love exploring all of the fascinating green spaces that can be found in and around even the largest and most populated of cities. Backpacker Magazine just launched a brand new Web site, www.backpacker.com, and in an effort to bring the outdoors to your doorstep the site offers a wonderful feature called, “Find A Hike.” By clicking on the “Find A Hike” feature you can literally search thousands of hiking trails in major cities all around the country.

 

ProjoSports: Beyond physical fitness, what are the other benefits when you get out more?

 

Propsters: Spending time in the outdoors offers countless physical and mental benefits. Some of the physical benefits include: a reduction in weight, development of muscles and bones, decrease in risk of various diseases, increase in absorption of vitamin D from sunlight, and the release of adrenaline and therefore a reduction in feelings of anxiety. Some of the mental benefits include: the release of endorphins that are brain calming, feeling a connection with nature, lower levels of stress, increased relaxation, increase in selfreliance, improved adaptability, and an overall sense of well-being.

 

ProjoSports: When you get out, what do you do?

 

Propsters: We, without a doubt, spend more time outdoors than we do indoors. When we’re not on trail, hiking or trail running, you may find us biking, skating, surfing, kayaking, golfing, wakeboarding, or snowboarding. If the activity includes being active in the outdoors, you can always count us in!

 

ProjoSports: Do you always get out as a couple?

 

Propsters: We feel very fortunate that we are able to spend so much of our time together. Over the past three years we have spent only a couple of hours apart, so it is a rare occurrence to see one without the other. We enjoy so many of the same activities and feel very lucky to have each other to share so many amazing life experiences with.

 

ProjoSports: When you’re not walking across the United States, do you keep track of your hiking? How many miles do you travel on foot in a year?

 

Propsters: We try to hit the trail every chance we get. Last year, while traveling the country with the “Get Out More” tour, we probably put another 1,500 miles under our feet, all over the United States. This year we will be logging all of our hikes at www.backpacker.com/getoutmore, so people can see where we’ve been and also use our trail reporting to follow in our footsteps.

tmeade@projo.com

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