Annoying trendy sport – No, I won’t go hiking

No, I won’t go hiking

Everyone wants to take BE Post columnist Sandrarutschi with them on mountain tours. It’s high time she fundamentally defended herself against it.

Published: October 18, 2024, 4:28 p.m

A dream path? More like pure horror!

Photo: Keystone

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BotTalk

Dear Andreas Staeger

I have a bone to pick with you. Because it’s probably your fault that I keep getting into trouble.

In magazines and newspapers, in books and on the Internet, you give advice on which Hoger to climb on next. They describe the beautiful landscapes, promise exciting encounters and ensure that there are no more insider tips in the future.

But the worst thing is: people are inspired by you!

Hiking is booming – booming 58 percent of the local population Indulge in this sport regularly. On average, they are on the road 20 days a year, i.e. almost every reasonably nice weekend. And somehow she seems to have the feeling that the entire world population shares her enthusiasm.

Just recently I had to defend myself against being dragged up a mountain by a friend. She praised me about the “amazing view” on the two-hour tour to a mountain hotel.

In fact, I was almost tempted because two hours apparently isn’t that long. They fly by on the bike saddle or in the dance studio. But it’s about hiking.

Time drags by like freshly spat out chewing gum that you have just stepped on. For what felt like hours we panted up to a curve at the end of the hillside. Your heart briefly jumps for joy when you reach your destination – but behind the curve the path leads downhill, only to climb back up the other hill. There’s hardly anything nastier.

In the “BE-Post” column We write letters to people, animals or objects that inspire us, annoy us or make us smile.

The assumption that hiking together is peaceful and connected is also completely illusory. Anyone who says something like that ignores the fact that hardly two people in the world walk at the same speed. In reality, hiking reveals the worst reasons in the souls of otherwise quite lovable beings.

While the slower one is panting after the faster one and becomes more and more aggressive under constant stress, the faster one gets annoyed by this miserable loiterer and suddenly claims that this slow walking is just as tiring for her as if he were to do a spike. And just like that we have the perfect marital row or friendship crisis.

In addition: Hiking is not easy, so take a little walk – which, by the way, I like to do for hours. But no, hiking is serious business. For this you need equipment. For example a backpack that I had to buy first. Hiking boots that I don’t know if a family of spiders has already lived in them. And of course rain protection against sudden mountain thunderstorms.

The “magnificent view” remains the top argument for a hiking tour. You usually reach it via a ridge. The abyss gapes left and right as you desperately cling to a weathered cord that is supposed to protect you from falling to your death if you take the wrong step.

When you get to the top, you prefer to close your eyes and hug a rock face because the “magnificent view” revolves around you. Breath calms down very slowly. Fresh mountain air whispers around your nose, it is quiet and almost beautiful. Until suddenly the realization hits: I have to get back down here.

Greetings from hikers,

Sandrarutschi

Sandrarutschi is an editor, columnist and co-head of the region department. She has been writing about events in the canton of Bern since 1999 and has published several books. More info

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topicnews · October 19, 2024

Annoying trendy sport – No, I won’t go hiking

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