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Sydney Bush Walkers Club

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A hike is a long, vigorous walk , usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside. Walking for pleasure developed in Europe during the eighteenth century. Long hikes as part of a religious pilgrimage have existed for a much longer time. "Hiking" is the preferred term in Canada and the United States ; the term " walking " is used in these regions for shorter, particularly urban walks. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the word "walking" describes all forms of walking, whether it is a walk in the park or backpacking in the Alps . The word hiking is also often used in the UK, along with rambling , hillwalking , and fell walking (a term mostly used for hillwalking in northern England). The term bushwalking is endemic to Australia, having been adopted by the Sydney Bush Walkers Club in 1927. In New Zealand a long, vigorous walk or hike is called tramping . It is a popular activity with numerous hiking organizations worldwide, and studies suggest that all forms of walking have health benefits.

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67-731: The Sydney Bush Walkers Club is a bushwalking club in Australia . Formed in 1927 by Myles Dunphy at the behest of the Mountain Trails Club , the group was originally called the Waratah Walking Club, but was renamed early on. Unlike its predecessor, the club was open to the general public, and this allowed it to increase its membership substantially; a petition presented in the same year (signed by members of both clubs) contained over 5,000 signatures. The Sydney Bush Walkers Club continued to campaign for environmental causes throughout

134-618: A centre of the Cluniac Reforms in Germany . After the death of Emperor Henry III in 1056, the archbishop took a prominent part in the government of the empire during the minority of the six-year-old heir to the throne, Henry IV. He was the leader of the party which in April 1062 seized the person of Henry in the Coup of Kaiserswerth , and deprived his mother, Empress Agnes , of power. Agnes, initially with

201-408: A heavy backpack. Winter hiking requires a higher level of skill and generally more specialized gear than in other seasons (see winter hiking below). Proponents of ultralight backpacking argue that long lists of required items for multi-day hikes increases pack weight, and hence fatigue and the chance of injury. Instead, they recommend reducing pack weight, to make hiking long distances easier. Even

268-490: A high degree of activity, and a rapid increase in elevation. Other threats include attacks by animals (e.g., bears, snakes, and insects or ticks carrying diseases such as Lyme ) or contact with noxious plants that can cause rashes (e.g., poison ivy , poison oak , poison sumac , or stinging nettles ). Lightning is also a threat, especially on high ground. Walkers in high mountains, and during winter in many countries, can encounter hazardous snow and ice conditions, and

335-563: A large number of hikers are involved. For example, years of gathering wood can strip an alpine area of valuable nutrients, and can cause deforestation; and some species, such as martens or Bighorn Sheep , are very sensitive to the presence of humans, especially around mating season. Generally, protected areas such as parks have regulations in place to protect the environment, so as to minimize such impact. Such regulations include banning wood fires, restricting camping to established campsites, disposing or packing out faecal matter , and imposing

402-454: A lesser extent other Asiatic countries, like Turkey, Israel, and Jordan. In the Alps of Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Italy walking tours can be made from 'hut-to-hut', using an extensive system of mountain huts . In the late 20th-century, there has been a proliferation of official and unofficial long-distance routes, which mean that hikers now are more likely to refer to using

469-408: A list of " Ten Essentials " equipment for hiking, including a compass, sunglasses, sunscreen, a flashlight , a first aid kit, a fire starter , and a knife. Other groups recommend items such as hat, gloves, insect repellent, and an emergency blanket . A GPS navigation device can also be helpful and route cards may be used as a guide. Trekking poles are also recommended, especially when carrying

536-688: A long-distance way (Britain), trail (US), The Grande Randonnée (France), etc., than setting out on a walking tour. Early examples of long-distance paths include the Appalachian Trail in the US and the Pennine Way in Britain. Organized hiking clubs emerged in Europe at approximately the same time as official hiking trails. These clubs established and upheld their own paths during the 19th and 20th centuries, prioritizing

603-549: A quota on the number of hikers. Many hikers espouse the philosophy of Leave No Trace , following strict practices on dealing with food waste , food packaging, and other impacts on the environment. Human feces are often a major source of environmental impact from hiking, and can contaminate the watershed and make other hikers ill. ' Catholes ' dug 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 inches) deep, depending on local soil composition and covered after use, at least 60 m (200 feet) away from water sources and trails, are recommended to reduce

670-520: A rewarding experience for them, particularly if a route is chosen with their interests in mind. Young children are prone to becoming fatigued more rapidly than adults, requiring fluids and energy-rich foods more frequently, and are also more sensitive to variations in weather and terrain. Hiking routes may be chosen with these factors in mind, and appropriate clothing, equipment and sun-protection need to be available. Natural environments are often fragile and may be accidentally damaged, especially when

737-714: A single day. However, in the United Kingdom, the word walking is also used, as well as rambling, while walking in mountainous areas is called hillwalking . In Northern England , Including the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales , fell walking describes hill or mountain walks, as fell is the common word for both features there. Hiking sometimes involves bushwhacking and is sometimes referred to as such. This specifically refers to difficult walking through dense forest, undergrowth, or bushes where forward progress requires pushing vegetation aside. In extreme cases of bushwhacking, where

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804-411: A variety of factors, including local climate. Day hikers often carry water, food, a map, hat, and rain-proof gear. Hikers have traditionally worn sturdy hiking boots for stability over rough terrain. In recent decades this has become less common as some long-distance hikers have switched to trail running shoes . Boots are still commonly used in mountainous terrain. The Mountaineers club recommends

871-470: Is Johann Gottfried Seume , who set out on foot from Leipzig to Sicily in 1801, and returned to Leipzig via Paris after nine months. Thomas West , a Scottish priest, popularized the idea of walking for pleasure in his guide to the Lake District of 1778. In the introduction he wrote that he aimed to encourage the taste of visiting the lakes by furnishing the traveller with a Guide; and for that purpose,

938-402: Is a danger for all hikers and especially inexperienced hikers. Weather does not need to be very cold to be dangerous since ordinary rain or mist has a strong cooling effect. In high mountains a further danger is altitude sickness . This typically occurs only above 2,500 metres (8,000 ft), though some are affected at lower altitudes. Risk factors include a prior episode of altitude sickness,

1005-510: Is a marked long-distance trail in southwestern Turkey around part of the coast of ancient Lycia . It is over 500 km (310 mi) in length and stretches from Hisarönü ( Ovacık ), near Fethiye , to Geyikbayırı in Konyaaltı about 20 km (12 mi) from Antalya . It was conceived by Briton Kate Clow, who lives in Turkey. It takes its name from the ancient civilization, which once ruled

1072-445: Is an historically important early sign of an awakening appreciation of the mountains, though it is chiefly designed to contrast the simple and idyllic life of the inhabitants of the Alps with the corrupt and decadent existence of the dwellers in the plains. Numerous travellers explored Europe on foot in the last third of the 18th century and recorded their experiences. A significant example

1139-433: Is especially hazardous in high mountains, crossing rivers and glaciers, and when there is snow and ice. At times hiking may involve scrambling , as well as the use of ropes, ice axes and crampons and the skill to properly use them. Potential hazards involving physical ailments may include dehydration, frostbite, hypothermia, sunburn, sunstroke, or diarrhea , and such injuries as ankle sprains, or broken bones. Hypothermia

1206-504: Is more straightforward and a crossing can be made, if advanced arrangements are made with Canada Border Services . Within the Schengen Area , which includes most of the E.U. , and associated nations like Switzerland and Norway, there are no impediments to crossing by path, and borders are not always obvious. Hiking in winter offers additional opportunities, challenges and hazards. Crampons may be needed in icy conditions, and an ice ax

1273-493: Is not a hard climb, and is not usually considered part of the Alps. This implicit claim of Petrarch and Burckhardt, that Petrarch was the first to climb a mountain for pleasure since antiquity, was disproven by Lynn Thorndike in 1943. Mount Ventoux was climbed by Jean Buridan , on his way to the papal court in Avignon before the year 1334, "in order to make some meteorological observations". There were ascents accomplished during

1340-527: Is probably Robert Louis Stevenson 's journey through the Cévennes in France with a donkey, recorded in his Travels with a Donkey (1879). Stevenson also published in 1876 his famous essay "Walking Tours". The subgenre of travel writing produced many classics in the subsequent 20th century. An early American example of a book that describes an extended walking tour is naturalist John Muir 's A Thousand Mile Walk to

1407-692: Is recommended on steep, snow covered paths. Snowshoes and hiking poles , or cross country skis are useful aid for those hiking in deep snow. An example of a close relationship between skiing and hiking is found in Norway, where The Norwegian Trekking Association maintains over 400 huts stretching across thousands of kilometres of trails which hikers can use in the summer and skiers in the winter. For longer routes in snowy conditions, hikers may resort to ski touring , using specialised skis and boots for uphill travel. In winter, factors such as shortened daylight, changeable weather conditions and avalanche risk can raise

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1474-616: Is the most popular of the routes and runs from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles on the Spanish side and then another 780 kilometres (480 mi) on to Santiago de Compostela through the major cities of Pamplona , Logroño , Burgos and León . A typical walk on the Camino francés takes at least four weeks, allowing for one or two rest days on the way. Some travel

1541-626: Is today referred to as the "Father of the National Parks". In 1916, the National Park Service was created to protect national parks and monuments. In 1921, Benton MacKaye , a forester, conceived the idea of what would become America's first National Scenic Trail, the Appalachian trail (AT). The AT was completed in August 1937, running from Maine to Georgia. The Pacific Crest Trail ("PCT")

1608-713: Is very popular and a permit is required . The longest hiking trail in Chile is the informal 3,000 km (1,850 mi) Greater Patagonia Trail that was created by a non-governmental initiative. In Africa a major trekking destination is Mount Kilimanjaro , a dormant volcano in Tanzania , which is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain in the world: 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level and about 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) above its plateau base. The equipment required for hiking depends on

1675-513: The Ancient Near East . The path was established in 2007 as a pilgrimage route between Urfa, Turkey , possibly his birthplace, and his final destination of the desert of Negev . National parks are often important hiking destinations, such as National Parks of England and Wales ; of Canada ; of New Zealand , of South Africa , etc. Frequently, nowadays long-distance hikes (walking tours) are undertaken along long-distance paths, including

1742-514: The Camino de Santiago , or Way of St. James, has become more recently the source for a number of long-distance hiking routes. This is a network of pilgrims' ways leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. The French Way

1809-765: The Holy Roman Empire for the minor Emperor Henry IV . Anno is venerated as a saint of the Catholic Church . He was born to the edelfrei Steusslingen family at Altsteußlingen (near Ehingen ) in Swabia , and was educated in Bamberg , where he subsequently became head of the cathedral school . In 1046 he became chaplain to the Salian emperor Henry III , and accompanied him on his campaigns against King Andrew I of Hungary in 1051 and 1052. The emperor appointed him provost at

1876-546: The Middle Ages ; Lynn Thorndike mentions that "a book on feeling for nature in Germany in the tenth and eleventh centuries, noted various ascents and descriptions of mountains from that period", and that "in the closing years of his life archbishop Anno II, Archbishop of Cologne (c. 1010 – 1075) climbed his beloved mountain oftener than usual". Other early examples of individuals hiking or climbing mountains for pleasure include

1943-899: The National Trails in England and Wales, the Kungsleden (Sweden) and the National Trail System in the United States. The Grande Randonnée (France), Grote Routepaden, or Lange-afstand-wandelpaden (The Netherlands), Grande Rota (Portugal), Gran Recorrido (Spain) is a network of long-distance footpaths in Europe, mostly in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. There are extensive networks in other European countries of long-distance trails, as well as in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, and to

2010-504: The U.S. Congress for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The Sierra Club , which he founded, is now one of the most important conservation organizations in the United States. The spiritual quality and enthusiasm toward nature expressed in his writings inspired others, including presidents and congressmen, to take action to help preserve large areas of undeveloped countryside. He

2077-535: The right to roam in England and Wales. An early example of an interest in hiking in the United States is Abel Crawford and his son Ethan's clearing of a trail to the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire in 1819. This 8.5-mile path is the oldest continually used hiking trail in the United States. The influence of British and European Romanticism reached North America through the transcendentalist movement , and both Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) and Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) were important influences on

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2144-493: The 18th century in Europe, and arose because of changing attitudes to the landscape and nature associated with the Romantic movement . In earlier times walking generally indicated poverty and was also associated with vagrancy. In previous centuries long walks were undertaken as part of religious pilgrimages and this tradition continues throughout the world. The Swiss scientist and poet Albrecht von Haller 's poem Die Alpen (1732)

2211-477: The 1930s and although membership has fallen to around 800, it still continues to organise events. Notable members of the club have included Marie Byles , Paddy Pallin , and Dot Butler . Hiking In the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom, hiking means walking outdoors on a trail, or off trail, for recreational purposes. A day hike refers to a hike that can be completed in

2278-549: The Camino on bicycle or on horseback. Paths from the cities of Tours , Vézelay , and Le Puy-en-Velay meet at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The French long-distance path GR 65 (of the Grande Randonnée network), is an important variant route of the old Christian pilgrimage way. The Abraham Path is a cultural route believed to have been the path of Islamic , Christian , and Jewish patriarch Abraham 's ancient journey across

2345-461: The Gulf (1916), a posthumously published account of a long botanizing walk, undertaken in 1867. Due to industrialisation in England, people began to migrate to the cities where living standards were often cramped and unsanitary. They would escape the confines of the city by rambling about in the countryside. However, the land in England, particularly around the urban areas of Manchester and Sheffield ,

2412-625: The Renaissance in Italy (in German in 1860) declared Petrarch "a truly modern man", because of the significance of nature for his "receptive spirit"; even if he did not yet have the skill to describe nature. Petrarch's implication that he was the first to climb mountains for pleasure, and Burckhardt's insistence on Petrarch's sensitivity to nature have been often repeated since. There are also numerous references to Petrarch as an "alpinist", although Mont Ventoux

2479-489: The Roman Emperor, Hadrian, who ascended Mount Etna during a return trip from Greece in 125 CE. In 1275, Peter III of Aragon claimed to have reached the summit of Pic du Canigou, a 9134-foot mountain located near the southern tip of France. The first ascent of any technical difficulty to be officially verified took place on June 26, 1492, when Antoine de Ville, a chamberlain and military engineer for Charles VIII, King of France,

2546-665: The area. The Great Himalaya Trail is a route across the Himalayas . The original concept of the trail was to establish a single long distance trekking trail from the east end to the west end of Nepal that includes a total of roughly 1,700 kilometres (1,100 mi) of path. The proposed trail will link together a range of the less explored tourism destinations of Nepal's mountain region. In Latin America , Peru and Chile are important hiking destinations. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru

2613-593: The book was a major success. Another famous early exponent of walking for pleasure was the English poet William Wordsworth . In 1790 he embarked on an extended tour of France, Switzerland, and Germany, a journey subsequently recorded in his long autobiographical poem The Prelude (1850). His famous poem Tintern Abbey was inspired by a visit to the Wye Valley made during a walking tour of Wales in 1798 with his sister Dorothy Wordsworth . Wordsworth's friend Coleridge

2680-853: The development of extended hiking routes. In 1938, the first long-distance hiking trail in Europe, the Hungarian National Blue Trail, was established in the Hungarian wilderness, stretching approximately 62 miles (100 km). In the Middle East, the Jordan Trail is a 650 km (400 miles) long hiking trail in Jordan established in 2015 by the Jordan Trail Association. And Israel has been described as "a trekker's paradise" with over 9,656 km (6,000 miles) of trails. The Lycian Way

2747-645: The distinction of being the oldest hiking club in America. It was founded to protect the trails and mountains in the northeastern United States. Prior to its founding, four other hiking clubs had already been established in America. This included the very short-lived (first) Rocky Mountain Club in 1875, the White Mountain Club of Portland in 1873, the Alpine Club of Williamstown in 1863, and the Exploring Circle, which

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2814-485: The emperor. Having cleared himself of this charge, Anno took no further part in public business and died in Siegburg Abbey on 4 December 1075, where he was buried. He was canonised in 1183 by Pope Lucius III . He was a founder or co-founder of monasteries ( Michaelsberg , Grafschaft , St. Maria ad Gradus , St. George , Saalfeld and Affligem ) and a builder of churches, advocated clerical celibacy and introduced

2881-469: The hazard level of hiking. [REDACTED]   This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain :  Chisholm, Hugh , ed. (1911). " Haller, Albrecht von ". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. Anno II, Archbishop of Cologne Anno II ( c.  1010 – 4 December 1075) was Archbishop of Cologne from 1056 until his death. From 1063 to 1065 he acted as regent of

2948-418: The highlands of East Africa . Hiking a long-distance trail from end-to-end is also referred to as trekking and as thru-hiking in some places. In North America, multi-day hikes, usually with camping , are referred to as backpacking . The poet Petrarch is frequently mentioned as an early example of someone hiking. Petrarch recounts that on April 26, 1336, with his brother and two servants, he climbed to

3015-433: The newly erected Cathedral of Goslar in 1054 and Archbishop of Cologne two years later. Due to his dominant position at the imperial court, Anno was able to influence other appointments. Anno's nephew, Burchard , was made Bishop of Halberstadt in 1059, and in 1063, his brother, Werner , became Archbishop of Magdeburg . According to contemporary sources, Anno led an ascetic life and was open to reform . Nevertheless, he

3082-534: The outdoors movement in North America. Thoreau's writing on nature and on walking include the posthumously published "Walking" (1862)". His earlier essay " A Walk to Wachusett " (1842) describes a four-day walking tour Thoreau took with a companion from Concord, Massachusetts to the summit of Mount Wachusett , Princeton, Massachusetts and back. Established in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club has

3149-530: The possibility of avalanches . Year round glaciers are potentially hazardous. Fast flowing water presents another danger and a safe crossing may requires special techniques. In various countries, borders may be poorly marked. In 2009, Iran imprisoned three Americans for hiking across the Iran-Iraq border. It is illegal to cross into the US on the Pacific Crest Trail from Canada. Going south to north it

3216-587: The public's 'right to roam' across some private land, were periodically presented to Parliament from 1884 to 1932 without success. Finally, in 1932, the Rambler's Right Movement organized a mass trespass on Kinder Scout in Derbyshire . Despite attempts on the part of the police to prevent the trespass from going ahead, it was successfully achieved due to massive publicity. However, the Mountain Access Bill that

3283-496: The rightful pope at a synod held at Mantua in May 1064, and took other steps to secure his recognition against Empress Agnes' candidate Antipope Honorius II . Returning to Germany, however, he found the chief power in the hands of Archbishop Adalbert of Bremen, and as he was disliked by the young emperor, Anno gradually lost ground at the imperial court though he regained some of his former influence when Adalbert fell from power in 1066. In

3350-634: The risk of bacterial contamination. Fire is a particular source of danger, and an individual hiker can have a large impact on an ecosystem. For example, in 2005, a Czech backpacker accidentally started a fire that burnt 5% of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Because hikers may come into conflict with other users of the land or may harm the natural environment, hiking etiquette has developed. Hiking can be hazardous because of terrain, inclement weather, potential to get lost, or pre-existing medical conditions. The dangerous circumstances hikers can face include specific accidents or physical ailments. It

3417-468: The same year he was able to secure the succession of his nephew, Conrad of Pfullingen , as Archbishop of Trier . By 1072 he had become imperial administrator and thus the second most powerful man, acting as an arbitrator in the rising Saxon Rebellion . In the course of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the City of Cologne attained great prosperity. Local crafts flourished; the spinners, weavers, and dyers,

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3484-473: The sovereignty of the archbishop. This resulted in bitter feuds between the bishops and the city, which lasted for two centuries with varying fortunes. The first uprising occurred under Anno II, at Easter of the year 1074. The citizens rose against the archbishop, but were defeated within three days, and severely punished. It was reported he had allied himself with William the Conqueror , King of England , against

3551-543: The supervision of Henry's education and the title of magister . The office of archchancellor of the Imperial Kingdom of Italy was at this period regarded as an appanage of the Archbishopric of Cologne, and this was probably the reason why Anno had a considerable share in settling a papal dispute brewing since 1061: relying on an assessment by his nephew Bishop Burchard of Halberstadt, he declared Alexander II to be

3618-608: The support of Pope Victor II , had stirred up several German princes against her rule by assigning extended fiefs to presumed supporters and by appointing her confidant Bishop Henry II of Augsburg regent. After he also had secured the Imperial regalia for himself, Anno for a short time was able to exercise the chief authority in the Empire, but he was soon obliged to share this with his fellow conspirators, Archbishop Adalbert of Bremen and Archbishop Siegfried of Mainz , retaining for himself

3685-458: The top of Mont Ventoux (1,912 meters (6,273 ft)), a feat which he undertook for recreation rather than necessity. The exploit is described in a celebrated letter addressed to his friend and confessor, the monk Dionigi di Borgo San Sepolcro , composed some time after the fact. However, some have suggested that Petrarch's climb was fictional. Jakob Burckhardt , in The Civilization of

3752-669: The use of hiking boots on long-distances hikes is controversial among ultralight hikers, because of their weight. Hiking times can be estimated by Naismith's rule or Tobler's hiking function , while distances can be measured on a map with an opisometer . A pedometer is a device that records the distance walked. The American Hiking Society advises that parents with young children should encourage them to participate in decision-making about route-finding and pace. Alisha McDarris, writing in Popular Science , suggests that, whilst hiking with children poses particular challenges, it can be

3819-467: The vegetation is so dense that human passage is impeded, a machete is used to clear a pathway. The Australian term bushwalking refers to both on and off-trail hiking. Common terms for hiking used by New Zealanders are tramping (particularly for overnight and longer trips), walking or bushwalking. Trekking is the preferred word used to describe multi-day hiking in the mountainous regions of India, Pakistan, Nepal, North America, South America, Iran, and

3886-413: The woollen-drapers, goldsmiths, sword-cutlers, and armour-makers of Cologne were especially celebrated. No city north of the Alps was so rich in great churches, sanctuaries, relics, and religious communities. It was known as the "German Rome,". With the growth of the municipal prosperity, the pride of the citizens and their desire for independence also increased, and caused them to feel more dissatisfied with

3953-400: The writer has here collected and laid before him, all the select stations and points of view, noticed by those authors who have last made the tour of the lakes, verified by his own repeated observations. To this end he included various 'stations' or viewpoints around the lakes, from which tourists would be encouraged to enjoy the views in terms of their aesthetic qualities. Published in 1778

4020-572: Was a fearsome adversary to anyone perceived as a threat to the interests of his archdiocese . His plans to seize the prosperous monastery in Malmedy , challenging the authority of the Imperial abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy , caused much controversy and ultimately failed. On the other hand, he founded the Benedictine abbey of Michaelsberg , modelled on the Italian Abbey of Fruttuaria , which soon evolved to

4087-455: Was another keen walker and in the autumn of 1799, he and Wordsworth undertook a three-week tour of the Lake District. John Keats , who belonged to the next generation of Romantic poets began, in June 1818, a walking tour of Scotland, Ireland, and the Lake District with his friend Charles Armitage Brown . More and more people undertook walking tours through the 19th century, of which the most famous

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4154-548: Was established by four men from Lynn, Massachusetts in 1850. Although not a hiking club in the same sense as the clubs that would emerge later, the National Park Service recognizes the Exploring Circle as being "the first hiking club in New England." All four of these clubs would disband within a few years of their founding. Despite clubs such as the Appalachian Mountain Club, hiking during the early twentieth century

4221-439: Was first explored in the 1930s by the YMCA hiking groups and was eventually registered as a complete border to border trail from Mexico to Canada. In earlier times people mainly hiked for practical reasons, or on religious pilgrimages . Numerous modern hiking trail follow such ancient routes. The British National Trail the North Downs Way closely follows that of the Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury . The ancient pilgrimage,

4288-428: Was ordered to ascend Mont Aiguille. Because ropes, ladders and iron hooks were used during the ascent, this event is widely recognized as being the birth of mountaineering. Conrad Gessner, a 16th Century physician, botanist and naturalist from Switzerland, is widely recognized as being the first person to hike and climb for sheer pleasure. However, the idea of taking a walk in the countryside only really developed during

4355-579: Was passed in 1939 was opposed by many walkers' organizations, including The Ramblers , who felt that it did not sufficiently protect their rights, and it was eventually repealed. The effort to improve access led after World War II to the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 , and in 1951 to the creation of the first national park in the UK, the Peak District National Park . The establishment of this and similar national parks helped to improve access for all outdoors enthusiasts. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 considerably extended

4422-436: Was privately owned and trespass was illegal. Rambling clubs soon sprang up in the north and began politically campaigning for the legal ' right to roam '. One of the first such clubs was 'Sunday Tramps' founded by Leslie White in 1879. The first national grouping, the Federation of Rambling Clubs, was formed in London in 1905 and was heavily patronized by the peerage . Access to Mountains bills , that would have legislated

4489-416: Was still primarily in New England, San Francisco , and the Pacific Northwest. Eventually, there were similar clubs formed in the Midwest and following the Appalachian range. As interest grew hiking culture was spread throughout the nation. The Scottish-born, American naturalist John Muir (1838 –1914), was another important early advocate of the preservation of wilderness in the United States. He petitioned

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