Freelance Hiking

Have you ever felt drawn to a particular mountain or grove of trees down by the river as you drive by on your daily commute? Have you been traveling along a highway and seen a bluff or plateau and suddenly had the urge to explore? Well, if you’re an avid hiker than the answer is probably yes.

Freelance Hiking is the art of exploring off the beaten path, you are comfortable with your navigational skills and are willing to go off trail and explore the earth. Merriam Webster defines a freelancer as- “a person who acts independently without being affiliated with or authorized by an organization.” If you are the independent type and not opposed to getting off the ‘park trail’ then freelancing is definitely you. I find that I’m too adventurous to stay on the trail for very long. Now, here is the disclaimer, let’s be clear, a freelance hike doesn’t mean you trespass on posted property or break any other laws in the process. If you can get permission to hike on private land that’s a bonus, but there is plenty of public land to be explored that is easily accessible, without infringing on someone’s private land. Most state and federal parks will have areas that you can explore with no repercussions for getting off the heavily traveled paths.

I believe we should enjoy all this planet has to offer, to explore it, take that walk along the river or up along the ridgeline we have always admired. Hiking is an adventure, be spontaneous and do some freelance hikes. If you hike with kids, then they are going to love it! My son gets excited when I pull onto a dirt road. He knows when that happens we are about to go explore and do some freelancing, that we will forge our own path together, creating another story in our book of life outside.

So, I will close with this – We have all seen a vehicle pulled off on the shoulder of a highway and then notice someone hiking up near the ridgeline or walking along the edge of a brook. Well, that’s a freelance hike for sure, and maybe you should pull off and check it out, I mean, why not right? Now, if you ever see a grey Jeep unlimited (that looks really Rugged) off on the shoulder of the highway, look toward the ridgeline for a boy and his father, that would be us, The Rugged Outdoorsmen, welcome to the club.