What are your hiking rules?

I am hiking next week with a friend whom I have known since elementary school, 40 years or so. As we talked about hikes she would go on, I learned we have both rules to what kind of hikes we will do. How could've I not known this about my long time friend. I was shocked she experiences similar symptoms at the top of the mountain, although the hike scenarios are slightly different, the symptoms are not. It got me to thinking all day... What are your hiking rules?

Wide trails, no hugging the side of the mountain, no rocky outcrops staring down at a small village, has to have lots of trees around but I need a challenge, she tells me. It's not a laughing matter and nothing to be embarrassed about...it is a phobia and we all have them.

I have this phobia all the time. I'm not a fan of climbing tree roots, or crawling up open rocky areas, steep goat trails with rocky surfaces or century old boulder fields but what I've learned I have to get off the mountain so I it's mind over matter and That's how I get myself down. Other than my love for doing this, it's the reason for my site. I want to help you find a hike that you feel comfortable doing and to know that if you have a panic attack or trembling legs, to just breathe and to put one foot in front of the other. You can do it! 

Will I do risky, scary hikes in the future? Not likely...I will do the hike and when I don't feel comfortable anymore during the climb, I'll wait for my group or turn around. I've accepted this phobia and I'm ok with it.

As  always, happy & safe trails...

Lori Pederson