trekking/hiking

[corndog-44]

What is the difference between trekking and hiking?

[Rick]

About two letters from what I can tell. Trekking is 8, hiking is 6. What'd I win?

Actually - It depends on where you are as to what the definition is. Some places use the terms with strict definitions over distance or altitude, some separate the two between walking on your own - hiking - and a very organized long term walking trip often with paid guides - trekking.

I think we're pretty lax here and we view the two as more or less interchangeable. You might even throw backpacking into the foray.

I'm inclined to think of hiking as a short distance walk and trekking as a longer distance. Still, if you talk to anyone on the AT or the PC they are thru hikers. Call it what you want.

[Beowulf65]

Trekking is not hiking in that a trek takes no trail or path and the trekker makes his own path thus Remy was correct in saying it is an arduous journey, most trekkers I know (and I am one been doing treks for 8 years now) do historical trekking often called living history but not re-enacting, which is to say we wear period clothing (I do 1650s to 1780s) and use only period correct equipment (once again FVR knows what I'm talking about)
most treks done in this fashion are pretty primitive and can be real strenous.
Or as one of my fellow trekkers stated: Historical Trekking (also called Period Trekking, Experimental Archeology, or Experiential Anthropology) is a hobby where we as 21st century people attempt a task someone in our chosen time period would have done, using only the tools and equipment they would have used, or the knowledge we have gleaned from research. Whether you are interested in the Longhunter of the 18th Century and you are out on a hunt using only period clothing and flintlock, or if your interest lies in the Mountainman of the 19th Century, and you want to use period traps to try and catch beaver, you are involved with the hobby of Historical Trekking. This hobby gives us more insight into the daily lives of the people in our chosen time period, and helps to make us better historians.
Where as a hiker is someone who just hits a park or the wilderness and usually follows the paths laid out for them and usually do not camp in the process.
And as Hopeak said expeditions are also done, I went on a canoe trek or expedition that lasted for 12 days, we started at the St. Lawerance in Quebec and came all the way down through new york and into Virginia camping as we went along, I have done thirty mile or more treks in the Adirondack, the smokey mountains, the teetons, and yellowstone all without using a trail and period correct clothing and equipment. Try a trek its harder than you think. But Remy trekking is not all in the mind, it's very physical also limiting yourself to the equipment used in the period you choose, anyone thinking of living off the grid should try a week or longer historical trek with a group of about 6 to 8 people. Sure you can read a history book to learn what a historian has researched, or the journal or notes of say Lewis & Clark, but to go out and actually do it in the same way and the same clothing is a whole new experience to history and very challenging, it takes you deeper into the period you choose to study and gives you 1st hand knowledge of the problems they ran into and the hardships they encountered (hostile natives not included). :D

[hopeak]

No matter what you call it. It comes down to this. You are doing it, or you ain't doing it.
Call it what you want; just get out and do it.

[Beowulf65]

A trek is not a hike... A trek is not a hike... A trek is not a hike... lol... your right Hopeak
as long as you go out and do it and enjoy it then call it what you want.

[granite]

Trekking involves paying vast sums of money, traveling to a far corner of the earth and hiring a guide that speaks limited English. It also involves daily walks of 5-6 miles, meals prepared by chefs and tents set up by your personal sherpas. Trekkers will routinely take thousands of very boring pictures which afterwards will be shown to his/her friends and family, while the trekker expects lots of ooos and ahs from this unwilling captive audience.

Hiking involves walking out your front door with a map and a compass.

[Beowulf65]

Granite that is a load of crap, and for someone who's signature reads trails are for sissy's thought you'd understand. On not one trek I've done have we spent vast sums of money, had a guide, taken dozens of pictures or wished or asked for ooos and ahhs from anyone. After 8 years in the military & ranger school I really don't need to do historical trekking, but I choose to so I can learn a deeper understanding of what my ancestors went through hacking out this country and learning history that one can't get from school. Read my whole post, your information is misinformed and incorrect on trekking.

[granite]

Tom-a-to Tom-ah-to

[MedicineWolf]

Beowulf65 is correct. Sometimes referred to as "Experimental Archeology". It is the reconstruction and reproduction of past behavior and processes to obtain or evaluate archaeological data. (Boy, that's a mouthful). In other words, it's one thing to read about history, but it's quite a bit different to try and recreate a situation and immerse yourself in it. We will never truly understand their way of thinking, but at least we can recreate some physical aspects of their lifestyle to use as a learning tool. Although the term "Trek" originates from South Africa, it has come to be used by historians to describe a long journey by foot using period correct equipment. This could be a short trip 10 to 20 miles, referred to as a "scout", or a trip consisting of many days or weeks. This historical trekking is no different than when my people (native americans I'm Cheyenne) have powwows and dress and live in the same manner for days or weeks on end, its a historical heritage thing and everyone will not understand.

[Rick]

I don't necessarily agree with you either, Beo at WE. As I said above, I've never met a through trekker, they're all through hikers. I don't disagree with you either. If that's your definition then Okay diddle dee doh. Po-ta-to Po-tah-to. Let's call the whole thing off. Oh, never mind. That's a song. Hey, don't blame me, granite started it.

[Rick]

From American Heritage Dictionary:

Trek:
1. To make a slow or arduous journey.
2. To journey on foot, especially to hike through mountainous areas.
3. South African To travel by ox wagon.

Hike:
1. to walk or march a great distance, esp. through rural areas, for pleasure, exercise, military training, or the like.

[Beowulf65]

The same dictionary that uses the word BLING: Bling-bling (usually shortened to bling) is a hip hop slang term that refers to elaborate, gaudy jewelry and other accouterments, and also to a lifestyle built around excessive spending and ostentation.
Yeah, that dictionary, now we use ghetto words in our dictionary to define the american way, God help us.
And what is a through hiker? Never mind I looked it up.

[Elkchsr]

The difference that I see in the world in which I inhabit

Hike:
Following a trail
Hiking cross country, but only for a day generally

Trek:
Cross country travel
Done for at least an overnighter but generally lasts many days

Quest:
Following a more spiritual path that is a step or more above a Trek (I thought I would just add this little extra in for the heck of it :) )

[FVR]

Yeh, what Beao said. So there.

Trekking is far from using alot of money, well I guess if you don't have the skills to make your own gear, you can drop a few nickels and quarters.

[trax]

oh that's been used hasn't it....never mind. I'm with Beo and FVR on this one (probably comes as a surprise to no one) I'm with Elkchsr on the quest thing too....somewhat....

[Rick]

Mamby pamby.

[carcajou garou]

Trekking: is when you travel in space preferably in a starship called the Enterprise.

Hiking: is addressing male royalty

See that wasn't that hard:D

[Smok]

Boy did someone beat the honey tree??:D:eek:

[Beowulf65]

Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr we're all out in the wilderness do our own thing the way we like to, who really gives a rats azz as long as you like what your doing, and treat the earth respectfully so you don't cause global warming :D or get anal probed!

[trax]

Mamby pamby.

OH like you had something bold and original to say...pfffft....:D

[nell67]

Nah,I actually think he was speechless...for once,but he just couldn't not say something.

[Rick]

Something.:p