Hike your Spouse

Danger! Danger! Caution!

Are you planning on taking your non-hiking spouse on a hike? If you answered, "yes" to the preceding question, you must read on and proceed with extreme caution!

Before leaving on the trip, you must first honestly assess your spouse's fitness level and outdoor interests, and then plan your hike accordingly. The reason I have expressed caution is because there is a high risk associated with the first trip, not only of injury but the future of all hiking and outdoor trips with your spouse. If you mess up the first hike you may never get a second chance.

Once at the lookout point above Upper Yosemite Falls in Yosemite, I met a man and his wife. He was introducing her to all that would listen and told us that it was her first hike and he was so proud of her. He had good cause to be proud because the climb from the valley floor to this point above the falls is very difficult. But the real discomfort was just beginning because the descent is extremely cruel on your feet and knees. When I saw her walking bent over and dragging her body along like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, I said to myself, "You dummy. This will no doubt be her first and last hike." Can you imagine how she was walking and felt when she reached the bottom?

I took my spouse on a great hike, or so I thought, but the suffering associated with the climb was not to her liking. When her knee swelled on the drive home, that was it-- the end. Years have now passed and I have stopped asking her to accompany me.

Some rules for taking your spouse on their first hike:

1. Extreme caution is the governing principle.

2. Ask around to find the best trail for her situation and fitness.

3. Plan an unselfish trip with only her interest in mind.

4. Be willing to cut the trip short if things are not working out.

Good luck because you will need all your luck for this one.

Nevada Falls

Merced River

Tuolumne Meadows

North Peak