No, social media is not ruining hiking.

There are mounting challenges with managing our natural spaces, but is social media really to blame?

Screenshot of a CBC news article from my home province, British Columbia.

1) True: There are problems with overcrowding.

A crowd waits to ascend the Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Brian Huges / Summitpost

There are more people enjoying nature than ever before, particularly national parks. Crowds can reduce the quality of visitors’ experiences. It is also having a negative effect on the environment the parks are supposed to protect.

But let’s take a moment to consider the real problem here. Is it really such a bad thing that so many people want to be in nature? It’s no secret that being outside and physical activity is good for you. And that many of us could do more to promote our health.

Maybe the real problem is a lack of government support to meet this demand, not the demand itself.

2) False: There is a right and a wrong way to hike.

Let’s look at a quote from the CBC article above from columnist Stephen Hui.

“[Social media is] leading a lot of people who weren’t maybe hikers to do these one-off, infrequent hikes. I think it’s also driving a lot of people to converge there, just because they want to get those same, perfect poses with yoga poses and tents set up.”

I mean …. who made this guy the judge of who is and isn’t a hiker?!

If an infrequent hiker wants to wander around a paved trail with their family, great.

If someone wants to pull on their hiking boots and do a six-hour hike every Saturday morning, also great.

I personally love multi-day adventures where I am freezing cold, a little bit scared and bushwhacking through the woods at 2:00am. And I also like taking selfies of myself doing yoga.

We all have different ways to enjoy the outdoors. But that does not make anyone else’s desires or choices any less valid.

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Who is a “real” hiker? . Whether you hike a mile or fifteen, or only a few times a year; if you use a mobility device on trails, or don't see anyone who looks like you; You Are A Hiker. When we base our worth as hikers on how many miles and feet of elevation we crush, or on our physical abilities, or inabilities, we miss out on the journey, healing and connection to all-that-is that can be found in nature. It’s not a race. You don’t get to stop and smell the wildflowers or dip your tired feet in a creek on a race. . I invite you to move your body in ways that feel good, for the joy of it. Be in your own journey, don’t compare it to someone else’s. It’s the doing it that matters. . It’s ok to challenge yourself. It’s ok to want to do more, harder, faster, longer, but it doesn’t make one a “real” hiker. That standard Instagram summit photo at golden hour is beautiful, but it doesn’t tell the story of a “real” hiker. . The outdoors is for everyone. If you need an invitation, this is it. If you need an invitation to quit these thought patterns, this is it. . If you hike, you are a hiker. Welcome ♥ . #sponsored #REI #ForceOfNature #optoutside . Location: Ozette Triangle aka Cape Alava Loop, Olympic National Park, Washington #olympicnationalpark

A post shared by Unlikely Hikers (@unlikelyhikers) on Jul 13, 2017 at 4:05pm PDT

3) True: Inexperienced hikers may get into dangerous situations.

There is often gap between our goals and our abilities. Striving for a goal and falling short is how we learn.

This is not a new problem created by social media. It’s part of human nature. It’s also the stuff of pretty much every outdoor adventure novel.

However, I agree with North Shore Search and Rescue, that social media influencers and web publishers need to do a better job informing people about the level of planning and preparation needed to be safe outside.

If you’re sharing on social media, it is important to briefly but accurately describe what is required to undertake adventure and link to safety information.

For an example of what I do, take a look at the end of this trip report. It is a trip where I spectacularly failed to meet an ambitious goal, so you can enjoy that as well.

4) False: Only certain kinds of people belong outside.

Young people use social media.

Young women, in particular, are usually in those yoga pose photos.

And certain kinds of people also turn to social media when they don’t see people who look like them on the trails. For example: Outdoor Asian, Melanin Base Camp, Fat Girls Hiking, Indigenous Womxn Climb.

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? #FRIYAY ? @hovcky "How I feel after ice climbing, apparently. Note how my jacket rides up over my harness, the mark of a rookie. The awkwardly splayed legs. And, of course, the screaming!"

A post shared by We Belong Outside (@webelongoutside) on Nov 10, 2017 at 9:51am PST

These are the same kind of people who are underrepresented outdoor recreation and in traditional outdoor media.

So when you say “social media is ruining hiking” what a lot of people hear “people like you don’t belong here.”

Before you start writing an angry comment, I know a lot of you do not mean this when you say it. But it still can make outdoor spaces less diverse and inclusive.

Additional info

• The ‘Unlikely Hikers’ Instagram Shatters Stereotypes Of Outdoor Fitness
• Photos on my new Instagram account: We Belong Outside
• Articles on We Belong Outside