Freehiking is a Very Soulful Experience

“For me, freehiking is a desirable enough goal that I'll endure some stress to have it. The experience is somewhat different whether I'm in a spot where I know it's OK to be naked or one where I'm taking a small, calculated risk (I'm not so much for big risks, ever. Well, except for the time I got naked at the Great Wall; but, I digress). At a resort with remote trails it's amazing to set off with no cover-up, simply paying attention to nature around me - the sounds, smells, feel of the forest on my all over. The animals are more likely to be curious and not skittish; the rustling leaves talk back to me in a way that they don't when I'm wearing clothes. Likewise on a designated nude beach; eg, had a great 2 mile hike at San Gregorio last fall. There's no stress to begin with, just exuberance. Sometimes I'll just suddenly take off running for a while, from all the energy it creates. Most of my freehiking is done near home in the Northwoods and in remote areas when I travel. I work at finding spots where I'm not likely to meet others - blind trailheads where there are no cars, old logging roads and two-tracks, etc. And I find low-use times. When I find remote spots I always find getting naked irresistible, so I prepare by wearing clothes that are easy to get out of. But I'm still listening for sounds of other people, I carry a cover-up, etc. The experience is always sensuous and rich, but I would say it's more energizing during the naked period and the stress relief comes once I'm done hiking, having had no surprises. The funny thing is that the few times I actually had a surprise (clothed hikers), it never posed a problem. My goal is to keep it that way! Oh yes, freehiking is a very soulful experience. I'm lucky to live where I can do it fairly often.” - Al

Bare Burro 5k Update

Don’t miss out! Registrations are coming in for the Bare Burro 5k - the first nude run held in Southern California. (There will also be nude walkers – PJ and me for instance; we won’t win a medal, but we’ll get lots of sun, have lots of fun, and take home a cool Bare Burro t-shirt for participating!)

Here’s what one registrant says: “I'm looking forward to joining in the fun of this event as my first 5K AND my first nude run! Thanks Olive Dell for creating this great experience.” - Jon
So send your registration in soon and mark the date on your calendar.

The Bare Burro 5k will be held Sunday April 18, 2010, at Olive Dell Ranch, staring at 10:30 am. Come Join in the Fun!

Additional information and the registration form can be found at: http://www.olivedellranch.com/

Or you are welcome to email me with questions: kenfreehiker@yahoo.com

Winter Freehiking the Rocky Mountains

“Got my first freehike of the year on the last week on January. Since I live in the northern Rocky Mountains, I count this as something of an accomplishment. The valley had been suffering a temperature inversion since right after Christmas. With temperatures in the low teens (Fahrenheit) I drove out of town up toward an area of sandstone and scattered trees and shrubs-about 1500 feet higher than town. I was hoping to pass out of the cold, heavier air, and, sure enough, I watched the outdoor thermometer in my vehicle rise quickly to the upper 20's. OK, that is not exactly tropical, and I left the truck in full winter attire. Once I got passed the open area near the highway and into the slick rock, the reflected sun off the rocks immediately warmed me. Before long, I was down to boots, socks, sunglasses, and hat and I was able to comfortably climb all over the rocks for over an hour. It was pure, natural bliss, hopping from rock to rock, avoiding snow banks when possible. Next time, however, I must remember to bring gaiters because there were places where knee deep snow could not be avoided. A little protection on the lower legs would have been nice. . . I am off to a good start!” – Mike

Naturist Activity Reduces Memory Loss

I knew a fellow who quit naturism because he said it made him lazy, just lying in the sun. Not me. Naturist activities motivate me to exercise. Hiking, gardening, and swimming clothed are all okay, but I truly love freehiking, freegardening, and nude swimming, so being a naturist keeps me healthy as well as happy.

With this in mind, consider these thoughts from Dr. Mercola about the value of exercise in reducing memory loss as one ages.

“Moderate physical activity performed in midlife or later appears to be associated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment - and a six-month high-intensity aerobic exercise program can improve cognitive function in individuals who already have the condition. Each year, 10 percent to 15 percent of individuals with mild cognitive impairment will develop dementia, as compared with 1 percent to 2 percent of the general population. Physical exercise may protect against mild cognitive impairment by means of the production of nerve-protecting compounds, greater blood flow to the brain, improved development and survival of neurons and the decreased risk of heart and blood vessel diseases.”

http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2010/02/02/the-single-most-important-thing-to-preserve-your-brain-function.aspx

PJ and I manage a senior facility. I suspect our residents would function better mentally as well as physically if they were naturists, and increased vitamin D from the sun would help as well. (Too bad, I don’t suppose I’ll ever be able to demonstrate this with my residents.)

Anyone Else Enjoy Freegardening?

We had little free time this week to visit our happy place at Olive Dell Ranch. We spent Monday freegardening in Dellymaze Park. While weeding areas on the Olive Dell Nature Trail I noticed an interesting area for a new trail. PJ and I had discussed dedicating a trail to all of our grandkids, so I was soon bushwacking away on a new Grandkids Trail.

Wednesday afternoon I continued working on this new trail. It will take several more days to finish, but the Grandkids Trail will be very interesting when it is done. I hope they all walk it some day.

I love freegardening - dirt, scratches, bumps, everything about it.

Anyone else enjoy freegardening?

Sweet Memories of Freehiking in the Rain

“Some of my sweetest naked hiking memories from this past season involved hiking in the rain. The sights, sounds, and smells one encounters in the woods in the rain are intoxicating. . . you also don't see as many people on the trail. I have been entirely warm and comfortable hiking naked in the rain in temperatures ranging from the mid forties (F) on up. In cooler weather, it seems that the layer of sweat and rain forms an insulating layer that functions much like in a diving wetsuit. And your body is not fighting the wicking and evaporative cooling effect of wet textiles against your skin. Also gone is the frustration of trying to keep textiles dry with clumsy raingear. My tactic in cooler wet weather, when possible, is to hike naked, keeping my gear dry inside my pack, ready to put on when I stop moving for an extended time.” – FreewalkerMA

Response to "Reintroduce a Healthy Naturist Revolution"

In response to my previous blog “Reintroduce a Healthy Naturist Revolution”, AllNudist wrote:

“Yes, I suppose it would be nice if all nudist/naturists were Beautiful People but alas, most tend to just be people who are willing to accept others while asking to be accepted for themselves. Without them there wouldn't be many nudist/naturist venues left.

"By definition, naturists are physically active, eat healthy food, avoid unhealthy habits, seek mental and spiritual advancement, and encourage others to understand so they also live in true health."

Excuse me but, by who's definition? Try as I might I have been unable to find that definition anywhere except as a personal opinion, usually put forth by bloggers pushing health, yoga, T.M. or such other personal life choices they have made for themselves. To me this sounds like one Democrat telling us what all Democrats should believe in order to be called a Democrat. Or Republican, or Christian, etc.You are certainly entitled to express your own opinion but it's disingenuous to suggest that some 'higher source' decrees it to be so, let alone that it's required to be considered a true 'naturist'.Good posting, makes people think!”

I want to thank AllNudist for this comment because it gives me a reason to expand my thoughts about naturism and health.

First, I realize that naturism is not just for the “beautiful” people. (I certainly don’t fit that category.) In fact, one of the first things people learn from naturism relates to “Positive Body Image” – every body is different, yet beautiful. But positive body image should just be a starting point, a foundation for improvement. What does body image have to do with not working to improve the health of your own body? Understanding body image, should naturists just accept their current health status, lie back and bask in the sun, never exercise, take up any bad habit that comes along, and kill themselves through gluttony? I think not. Naturism should inspire us to better physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Consider the history of naturism. It began in Germany in the 1920’s as a “health” movement. In 1922 a young Berlin gymnastics teacher, Adolf Koch, opened the Adolf Koch Institute, with a program that included weekend nude hikes, indoor nude exercises during the week, and proper nutrition. This focus on “health” helped it quickly expand to become the Stadtbad, a huge public gymnasium with a swimming pool and bath house. Men, women, and children mingled nude. “Health” classes consisted of two to three thousand people of all ages. Soon there were branches in other German towns and cities and the movement spread quickly to other countries, crossing to the U.S. within a few years, again with an emphasis on “health”..

In fact, the French, where the term “naturism” originated, emphasized “health” more than nakedness.

So from its beginning, naturism was a “health” movement. Neglecting the physical, mental, and spiritual health aspect of naturism is the change, not trying to re-emphasize health in naturism.

Perhaps I over-reached by use the word “wrong” instead of “unhealthy”. Wrong may sound too judgmental.

How’s this:

It’s “unhealthy” for naturists to just laze around a pool or on a beach in the sun to the exclusion of swimming and freehiking and nude gardening and similar healthy activities. Naturism is not just sunbathing – far from it.

It’s “unhealthy” for naturists eat such unhealthy foods. A restaurant at a resort should serve much more than burgers and fries and sugar-crammed sodas. Naturists are healthy eaters.

It’s “unhealthy” for naturists to gather together to drink and smoke as if getting naked somehow encourages these obviously unhealthy practices. On the contrary, naturism discourages these nasty habits.

It's “unhealthy” for naturists to neglect mental and spiritual stimulation, and hide from others. Demonstrating that they are different, not "sheeple", by stepping outside the constraints of society and culture, and rejecting the negative effects of "textilism" and sexual perversion, naturists should be seekers after all truth and leaders and teachers and missionaries.

I accept that all of these healthy behaviors and attitudes are important to “real” naturism, and that neglecting them has been an unhealthy change to the practice of naturism. It’s time again to re-emphasize “health” in naturism.