This is how it all started…
Welcome to Unfiltered Hiking (Sauntering).
For the longest time, as long as I can remember, I’ve always been drawn to the mountains. There is just such a majesty and mystery about the whole thing. I think all who gaze up at a summit, wonder, “I wonder what the world looks like from up there?” I’ve always liked hiking, but had difficulty at times finding the right trail to hike. Early in my hiking career it was getting a trail map from the ranger office, or “Oh Look! a Trail! I wonder were it goes?” Now-a-days we have the internet. It is a wonderful tool, but even then some things can be obscure and unclear. I always wanted to know certain things about the trail: parking, where does the trail head start, how long is the trail? When it says that the trail is “easy, moderate, or difficult (challenging)”, who is it easy for? Are those trail grades applicable to me at my age? I wanted to be sure that I could do the trail.
There would also be times where I would see pictures of these beautiful places that I wanted to see with my own eyes. I would take the time to plan a venture out to the location so I could see the wonder for myself, only to be somewhat disappointed because the colors weren’t as vibrant as the photo. I began to see that a lot of what I was observing had been photoshopped, filterd in some way, or someone was having fun with their contrast option on their photo editing software.
So, I decided to combine the two. I’m over 50, overweight, and out of shape. I find that many people are in the same situation. I’ve had many ask me, “I want to get out into nature and do some hiking, but I don’t know where to start. I don’t know If I could handle a hike. Could you suggest a trail?” So, I thought I would start doing reviews of the trails I was hiking and put them on Facebook. I do a written, and video assessment. I also provide pictures of the trail, scenery, and any wildlife that has not been altered in anyway (Unfiltered). That way people can truly see what is in store for them. The only problem is I think I put too much info into a fb post. So, I thought I would start this blog.
I really want to share with people this wonderful creation that I go out and explore. I want to be able to give people an honest assessment of trails so they can go and enjoy them for themselves. I feel like the mountains are beckoning me “come and see”. As John Muir said, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” So, this is my attempt to share with the world. I am not a web-master, I am figuring things out as I go, and some things on this website may not work. I’m trying to keep it simple, for all our sakes.
Thank you for visiting, I hope this is an effecient and effective tool for your future hiking adventures.
Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/933698274619642/
Email:
unfilteredhiking@gmail.com
Michael Elmore
Saunterer and Amature Photographer