Hiking as Little as Once a Week Can Drastically Increase Your Ability to Talk Nonstop About Hiking
In a groundbreaking study that’s sure to have your non-hiking mates reaching for noise-cancelling headphones, researchers have discovered that hiking as little as once a week can drastically boost one’s ability to talk incessantly about hiking. Yes, that’s right—those endless stories about “perfectly graded switchbacks” and heated debates over the superiority of fly nets? Turns out, they’re backed by science.
This earth-shattering revelation sheds light on why hikers can’t seem to shut up about trails. It also raises urgent concerns for loved ones trapped in conversations that somehow always circle back to the Blue Mountains or why “nothing beats a good pair of gaiters.”
The Study:
The research, conducted over several months, split participants into two groups: regular hikers and those who spent their weekends wisely, bingeing Bluey and ordering Uber Eats. The hikers were sent to explore local favourites like the Overland Track or Wilsons Promontory, while the non-hikers remained blissfully unaware of what a “plover attack” actually entails.
Post-hike, participants were tested on their ability to dominate conversations with unsolicited hiking stories. The results were nothing short of shocking.
The Results:
Hikers exhibited a near-supernatural ability to hijack discussions, offering long-winded accounts of bushwalks, complete with excruciatingly specific details about “stunning rock formations” and “the best waterfall no one else knows about.”
Common highlights included:
- Breathtaking tales of conquering Mount Kosciuszko in record time (spoiler: it’s more of a stroll).
- The cultural rite of passage that is debating “Thredbo vs. Guthega.”
- Passionate arguments about why dehydrated mango is superior to all other snacks.
Meanwhile, the non-hikers struggled to sustain more than a 20-second conversation about the outdoors before defaulting to the weather or lamenting how magpies are terrifying even from a distance.
What This Means for Non-Hikers:
Friends and family of hikers are advised to prepare for an onslaught of unsolicited details about blister care, “one time I saw a wombat,” and the “hidden gem” that’s apparently not so hidden since it’s crawling with influencers. Experts recommend equipping yourself with these survival tools:
- Prepared Phrases: “That sounds amazing!” or “You must have been so zen!” will help deflect further elaboration.
- Feign Interest: Become a master of asking vague-but-encouraging follow-ups like, “Wait, tell me again about the moss?”
- Distraction Techniques: Mention Bunnings sausage sizzles to quickly redirect the conversation.
Those unable to fake interest may want to perfect their ability to nod while silently contemplating what’s for dinner.
Expert Commentary:
Dr. Trailblazer O’Hara, lead researcher and avid bushwalker, shared his thoughts:
“We were gobsmacked by how quickly participants became unbearable—I mean, enthusiastic—about sharing their hikes. One subject couldn’t stop talking about the exact distance of every trail they’d walked in the Dandenongs. Honestly, I didn’t even know you could spend 20 minutes talking about leeches.”
The research team also noted a peculiar side effect: hikers who were exposed to new listeners immediately began retelling stories as if for the first time, regardless of how often those listeners had heard them before.
Real-World Applications:
To help the public cope, experts suggest these strategies:
- Develop a Stockpile of Responses: Phrases like, “Wow, that sounds incredible!” and “You must be so fit!” will come in handy.
- Strategic Napping: Perfect your ability to sleep with your eyes open for those particularly lengthy monologues about elevation gain.
- Embrace the Lifestyle: If you can’t beat them, join them. Become a hiker yourself and overwhelm them with your own tales of mosquito bites and poorly chosen footwear.
Embrace the Outdoors:
Whether you love or loathe the great outdoors, this study offers one undeniable truth: hikers will talk about hiking. Relentlessly. But instead of running from it, maybe it’s time to lean in.
So, grab your Akubra, load up on muesli bars, and get ready to regale your mates with tales of that time you “almost twisted an ankle on the Bibbulmun Track” or how “the view from Cradle Mountain was worth the mozzies.”
Because in the end, the only thing more exhausting than climbing a mountain… is listening to someone talk about climbing a mountain.
Happy hiking—and even happier talking about hiking!
Superb