I used to run around in the woods all the time when I was younger but we didn't call it hiking. Followed all the game trails and never got lost. Seems like I could always tell which way was home.
But before I went on my first real hike in the Sipsey Wilderness you can bet I bought a good map and compass, plus took a class on how to use a compass. With age comes some wisdom I guess.
Really enjoyed my first hike in Sipsey Wilderness. Went to see the "tree". It's a 150 ft tall yellow popular that's a couple hundred yrs old. 4 miles in and 4 out. Not a bad hike but my knees sure told on me that evening.
Went back a couple of weeks later to view Kinlock falls and a huge limestone overhang. Man was it pretty.
Now work, bad weather and moving are getting in the way of my hiking! Oh well, I'll get back to it soon.