Rooted in a critical dialogue that endeavours to theorize experience in contrast to the colonial impetus, this dissertation explores the lived experience of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. As a result of this disposition, the purpose of this dissertation is to expose the dynamics associated with colonized experiences and empirically research the lived experience of thru-hikers from an ecophenomenological perspective. The subsequent approach views the activities of the lived human body as the process through which the world comes into being. Building on Merleau-Pontian phenomenology, ecophenomenology provides the foundation of the experiential self, and thus underlies the representation of the trail environment as a sensuous field of human activity where one is merged with one's socio-ecological surroundings. Explication of empirical materials from 27 participant interviews resulted in a wide range of thru-hiking experiences representing the operative essence of Appalachian Trail thru-hiking. The operative essence was identified across 4 broad dimensions: Perseity, Sojourning, Kinship, and Wild Imbrication. Each dimension comprised a dialectic which emerged from interview excerpts both congruent with and in contrast to wilderness ideology. Further exploration of wilderness ideals resulted in thru-hikers negotiating tensions related to ideological wilderness meanings and their own actual thru-hiking experiences. This negotiation allowed a broader conception of wilderness to be illustrated as a continuum of meaningful experiences. In addition, ecoliteracy emerged as an experientially driven learning process whereby thru-hikers negotiate alternative meanings of wilderness with ideological meanings. The implications for experiential and wilderness related research along with management concerns are discussed.

Graduate

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-45). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Abstract The purpose of this Bachelor thesis has been to find a way to increase physical activity through the digitization of hiking trails. With information on interesting places around the hiking trail, we hope that this will enable people to get out on the hiking trails. Both to exercise but also to learn a little more about places in their vicinity. Through walking interviews, we have gathered data about the user's thoughts and ideas about the hiking trails. As well as studying UX design and HCI to see patterns of the user that can be applied in the product, to make our design more appealing and more user friendly. In our process, we have used Wireframe to get a common and visual image to work for. After that, we have worked with Extreme programming to work together and create the code for the design. Our result has grown into a demo application that is open to more features and other fields of use if desired. At the end of this work, new thoughts and ideas have also been brought to life, how the demo app could be used in other areas, such as in the archipelago and for educational purposes for children. Keywords Smartphone application, walking trails, points of interests, movement, hiking. / Abstrakt Detta kandidatarbetets syfte har varit att finna ett sätt att öka den fysiska aktiviteten genom digitalisering av vandringsleder. Med hjälp av information om intressanta platser runt om vandringsleden, hoppas vi att detta förmår folk att ta sig ut på vandringslederna. Både för att motionera men också för att lära sig lite mer om platser i sin närmiljö. Vi har genom promenadintervjuer samlat data om användarens tankar och ideér gällande vandringslederna. Samt studerat UX design och HCI för att kunna se mönster hos användaren som går att applicera i produkten, för att göra vår design mer tilltalande och mera användarvänlig. I vår process har vi använt oss av Wireframe för att få en gemensam och visuell bild att jobba efter. Därefter har vi jobbat med Extreme programming för att tillsammans arbeta fram koden till gestaltningen. Vårt resultat har vuxit fram till en demo-applikation som är öppen för fler funktioner och användningsområden om så önskas. I slutet av detta arbetet har även nya tankar och ideér väckts till liv, om hur demo-appen skulle kunna användas inom andra områden såsom i skärgården och i lärosyfte för barn. Nyckelord Mobilapplikation, Vandringsleder, Intressepunkter, Rörelse, Vandring.

Esta pesquisa tem como foco de interesse empírico a promoção e realização de caminhadas na natureza como política pública no Estado do Paraná, Brasil. A partir deste contexto, investigou-se o modo pelo qual esta ação está relacionada com uma série de transformações mais amplas que têm contribuído para tornar a questão ambiental uma espécie de idioma não restrito ao âmbito ecológico, mas capaz de operar como paradigma moral, ético e estético. Neste sentido, interessam tanto os processos de institucionalização da questão ambiental, como sua acomodação em contextos de relações específicos. Para tanto, privilegio os caminhantes e o modo pelo qual experimentam a caminhada, forjando sentidos do que seja ecologia, natureza e paisagens rurais, assim como as ações estatais e sua capacidade de articular projetos de desenvolvimento econômico, ecologia, agricultura familiar e turismo na promoção das caminhadas. / This research focuses empirically on the promotion and organization of hiking events as Paraná state’s public policy. In this context, we have investigated the way in which the state's action is related to a range of broader changes that have contributed to turn the environmental issue into a sort of language that is not restricted to the ecological realm, but is instead capable of functioning as a moral, ethic and aesthetic paradigm. In this sense, we are interested in both the institutionalization of environmental issues and in their accommodation with specific contexts of social relations. In order to understand that, we have centered our analysis on the hikers themselves and on the way they experience hiking, giving meaning to notions such as ecology, nature and rural landscapes. We have also examined state actions and their ability to coordinate economic development, ecology, family farming and tourism while promoting hiking events.

Esta pesquisa tem como foco de interesse empírico a promoção e realização de caminhadas na natureza como política pública no Estado do Paraná, Brasil. A partir deste contexto, investigou-se o modo pelo qual esta ação está relacionada com uma série de transformações mais amplas que têm contribuído para tornar a questão ambiental uma espécie de idioma não restrito ao âmbito ecológico, mas capaz de operar como paradigma moral, ético e estético. Neste sentido, interessam tanto os processos de institucionalização da questão ambiental, como sua acomodação em contextos de relações específicos. Para tanto, privilegio os caminhantes e o modo pelo qual experimentam a caminhada, forjando sentidos do que seja ecologia, natureza e paisagens rurais, assim como as ações estatais e sua capacidade de articular projetos de desenvolvimento econômico, ecologia, agricultura familiar e turismo na promoção das caminhadas. / This research focuses empirically on the promotion and organization of hiking events as Paraná state’s public policy. In this context, we have investigated the way in which the state's action is related to a range of broader changes that have contributed to turn the environmental issue into a sort of language that is not restricted to the ecological realm, but is instead capable of functioning as a moral, ethic and aesthetic paradigm. In this sense, we are interested in both the institutionalization of environmental issues and in their accommodation with specific contexts of social relations. In order to understand that, we have centered our analysis on the hikers themselves and on the way they experience hiking, giving meaning to notions such as ecology, nature and rural landscapes. We have also examined state actions and their ability to coordinate economic development, ecology, family farming and tourism while promoting hiking events.

Esta pesquisa tem como foco de interesse empírico a promoção e realização de caminhadas na natureza como política pública no Estado do Paraná, Brasil. A partir deste contexto, investigou-se o modo pelo qual esta ação está relacionada com uma série de transformações mais amplas que têm contribuído para tornar a questão ambiental uma espécie de idioma não restrito ao âmbito ecológico, mas capaz de operar como paradigma moral, ético e estético. Neste sentido, interessam tanto os processos de institucionalização da questão ambiental, como sua acomodação em contextos de relações específicos. Para tanto, privilegio os caminhantes e o modo pelo qual experimentam a caminhada, forjando sentidos do que seja ecologia, natureza e paisagens rurais, assim como as ações estatais e sua capacidade de articular projetos de desenvolvimento econômico, ecologia, agricultura familiar e turismo na promoção das caminhadas. / This research focuses empirically on the promotion and organization of hiking events as Paraná state’s public policy. In this context, we have investigated the way in which the state's action is related to a range of broader changes that have contributed to turn the environmental issue into a sort of language that is not restricted to the ecological realm, but is instead capable of functioning as a moral, ethic and aesthetic paradigm. In this sense, we are interested in both the institutionalization of environmental issues and in their accommodation with specific contexts of social relations. In order to understand that, we have centered our analysis on the hikers themselves and on the way they experience hiking, giving meaning to notions such as ecology, nature and rural landscapes. We have also examined state actions and their ability to coordinate economic development, ecology, family farming and tourism while promoting hiking events.

The diploma thesis analyses the current state of the tourism both in France and Corsica and other more it deals with the importance of the landscape and the natural environment for tourism in Corsica. The theoretical part defines tourism and presents different kinds of tourism (hiking). In the practical part there is analysed specifically the tourism in France, especially one French region -- Corsica is analysed more detailed. The aim of the diploma thesis is to point out the importance of the tourism both for France and for Corsica, to describe the current state of tourism and to analyse the possibilities of its development. More attention is given to the hiking and trekking and possibilities of its development on the Mediterranean island of Corsica.

An increasing amount of hikers have added hiking poles to their outings to aid in reducing fatigue of the lower body and enhance stability. However, very little research has been conducted on the use of poles during continuous uphill hiking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pole use under field conditions on the rate of perceived exertion, physiological variables [oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), non-protein respiratory exchange ratio (RER), & total energy expenditure (TEE)], and time to completion during a 1.68 km continuous uphill (12.6% grade) hike. Ten male and ten female (Mean age = 22.7 ± 2.0 years) hikers participated in this experimental study using a within subject cross over design with randomized, counter-balanced order. Participants hiked with and without poles, at self-selected speeds. Rate of perceived exertion was collected at five minute intervals. Physiological measures (V02, HR, RER, and METs) were measured continuously (every two seconds) during all hiking conditions using a portable metabolic system (VmaxST, SensorMedics, Yorba Linda, CA). Heart rate data was recorded by a Polar transmitter belt worn by the participant with a receiver integrated into the VmaxST base system. Hiking pole use resulted in increased oxygen consumption (M= 29.8 ± 2.6 ml∙kg⁻¹∙min⁻¹ vs. M= 28.6 ± 2.8 ml∙kg⁻¹∙min), and total energy expenditure (M= 223.3 ± 57.9 kcals vs. 209.6 ± 47.7 kcals) compared to hiking without poles. Duration, RER, HR, and RPE were not significantly different between conditions. These results indicate that the use of hiking poles during uphill hiking increases the energy cost of hiking without increasing the perceived exertion in novice pole users. To fully evaluate the effects of hiking pole use and confirm the results from this study, future field research should be conducted with and without poles, including novice and expert groups, at grades above and below 15 %.

The Irish Hills Natural Reserve Conservation Plan is a unique component of the Cityof San Luis Obispo’s green belt that provides a number of hiking and mountain bikingtrails within a short distance from the downtown core as well as ensures that valuablehabitat be preserved into the future. As the subject of my thesis project, IHNR presented the opportunity to pursue an aspect of city planning that can often be over-looked and, conservation planning. Conservation planning is an important element of the planning profession in that it incorporates such elements into the future growth of cities. With proper planning it is possible to foresee future development patterns and thus be able to designate and protect high value natural resource areas as open space, in order to preserve and protect their resources. In addition to setting the guidelines for preserving and protecting the natural resources and important habitats of Irish Hills, the conservation plan has a secondary effect of ensuring the future health of the surrounding habitats.