‘Soft hiking’ isn’t just a TikTok trend. How to level up your trek by slowing down
LOS ANGELES — How do hikers balance the tricky — and sometimes dueling — objectives of ambition and contentment? Most days, I’m simply content to be plodding along on my local San Gabriel Valley trails, grateful to have the time and luxury to hike. I’m not looking to hike Baldy this year; instead, I’m trying to listen to my body and brain — and I know they’re not ready.
But other times, there’s an itching feeling that I’m not doing enough, or that I’ll never be a “real hiker” — and that feeling of inferiority can hit
