Henry David Thoreau was on to something when he said, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life.”

College students spend hours upon hours hitting the books, surfing the Internet, sleeping or doing nothing at all — but the outdoors can be a totally foreign concept.

An easy, accessible way to get closer to nature can be found in hiking — an activity that may seem intimidating at first, but is a viable option for anyone with the right materials, said Kent Frates, co-author of the recently published reference guide “Oklahoma Hiking Trails.”

Frates, who used to be publisher and editor of Sports Source magazine, has been hiking for nearly 30 years, but the activity began as a casual hobby.

“The good thing about hiking is that you can make it whatever you want,” Frates said. “If you want to make it a nice stroll in the woods or if you want to see if you can hike all the way up the Winding Stair Mountain’s 15 miles, you can do that.”

A good pair of boots is essential for any beginning hiker, Frates said, and it’s important to make sure to break them in before any real hiking. This prevents any blistering that may occur while on the trail.

One of the great advantages to hiking is the cost, Frates said, which college kids are always mindful of when taking on a new activity. Besides the cost of boots and a cheap backpack, it’s free.

Some of the local trails Frates recommends are the Ouachita Mountains, Sharon’s Garden in the Wichita Mountains, Black Mesa in the panhandle or for those looking for something close by — Lake Thunderbird, which is within Norman’s city limits.

Nathan Moore, a history and international security studies junior, was first introduced to hiking by his mom, who was a park ranger at Glacier National Park during her college years.

From a young age, Moore has been climbing mountain ranges across the country and has even gone hiking with OU through the honors program, Outdoor Adventure.

“When I’m at school, I’m trying to do 10 things at once,” Moore said. “Hiking is a good mind-clearing activity. It slows everything down.”

Both Moore and Frates agree that autumn is a prime time for hiking. The temperature is mild, the weather is less fickle and bugs and snakes are much less likely to be a problem.

While the trails may be ready and waiting to be hiked, before venturing off it’s important to always remember the bare essentials.

When increasing outdoor activity, like hiking and backpacking, food and water supplies should not be overlooked.

Professor Allen Knehans, the chair of the department of nutritional sciences, emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated and energized while hiking.

“For the hiker, I would say water [is] a first priority,” Knehans said. “The fact that they’re almost certainly being more active than in a typical day — there’s more sweat, losing fluids.”

Knehans also recommends bringing along an orange or a banana with the rest of a packed meal for the potassium and electrolytes the body needs.

Hiking provides opportunities to increase friendships and one’s experiences with nature, Moore said.

“I like climbing mountains because it’s a great opportunity to get to know the people you’re hiking with,” he said. “And you gain an appreciation for an environment that you don’t know.”

Oklahoma Hiking

» Ouachita Mountains
Located in west central Arkansas, southeastern Oklahoma and northeast Texas.
For more info, click here

» Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge
Located in southwestern Oklahoma.
For more info, click here

» Black Mesa State Park
Located in the panhandle of Oklahoma.
For more info, click here

» Lake Thunderbird
Located in Norman
For more info, click here