What began as a pastime of observing and discovering the lovely but hidden part of nature has evolved into a therapeutic therapy for many individuals adversely impacted by the Covid-19 epidemic.
Zolani Tshwane, the founder of Nsikeni Hiking Club, asserts that hiking has become a kind of rehabilitation for many individuals who have chosen to abandon urban areas and immerse themselves in nature.
The 33-year-old instructor from Umzimkhulu, KwaZulu-Natal, states that he has always enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors. Now, he has introduced his wife, Abongile, to this way of life.
“At the time, I was unaware that I was hiking; I believed I was simply taking long walks,” Tshwane explained. “I’ve never been one to enjoy the glitz and glamour of city life; my true joy comes from discovering off-beaten paths, and when I got married, my wife and I explored [natural] areas.”
Tshwane has led his hiking club on excursions to Oribi Gorge, Umzimkhulu woodland, and Coffee Bay in Eastern Cape, where he has attracted more than eighty members.
According to him, the hiking club has grown by leaps and bounds as a result of social media because the organization always shares spectacular photographs taken in the countryside.
“We would go trekking, return, and I would upload the photographs we took. The response and inquiries I received confirmed that I must establish a club. Now, people from all around Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have arrived.”
According to Tshwane, some hiking club members have lost loved ones, careers, and relationships, while others have lost contact with themselves as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has left a path of ruin across the globe.
Therefore, hiking assists their healing journey.
He elaborated: “Through hiking, people are able to clear their minds, especially considering the devastating impact the pandemic has had on many people’s mental health.
“When we are out there, [our] minds are focused on what we see instead of the problems we all have. Others get the opportunity to socialize, meet new acquaintances, and exchange life experiences.”
Tshwane also claims to have learned a great deal about people from their hiking adventures. “Experience is important, but it is more important for me to visit new sites initially. This is helpful since I am already familiar with the route, and I know which areas are safe and which are not.
“There are many factors that put one’s life in jeopardy when hiking; thus, everyone is required to sign an indemnity document, so that if anything beyond my control occurs, I am not responsible. In the event of an emergency, though, we have a first-aid kit.”
He goes on to say that many individuals are unaware of the benefits of hiking, believing that it is only for a specific race.
“Trees, water, and the air we breathe in the wilderness are not polluted, as opposed to what we breathe in towns. That is therapeutic for the mind and spirit.
“There are also bodily benefits, as hiking is a form of exercise. During our hikes, folks forming friends jumps out the most to me.”
»Hiking is the best form of treatment«