Hiking
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Todd
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Todd: Every year, my company gives me three weeks' holiday. In summer, in August, and usually I go home, and I see my family. But, two years ago, before I went home, I took a hiking trip in Japan, and I went hiking across the "Minami Alps." "Minami" means "south," so they're the Southern Alps in Japan. It was a really good hike.
The hike took me five days. Before I went on the
hike, I needed to buy some gear, so I
bought a tent, a backpack, some hiking boots, and
a good map of the area I was going to traverse.
When I did the hike, it was really, really hard. I
was not prepared for how difficult it was going to
be. Each day I had to hike about 12 hours, and the
hardest part about each hike was having to carry
lots and lots of water because you're walking all
day, you have to drink lots of water, or else
you'll get dehydrated. The mountains were really steep, but once I got over the first
mountain, it was just beautiful, really, really
beautiful. And I met lots of really nice hikers,
especially elderly hikers on the trail, and I just
had a great time. I just remember the
beautiful views from the peaks, and at night, I
could see the stars really clearly, probably more
clearly than I ever had before. It was a really,
really good trip.
hiking trip
I took a hiking trip in Japan.
A "hiking trip" or "hiking" is a long-distance walk. It is done outdoors for recreation. Notice the following:
- He was hiking the Pacific Crest trail.
- Hiking can be a family activity.
some gear
I needed to buy some gear.
"Some gear" means necessary and protective types of equipment for an activity. Notice the following:
- You are not allowed to spar without wearing
some gear.
- Diving without breathing gear is called
'freediving.'
traverse
The area I was going to traverse.
"To traverse" or "traverse" implies traveling across or passing through. Notice the following:
- The rivers traverse the state from north to
south.
- The newly-made railways traverse the whole
district.
steep
The mountains were really steep.
"Steep" means large plane or sharp angle. Notice the following:
- The stair was too steep for her to climb.
- They stopped to rest because the next trail
was too steep.
great time
I just had a great time.
"Great time" means enjoyable experiences and a positive feeling about something. Notice the following:
- She had a great time at the party last night.
- The kids had such a great time playing their
favorite games.
Vocabulary Quiz
steep • great time
