I want to go on one of these hikes

[spinbaby]

http://www.wildernesstravel.com/

The Alps, Machu Picchu, Bhutan, Everest...

But I'd have to train for a year to even think about it. That and I'd need more money and vacation time than I have.

Sigh.

But it's cool to look at the pictures and imagine.

[taterguy]

1. Go for it

I hiked the Grand Canyon 18 months ago. 19 miles: South Rim to the Colorado River and back. Took eleven hours. Didn't train at all, just had a good pair of boots. Went alone, didn't need to pay a travel agency / planner. Good times.

[Taverner]

2. Just do a stairclimber and treadwalker every day

For about 20-30 minutes - for about 2-3 months and you'll be in shape.

Around the end, do marathon sessions.

[spinbaby]

3. Yeah, I'd be in shape

Then I'd just have to solve the vacation-time and money problems:(

Ah well, I can always go hike the Smoky Mountains--I can afford that.

[Patiod]

4. Going by horse is cool, too

Just returned from the Snowy Range in Wyoming (Medicine Bow Mountains).

Was planning on doing some hiking in the mountains, but 7,000 altitude hit me hard - got really altitude sick (I'm severely anemic, so that's probably why)

Fortunately, it was a riding vacation, and the horse did all the work; we saw an amazing amount of gorgeous scenery -- mountain streams, glacial lakes -- simply gorgeous.