How much time do you need outside? Overnight, week(s), month(s), .. more?

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I suppose the all comes down to balance in your life. Some people are overwhelmed with work and family obligations, which makes time outdoors secondary. Others work time outdoors into their week, whether it be solo or with the family. I don’t need time outdoors to recharge, I am out almost every week, even though I have a full-time job. Sometimes I am out camping, hiking, or backpacking and get to the point I can’t wait to get back to work.

It is all about…

Managing your inventory of recreation time

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I know, it can be very difficult. When my kids were small we did a lot of family camping and I got in a good deal of backpacking. Kids being in sports and other activities really compound matters too. Where I live and what kind of work I do was decided in my mid-twenties so I could enjoy the outdoor stuff. And of course one needs a wife that understands, works with you, or ideally shares in the adventures.

My friend Craig Wisner does an excellent job balancing life. I enjoy his blog where he shares quick one day trips, trips with the family, etc. I think he chose his career with an eye to making time available.

http://sweepingthegarden.wordpress.com

As much time as I can get.

It is never enough.

I did a lot of day hikes last summer, which was fine. I was looking for conditioning and I got it!

I'm fortunate to live on the doorstep to the Cascades and Olympics. I can be on the PCT in an hour with plenty of hiking opportunities between. Ramp the time out to 2-3 hours and I can be anywhere from the Canadian border to the Columbia River.

Balancing family and holidays can soak up a lot of free weekends. If you have a lot of similar obligations, you need to plan your spare time carefully. Things like house maintenance and unforeseen events like automobile breakdowns, illnesses, pets, etc, can bite into your free time.

If you want to maximize your back country time, you want to have a selection of destinations in mind with maps, supplies and meals ready to go. That lets you bend with weather and time constraints and no excuses for at least getting in a couple good day hikes or an overnight.

If your gear is organized, it only takes a few minutes to have your kit packed and in the car. I have my stuff sorted in clusters like kitchen, emergency essentials, clothing, etc. When I go on a day hike, I only need to select the right clothing for the trip, drop in my stuff sack full of essentials and add snacks and water. I've built up a good collection of maps that I keep in an artist's portfolio and can select from that.

It helps to keep a small stock of dehydrated dinners, stove fuel, and the like so you can do an overnight without making another trip to an outdoor supply store. Other snacks and food can come from the grocery store.

Never enough indeed! From Seattle you are surrounded with a view of snow-capped peaks and 14,000 foot volcanoes, let alone miles of shoreline. I call it the "Seattle Tease," as you are confronted with the spectacle while trudging off to your cubicle.

I wrote this last fall.

May be be of interest to some:

http://www.pmags.com/work-life-outdoors-balance

Similar to what Dale advocates.

Appropriately enough, I am leaving my beige box in ~45m to do an 8 mile hike with a good friend.

I had a dream last night that I was hiking the PCT. It was wonderful.

The thought of making the trail my home for a few months is heaven. I can't wait.

And every time we hike, we remember how truly transformative even a simple hike can be. And we resolve to do more of them!

"I wrote this last fall.

May be be of interest to some:

http://www.pmags.com/work-life-outdoors-balance"

Just read your "Weekend Warrior" that was featured in Gossamer Gear's email, too.
http://gossamergear.com/wp/tips/weekend-warrior

Great stuff. I'm very much a weekend warrior.
I have no stress, and lots of solitude, and outdoor time aside from hiking/backpacking, so find that along with a couple of weeks' vacation and some long weekends, my typical 1-2 nights per week/3 weeks per month is actually plenty as far as meeting my "needs".
I like how you brought out how demanding weekend trips can be, since I deal with that on a regular basis. I work night shift, so will often work all night, stop by the house, drive four hours to a TH in TN(from AL), then sometimes hike as much as 10+ miles on day 1. Day 3 is often hiking out a few hours, driving home, getting myself and my stuff cleaned up, then working all night. Between that, and getting all the household chores done ahead of time(I have a work before play rule), it can indeed be pretty demanding!