Pokemon GO: Good or Bad?

The debate has raged - well, not exactly raged so much as existed - since the launch of Pokemon Go. Is it good for the outdoor community? Is it good in general? What's a Pokemon and why are those kids on my lawn?

Luckily you've come to the Portly Hiker today where you'll get answers.

As the game launched yesterday here in Canada I downloaded, strapped on my shoes and headed out for some adventure, for purely scientific reasons of course.  So after spending the morning catching Pokemon I am fully prepared to give you the definitive answer to the question "Is Pokemon Go a good thing?".  And the answer...

Let's Start at the Trailhead

Who is the Portly Hiker and How did we get here?

It only seems fair that if I share my thoughts with you, that I let you know a little about me and how I got to this point, give you a little background on me as a hiker and a person, what motivates me to hit the trail.

I’m rapidly approaching my 35^th birthday and I’ve been hiking for about a year.  Yes, you read that right! About a year. Approximately 52 weeks. Roughly 365 days.  Not very long at all. I don’t claim to be a hiking expert. In fact I’m quite clearly the opposite. I’m about as green as they come when it comes to hiking, backpacking and even camping.  I was never the outdoors type.