5 Powerful English Hiking Verbs

This is a short, daily podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners who want to build natural English vocabulary through stories and real-life usage.

In this episode of The English Like a Native Podcast, Gabriel takes a ferry from Ullapool to the Summer Isles for a solo day hiking around Tanera Mòr, where he watches the open water, plans his route, and carefully makes his way along a rugged coastal trail.

Tune in to learn five useful verbs for describing actions on a hike.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:06

Hello and welcome back to your English Fiber Day on the English Like a Native Podcast. This is the daily podcast that helps intermediate to advanced level learners build natural English vocabulary through stories. My name is Anna, and you're listening to week nine, day three of Gabriel's journey across the UK. He is currently in the Scottish Highlands. Yesterday Gabriel and Isla battled biting winds and sudden showers on a dramatic clifftop walk near Ullapool. But today Gabriel sets out alone for a small island adventure. Supporting materials for this season are available over at www.joineelan.com forward slash plus. And now let's begin with a snapshot. On the ferry to the summer isles, Gabriel gazes across the open water. Later he traces his hiking route on a map before setting off along the island trail. Along the way he spots seals resting on the rocks, scrambles over uneven outcrops, and occasionally grasps branches to steady himself on the rugged path. Fantastic. Let's now break down today's vocabulary. Today we're looking at five verbs starting with gaze G-A-Z-E to gaze. This is to look steadily at something, usually with interest or admiration. For example, she gazed at the sunset. Next we have grasp G R A S P to grasp. This is to hold something firmly with your hand. For example, he grasped the railing to keep his balance. Next we have scramble S C R A M B L E Scramble. This is to climb or move quickly over rough ground using both your hands and your feet. For example, they scrambled up the rocky slope. Next we have trace T R A C E to trace. This is to follow a line or shape with your finger or eyes. For example, he traced the route on the map. And finally, spot S P O T to spot. This is to notice something suddenly. Or after looking carefully. Aha, I spotted it. For example, she spotted a dolphin in the distance. Wonderful. Okay, listen out for today's verbs as they appear naturally during story time. Let's go. The next day Gabriel boarded the ferry to the summer Isles. He was off to Taniera Moor for the day, to hike all the way round the island. After Isla had seen him off from the harbour, he gazed at the open water for a while. At the cliff top yesterday, he had realized that even though he liked Isla and found the country beautiful, he couldn't see himself living permanently in the Scottish Highlands. As the ferry rocked gently on the waves, Gabriel kept his eyes open for porpoises and basking sharks. When he didn't see any, he took out a map of Teneerum Moor, and traced his anti clockwise route with the index finger of his cut hand. After disembarking, Gabriel followed a narrow trail that wound around the northern shore. On the rocks he spotted families of seals soaking up the sun. He kept a safe distance from them, scrambling over small outcrops of rock that jutted into the path. Occasionally he had to grasp at the low branches of the gorse and the heather plants in order to steady himself on the uneven ground. It was refreshing to have some time alone, after all the socializing in Glasgow and staying with Isla's family. The island was small, though, and by early afternoon he had to come back to the little stone pier to catch the ferry to Ullapool. Isla greeted him as planned, and they went to have tea by the sea at Tea by the Sea. It was a tea room with beautiful views over Loch Broom. Gabriel wanted to tell Isla that he had his heart set on continuing his adventures. He had to let her know that no matter how special the place or the person was, he wasn't ready to settle down. Alright, let's pause the story there and bring today's verbs back into focus. I will repeat each verb and leave a gap twice so that you can repeat out loud after me, and then I'll remind you of the definition. So here goes repeating after me. Gaze. This is to look steadily at something, usually with interest or admiration. Next, repeat after me. Grasp. Grasp. This is to hold something firmly with your hand. Next we have scramble. Scramble. This is to move quickly or climb over rough ground using both your hands and feet. Next we have trace. Trace. This is to follow a line or shape with your finger or eyes to trace. And last but not least, spot. Spot. This is to notice something suddenly or after looking carefully. Fantastic. Okay, so Gabriel has had time alone to reflect on what he really wants. But the story is about to take another unexpected turn. Tomorrow, Gabriel travels south toward Ben Nevis, where a night hike leads to a breathtaking and otherworldly sight, the Northern Lights. That's all from me for today. If you are enjoying the podcast, it really does help if you take a moment to leave a little like if you're watching on YouTube, a rating or review. And if you have any friends who are learning English, then please do share the English Like a Native podcast with them. Until tomorrow, take care and goodbye.