- Hiking Isn't Complicated!
But - for reasonable safety and comfort on the hiking trail? That takes a little planning. A little preparation. And some decent hiking gear - see CRH 101 & 201.
To illustrate Planning & Preparing for a typical day hike - We asked Tom (our chief field tester and consultant) to catalogue in detail one of his 'sun up to sun down' day hikes.
Now Tom isn't exactly a 'classic' 'extreme' hiker. But - Tom hikes year round. In all weather. And has for over forty years. Also - Tom is meticulous! And, he makes sense.
Early Planning: Begin planning days, weeks even months before. This is all part of the fun.
Pick a Location: Urban, rural, field, forest ... endless possibilities with hiking.
Map Reconnaissance: This is fun, fascinating stuff!
- Standard Atlas, State & City Maps: c-stores, local Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, County Court House.
- Geologic Survey Maps (USGS), Contour Maps: on-line, County Zoning, Surveyor or Property Listers Office.
- County Soil Survey Maps, County Plat Books: at zoning office or ag. dept.. local 4-H.
- Satellite & Aerial Photo - Mapping: on-line. Many sources.
- Study the Geography, Geology & History of the location you will hike. You'll get much more out of the experience.
- Be Creative - Think 'outside the box'. Some of the best hikings spots are unknown to the 'typical' non-Coffee Ridge Hikers.
Anticipate Needs: think Terrain, Weather, Time & Goals.
Planning & Preparation: Use the CRH formulae: Terrain + Weather x distance & duration = what you need/what to bring/hiking gear.
Terrain: Think of terrain in terms like:
- Difficult / Easy
- Steep / Level
- Paved / Unpaved / Undeveloped
(new hikers & first time hikers – start with ‘easy/level’)
Weather: Think of weather in basic terms of:
- Calm / Windy
- Clear – Sunny / Dark - Overcast
- Hot / Cold
- Wet / Dry
Pretty basic stuff. Just simple observation. Weather is happening all the time. Anticipate changing weather conditions.
Think of what you will need to:
- Survive in any weather (within reasonable limits)
- Be comfortable in any weather
- Have fun in any weather
Distance & Duration (Time) : Plan & Prepare with this in mind:
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The longer the distance – the greater likelihood of difficult terrain.
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The longer the duration – the greater likelihood of changing weather.
Hike planning is part fun. And part anticipation. Good hiking gear lets you prepare for a safe, rewarding and enjoyable outdoor experience. Remember. Planning & Preparation always begins by assessing:
- Terrain
- Weather
- Distance & Duration (Time)
- Keep Hydrated!
Goals: Start with simple goals.
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Plan out a 1 mile hike. Or a 1 hour hike.
- Practice using a field guide - identify birds, trees plants, rocks / minerals etc.
- Bring a compass - practice finding north - use the compass to verify.
- Practice basic map reading / orienteering / land navigation.
Assemble Your Kit: "Better to have it and not need it ...".
Start Early: Get up early. Before sun rise. Avoid being rushed - or you'll forget something.
- Get up, Step outside & Check the Weather.
- Do the Triple S routine: 'sh-t, shave & shower'.
- Go over your final plans & preparations: get your head in the game.
- Eat a good hardy breakfast. (see: Bavarian Manure Omelet ).
- Start Hydration: about 1 cup each: water, orange juice, milk & tomato juice.
Important: Begin thoroughly hydrated before any all day hike. Especially for a hot weather hike. Before you set out - from home & at the trailhead - you should have to urinate. Then you know you are sufficiently hydrated!
Parking Lot: 'Don't rush - you're not in a race'.
- Don't hurry, start slow.
- Don't forget anything ( car keys, headlights, wallett, kids, hiking gear etc.)
Trailhead: 10 Minutes.
- 10 minutes - before committing down the trail - just stand. Look. Listen. Smell the air. Check the weather.
- Find north. Look for known points: land marks, cell phone towers.
- Listen for roadways, railroads - anything useful to maintain a sense of direction & your north orientation.
- Do some light stretching & breathing exercise.
- Clear your mind. Relax.
Start Point: Recheck your gear (and your car keys). Take a big drink of water ( or trail juice).
On the Trail:
- Start Slow! Go slow! Try making each step deliberate, controlled & balanced.
- Try keeping a mental map of interesting & obvious points or landmarks along your route. Such as: granite boulder, big hill, little hill, stand of white pine, aspen grove, pot hole, open grassy area, tamarack swamp - and so on. Observe how one ecosystem and environment melds or blends into another. Note their position on the landscape / topography. Now - don't worry about remembering every detail - you won't. But you'll get better at it. And this will help you maintain direction and orientation. And give the trail & the hike some continuity.
- Stop Often. Watch. Observe. Listen. Try looking through the low cover foliage - the near cover. Not just at it. Look as deep as you can. You may spot something looking back at you - deer, owl, turkey, fox, coyote, squirrel etc. Look for animal tracks. Check the weather. Find north - without a compass or gps - you can do it!
- Practice Map Reading & Orienteering : these are good useful life skills.
- Identify Basic Terrain & Topographic Features: Hill, ridge, saddle, depression etc.
- Identify Landforms & Geologic Features: Morraine hills, ridges, drumlin, kame, kettle, pothole, outwash plain etc.
- Identify & Collect Rock and Mineral specimens - you might find an arrowhead!
- Identify Birds: a natural activity while hiking.
- Identify Animals: by tracks, by call, by sight - more challenging than birds.
- Identify Trees, Plants, Mushrooms & Fungi, Moss & Lichen
- Identify Bugs & Insects: there's a lot of 'em on the hiking trail.
Develope interest in the natural world. This makes you an aware hiker! And a lifelong hiker! A Coffee Ridge Hiker.
