Q. Is CRH only for/about beginner hikers? 

A. No.  Were about making lifelong hikers.  Smart, aware, lifelong hikers.But every hike & hiker needs a good starting point.CRH is your good start point.

Q. I’m overweight.  My feet kill me.  My knees are shot.  My hips and back hurt like a toothache.  You mean to tell me – that you can make me a lifelong hiker?

A. Yes we can.  And we do.  Many plus-size persons wisely include walking exercise for improving fitness.  And for sensible, healthy weight loss.  Many also enjoy the many benefits of Coffee Ridge style easy hiking.  And are now dedicated lifetime hikers.  

Q. I live in the city.  Where can I go hiking? 

A.  Urban hiking opportunities are often the most overlooked.  But believe me – there is nature, wildlife and beauty in abundance waiting to be discovered in every city.  Check with the Chamber of Commerce.  Call your Parks & Recreation department.  Contact a local walking or hiking club.  Look for urban trail systems, green belts, green space, nature reserves.  Also.  Most cities and towns have a river running thru it.  And almost all these rivers have an official - river walk - trail of some kind. You may be surprised how walker & hiker friendly your town really is.  Use your imagination.

Now.  If you are a little more adventurous – you might want to give this a try. Most urban water & riverfronts almost always have ‘unofficial’ trails & paths.  Trails blazed long ago by some local Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn.  Then beaten down into pathways by generations of fishermen.  These hikes can be absolutely fascinating.  And rewarding.  But.  Stay alert.  Use a little caution though.  You never know what you’ll find.

Q. How much hiking gear do I really need to get?

A. Absolute minimum?  A simple basic GI Joe rig. Remember: water capacity and a hydration system is your first priority. The GI Joe Rig

• G.I. pistol belt or cartridge belt
• G I canteen (at least one)

• Most basic & essential item(s) – water
• Low cost
• Light weight
• Add-ons

Caution: you can get surprisingly good mileage with one of these rigs!  Sometimes – too good.  Especially outbound miles.  Then you start thinking add-ons.

A.Tom will answer this one!

Good question.  Some of my best hikes were in the 1 to 2 mile range. 

And – some of my longest most grueling started out as 1 to 2 mile hikes.

One time - I grabbed my ( binoculars ) bag.  Walked a hundred yards to an ice covered beach.  Just for a quick look.  Nothing more.  Well.  Six hours, 9 miles and a dehydration headache later - I was back at the car.   Where I left the rest of my hiking gear. 

The point is: when planning & preparing a hike - always bring enough for a whole day outdoors! 

*New hiking area - bring enough for all day. 

*New hiking trail - bring enough for all day.

*Half-day hike - bring enough for all day.

*All day hike - bring enough for two days. 

And that's hiking.  Planning.  Preparing.  To enjoy the outdoors.  And seeing what's around the next bend. 

Q. OK.  What do you recommend I should bring?  How do I plan & prepare for a hike?

 A. 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 of:

• Difficult / Easy
• Steep / Level

(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.

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: Plan & Prepare with this in mind:

• The longer the distance – the greater likelihood of difficult terrain.
• 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
• Keep Hydrated!

Q.Is hiking really safe?

A.Yes. Use common sense. Be alert to your surroundings. Be aware of the terrain and weather.  Plan & prepare for it.  Stay hydrated.  Guard against overextending and exhausting yourself.  Enjoy your outdoor experience.  And have fun!