The Sixth Sense.  Are we born with it?  Are some people specially gifted with it?  Is it a product of intensive training & years of experience?  At Coffee Ridge Hiking - we don't think it's nearly that mysterious - or complicated!  At Coffee Ridge - the "sixth sense" is awareness.  Awareness and a set of very basic skills.  Skills that you can benefit from.  Skills you can start developing today:

Tools & Skills 

• Observation - Primary Tools
  
• Intuition - An Awareness Skill
  
• Planning & Preparation - Eliminate Distraction
  
• Gear - Reassurance in a Backpack
  
• Practice - Lifelong ............
  

Observation: Vision and Hearing.  These are your primary tools.  With a little practice & exercise - both can be amazingly powerful!   

Vision: Peripheral & Center of Focus - 'try this out for bird spotting & bird watching exercises'.

• Peripheral Vision.  Use to detect motion.  Try this: step outside; look out as far as you can.  Now - while still looking straight ahead - concentrate on your side vision.  Notice how broad your total field of view is - almost 180 degrees.  Sure it's not in focus.  But if you're aware - this side vision (peripheral vision) is pretty sensitive to picking up motion - you just have to remember to use it!
• Center of Gaze / Focus.  Peripheral vision alerts.  Now use your center of gaze vision to 'zero in', locate and pinpoint.  Combine with hearing - and you'll spot birds!
  

Hearing: Watch a skilled predator or hunter at work - like a fox or coyote, cat, an owl or even that robin hunting worms in your front yard!  Watch them use their ears.  Probably half of all hunting is done by ear.  Now try this exercise: Step Outside.  Listen carefully. Hear the near and far sounds.  Now find a bird.  Even nearby birds can be tough to spot in trees.  But they sing and make lots noise.  Use your ears to pin point location. Then 'zero in' with your eyes.  Guess what?  You have just learned basic spotting!   

Intuition:  Call it instinct.  Call it 'gut feeling'.  Intuition is that almost mystical ability to predict, find & situate.  Game tracker / spotter, hunter, fisherman, bird watcher, wildlife photographer, hiker - the knowledgable outdoorsman uses Intuition.  Intuition is more than a gift or talent.  More than being lucky.  Or being at the right place at the right time.  Intuition will let you experience something extraordinary.  And maybe - avoid a disaster.  At Coffee Ridge  -  Intuition is an awareness skill anyone can quickly  learn.   A set of tools you can easily master!  Intuition:

• Knowledge.  Birds, bees, animals, plants, weather, seasons, the earth,  the universe -  it's  a big beautiful complex world out there.  Learn to find it's order, balance, beauty and nuance.  Shorten your learning curve - Coffee Ridge Hiking.com recommends: Peterson Field Guides.
• Experience.  Is 'knowing where north is without a compass'; 'knowing the time without a watch; knowing when the ducks fly & the deer move'.
• Common Sense.  'Is seeing order in nature - not chaos'.  'Is knowing there are no ghosts - even in a dark spooky woods'.  Is thinking clearly!

Planning & Preparation: Good planning and a little preparation goes a long way!

• Allows you to anticipate conditions & needs.
• Allows you keep safe and comfortable - even when conditions change.
• Allows you to avoid mistakes.
• Eliminates Distractions - allows you to more fully concentrate and enjoy your outdoor experience!

Gear: Field Gear, hiking gear, backpacks, hydration pack & system, rain gear, ... Field Gear lets you go farther!  And stay out doors longer!  Field gear keeps you warm and dry when it's cold and wet.  Hydrated when it's hot.  Good fieldgear is reassurance - knowing you're reasonably safe and ready.  Ready for just about anything nature may throw at you.  On any given day.  On any particular day hike.  In any hiking season.  On any terrain.

Practice: Why bother with all this?  Why develope your '6th Sense'?

• Fun - the outdoors is a big playground.
• Awareness - on the hiking trail & in everyday life is a plus.
• Safety - natures great. But it can sure sting the unprepared.
• Life long Enjoyment, Health, Fitness, Balance.