How to Hike and Not Die: Fundamentals for the Novice Hiker
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How to Hike and Not Die - Penny Allenwood
How to Hike and Not Die: Fundamentals for the Novice Hiker
Created and written by Penny Allenwood
Copyright © 2017 by Penny Allenwood
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.
First Printing: 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9967370-4-3
Doc Publishing
P.O. Box 7503
New Castle, PA 16107
Ordering Information:
Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, educators, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the above listed address.
U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers: Please contact Doc Publishing at docpublishing@yahoo.com.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Brittany, whose enthusiasm and zest for life was inspirational in finding my inner author.
Thank you to all the women of Women Connect of Lawrence County – your unending support and encouragement was integral to this project.
Thank you to Boy Scouts of America, the Moraine Trails Council, and most importantly, Pack 3183 of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, and Troop 743 of Neshannock, PA – without your leadership, I would never have started hiking in the first place.
Thank you to Doug & Marilyn Moon – your personal leadership in the Troop was inspiring, and your support for so many years in Scouting led me to today.
Finally, thank you to my son, Anthony – YOU are the reason I began hiking, and I have enjoyed sharing this journey with you along the way!
Introduction
My friends know that I love the outdoors – not everything about it, like bugs and stuff, but I enjoy the scenic views, the fresh air, and the challenges of spending time outside. Every time I talk with my friends about the adventures I encounter, whether it’s hiking, cycling, camping, or just being in the great outdoors, they often respond with wistful looks and a desire to be able to do what I do (not really, but it sounded good in my head).
Actually, many of my friends are very interested in spending more time outside, but they just aren’t sure how to go about doing it safely. As many of you may know, being in the woods in western Pennsylvania can be hazardous – animal encounters, hills and cliffs, narrow trails, and the weather all coordinate to assure that the faint-hearted stay safe and sound in their homes. But for us adventurous types with a death wish, the desire to be outside and enjoy nature often overrides our inner sense of self-preservation.
This book was spawned by a challenge. With the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016, the North Country Trail Association put forth the 100 mile challenge
– hike 100 miles on the North Country Trail in calendar year 2016, and earn a patch & certificate. Of course, being an avid hiker, and a glutton for punishment, I was all in. For bling. And bragging rights. But mostly for the bling.
A group of friends thought this challenge sounded great, too, but most of them have not hiked much, or have spent time on trails without really knowing how much danger they could potentially encounter. So I offered to give them a brief presentation on basic hiking skills – what you need to know to be safe. I asked my friend Brittany what she most wanted to know about hiking (I was still working up my presentation). She said, I really just want to learn how to hike and not die.
So I set up a Facebook event, called it How to hike and not die,
and had a great response to my presentation. At another event, again speaking with Brittany, she said, You should make that your book!
And so, here I am, writing a book to share tips, tricks, and hiking basics to scare the bejesus out of everyone who ever thought of stepping foot in the woods….I mean, to make sure that novice hikers will be able to make it out alive…um, I mean to keep you safe in the woods…yeah, that’s it!
Having hiked for many years, I often forget that there was a time when I didn’t know what most hiking terms meant. I had to learn the hard way – but you are fortunate – you get to revel in the knowledge that took me years to acquire! So, to help out those of you who aren’t familiar with some of the terminology, here is a quick list of hiking terms to help you understand the rest of this book.
Definitions
Let’s take a look at some common terminology used in hiking and the outdoors. Most definitions are provided by RMGH Adventures (http://www.rmghadventures.com/trailterms.htm, accessed 7 Apr 2016), and some have been modified to be more generic:
Alpine Zone: The area consisting of all the land above the tree line. The alpine zone is best defined by its plant life. Conifers such as spruce and balsam grow as Krumholz near the tree line, giving way to tundra-type lichens, moss, and shrubs above.
Bald: A low elevation mountain surrounded by forest yet devoid of trees on the crown. Typically covered with meadows, balds can offer great views and are a good place to find wild berries; they also attract much wildlife.
Bear Bag: The bag used by hikers to hang their food out of reach of bears and other critters.
Bear Cable: A cable rigged high between two trees, specifically for hanging bear bags.
Blackflies: There are about 40 species of these tiny biting insects that breed in running water and flourish in late spring and early summer. They are so aggressive that they tend to drive hikers off the trail.
Blazes: Typically, painted markings, but are sometimes plastic or metal markings, that are placed at eye height on trees and other objects, in both directions, to mark the official route of a trail.
Blaze Orange: A very bright, visible in low light, hue of orange. The color to wear during hunting season.
Blow-Down: A tree or shrub that has fallen across the