CHAPTER THREE: Day Hiking
“Before supper walk a little, after supper do the same.”
‑ Erasmus (1466‑1536) Dutch
scholar, theologian, and writer
Group hiking Events
Small groups of individuals do most hiking that get together informally for
urban or rural hikes. These one-day events, being essentially
spontaneous, allow for very little planning time. However formal,
planned, scheduled, structured, events conducted by organizations require
careful planning to ensure the participants safety.
Planning organized group day hikes or backpacking treks.
Before planning a group hike, the first step for the group is to form a hike
committee. One of the first projects of this committee should be to
survey the group to ask each member what type of group hiking experience he or
she desires. Having people who take on leadership roles is necessary, in
the form of a hike committee to get a hike started. Most people don’t want to take part in
planning a group hike. However, these people will participate in a hike
if someone else does the planning.
Most people walk for one or more of the following reasons.
A. Outdoor Education
B. Architectural Study
C. Enjoyment of Nature
D. Fellowship of Family or Friends
E. Exercise
F. Photography or other arts
G. Meditation
H. Or a combination of several reasons
We can avoid many problems in planning group hiking events if the leader or
leaders understand what kinds of walking experiences most of your walking group
members desire. For example, an unplanned hike, conceived as a casual,
walking constitutional, is a good idea. However, some people with type
“A” personalities (the people who must be best or first in everything) have
sometimes turned a relaxing wandering into a strenuous physical challenge.
This behavior can turn a low key hike into an impromptu foot race to see who
can “finish” first or run the course at a “record” time. People who want
to train for race walking, running marathons, or “Iron Man” competitions are
happier hiking apart from those who just want a leisurely, social, outdoor
stroll. For the most part, recreational hikes involving a heterogeneous group
of people should be enjoyable for everyone and not opportunities to show who the
“best hiker” is.
“To a person uninstructed in natural history, his country or seaside stroll is
a walk through a gallery filled with wonderful works of art, nine-tenths of
which have their faces turned to the wall.”
Quoted from “On the Educational Value of the Natural History Sciences” and
written by Thomas Huxley 1825-1895
Hiking group numbers
For most organized nature walks, day hikes, or backpacking trips, limiting the
number of participants to not more than ten is usually best. This is also
the upper limit for backcountry recreational groups in many areas. Groups
that are larger than ten usually require more supervision, instruction and
cause more environmental damage. Ten is also the top number for a viable
wolf pack. Since humans are also pack animals, it is also the optimum
number for a human team effort. Examples of this are the infantry squad
and the United States president’s cabinet.
Trip leadership
Those selected as trip leaders of a hiking event need to know how to plan the
details of a group hike, including the logistics of transportation, locating
meeting places, and how to write a comprehensive hike plan - including a route
map and an itinerary showing the location of any planned stops. Business professionals and military officers say
that leadership consists of 60% anticipation and of 40% improvisation.
Through education and experience, a leader should know what is normal to expect
for any given outing. However, if something unexpected were to occur, the
leader’s background should allow him or her to meet any new conditions by
improvisation.
NOTE: If you are in a receptive state of mind, any hike to any place,
anytime, including a stroll through urban business districts can turn into an
adventure.
When day hiking on the shorter, well-marked, forest or park trails, what little
you usually need in the way of equipment and you can carry supplies in a day
pack. However, some regions - during certain seasons may require special
clothing and equipment even for short day hikes. For example, while day
hiking in some wet rainy climates, as might be found in the Pacific Northwest
rain forest, carrying rain gear is always prudent.
A Checklist for Day Hiking in Remote Areas
Have in Hand or Hands
[ ] One
hiking staff or two poles
Wear on person
[ ] broad
brimmed hat
[ ] canteen
[ ] compass
and a topographical map
[ ] hiking
boots with extra laces
[ ] long
sleeved shirt
[ ] matches
or lighter
[ ] pen and
notebook
[ ] permits
and licenses
[ ] pocket
knife or Leatherman tool
[ ] pocket
or wrist watch
[ ] nylon
shell parka
[ ] signal
device, whistle
[ ]
socks: one or two pairs
[ ] sun
glasses
[ ]
trousers
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