Here, we will discuss general hiking technique. Some skills are specific to Dayhiking and most will be applicable to Backpacking.
NEGOTIATING THE TRAIL
Each trail is unique. There are so many different types of terrain. Some trails are flat and narrow with rolling hills; some are wide and rocky with steep climbs.
I’ve led beginner hikes where participants will be concentrating on the trail to the point that they can walk right by a whitetail deer without noticing it. Eventually, you will develop the confidence you need to handle the trail while developing a keen awareness of your surrounding environment.
There are times of the year where conditions may prevent you from hiking in certain areas. One example of this is the spring thaw. There are some months where conditions are so muddy or icy that they are unsafe. Some Parks will not permit hiking certain trails in such conditions.
Call ahead and speak with a park ranger as part of your trip planning process. They can be a real valuable source of information, getting you up to speed on the character of the trail if you’ve never been there and it’s current condition so that you may anticipate them, make informed decisions and prepare accordingly.
