Hiking – Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Yasmin Mansoor

What is hiking

Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain.

“Hiking” up the Citadel in Afyon in Turkey Getting inspired by the great outdoors

The citadel from the level of the closest village.

This shows the intensity of the climb

Here is another angle!

This trip really inspired me to want to find out about hiking

Hiking – the day hike

In the United States, hiking refers to walking outdoors on a trail for recreational purposes. A day hike refers to a hike that can be completed in a single day, but not requiring an overnight camp. Multi-day hikes with camping is referred to as backpacking

In this presentation I will be focusing on how to prepare for a hike.

My Aim

I would like to prepare for a day hike in the state I live in.

I would like to take my first “official” hike in September/October when the weather is cooler and before the snow begins.

The Appalachian Trail – 53 miles of this trail lies in CT. The main section is divided into 7 smaller hikes

The Hike I would like to prepare for:

I would like to do a CT hike on the Appalachian Trail.

There are many hikes that range in distance from 4miles to 12 plus miles.

I would like to start with the 4mile hike and work up!

Some facts about the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,180 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.

Other facts about the Appalachian Trail

Known as the “A.T.,” it has been estimated that 2-3 million people visit the Trail every year and about 1,800–2,000 people attempt to “thru-hike” the Trail. People from across the globe are drawn to the A.T. for a variety of reasons: to reconnect with nature, to escape the stress of city life, to meet new people or deepen old friendships, or to experience a simpler life.

The hike I want to start with

In the last week of September I would like to do my first AT hike and then work up in terms of distance.

The hike I would like to start with is the shortest one - a 4 mile hike from Hoyt’s Road (NY Border) to Bull’s Bridge (Kent, CT).

The shortest CT hike on the AT 1) Hoyt's Road (NY Border) to Bull's Bridge (Kent, CT) - 4 miles

1. Directions - CT Route 7 to Route 55 West. Continue about 2 miles to parking on south side of Route 55

2. Parking - There is a parking lot on the Connecticut side of the state border along Route 55.

3. Trailhead - The trail is easily visible/accessible from the parking lot.

4. Camping - Wiley Shelter, 1 mile south (into NY State); Ten Mile Shelter, 3 miles north.

5. Water 6. Food and Supplies - Bull's Bridge Inn, 4 miles north

from trailhead, then 1/2 mile east on Bull's Bridge Road, full menu, open for dinner 7 nights. Convenience store next to Inn.

To prepare for a hike

One needs to achieve a level of basic fitness.

One needs to work up to a hike in stages. One or two miles at first.

One needs to ensure that one has good shoes and walking clothes.

One needs to keep hydrated and carry some kind of mineral replacement food.

Be Patient

People sometimes give up because they get sore, injured, sick, bug bitten, cold or hungry, but all these things are easily avoidable by exercising your body and using your common sense!

What to take with you on Day Hikes

A good back-pack to carry› Food› Water-proof jacket› Water› Small first aid pouch› Cell phone› Compass

› On longer hikes more may be needed but this is a good start. You do not want to be carrying too much initiatlly

WEAR SUITABLE CLOTHING

COMFORTABLE HIKING SHOES SOCKS COAT DEPENDING ON WEATHERALWAYS CHECK THE WEATHER REPORT

BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR HIKE

Always tell someone where you plan to go

There are times when hikers can get lost so it is also advisable to let people know when and where you plan to hike.

Enjoy the GREAT OUTDOORS!

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiking http://www.appalachiantrail.org/ gives good advice and

health tips to prepare for hiking the Appalachian trail (AT). http://home.comcast.net/~otomola/ATHome.html Route for

4 mile hike on AT http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AT_-_Franconia_Ridge.JPG http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiking/hiking-basics