The

Trail Blazer
Hiking trails in the U.s since 1994
December 2014

http://laddish.net/

8 SIMPLE
WATER
PURIFICATION
TECHNIQUES

Contents
GR8 Gear
Find out what you need for your next hike.

Healthy- Homemade- Healthy Snacks

From the editor

4
6

Recipes that are great for hiking and save you money

Out Alive: Mauled By a Grizzly

A touching first-hand account from bear attack victims

Water Purification Techniuqes

Find out the tools that you need to safely stay hydrated

Bugs of the Trail

Meet some of the creepy crawlers that you might see on the trails

10
12

iking has been a big part of my

life. I have been hiking and exploring
North America my whole life. From
upstate New York to the Camelback
Mountains in Arizona; I have spent
much of my life exploring this country.
It doesnt matter where you go or
what you see, but the memories are
made with who you are with. My
family and friends have been beside
me as I adventure through life and
new places.
There is something about hiking
that cannot be told through words.
All five senses are used; smelling
the fresh air, touching the tree bark,
hearing the wildlife, tasting the sweat
dripping down your face, and seeing
all the beautiful creation.

14

American hikes that include a rewarding oaisis

Hiking is an experience that brings

a sense of accomplishment. Getting
up to the top of the mountain or
reaching the hidden waterfall, it is all
rewarding at the end.

How Hiking Benefits the Body and Mind

18

In the summer of 2010, I had the

opportunity to visit Jackson Hole
Wyoming. I was able to go white

Hiking Waterfalls

Facts that you did not know about hiking

Checklist for a Day-Hike

Make sure your list is complete

Bear Selfies
Find out what is trending on Instagram

water rafting, sightseeing and more.

But, the most memorable part of the
trip was hiking the Teton Mountains.
Pushing myself to the limits of the
day-hikes were well rewarding. I
was able to experience mountainous
terrain and wildlife that I have never
seen before. At one point, our group
was only feet away from a moose and
its baby. It was incredible.

Hiking is an
experience that
brings a sense of
accomplishment.
Along the way, our guide talked
about the history and information
about the area. It was intriguing to
not only hear about such beauty but
also to experience it first hand.
We battled many elements along the
way, from thunderstorms to beaming hot sunlight, all in one long but
rewarding day-hike. But, at the end
of the day, exhausted from the hike,
we all relaxed and

Samantha Akert hiking the Teton Mountains in

Jackson Hole, WY.

exchanged stories of the memories

that we made.
I have hiked through knee-high
snow, hiked through crunching
leaves, and through ridged mountains. Nothing can compare to the
experience of hiking. It not only
pushes you physically, but also
mentally. Hiking is a challenge that
deepens your love for nature and
allows you to explore Gods creation
like never before.
Are you up to the challenge? Check
out www.thetrailblazer.com to get
more information about hiking
North America.

19
Samantha AKert

20

Samantha Akert
Editor-in- Chief
The Trail Blazer

FIND OUT

Gr8 Gear
Pick up these hiking accesories to complete the look of your gear.

GET THE GEAR

THAT GETS YOU
OUT THERE.

8
4

7
3

1. Salomon Quest 4D GTX Hiking Boots | $230.00

5. Buff Original Buff | $20.00

Bringing trail-running shoe technology to a full-on backpacking boot

makes the waterproof, breathable Salomon Quest 4D GTX hiking boots
nimble, supportive and lightweight.

A must-have accessory for every adventure, the multifunctional Original

Buff is a bandana, ponytail holder, sun guard, scarf, hat, neck gaiter or
dust screen.

The Easton Mountain Products Ultralight Carbon Cork 3 Trekking Poles

boast carbon construction that delivers the ultimate minimalist pole so
you can go farther, faster.
3. Thorlo CoolMax Light Hiker Socks | $17.95
The Thorlo CoolMax Light hiker socks are designed for day hikes in
moderate to hot climates on flat to varied terrain.
4. REI Traverse 30 Pack | $48.83
The REI Traverse 30 pack hauls a days worth of gear with a contoured fit
that helps keep you comfy over miles of trails. Its technical, trail-ready
design serves seasoned hikers and beginners alike.

6. KAVU Synthetic Strapcap Cap | $14.83

Tough and trail-ready, the KAVU Strapcap Cap features lightweight,
durable nylon fabric and a moisture-wicking inner headband to keep you
cool and comfortable when youre on the go.
7. CamelBak Octane XCT Hydration Pack - 100 fl. oz. | $85.00
The streamlined CamelBak Octane XCT hydration pack with 100 fl.
oz. bladder is ideal for minimalist adventure racers and fast-paced trail
runners or riders who want comfort and weight savings.
8. The North Face Clooney Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket | $329.00
On cold, snowy days wear the ThermoBall-insulated liner jacket with
the waterproof HyVent shell over it for ultimate protection. On mild or
rainy days, wear either by itself.

www.globaltravelplus.com

2. Easton Mountain Products Hike Cork 3 Trekking Poles | $95.93

Gear that inspires you to blaze new trails.

HEaltly-Homemade-hiking Snacks

DIY CLIF BARS

Fruit-and-Nut Trail Mix

http://www.integrativehealthcare.com

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup dates (pitted)
1 1/4 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup coarsely chopped peanuts
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch salt
cup peanut butter
1/3 cup brown rice syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extractw
cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Save over
$10!

1. Spray an 8x8-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.

2. Place the dates in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Combine the pureed dates with
the cereal, oats, peanuts, flaxseed, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
3. Combine the peanut butter and brown rice syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring
until melted and completely blended. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir until well combined. Gently stir in the
chocolate chips. Turn the mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly to pack the mixture into the

http://www.myrecipes.com/

yield: 9 bars
prep time: 15 minutes

yield: 1 3/4 CUPS (7 SERVINGS)

prep time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup raw cashews
1/4 cup raw walnut halves
Sea salt or kosher salt
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup banana chips

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Toss the nuts with a pinch of salt and spread on a baking sheet.
3. Toast for 10 minutes until golden, stirring halfway through.
4. Let the nuts cool completely.
5. Mix the nuts with the dried fruits.

MAKE AHEAD: The trail mix can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

I hoped I could draw

the bear away from
Shawna; I sprinted 15
yards before the bear
caught and pummeled
me. She sliced through
my wrist with her
teethI watched her
mouth close over my
arm in slow motion and
trembled at the crushing
power of her jaws.

Shawna Ridge

Out Alive:
Mauled By A Grizzly

Mike Gersack

Mike Gersack (35) and his wife, Shawna Ridge (38), were attacked by a grizzly near Big Sky, Montana,
on May 13, 2011.
By Joshua Prestin

had set out that spring morning

with my then-girlfriend (now wife),
Shawna, for a picnic hike along Deer
Creek, 5 miles outside Big Sky. We
chose a well-traveled, clearly marked trail
since there were still patches of snow in
the shade, and we knew that grizzlies were
starting to forage.
We planned to hike a few miles to an
alpine pass and eat lunch where rolling
lodgepole forests intersperse with ancient
granite summits towering over the Gallatin
River valley. We moved at an easy pace to
better absorb the sky-wide views around
us and revel in the deafening power and
noise of Deer Creek at peak runoffthe
creek was so loud that we had to shout to
hear each other even when we were sideby-side.

fight. I love her for that spirit, but also

knew the dangers of a grizzly encounter,
having hiked and hunted plenty in bear
country. The odds were low, but if one
attacked, wed have to play dead, and only
fight if it kept at us.
Around 2 miles in, we stopped for a drink
of water and saw an elk grazing in the
green meadow above us. A few steps up
the trail, I looked back up and the elk was
gone; I wasnt alarmed, but I thought it
oddthe animal hadnt looked nervous.
We hiked another 20 yards and suddenly something didnt feel right. My gut
wrenched into a knot when I noticed some
peripheral movement 100 yards to our
rightshadows moving in the trees. I told
Shawna to get behind a big lodgepole pine
on the edge of the trail 20 yards behind
me. We listened, waiting.

As we ascended through stands of lodgepole pines, we postholed through lingering

drifts of snow and discussed worst-case
scenarioswhat we would do if we
encountered a grizzly on the trail. This
was our first wilderness hike
togetherShawna had little
experienceand I told her to
get behind me if anything went
wrong. No way, she said. Id

A split second later the elk shattered the

silence, barreled out of the trees, and
made a mad dash into the woods. Then I
saw what it was running from: a young,
200-pound bear tearing downhill after it.
Before I could identify what kind of bear it
was, I threw my hands skyward and shouted. Whoa! Hey, bear! The cub stopped,
confused, and backpedaled.
Then its 500-pound mother appeared on

the trail. Grizzlies.

Get in the tree! I screamed to Shawna.
It wasnt enough. The griz stood up over
me and sank her teeth into the meat of
Shawnas right thigh. I punched harder at
the bears head, over and over and over and
over. I didnt know what I was doing, and
I didnt care. Then its 500-pound mother
appeared on the trail. Grizzlies.
Get in the tree! I screamed to Shawna.
It wasnt enough. The griz stood up over
me and sank her teeth into the meat of
Shawnas right thigh. I punched harder at
the bears head, over and over and over and
over. I didnt know what I was doing, and I
didnt care.
When the grizzly let go, she turned on me
and swatted at my chest with her plate-size
paws and 3-inch claws.
I felt the impact, not the gashes in my
fleshher paw hit me like a baseball bat.
Then she rammed me with her skull. I felt
it collide with my body but didnt notice
pain or fear. Her breath was what got
meall I could register was how terrible
it smelled each time she growled into my
face.I ran.

na. I stood, but waited

out the longest minute
of my life to make sure
the bears werent coming back.

smooth trunk. If she

screamed, I didnt hear
herI could only hear
the bears ferocious
growls.

I walked back to the

tree and helped Shawna
down. She bandaged
my lacerated wrist with
a bandana, but nothing
could be done for my
shoulder or back; we
took a drink of water and gathered our
composure. OK, were
going to slowly walk
back to the car, I said as
calmly as I could.

I swung and gouged at

the bears nose and eyes,
but it was like ear-flicking a force of nature.
I only wanted to buy
Shawna some time. I felt
pretty sure that this was
it for me, but if I kept
the bears attention,

When she opened her

mouth to bite again, I
pulled my arm loose
and turned to sprint farther away from Shawna.
The second I turned, the
grizzly grabbed me by
the backpackwhere
One hundred yards
our pepper spray was
down the trail, I rememstashedand lifted
bered Shawna had been
me off the
bit, but
ground with OK, were going she
her mouth and to slowly walk
didnt
paws.
realize
back to the car, it. Her
She stood on I said as calmly
yoga
her hind legs,
pants
thrashing my as I could.
hadnt
body back and forth like torn, so I had to
a dog with a chew toy.
convince her to let me
My hipbelt was buckled
examine her leg. It was
but the sternum strap
bad. The grizzlys teeth
wasnt, and she tore my
had flayed open her
rotator cuff and strained flesh, and when the
my back muscles with
compression from her
her violent shaking.
pants lifted off her skin,
blood poured out.
Then, in a stroke of pure
luck, my left shoulder
I tore a piece from my
strap came loose and
shirt and bandaged her
my body swung around, leg before her adrenallowing me to kick the
aline wore off. She
bear in the side.
struggled to walk. I told
She dropped me inher wed be OK over
stantly and turned in
and over as we leaned
search of her cub.
together and hobbled
2 miles back to the car,
It stood 100 yards up
looking over our shoulthe trail, watching. The
ders the whole way.
mother bear growled
the whole way toward
ter, and now I needed
it, occasionally looking
mous frame crushed
back at us, until they
me against the trunk.
bounded off the trail
I kept pushing Shawna
into the trees. I could
up while she struggled
only think about Shawfor handholds on the

Shawna could climb to

safety. She dropped me
instantly and turned
in search of her cub.
It stood 100 yards up
the trail, watching. The
mother bear growled
the whole way toward
it, occasionally looking back at us, until
they bounded off the
trail into the trees. I
could only think about
Shawna.
One hundred yards
down the trail, I remembered Shawna had been
bit, but she didnt realize
it. Her yoga pants
hadnt torn, so I had to
convince her to let me
examine her leg. It was
bad.
The grizzlys teeth had
flayed open her flesh,
and when the compression from her pants
lifted off her skin, blood
poured out. I tore a
piece from my shirt and
bandaged her leg before
her adrenaline wore off.
She struggled to walk. I
told her wed be OK over
and over as we leaned
together and hobbled
2 miles back to the car,
looking over our shoulders the whole way.

How to Survive:
a Grizzly Bear
Attack
By: Debra Ronca
A grizzly bear is probably the scariest thing
you can imagine encountering when youre
hiking or camping in the woods. Respect
your fear -- a grizzly attack would likely
kill you or leave you severely maimed or
scarred.
The most famous recent grizzly attack was
probably the attack on Timothy Treadwell,
a grizzly bear activist who spent time living
among the bears in Alaska. In October
2006, Treadwell and his girlfriend Amie
Huguenard were fatally attacked by one of
the bears theyd come to love, documented
in the Warner Herzog film Grizzly Man.
Grizzly attack stories date back through the
ages. As the story goes, in 1823, fur trapper
Hugh Glass was on an expedition up the
Missouri River, headed toward Yellowstone
Park. Separated from his group, Glass accidentally surprised a mother grizzly and her
cubs, and before he had a chance to grab
his gun, the grizzly attacked him.
Legend has it, hed wrestled the bear to the
ground by the time his men showed up
to shoot the bear. But his injuries were so
great that, after bandaging his wounds and
sitting vigil for a few days, his men took his
rifle and knife and left him there in a shallow grave. Glass actually survived to tell the
tale, setting his own broken leg and wearing
the grizzly bear pelt for warmth as he hiked
for two months. A monument still stands at
the site where Glass fought the grizzly.
The stories of Timothy Treadwell and Hugh
Glass seem almost unbelievable. But grizzly
bear attacks can and do happen to people
just like you and me.
Although there are no formal statistics on
bear attacks, collected news reports show
at least 24 fatal attacks during the current
decade in the United States and Canada
[source: Black Bear Heaven].
In Alaska, there were eight non-fatal bear
attacks in the first eight months of 2008
[source: Vick].
An encounter with a grizzly doesnt always
have to end in bloodshed -- thats your
blood or the bears. By using safe hiking and
camping practices, learning to read a bears
body language, staying calm and protecting
yourself, you can greatly increase
the odds youll walk away from a
grizzly in one piece

Simple Water Purification Techniques

With these simple water purifying
tool you are able to have the
security of drinking clean water
along your hikes.

Iod
Solu ine
tion
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-

By Clay Hunter

k
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Stay
Hydrated
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safe

Ch
Dro lorine
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are
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aff weigh
ora
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Water
Filters-

can rem
ov
bateria in e
water.

hen you go
on an outdoor adventure, it is possible to
experience a depletion
of your water supply.
Or sometimes due
to unforeseen circumstances you were
forced to stay outdoors
longer than what you
intended. Water in
many places are not
very safe to drink,
so there is a need to
purify it before you
drink it. Attached is
a recent picture from
Zion National Park,
one of my favorite
places in the world.
Zion actually usually
has ample water to
purify, but sometimes
not in the backcountry
section of it.
Nowadays, it becomes
easier to purify water.
There are easy and
simple ways that you
can purify water that
you will find along
your trail to make it
suitable for drinking
purposes. You can purify water by treating it
with a chemical; either
chlorine or iodine.
You can also use filtra

10
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/

violet light. Another

simple way is to boil
the water; I explain
in greater detail all of
these methods down
the page. All of these
methods are effective
provided they are
done properly. Anyway, you only need to
choose one method
that you are more
comfortable with.
When you have consumed all your water
supply and you have
not yet reached your
target destination, you
could be dehydrated
and would cause further delay in reaching
your destination. Dehydration can usually
be prevented.
Sometimes, you could
have neglected or ignored the fact that you
could get dehydrated.
If you are dehydrated,
you will experience
dizziness, dry lips,
headaches and at
times you can become
nauseous. Dehydration can lead to more
severe conditions like
heat stroke or heat

exhaustion. This is
something that you
should not ignore
because it could be life
threatening.
You need to be observant of your trail so
you know where to
find watering holes,
just in case you run
out of water supply.
Water in these areas
are not safe for human
consumption. Thus,
there is a need to purify the water to make it
suitable for drinking.
The following are the
common methods of
water purification.

Bugs of the Trails

Meet the BUGs

11 Most Dangerous Bugs in North America

By Grace Chen

The Most Unknown

Dangers:

Depending on how you feel about crawling creatures, bugs can be really interesting or rather creepy. Get bitten or stung by one, however, and you
might start worrying about how dangerous they are. Thankfully, the majority of bugs will leave you alone if you leave them alone. Get on their bad
side, and you could end up with a painful or even deadly bite. Here is a look at some of the commonly found dangerous bugs of North America.

h e Most Dangerous
T

kown Dangers
h e Most Un
T
W
Black idow

o Spider
Hob

Sac Spider

vester Ant
Har

Sac Spiders - There are several

varieties of sac spiders living in
North America. They can come
in a variety of colors, but tend
to have a large round abdomen
and thin legs. These spiders are
thought to be responsible for
the majority of indoor spider
bites. Since sac spiders are
nocturnal, the majority of bites
happen at night. They only attack when provoked or trapped
against the skin.

wntail Moth
Bro

Tarantula

Hobo Spider - The hobo spider

is hard to identify and not native to the U.S., though it can
now be found in the Pacific
Northwest. Suspected Hobo
spiders should be caught and
taken to a specialist if possible. Bites of the hobo spider
are thought to possibly cause
necrotic ulcers.

luse Spider
Rec

Scorpion

Harvester Ants - Harvester ants

have a very tenacious bite and
painful sting when disturbed.
The reaction can spread along
the lymph channels and last for
hours. Most harvester ants are
found west of the Mississippi
river.

nt
Fire A s

12

B ee

Wasp

http://princessofpavement.com/

Common and Painful

Browntail Moth - The browntail moth can cause an allergic

rash, similar to poison ivy if
touched. The rash can last for
weeks in sensitive individuals.
Inhaled hairs can also cause
respiratory distress.

The Most Dangerous:

Common and Painful:

Black Widow - The black widow spider is one of the more

infamous spiders, recognized
by the shiny black body with a
red hourglass shape on the abdomen. She is also known for
eating the male after mating.

Fire Ants - An import from

South America, fire ants
have an intensely painful and
burning sting. Even worse,
fire ants attack in mass when
disturbed. The stings cause a
painful wound that turns into
a pustule, which can become
infected and tends to itch while
it heals.

Tarantulas - Tarantulas look

dangerous enough, with large,
furry bodies and thick legs that
give them a very recognizable
appearance. The venom of a
tarantula is similar to that of a
bee sting, and they will usually
only bite if provoked or picked
up. Some tarantulas can release
clouds of hair that is irritating
to the nose, throat, and eyes of
their attackers.
Recluse spiders - While there
are several species of recluse
spiders found in North America, the brown recluse is the
most infamous. Brown recluses
are small, with evenly colored
legs void of stripes or spines.
The bite of recluse spiders can
lead to skin necrosis if left
untreated, but most cannot bite
through clothing. The bite itself is painless for several hours
after the attack, followed by
intense pain and the development of a necrotic ulcer. loss.

Bees - Bees can cause a painful

sting if disturbed. While not a
danger to many people, they
can be deadly to persons who
are allergic to their venom.
The most aggressive ones are
the Africanized, or killer, bees
that are highly aggressive and
attack in large swarms.
Wasps - Like bees, wasps can
cause a painful sting that is not
dangerous unless the person is
allergic to them. Unlike bees,
wasps do not lose their stinger
when they sting a victim,
allowing them to sting repeatedly.
Many species have intensely
painful stings that do little to
no lasting damage.

Scorpions - Living in the dessert areas of the Southwest are

a variety of species of scorpions. Most will only sting if provoked or stepped on, causing
the victim localized pain and s
least one species that has been
known to cause death by stinging, primarily in children.

13

The Hyalite Creek Trail, in the Gallatin

Range south of Bozeman, has it all: falls,
lakes, mountains. Tucked into a quiver of
10,000-foot peaks, Hyalite Creek boasts 11
unnamed slinky falls along the five-mile
trek to Hyalite Lake. Its an ice climbers
paradise in winter; a backpackers in summer. Make basecamp in the craggy cirque
basin and strike out the next morning to
the summit of Hyalite Peak, two miles
north. Head out on day three. fs.fed.us/r1/
gallatin

Hiking
Waterfalls

Uncompahgre Wilderness, CO
Save the best for last (secluded Porphyry
Falls) on this 29-miler. Take Wetterhorn
Basin Trail over Cimarron Ridge to Wetterhorn Basin. Then go cross-country to Matterhorn Peak. Loop west on Trail 227 to
reach the Cimarron River. Detour downhill
two miles to Porphyry Basin and horsetailing Porphyry Falls before exiting at Middle
Fork. Shuttle required. ouraytrails.org

Mountain West

Hyalite Creek, MT

Escape the business of life...

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/

Yellowstone National Park, WY

If this easy seven-mile out-and-back to
secluded backcountry camping doesnt turn
you on, the six-tiered, 140-foot Terraced
Falls wvill. Set out on the South Boundary
Trail north of Grassy Lake Reservoir. After a
mile, turn left onto Terraced Falls Trail and
head to the edge of a 70,000-year-old lava
flow to view the falls, one of the biggest in
the parks southwest corner. Backtrack to the
Pitchstone Plateau Trail and go east three
miles to two campsites. nps.gov/yell

15

Nestled in a jumble of rock, Morgan Falls drops 70 feet into a tiny

grotto in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Its the focal
point of this short dayhike and
overnight. Take the two-mile St.
Peters Dome Trail to the top of the
red granite dome to spy the falls.
Then backtrack to grab your overnight gear and head a half-mile
back up to the eastbound Spur
Trail for a four-miler to sites near
rushing Frames Creek. ($5 parking
fee) fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf

This 16-miler is blessed with two

Smokies icons: balds and falls.
Follow Twentymile Trail past its
namesake cascades before climbing steeply to the Upper Flats tent
site. Day two is a scenic ascent
to the 15-acre crest of Gregory
Bald. Descend to the Sheep Pen
Gap campsite, nestled in a glade
with a spring nearby. End with a
seven-mile cruise down Dalton
Ridge. nps.gov/grsm

Superior Hiking Trail, MN

Honey Creek Loop, TN

This Lake Superior hike follows the

north shore 25 miles from Temperance River State Park to Cascade
River State Park, passing through
a gorge that churns the river into a
series of chaotic falls. Youll head
north through boreal forest with
constant views of the big lake. Feel
quad-burn from Oberg to Lutson
Mountains. Campsites are scattered
on the route. shta.org

The Big South Fork National

River and Recreation Area spans
125,000 acres of gorges and bluffs
near the Tennessee-Kentucky
border. The Honey Creek Loop
is a short but challenging sixmile strike to its four best drops.
Perhaps inspired by erratic Moonshine Falls.

North Country Trail, MI

Appalachian Trail, GA

See a mini-Niagara on a 20-mile

point-to-point on the NCT in
Michigans Upper Peninsula. Access the trail at the mouth of the
Big Two-Hearted River, and beachcomb five miles to Culhane Lake
Campground. Cruise marshland
and stunted pines the next day,
camping at flat sites near mile 12.
End at Tahquamenon Falls State
Park and its roaring spillway.
northcountrytrail.org

At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is

the states biggest drop. Warm up
on Amicalola Falls State Parks
600-step stairway to its base.
Then hoof it eight miles on the
AT Approach Trail to Springer
Mountain Shelter. Trek 7.6 miles
through oaks to overnight at Long
Creek Falls. Roll seven miles to
Gooch Gap on day three. End
with five miles to Woody, Georgia. appalachiantrail.org

Southeast

Gregory Bald Loop, NC

http://www.stateparks.com/

Great Lake States

14

St. Peters Dome, WI

17

Julie Urbanski

How Hiking
Benefits
Body and
Mind

DAy Hiking Checklist

An inside look from DayHiker.com

Improves balance

Boosts your mood

evels es your
Improv
blood pressure
and blood sugar
Lowers your risk
of heart disease

Boosts bone density

Strengthens your core

Helps control your weight

Builds strength in your

glutes, quadriceps,
hamstrings, and the muscles
in your hips and lower legs

16

Why Go on a Day Hike?

Hike: Its elegant

and egalitarian! Think

about a hike: Low overhead and anyone can do
this! No set of wheels
to buy and master, as in
bicycling, skateboarding,
motorcycling, Indy 500
auto racing ... no ball
to control - as in golf,
tennis, baseball, football,
bowling, basketball,
hot air ballooning ... no
fighting the elements for
balance with a recalcitrant object - as in skiing,
surfing, kayaking, sailing,
flying ... no body threatening activity - as in boxing, wrestling, marathon
running, ski diving.
The point is: Day Hiking
is the ultimate recreational activity. Trails are
everywhere. From easy
walks around a lake to
challenging hikes up a
mountain, almost everyone can participate.
Anyone who can walk
can do this. The goal is
to walk (hike, trek) and
come back the same day
to indoor plumbing and
a bed with an expensive
mattress. The attractiveness of this sport is
each person sets a goal
and strives to achieve to
it. Rather than a casual
walk in the evening after
dinner (also, a good thing
to do), this endeavor
requires some planning
and a commitment.
Whether it is a challenging, extreme or an easy
hike, the answer is in the

eye of the beholder (or

in the feet of the hiker?);
specific hikes will be
too hard for some and
too easy for others. The
main goal is to achieve a
sense of accomplishment
similar to more rigorous
sports like ultra-trail or
marathon running but
with a lot less stress on
the body.
Day hiking is becoming
popular with all ages,
especially two aging baby
boomer groups: The
formerly active and the
inactive.

proverbial couch and TV.

Perhaps, after abandoning their pot-induced
hippie days, they coasted
through their twenties
and thirties with no exercise. During their forties
as their weight increased
and breathing labored,
reality set in. In search
for something more
rigorous than lifting a
can of beer, they are not
motivated by jogging,
tread mills, or triathlons.
Day hiking is the answer
... easy to do and not
boring.
The quint-

Day Hiking
essential
is the ultimate day hike can
satisfy the
recreational
need for a
activity. Trails renaissance
of rigorous
are everywhere. physical ac-

Active Baby
Boomers: The
first group engaged in strenuous activities
all their lives,
perhaps as a
serious runner,
or some other competitive sport, now find knees
and other body parts
have slowed them down.
Maybe backpacking and
camping in the wilderness is not as much fun.
The outdoors may have
lost its allure due to the
heavy pack, the logistics
of sleeping, the complications of cooking, and personal body maintenance.
Or simply, they find the
time commitment is too
much for the extended
overnight trip, and thus,
day hiking is the answer.
Inactive Baby Boomers:
The other group may
not have been a fan of
exercise, opting for the

Snacks
Water
First Aid Kit
Pocket Knife
Survival Kit
Trekking poles
Map
Headlamp
Matches
Camera
Insect repellent
Compass
Sunscreen
Extra pair of socks
Sunglasses

tivity for the

40 plus age group, and,
any other age group.

Heath Benefits: Unless

you have been living on
or under a couch, you
must have noticed the
preponderance of evidence claiming rigorous
physical exercise is great
for your physical, mental,
and emotional well-being. Studies have shown
brisk, low-sweating walking can help the heart
just as well as more vigorous activities. Furthermore, brisk walking for
10 hours or more at high
altitude is marathon-like
achievement and a lot
more interesting.

Garry Chapman
Peoria, AZ
Before hiking I though lists were
for beginners, but ever since 1982
Ive been writing lists for all my
hikes, even if it is just for a day.

19

@mirandeezy

Jacob Bean

@LeahLarwood

@pdill11

@jentwen

Bear Selfies
#dangerous

By Geetika Rudra

hen park rangers tell hikers to

leave nothing but footprints and
take nothing but pictures, they
probably arent talking about selfies.
At least thats what visitors to Taylor
Creek in South Lake Tahoe, California,
are learning.
Park officials say that too many people
are trying to take selfies with wild bears.
Weve had mobs of people that are
actually rushing toward the bears trying
to get a selfie photo, Lisa Herron,
spokesperson for the Lake Tahoe Basin
Management Unit, told the Reno Gazette-Journal. It is presenting a safety
issue. We are afraid someone is
going to get attacked.
Manut Buapet was at Taylor

20

Creek last week. She said tourists flocked

to the bears, which werent afraid to
come close. There were like 30 people
taking pictures of themselves with the
bears, Buapet told ABC News. I was
concerned. You never know whats going
to happen with bears, but people just
stuck around.
There were no park officials around to
keep the people and bears at a safe distance, said Buapet.
They werent scared at all of the people,
she said, adding that some parents were
trying to keep the kids away.
One bear cub came as close as two feet to
the tourists, Muapet said. If the problem persists, officials have threatened to
close off the popular bear-sighting area,

which runs along the south shore of

Lake Tahoe, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. Taylor Creek usually sees
an increase in bears around this time
of year because they feed on kokanee
salmon, which make their annual swim
through the creek. Taylor Creek usually
sees an increase in bears around this
time of year because they feed on kokanee salmon, which make their annual
swim through the creek.

If you want to weigh in this debate, then

email us at trailblazer@gmail.com