Jenny Robinson LEI 4724

Activity Title: Day Hike

Source: Backpacking and Hiking for Beginners. (n.d.) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from
http://www.backpacking.net/beginner.html
Day Hiking Checklist. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2016, from
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/day-hiking-checklist.html
Hiking Etiquette - American Hiking Society. (2013, April 10). Retrieved April 12, 2016,
from http://www.americanhiking.org/resources/hiking-etiquette/
Equipment: A well-marked and maintained trail, map, compass, GPS (optional),
sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, appropriate clothing: layers, wicking material, (no jeans);
headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries, first-aid kit, matches or lighter in waterproof
container, knife or multi-tool, duct tape, snacks (or lunch depending on length of trip),
water bottles or hydration system (such as Camelbak), tarp or reflective blanket,
appropriate foot wear, day pack, hand sanitizer, quick dry towel, bags for collecting trash,
two way radio.
Activity Description: Before you begin the hike, make sure everyone has been briefed
on what trail you are taking and what markers to look for as well as everyone has the
appropriate clothing and supplies. Check that everyones pack is on correctly and is
comfortable. While walking, maintain efficient posture, keep your pace, watch where you
are going, remember to drink throughout the hike and rest occasionally. It is
recommended that each person have a partner whom they keep track. Hike quietly, speak
in low voices and enjoy the sounds of nature. If taking a break, move off the trail to allow
others to pass. Do not toss any trashif you packed it in, pack it out. When on the trail,
hikers downhill yields to those hiking uphill. Do not feed the wildlife. Leave what you
find. Take only pictures; leave only footsteps. If it is necessary to relieve yourself
outdoors, do so 200 feet away from the trail and any water sources. Walk through the
mud, not around it, unless you can do so without going off trail to preserve the trail.
Follow Leave No Trace principles.
Leadership Considerations: There should be at least two leaders in a group, depending
on the size. One should be a CTRS and at least one should have WFR (wilderness first
responder) certification, both leaders should have at least two years hiking experience.
One leader will be at the front of the pack; the other will be behind the last hiking. Both
will carry a two-way radio for communication. The leaders should be familiar with the
trial and any inherent hazards. Clients should be assessed on their fitness levels and the
trail difficulty and length should match accordingly. Leaders should agree on specific
places to take a break during the hike in order to let everyone meet again and account for
all clients. Each client should have a whistle and be instructed not to panic if they go off
trail or seem to be lost. They should stay where they are and use the whistle. Leaders

should review basic safety measures to clients and make sure everyone knows whom
their partner is. Weather should be checked before the hike. If needed, mosquito or bug
spray should be used. Clients should be reminded to drink throughout the hike to stay
hydrated and feel free to take breaks as needed. Leaders should leave plenty of time to
get through the trail during daylight hours. Leaders should know Leave No Trace
principles and brief clients on them as well as basic trail etiquette. Knowledge of the local
flora and fauna is required.
Adaptations: Participants with a high risk for suicide: It is estimated that 1 million
people commit suicide world wide annually and 10-20 more attempt suicide yearly
(Sturm et al., 2012). A previous suicide attempt is considered a high risk factor,
increasing a future attempt by thirty times (Sturm et al., 2012) Many disorders have been
proven to have a relationship to suicide including borderline personality disorder,
disruptive behavior disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, anxiety disorders, anorexia
nervosa and schizophrenia, while hopelessness, depression and suicide ideation are
among the most significant risk factors (Sturm, et al., 2012). In a two phase study
conducted by Sturm et al., (20012) high-risk suicide patients were able to be motivated to
participate in regular hiking and demonstrated high level-compliance which produced a
result of significantly improving physical endurance levels. In addition, Sturm et al.
(20012) found that hiking provided an effective means of reducing hopelessness,
depression and suicide ideation. Hiking should take place three times a week for two to
three hours with an elevation gain of 300-500m for best results.
Participants with spinal cord injury: Goodwin, Peco and Ginther (2009) discuss the
debate of independence or interdependence in outdoor and adventure programing for
persons with disabilities and remark that the therapeutic recreation professional must
enable participation while maximizing independence when sometimes, fully independent
participation is not feasible due to physical imitations or other barriers. In Goodwin, Peco
and Ginthers (2009) study, a controversial adaptive device called a TrailRider (designed
by Sam Sullivan, an individual with quadriplegia and his engineer friend Paul Cermak in
1995) was used in an outdoor hiking program with individuals with spinal cord injuries.
The rider sits securely in the TrailRider and is propelled over hiking trails with the
support of 2-4 persons without disabilities called sherpas (Goodwin, Peco & Ginther,
2009). The Trail-Rider has been criticized as resembling a wheelbarrow, however
participants in the study rejected that notion and recognized that it enabled them to access
natural areas that would not be possible otherwise (Goodwin, Peco & Ginther, 2009).
Although hesitant at first to rely on others to propel them, leaving them in a passive
position, participants reframed the acceptance of support as interdependence rather than
dependence and learned to trust their Sherpa teammates with their comfort and safety so
they could return to an outdoor context that they had not experience since prior to their
injuries (Goodwin, Peco & Ginther, 2009).
Adaptations References:
Sturm, J., Plderl, M., Fartacek, C., Kralovec, K., Neunhuserer, D., Niederseer, D., . . .
Fartacek, R. (2012). Physical exercise through mountain hiking in high-risk

suicide patients. A randomized crossover trial. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Acta Psychiatr Scand, 126(6), 467-475. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2012.01860.x
Goodwin, D., Peco, J., & Ginther, N. (2009). Hiking Excursions for Persons with
Disabilities: Experiences of Interdependence. Therapeutic Recreation Journal,
XLIII(1), 43-55.