Hiking on Mount Tammany in NewJersey

IG @NasrJackson FB @NasrJackson 16 THINGS TO DO BEFORE A HIKE Find Some Hiking Buddies In general, hiking in a group is better. For starters, it’s more fun. But safety is the real reason it’s better to hike with friends. You can help each other if someone gets hurt. But when hiking, it’s not really “the more, the merrier”. Large groups are difficult to keep together on the trail, can be loud and disruptive to other hikers, and have a greater impact on the environment. Leave No Trace and many land management agencies recommend 10 or 12 people as the maximum group size. While groups are ideal, hiking alone can have its own rewards. I do hike by myself sometimes, but I’m really careful and only do it on easier hikes. Here are my thoughts and tips on hiking alone. Research Trail Options Do some research and pick a trail to hike. This means more than scrolling through Instagram and picking somewhere that looks epic. Look at trail websites, blogs and park websites. Pick up a guidebook. Find out some key pieces of info about the hike: How hard is it? How far is it? How much elevation gain is there? Make sure you choose a hike that is within the abilities of you and your group. If you’re just starting out, pick easier hikes, then work up to harder ones. Make Sure You Have Enough Time Accidents happen when you’re rushing or trying to hike at night. Make sure you have enough time to complete your hike. Research how long it usually takes people to hike, then add in a bit more time as a buffer. Don’t forget to look up how long it will take you to drive there. And check what time the sun sets. You don’t want to be caught out after dark. Read Up on Local Regulations In many places, rules and regulations are in place to protect the natural environment and make sure all users have a positive experience. Check park websites to find out if you need a reservation, permit or park pass. Find out if any areas are closed and if dogs or campfires are allowed. Check Trail Conditions There’s nothing worse than getting halfway up a mountain to be stopped by snow. If you research the trail conditions ahead of time you have a higher chance of having fun. More importantly, you’ll have a much higher chance of staying safe and avoid getting lost. The first principle of Leave No Trace is plan ahead and prepare, and checking trail conditions is an important part of that. These days, there are a LOT of places to check trail conditions. Try Instagram, hiking groups, and park websites. I’ve got a whole post about How to Find Trail Conditions with more info. Get the Weather and Avalanche Forecasts Find out if it’s going to rain or snow and how cold it’s going to be. Then pack clothes to match the weather. If you are going hiking in the mountains, keep in mind that the weather in the city isn’t the same. Look at weather forecasts for a nearby ski hill or use mountain-forecast.com to get weather predictions for high elevation hikes. If you hike in winter, make sure you check the avalanche forecast on avalanche.ca (Canada) or avalanche.org (USA). If you don’t have avalanche training, you should probably stay out of avalanche terrain if the forecast is anything except low. Dress for the Conditions In general, it’s a good idea to wear moisture-wicking and quick-drying clothing when hiking. Even if you’ve checked the forecast, the weather can change fast. It’s a good idea to have an extra warm layer and a rain jacket in your pack just in case. Take Care of Your Feet The secret to happy hiking is happy feet. Wear hiking boots or trail runners that fit you and grip the trail. Pack Snacks… Lots of Snacks Hiking makes you hungry. Make sure you pack enough food for your trip. It’s a good idea to bring more food than you think you’ll need. I always keep a few extra bars in my backpack. Nothing tastes better after a long day on the trail than some nice salty potato chips! Bring a Garbage Bag Plan ahead to reduce waste. Bring a garbage bag to carry out everything you brought with you. That includes organic waste like apple cores and banana peels. Fill Up a Water Bottle Bring a water bottle or hydration reservoir. Dehydration is no joke. In general, about 2L of water is a good amount for a day hike. HOWEVER, if the hike is hard or it’s hot out, you’ll need much more. Find out if there are creeks along the way, then bring a filter or water treatment tablets. Giardia (a.k.a. beaver fever) is also no joke. Check Your Gear Make sure your gear works and you know how to use it. You don’t want to figure out how to use your GPS for the first time at the trailhead. Double-check the contents of your first aid kit before each hike. prepared to go to bathroom .

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