Introductory Hike for New Hikers
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
1. what to expect on a NIH hike
2. what clothing to wear for a hike
3. what to bring on a hike
4. how to determine the difficulty of a hike from the hike announcement
5. important things to do to prepare for and while on a hike
6. the best places to hike in this area
7. good things to look out for on a hike
8. bad things to look out for on a hike
9. prevailing weather conditions in this region
10. best times to go hiking
11. good places to buy hiking clothes, gear, and maps
12. who maintains the hiking trails
13. most common mistakes made by hikers
Jim Tomlin, jim.tomlin@noaa.gov
Leads day hikes, backpacking weekends, and cross-country ski trips for NIH Hiking Club and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.
Has led group hiking trips to Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, North Cascades, Mount Rainier, Rocky Mountain National Parks; National Forests and Wilderness areas in West Virginia, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, and Idaho.
Member of Potomac Appalachian Trail Club 'Trail Patrol', maintains
a hiking trail in Geo. Wash. Nat'l Forest, leads a monthly trail
crew and co-manages PATC hiking district "Great North Mountain".
1. what to expect on a NIH hike: http://www.recgov.org/r&w/nihhiking/
- read FAQ there
Announcement
Be sure to read carefully & completely
Contact leader if unsure about anything
Please do not ask the leader the #1 FAQ ;-)
RSVP to hike leader as early as possible (explain lack of cars
issue)
Preparation
Walk recreationally around town to start to get in shape
Walk in the shoes/boots you'll be hiking in
Ascend & descend Medical Center Metro escalator to get in
better shape
Get all items together the night before so you'll be less likely
to forget something
Get plenty of rest the night before
Go only if you are feeling good and not just getting over an illness
Meeting
Grosvenor/Strathmore Metro, Park N Ride lot, not in garage, before
8:00am
We leave promptly on time at 8:00am
Please drive occasionally if you have a car
Driving to Hike
Ask, don't assume there will be a
Breakfast stop? Bathroom stop? Gas stop? (talk to leader)
Don't skip breakfast assuming there will be a food stop
At the trailhead
Last-minute instructions
Leader should describe &/or show the route on a map
Sweep (an experienced hiker will be selected, identified, and
stationed at the very back. DO NOT get behind the sweep!)
During the hike
Gradual, maintainable pace is best
Usually mostly uphill before lunch, sometimes very steeply uphill
Stop and rest if you are windedand slow your pace so you don't
need to stop often
Getting a second (and third) wind
Stop at all trail intersections, marked or otherwise
Talk to the sweep before leaving the trail for any reason
Take your pack with you when you leave the trail
Drink liquids often, and before you get thirsty
Protocol for pushing through encroaching foliage:
Either:
1. Push through it without holding it at all, or
2. Hold it until the person behind you has gotten through it also
(do not hold it for yourself and then let it go, it may slap the
person behind you)
Lunch
The leader will pick an appropriate spot for lunch
Bring high-energy, non-smashable foods
Don't try to diet immediately before and while hiking
Look above you for dangling branches when you're going to be sitting
Bring something suitable for sitting on (I use my emergency garbage
bag, and add a small insulated pad when hiking in winter)
After lunch
Be wary of fatigue-caused injury or carelessness
Meeting back at cars
No one should leave until everyone is back
Dinner/food stop afterwards
Usually don't stop, but sometimes it happens check with
car mates
PASSENGERS - PLEASE PAY DRIVERS FOR THEIR GAS! At $3.00 a gallon,
a driver will spend $20 - $25 to get to Shenandoah NP and back.
2. what clothing to wear for a hike
a. how hot? how cold?
listen to the morning weather forecast yesterday's weather
is often not a gauge, especially in spring, fall, and winter,
when weather can change very quickly
our weather patterns go west to east --- mountains can be much
colder than D.C.
going uphill is much warmer than you expect prepare beforehand
by reducing the number of layers before you start uphill
being stopped is much colder than you expect put on more
layers before you start to get cold
can't assume that you will be able to keep hiking to stay warm!
b. dress in multiple layers
synthetic, silk, or wool clothing is vastly superior to cotton
if you wear a cotton T-shirt, bring a spare shirt in your pack
to change into at lunchtime
fleece is great LL Bean sells cheap, good-quality windproof
fleece (wind challenger jackets & vests)
always bring a warm layer, except on midsummer hikes
always bring a rain jacket, even if no rain is predicted
c. footwear
hiking boots vs athletic shoes vs sandals
leather vs. fabric boots
high-top vs. low-top boots
bring sandals on hikes with lots of stream crossings
try on lots of different kinds and brands of boots
if they aren't comfortable when you try boots on, don't buy them
socks
experiment and find what's best for your feet and boots
typically two pairs (liners, wool/synthetic) or one special thick
hiking pair
d. bring a warm cap and gloves on all cool-weather hikes, even
if you don't think you will need them
3. what to bring on a hike
a. day pack of sufficient capacity (1500cc minimum, 2000cc
good)
b. change of clothes, depending on the season and the hike (leave
in car, except carry a spare T-shirt if you are wearing cotton)
c. change of shoes (leave in car)
d. food
e. at least 2L of liquids
f. extra layers for warmth & inclement weather: fleece, raingear
(bring them on the hike!)
g. Ten Essentials
Map
Water
Emergency food
First aid kit (including personal medication)
Flashlight and/or headlamp (including spare bulb and batteries)
Necessary clothing, including
rain/wind protection
extra shoe laces
Pocket knife or multi-purpose tool
Pencil and paper
Large plastic trash bag (33-gallon) or emergency "space"
blanket (to serve as emergency rain protection, emergency shelter)
Signaling device (whistle)
Also Recommended:
sunglasses
sunscreen
matches/lighter/fire-starter (in plastic bag)
insect repellent
toilet paper
gloves
hat or cap for shade
trekking poles
handwarmer packets
4. how to determine the difficulty of a hike
Distance to be hiked
Elevation gained/lost
Day length
Stated pace of hike in announcement
Trail surface
Stream crossings & current water levels
Forecast temperatures
Examples:
< 1000' of vertical, < 8 miles: easy
1000-2000' of vertical, 7-10 miles: moderate
> 2000' of vertical, 11-15 miles: strenuous
The same hike is more strenuous in winter and summer
And more strenuous if announcement mentions "briskly paced"
And more strenuous if lots of stream crossings are required
5. important things to do to prepare for and while on a hike
Very important: stretch beforehand
Put moleskin on known trouble spots on feet and ankles
Enjoy yourself! Be social but not loud, give people some quiet
time too
Stay hydrated
Stay fueled
Address any health issues, including feet issues, immediately
Stay with the group
Stay in front of the sweep
Stay behind or within sight of the leader if you are up front
Wait at all trail intersections for the rest of the group
Natural preservation of National Parks
Don't hold up the group if you find something of intense
interest, made a subsequent visit later
If you have any medical issues (e.g. allergic reactions, diabetes,
seizures, low blood sugar, etc.) that might cause you to need
medicine (that you are carrying) and be unable to administer it
to yourself, privately tell the hike leader about it and show
him/her where you keep the medicine and how to administer it
Carry a loud whistle three distinct blows mean "I need help"; two blows mean "I hear you and I will help"
After-hike stretching minimizes "car stiffness"
Bring very comfortable shoes & socks or sandals to change
into after a hike
6. the best places to hike in this area
For those accustomed to hiking in alpine areas: almost everywhere
in this area is below timberline, i.e. there are very few and
far between places where you get above the trees.
National Parks
Shenandoah our greatest resource, over 500 miles of trails
C&O Canal/Great Falls Billy Goat Trail is nice (but
don't go in the water)
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Catoctin Mountain Park
National Forests
George Washington Virginia/West Virginia
Monongahela West Virginia Great to go in summer, much
cooler there, but a 4 hour drive
State Forests
Michaux State Forest, Pennsylvania
Green Ridge State Forest, Maryland
Other places
Appalachian Trail (VA, MD, PA)
Sugarloaf (privately owned, but open to public), Maryland
Little Bennett Regional Park, Maryland
Richard Thompson Wildlife Area, Virginia
Also see Mike Juskelis' web site for many great hike descriptions:
http://www.midatlantichikes.com/
Unfortunately, none of the hiking areas are accessible by reasonable public transportation, so a car is required
7. good things to look out for on a hike
Nature: birds, flowers, mammals, mushrooms, butterflies, reptiles,
amphibians. DO NOT DISTURB ANYTHING if hiking in a National Park
Viewpoints
Photography
Human history
Geology
8. bad things to look out for on a hike
Foot problems (use moleskin for blisters and hot spots)
break in boots, toughen feet slowly with short hikes first
Hypothermia
Most cases occur in milder weather you can become hypothermic
when it is 77 degrees F outside and calm.
Wind and wet makes hypothermia much more likely
Two types slow and fast onset require different treatments
Drinking warm beverages has only a psychological effect
"Keep moving" even when tired, if cold, is not advised
better to rest occasionally
Most important of all AVOID becoming hypothermic in the
first place
STAY DRY and bring enough warm layers for the conditions!
Hyperthermia
Drink liquids, stay in shade, reduce goals when weather is hot
Getting lost
If you are ahead, wait at all intersections
Most people get lost while going to the bathroom bring your
pack with you, notify the sweep hiker that you are going and have
him/her wait for you
Injuries usually from hurrying, fatigue, inattention, ill-preparedness,
or bad judgment
Natural hazards
Poison Ivy & Stinging Nettles
Practice identifying them, always be on the lookout for them;
they are almost everywhere that has moisture. Poison ivy oils
get in your clothes, so wash clothes afterwards and wash yourself
after touching your clothes
Snakes
Poisonous: rattlesnakes, copperheads
Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone
Don't put your hands/feet where you can't see them
Ticks (DEET, or 0.5% permethrin spray on outer clothes)
Mosquitos, gnats, yellowjacket wasps
Use insect repellent for mosquitos and gnats my favorite
is 3M Ultrathon™ Insect Repellent
Nothing works on yellowjackets they can be bad in late summer
and early fall. They nest in holes in the ground, often right
in the trail. One hiker will arouse them and the next hiker will
be attacked. Keep a distance between you and other hikers, and
if you are attacked, get away from their nest quickly. If you
are allergic to bee stings, carry an EpiPen injector and let the
hike leader know before the hike.
Spiders
Rarely a problem for day hikers
Mushrooms
Don't even think about touching them unless you are an experienced
mycologist
Lightning
Stay away from mountain tops, streams, tall trees, metal objects
Group should spread out
Get away from your pack
Squat on the ground (demonstrate)
Lightning can precede and/or follow rain
Stream Crossings
Judge water depth, water speed, water temperature
Safest to change to Tevas and walk right through the stream. Trekking
poles extremely useful for balance share them with others
Hopping across rocks and balancing on trees is less safe. Make
an alternate plan if the crossing appears unsafe
Winds
Group should spread out when in an area where branches or trees
may fall
Can dramatically increase the chance of hypothermia. Very important
to stay dry on windy days.
Emergencies
No more victims!!! Prioritize injuries
Stay together and stay calm
Let the leader form a plan of action; you will be needed
9. prevailing weather conditions in this region
Hot (85-100 degrees F), humid, steamy summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms (June, July, August)
Pleasant, dry autumns (September, October, November) fewer insects after first frost in October
Extremely unpredictable winters (warm (60F), cold(-10F), dry, snowy, icy, windy, usually cold until the end of March, first hiking usually around April 1)
Pleasant temperatures but sometimes rainy, muddy springs (April, May)
10. best times to go hiking (in my opinion)
Best early Fall everywhere: weather is usually pleasant and dry; entire Fall in National Parks. Later fall outside National Parks - must be wary of deer firearms hunting seasons.
2nd Best Spring: days are long, insects are fewer, flowers are prettiest, but sometimes soggy and rainy; be aware of Spring turkey hunting season outside of National Parks
3rd Best Winter: we get occasional very mild days, and if the ground is not covered with deep snow or crusty ice, hiking can be great. Even in winter, a forest reduces the effect of wind, so it is fine to hike in forests on windy days (avoid exposed trails like on ridge lines)
4th Best Summer: I don't like to hike when it's hot and humid, wait for a cold front to go through which lowers humidity
Worst Deer hunting season (late November through mid-December) in the National and State Forests; Leaf color season (hiking is good, but the auto traffic is awful). Find hunting seasons info at State fish & game commissions websites:
Virginia: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/
West Virginia: http://www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/pdf/SEASONSDATESLIMITS.PDF
Maryland: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/2005_2006_guide.pdf
Pennsylvania: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/lib/pgc/digestpdfs/2005/bag_limits.pdf
11. good places to buy hiking clothes, gear, and maps (in
no particular order)
REI Rockville, College Park, Fairfax stores, www.rei.com
Sale prices are good, regular prices are high, item quality is
very good
Hudson Trail Rockville, Gaithersburg, DC stores
Sale prices are fair, regular prices are very high, item quality
is very good
LL Bean Columbia, MD and Tyson's Corner stores; www.llbean.com,
Hagerstown outlet store. Regular prices are good, sale prices
are fantastic, item quality is good
Campmor www.campmor.com
Regular prices are good, "super special deals" prices
are very good
Sierra Trading Post www.sierratradingpost.com
An online outlet store prices used to be mind-bogglingly
good, now are just good
Potomac Appalchian Trail Club www.patc.net
Best hiking maps and guidebooks for the area
2nd best Trails Illustrated from National Geographic
12. who maintains the hiking trails
Almost all work is done by volunteers who also like to hike
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club www.patc.net
Trail overseers are assigned to small (0.1 5.0 mile) sections
of a trail
Trail crews work on bigger projects or on new or orphaned trails
Consider volunteering for a one day or weekend crew. They are
all very sociable and low-key, very nice people. Only need to
do as much labor as you feel like, no stigmas attached.
13. Most common mistakes made by hikers
Insufficient or inappropriate clothing/footwear for the conditions
Wearing ill-fitting boots
Not stopping the group to get foot problems addressed right away
Not bringing enough liquids (2L minimum, often will need more)
Not bringing enough food
Not bringing a rain jacket
Getting behind the sweep
Skipping breakfast assuming there will be a food stop
Going on a strenuous hike while on a severe diet
Littering (follow Leave No Trace principles - www.lnt.org )
Physically not ready for the level of that day's hike
Not pacing one's self; going too fast and getting exhausted early
in the hike
Neglecting to notice poison ivy
Forgetting insect repellent
Needing to rush to get back by a specific time
Holding the group up repeatedly while {taking photos, birdwatching,
etc.}
Bringing a misbehaving pet (and/or not cleaning up after pet),
or not following leash laws, or bringing a geriatric pet
Disturbing something in a National Park
(mushroom or flower picking, collecting rocks, throwing rocks,
talking loudly, tossing food scraps into the woods)
Falling in a stream on a cool-weather hike without a change of
clothes
Getting extremely sunburned on a hike in springtime
Failing to make adjustments to plans as a result of unexpected
conditions (bad weather, sick or injured group members, fatigue,
bad trail conditions, unforeseen delays)
Being too self-conscious to tell the hike leader that you are
not feeling well