Preparedness Tales from the Trails
Preparedness Tales from the Trails Proper gear and a plan reduce the chance of tragic outcomes. I am a massive pain in the posterior to hike with. Anybody who's familiar with the way I operate knows that I'm extremely detail oriented. When planning a hike, I like to know where I'm going, how to get there, the trail stats and what I'll need for gear and supplies. I assemble maps, GPS track, driving directions and Plan B alternatives in case of weather, road or trail closures. I have very limited free time, so it's annoying to me when unnecessary delays and foibles rob from trail time. My pace is moderate because I'm constantly stopping for photos, taking notes and I often pause on the trail to watch wildlife. Squirrels, birds, sunrises, running water, random shiny stuff---I stop for all these things. In addition to my over-planning proclivities, I'm a hardcore advocate of safe hiking practices and believe that we should approach nature with humility and respe...