Safety and Hikes in the Fall Season

Max Patch in NC

There’s nothing better than a backpacking trip in the woods at the peak of leaf change. The air is crisp, the colors of the changing leaves brilliant, and the expectation is there for adventure and recreation. With that in mind, here are a few tips that will help your trip go smoother and more enjoyable. 

Changing Weather – Fall can be a time of changing weather patterns. From warm to cold, bright sunshine to rain, make sure you are prepared for your trip. Check the weather before you venture out. Make sure your sleeping bag is of an adequate rating and you have enough warm layers. Include a good hat. Check out this blog too for ways to stay warm when the temperatures dip and what to bring when it rains. Carry the food you will need with a day extra to spare, just in case. Bring maps and a guidebook for the area in which you will be hiking, and include a phone in case of trouble. Know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia.

Wear blaze orange

Bears and Wildlife – This is the time of year when wildlife is foraging for food to keep them during the long winter months. They tend to be more aggressive and are on the hunt for food. Make sure you are using bear-proof techniques to hang your food. The PCT method works well for bears accustomed to hiker food strung up the usual way. Check ahead of time to see if there are any bear warnings for the area where you plan to hike (such as in the Smokies that routinely closes shelters for bear activity. Shenandoah National Park also can close areas to camping). Consider a bear canister or an Ursack with an odor-proof liner like an Loksak Opsak. Check out the Bear facts of the Trail blog for tips on handling black bear encounters. Don't be afraid to be aggressive though if bears are sighted near the shelter and tenting areas. Shout, bang pots, throw rocks, bark loudly like a dog (which works very well. There are even apps for your phone!). Bears should NOT be there in those areas.

Leaves and Acorns – No one would think acorns and leaves can disrupt a trip. But wet leaves make the trail slippery which can cause injury. Piles of leaves can hide rocks and other impediments on the trail. Acorns rolling under your feet act like marbles to trip you up. Take extra care on the trail when encountering these minor obstacles to prevent ankle twists or other injuries. Sometimes fallen leaves and obscure the trail. Be sure to have a map with you and a compass also. 

Hunting season - Fall means hunters are out sharing the woods and trail. Wearing blaze orange is a must. Know the hunting regulations where you will be hiking. Watch for dogs that are assisting hunters and be sure your furry pal also wears blaze orange. 

Where are the colors at their peak? Check out the fall foliage map

Finally, some top fall hikes in different states -

In the Smokies
New York and New Jersey
New England
Washington State
Colorado
New Hampshire
CNN's take Includes Virginia

What a Year of Blissful Hiking

2017 ended up being a year of great hiking adventures across several states!

The Florida Trail:

What began at the end of 2016 in the Great Cypress Swamp started up once more in earnest in 2017

as I continued to trek north through the state of Florida. 2017 saw me by the Kissimmee River, around Orlando, and through the Ocala National Forest to the halfway point. I also secured a book contract on this unique wander with my publisher WhiteFire Publishing who also published my AT adventures in Mountains, Madness and Miracles - 4000 Miles along the Appalachian Trail. Tentative title - "Gators and Guts to Glory, Adventures on the Florida Trail." Stay tuned.

Florida Trail Journal

Florida Trail Info

Appalachian Trail Section Hike:

I continued my quest for a third go-around on the AT with a section hike in lower PA, from Pen Mar Park to Duncannon. I also completed my 6th year as a ridgerunner and 5th year in Shenandoah National Park working along the AT.





Speaking Opportunities:

New this year - the Ranger and the Bear Children's program

Once again this year I was able to speak at several libraries about my AT adventures and developed a new children's program on the AT and backpacking. I enjoy teaching about hiking and hope for more opportunities.

Speaking Information









The Colorado Trail:

While not planned at all when the year began, by March I was seriously thinking about hiking this unique trail from Durango to Denver. I completed a thru hike of it from August 21 to September 26 with beauty and adventure all the way, meeting wonderful trail angels and hikers, as well as hiking for my first time at elevation. And using an Ursack.

Colorado Trail Journal (in progress)

Colorado Trail Info


New Gear Added:

I expanded my gear this year to include a large size Bear Vault and an Ursack for hiking in the western regions.


Goals for 2018:  Finish the Florida Trail and finish the book on it. Do more section hiking of the AT. Find future speaking opportunities. And dream big.


What are your hiking goals?

Bear Facts of the Trail

Black Bear photo by wildsafebc.com

I photographed this bear in a tree in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Bears can be a hot topic in the hiker forums. I have witnessed, unfortunately, a hiker's tent at a hut in Shenandoah National Park torn up by a bear because he kept minor things like toothpaste inside. It makes good sense to learn the facts when encountering these

Bear damage to a tent

animals in the woods.

Most bears are skiddish when encountered on the trail, but a mother with her cubs can and will attack to defend her young if she detects a threat. It's prudent, therefore, to know the basics of bear safety when out hiking. And it's wise also to be aware of their scent to let you know they are nearby. I was taught the scent of a bear from a hiker/former ranger, and she said it smells like a wet dog. Once you recognize a bear's scent, it will alert you to their presence and avoid surprise encounters.   

Below are some general bear safety tips taken from the Shenandoah National Park website. If you are out west in grizzly country, that's a more dangerous area, and bear spray, bear bells, and other protection are needed, as well as bear canisters in many places (such as Yosemite National park which requires it). Check your local areas for updates on aggressive bear activity.


Avoiding Bears While Hiking

• Stay alert to your surroundings and the presence of wildlife while hiking.
• Make your presence known by keeping the wind to your back (your scent will alert bears), if possible hike in groups, and make noise.
• When you spot a bear, stay 300 feet or more away and never linger or take photographs for long periods.
• Slowly back away and leave the area or take a detour. Making noise during your retreat is appropriate. Keep children close to the group. Do not turn your back on a bear. Do not make eye contact.
• Do not pursue and NEVER surround a bear. Give it room to escape.
• DO NOT run from a bear. Bears will pursue prey and flight is a signal to them to start pursuit.

Encountering a Black Bear

Heed warning signs

If an encounter occurs …

Remain calm and don’t run. Like dogs, bears will often chase fleeing animals. You can't outrun a bear. They have been clocked at speeds up to 35 mph! Climbing a tree is futile since black bears excel at climbing trees. Jaw popping by the bear is a signal to you that it is uncomfortable.
Let the bear know you are human. Talk to it in a normal voice and wave your arms. If a bear cannot tell what you are, it may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious – not threatening.
Move away slowly, but don’t turn your back.
Avoid eye contact with the animal.  If the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Black bears may approach at a measured pace and attack the human as prey. The calm appearance of the black bear may have lure some of their victims into a false sense of security.  If leaving the area is not an option or if the bear gets too close you should make yourself appear as large as possible. Lifting your arms and a pack over head, moving to higher ground or, if in a group, huddling together will help discourage the bear. Make louder noise by banging pots and pans or using other noisemakers, but never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal. If need be, throw rocks. A black bear calmly and steadily approaching who is not bothered by yelling or thrown objects should be considered extremely dangerous.

If a bear charges…

Don’t run! Bears often make bluff charges, sometimes to within 10 feet of their adversary, without making contact. Usually if you hold your ground they will back off.

If a bear actually makes contact…

Fight back! In rare instances black bears perceive humans as prey – if you are attacked by a black bear fight back. Try to focus your attack on the bear’s eyes and nose.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it.

In camp...

Eat away from your sleeping area. Never store food or any kind of smellables including sunscreen, chapstick or toothpaste in a tent or vestibule. If available, use the bear boxes, poles or cables provided. Use bear poles or bear cables or hoist your food in a tree ten feet off the ground and four feet out in a bear bag. Better yet, learn the PCT method of hanging food.  Cookware and trash should be similarly secured as well as anything scented such as toothpaste, toothbrush, medications, bug repellent, soap, etc.

In some places where bears are known to be aggressive on the Appalachian Trail such as in Georgia our southwestern Virginia, carry a bear canister to store your food. Canisters are also required in the Adirondack region of New York State and in several places along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). A Ursack may be used but also use an odorproof barrier with it.

Etiquette in Trail Shelter Living

Who hasn’t loved the idea of finding a safe and dry place in a trailside shelter to shield one from the elements?

Especially when the rain is falling hard, and you don’t need or want to get your tent or gear
any wetter. In times like this, shelters can provide a safe haven from storms. But there is also etiquette that needs to be observed. After all, this is not just one person’s dwelling place for a night, but many. You will share that space with those you may or may not know. You will also likely be sharing it with shelter creatures too – anything from insects, to mice, snakes and even larger mammals.

I stayed in a shelter one stormy night while on my sectionhike of the AT (Appalachian Trail) a few weeks ago. What I observed in the shelter led me to write up seven ideas of etiquette in shelter living:

Rock Spring Hut in Shenandoah

1.       Realize that you will likely NOT be the only one in the shelter. That means, don’t monopolize it with your belongings, taking every hook, etc. DON’T set up your tent and hammock in it either. A guy had strung up his hammock in it that then limited other hikers trying to find a place to bed down for the night and store their gear. NOT courteous.

2.       If you know you are a snorer at home, chances are it will be magnified outdoors. PLEASE then don’t use the shelter. There is nothing more miserable than sleeping beside a snorer, even with earplugs in (which everyone should carry, btw). To the snorer - you will likely have many more enemies in the AM too.

3.       If you know you will be getting in late, like after hiker midnight (usually 9 PM) set up your tent. I was rudely awakened at 10 PM by three dripping wet hikers looking for space. If you choose to hike late, that’s fine. But be courteous by not waking up others in the shelter by coming in and demanding space, making everyone move, firing up your stove, etc. Set up your tent. That also goes for the early

A tiny shelter on the Allegheny Trail

riser before 6 AM. In both instances, do the right thing and tent. And also, use a headlamp with a red night light feature. There is nothing worse than a white LED light glaring all around the shelter. One guy flashed his for half the night as he wanted to read at 2 AM. A red light would have made things much better for those that would rather sleep. If you are a late nighter like that – tent.

4.       Don’t smoke cigarettes, pot or anything else in the shelter. Don’t use your cell phone in the shelter either. Other hikers don’t care to inhale the nicotine, drugs, or hear you talk to your girlfriend. That’s your business, so do it away from the shelter or better yet, tent.

5.       If you are feeling sick, DON’T use a shelter, period. This is mainly how norovirus epidemics hit the AT every year. Avoid all public places – picnic tables, privies, etc. until you are totally well. If you know of someone who is ill, get out of the shelter area. Wash your hands. No sharing food either.   

6.       Make sure your food is stored away properly for the night. I was appalled the next AM to find not one of the other five hikers in residence had hung their food. They left it all in their packs sitting on the shelter floor. Normally it would have been attacked by critters. Always hang your food and cookware preferably by bear rope away from the shelter. That goes for NOT leaving excess food, trail magic or otherwise in shelters or hanging from poles, cables or in bear boxes. Someone had left trail mix just sitting there in the shelter when I arrived. Don’t do it!

A bag of trash left in a shelter fire pit at Niday Shelter. NO!

7.       The shelter is NOT for creating a library of books, magazines, or other reading material that then turn into fodder for mice or the beginnings of a trash pile. No one wants to drag your book around. Don’t leave extra gear and clothes (no one wants that either), food, empty fuel canisters, or trash. The shelter area should be left clean. Volunteers take care of it and they do NOT want to go and clean up your trash. That also goes for the shelter fire ring. DO not leave trash in it. I even found a full trash bag in one shelter fire pit. Empty food wrappers weigh a lot less! Carry out everything!

With some common courtesy and keeping your gear and food safe and carrying out all trash, shelters can be a place of refuge and fellowship for all.