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When I hike in places like Joshua Tree or Death Valley, I'm usually off-trail.
It's pretty easy to hike a trail-less canyon or a ridge without getting lost. And a lot of great destinations - like summits - have no trails (though in certain areas social trails tend to develop). Also, I know how to read a map, so I print off the USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles.
You need to have some basic competence to navigate off-trail, but you don't need to go through Ranger school to find your way around with a compass and a map.
But its not something someone going for their first hikes needs to worry about, that can come later.
When I hike in places like Joshua Tree or Death Valley, I'm usually off-trail.
It's pretty easy to hike a trail-less canyon or a ridge without getting lost. And a lot of great destinations - like summits - have no trails (though in certain areas social trails tend to develop). Also, I know how to read a map, so I print off the USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles.
You need to have some basic competence to navigate off-trail, but you don't need to go through Ranger school to find your way around with a compass and a map.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Deserterer
But its not something someone going for their first hikes needs to worry about, that can come later.
The admonition to which I was responding said to NEVER go off trail.
It's generally good advice to stay on trails east of the Mississippi in most places, because the woodlands are so dense. But the poster who started this thread is in southern California, where canyons and ridgelines and beaches abound. These places tend to be without trails are aren't particularly challenging at all even to a novice. You really have to work hard to get lost hiking on those features. In fact, wandering out of a canyon and off a ridge on a trail can more readily lead to disorientation than staying in the canyon or ridgeline without trails.
A great early hike is angels landing in Zion Canyon. It has little bits of all the challenges. Lots of steep trail parts,but also woods, fields, all kinds of different terrain. If you can do the landing and back in a day you will be fine hiking almost anywhere.
After you get a little experience get a guide and go back and do the Subway.
1) Stay on trails and get maps from parks when you can - nothing like a good reference guide.
2) When hiking in areas with significant changes in elevations be sure to wear appropriate outer ware.
3) If you intend on going to remote areas be aware of the types of wildlife dangers
4) Reacquaint yourself with first aid and Self Defense basics is always a good thing - hopefully it won't be necessary
Only trouble I have encountered as solo hiker, is when in areas that one can easily lose orientation if off trail, such as desert areas at high sun (SE Arizona), and hiking during a snowstorm in upstate NY. I knew the park well which helped, but easy to lose orientation in whiteout conditions. Call me crazy.
The elevation change / outerwear issue I encountered when on a trip. I did the long weekend while in Calgary for the sole purpose of going to Banff Natl Park and hiked up to get the view of Lake Louise. https://www.city-data.com/forum/trav...l#post55386547
A great early hike is angels landing in Zion Canyon. It has little bits of all the challenges. Lots of steep trail parts,but also woods, fields, all kinds of different terrain. If you can do the landing and back in a day you will be fine hiking almost anywhere.
After you get a little experience get a guide and go back and do the Subway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chiluvr1228
I got tired just watching the video!
Yep, Coldjensens, look at my post #45! I posted a video on that hike!
Guys, I know people hike that obviously, but I could never do it in a million yrs. Other than being able to be on roller coasters that are quite high, I'd say that I'm somewhat afraid of heights, but I'd never want to be that out in the open at that height. Plus, I tend to have off & on dizziness for the last few yrs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ciceropolo
Probably been covered already:
1) Stay on trails and get maps from parks when you can - nothing like a good reference guide.
2) When hiking in areas with significant changes in elevations be sure to wear appropriate outer ware.
3) If you intend on going to remote areas be aware of the types of wildlife dangers
4) Reacquaint yourself with first aid and Self Defense basics is always a good thing - hopefully it won't be necessary
Only trouble I have encountered as solo hiker, is when in areas that one can easily lose orientation if off trail, such as desert areas at high sun (SE Arizona), and hiking during a snowstorm in upstate NY. I knew the park well which helped, but easy to lose orientation in whiteout conditions. Call me crazy.
The elevation change / outerwear issue I encountered when on a trip. I did the long weekend while in Calgary for the sole purpose of going to Banff Natl Park and hiked up to get the view of Lake Louise. https://www.city-data.com/forum/trav...l#post55386547
Thanks for sharing, good thing you were familiar w/ the park in SE AZ!
Love angels landing. It has never been crowded when I have been there. Typically you might encounter 2-3 other groups. It can be challenging if you encounter another group on the narrow cliff faces while hanging onto the chains, but many people ignore the chains and can just walk around you without any issue. i have a manageable fear of heights issue, but I still love this hike. I will admit that I cling to the chains though and I am not about to let go of the chain for even a second.
there are a lot of phenomenal hikes at Zion and they are all very different. Subway is my favorite, but you have to swim, climb crawl and rappel but all for short distances. There is a shouter version from the bottom up that you get to see part of the subway canyon without the challenges, but it is a there and back again hike. The narrows hike is really neat and then there is a "trail" that is just a non-stop climb up a stepped rock formation. I do not remember all the names, but there are more great and very different hikes at Zion than anywhere i know of. That is what is so cool about the Angels landing hike, the variety or terrains is amazing. The video just shows the end of the hike. On the way to the chains, you go through all kinds of different terrains and trail types.
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