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RimSurfer
It's Fun to Surf the Rim
It's Fun to Surf the Rim
Arizona Hiking Trails Photo Gallery
Adventure Resource
Adventure Resource
General Hiking Guidelines & Tips
Hike preparation and enjoyment
• Be sure you understand the difficulty level of the hike and that you are ready for that level.
• Pack and bring the required and wise hiking, clothing, equipment, safety and first aid for the hike.
• Layer your clothing based on the kind of weather you will be hiking in.
• Notify at least one person who will not be on the hike of your departure and expected return times.
• Hydrate yourself before, during and after the hike.
• Eat light and healthy before and during the hike.
• Notify your leader of any medical or health issues you may have.
• Wear a good fitting pair of hiking shoes and socks.
• If your feet begin to hurt resolve the issue promptly.
• Use shade and sunlight to your advantage - stay warm or cooler based on the trail conditions.
• Take periodic short breaks - do not set excessive goals. Enjoy the hike!
• If you are cold or wet be aware of the conditions that could lead to hypothermia.
• Stretch before and after the hike.
Trail and group courtesy
• Stay behind your leader.
• Stay within sight of your leader.
• Stay with your group.
• Stay in front of your sweep.
• At trail intersections wait for all the group to arrive then proceed.
• Don't hold up the group with your personal interests.
• If someone is having some trouble, as a group be gracious and do not leave them to wander behind.
• Leave your ego at home - relax and enjoy the company and the hike.
• When in mixed company a "separation break" means a polite private nature call.
Mistakes that are often made by novice hikers
• Not being physically cabable of the level of the hike.
• Not bringing a hat or bandana to cover their head.
• Not eating or hydrating properly before the hike.
• Wearing poor fitting or the wrong type of hiking shoes.
• Wearing the wrong kind of clothing for the weather conditions.
• Not bringing alternate or additional clothing for weather changes.
• Not bringing or consuming enough liquids (2-4 qts per person per day).
• Not bringing the right amount or kind of "high energy" food.
• Not bringing the proper rain gear other means to stay dry.
• Falling behind the designated sweep or moving ahead of the leader.
• Not communicating they are leaving the trail/group for a "nature call".
• Over enthusiastic start that leaves them exhausted and uncomfortable later into the hike.
• Forgetting to bring basic first aid (includes insect repellent).
• Squeezing the hike into their day so In a big hurry to meet a time deadline.
• Continually slowing up the hike up with excessive photography, talking, critter watching, etc.).
• Bringing a problem pet, leaving pet "do do" along the trail or ignoring or disobeying park leash laws.
• Littering , damaging, destroying, trampling, leaving the specified path to bushwack areas on the trail - (ie destroying or removing vegetation and stones, throwing stones, leaving lunch and snack scraps along the trail - if you pack it in you should take it out!).
• Falling into a body of water and then not having any dry warm clothes to put back on
• Stylishly exposing bare skin and getting sunburned or hypothermic.
• Failing to think through the event(s) that caused your day plan, scope and time frame of the hike to go bad and then adapt realistically to that problem. An example may as simple as to decide not to go on the hike, or just stop and begin back, as it is now too late in the day to get back before dark if you continue on, or maybe your feet or legs or body have developed a problem that may take you much longer to get back, so stop, do not go on, try to remedy the issue and then begin your return - do not push on "to the end" and find you can not get back as planned.
• Not communicating with the leader that they are feeling ill or that they have a shoe problem and their feet are in need of prompt attention.
PLEASE READ HIKING DISCLAIMER
Hike preparation and enjoyment
• Be sure you understand the difficulty level of the hike and that you are ready for that level.
• Pack and bring the required and wise hiking, clothing, equipment, safety and first aid for the hike.
• Layer your clothing based on the kind of weather you will be hiking in.
• Notify at least one person who will not be on the hike of your departure and expected return times.
• Hydrate yourself before, during and after the hike.
• Eat light and healthy before and during the hike.
• Notify your leader of any medical or health issues you may have.
• Wear a good fitting pair of hiking shoes and socks.
• If your feet begin to hurt resolve the issue promptly.
• Use shade and sunlight to your advantage - stay warm or cooler based on the trail conditions.
• Take periodic short breaks - do not set excessive goals. Enjoy the hike!
• If you are cold or wet be aware of the conditions that could lead to hypothermia.
• Stretch before and after the hike.
Trail and group courtesy
• Stay behind your leader.
• Stay within sight of your leader.
• Stay with your group.
• Stay in front of your sweep.
• At trail intersections wait for all the group to arrive then proceed.
• Don't hold up the group with your personal interests.
• If someone is having some trouble, as a group be gracious and do not leave them to wander behind.
• Leave your ego at home - relax and enjoy the company and the hike.
• When in mixed company a "separation break" means a polite private nature call.
Mistakes that are often made by novice hikers
• Not being physically cabable of the level of the hike.
• Not bringing a hat or bandana to cover their head.
• Not eating or hydrating properly before the hike.
• Wearing poor fitting or the wrong type of hiking shoes.
• Wearing the wrong kind of clothing for the weather conditions.
• Not bringing alternate or additional clothing for weather changes.
• Not bringing or consuming enough liquids (2-4 qts per person per day).
• Not bringing the right amount or kind of "high energy" food.
• Not bringing the proper rain gear other means to stay dry.
• Falling behind the designated sweep or moving ahead of the leader.
• Not communicating they are leaving the trail/group for a "nature call".
• Over enthusiastic start that leaves them exhausted and uncomfortable later into the hike.
• Forgetting to bring basic first aid (includes insect repellent).
• Squeezing the hike into their day so In a big hurry to meet a time deadline.
• Continually slowing up the hike up with excessive photography, talking, critter watching, etc.).
• Bringing a problem pet, leaving pet "do do" along the trail or ignoring or disobeying park leash laws.
• Littering , damaging, destroying, trampling, leaving the specified path to bushwack areas on the trail - (ie destroying or removing vegetation and stones, throwing stones, leaving lunch and snack scraps along the trail - if you pack it in you should take it out!).
• Falling into a body of water and then not having any dry warm clothes to put back on
• Stylishly exposing bare skin and getting sunburned or hypothermic.
• Failing to think through the event(s) that caused your day plan, scope and time frame of the hike to go bad and then adapt realistically to that problem. An example may as simple as to decide not to go on the hike, or just stop and begin back, as it is now too late in the day to get back before dark if you continue on, or maybe your feet or legs or body have developed a problem that may take you much longer to get back, so stop, do not go on, try to remedy the issue and then begin your return - do not push on "to the end" and find you can not get back as planned.
• Not communicating with the leader that they are feeling ill or that they have a shoe problem and their feet are in need of prompt attention.
PLEASE READ HIKING DISCLAIMER