Hiking: Difference between revisions

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The word '''hiking''' is understood in all English-speaking countries, but there are differences in usage. In some places, '''off-trail hiking''' is called '''cross-country hiking''', '''bushwhacking''', or '''bush-bashing'''. In the United Kingdom, '''hiking''' is a slightly old-fashioned word, with a flavor rather of 'heartiness' and 'exercise' than of 'enjoying the outdoors' (people in the UK would be more likely to use more modest terms such as '''hillwalking''', or simply '''walking'''). Australians use the term '''bushwalking''' for both on- and off-trail hiking. New Zealanders use '''tramping''' (particularly for overnight and longer trips), '''walking''' or '''bushwalking'''. Hiking in the mountainous regions of Nepal and India is sometimes called '''trekking'''. '''Overnight hiking''' is called '''[[backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]]''' in some parts of the world. Hiking a [[long-distance trail]] from end to end is referred to as '''thru-hiking''' in some places.

Hiking is one of the fundamental [[outdoor activity|outdoor activities]] on which many others are based.  Many beautiful places can only be reached overland by hiking.  Enthusiasts regard hiking as the best way to see nature.  It is seen as better than a tour in a vehicle of any kind (or on an animal; see horseback riding) because the hiker's senses are not intruded upon by distractions such as windows, engine noise, airborne dust in large quantities, and fellow passengers.  It has an advantage over standing in one place because the hiker may cover a wide area.

On the other hand, hiking over long distances or over difficult terrain does require some degree of physical ability and knowledge, as well as a [[backpack]] to carry food, water and [[Ten Essentials|essential equipment]].  Hikers may be caught in inclement weather or suffer mishaps.  Some jurisdictions (for example, New Hampshire) now require inadequately prepared hikers to pay for their own rescues.

Hikers often seek beautiful environments in which to hike. Ironically, these environments are often fragile: hikers may accidentally destroy the environment that they enjoy. The action of an individual may not strongly affect the environment. However, the mass effect of a large number of hikers can degrade the environment. For example, gathering wood in an alpine area to start a fire may be harmless once (except for wildfire risk). Years of gathering wood, however, can strip an alpine area of valuable nutrients.

Many hikers espouse the philosophy of [[Leave No Trace]]: hiking in a way such that future hikers cannot detect the presence of previous hikers.  Practitioners of this philosophy obey its strictures, even in the absence of area regulations.

Human waste is often a major source of environmental impact from hiking. These wastes can contaminate the watershed and make other hikers ill. Bacterial contamination can be avoided by digging catholes 10 to 25 cm deep (4 to 10 inches, depending on local soil composition) and covering after use. If these catholes are dug at least 60 m (200 feet) away from water sources and trails, the risk of contamination is minimized.  

There is one situation where an individual hiker can make a large impact on an ecosystem: inadvertently starting a wildfire.  For example, in [[2005]], a Czech backpacker burned 7% of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile by knocking over an illegal gas [[portable stove]]. Obeying area regulations and setting up cooking devices on bare ground will reduce the risk of wildfire.

Because hiking is a recreational experience, hikers expect it to be pleasant. Sometimes hikers can interfere with each others' enjoyment, or that of other users of the land, but they can minimize this interference by following good etiquette. For example:

* When two groups of hikers meet on a steep trail, there may be contention for use of the trail. To avoid conflict, a custom has developed in some areas whereby the group moving uphill has the right-of-way. In other situations, the larger of the two groups will usually yield to the smaller.

* Being forced to hike much faster or slower than one's natural pace can be annoying, and difficult to maintain consistently. More seriously, walking unnaturally fast dramatically increases [[Fatigue (physical)|fatigue]] and exhaustion, and may cause injury. If a group splits between fast and slow hikers, the slow hikers may be left behind or become lost. A common custom is to encourage the slowest hiker to hike in the lead and have everyone match that speed.  Another custom is to have an experienced hiker sweep up the rear, to ensure that everyone in the group is safe and nobody straggles.

* In rural Britain, when two groups of hikers meet, it is considered a common courtesy to exchange greetings (either verbal or physical (e.g. smiles and friendly nods)).  To pass another group without such acknowledgement is seen as rude.

{{main|Hazards of outdoor activities}}

Hikers often propose a set of behavioral prescriptions to minimize these threats. A well-known example of such a set of prescription is the [[Ten Essentials]].

== Preparing a successful hike for others ==